Ecclestiastes: Take a Look Part 3

Ecclesiastes 5 New King James Version (NKJV)

Fear God, Keep Your Vows

1 Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.

2 Do not be rash with your mouth,

And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.

For God is in heaven, and you on earth;

Therefore let your words be few.

3 For a dream comes through much activity,

And a fool’s voice is known by his many words.

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it;

For He has no pleasure in fools.

Pay what you have vowed—

5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be rash with your mouth. And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.

Whew! I have so much to thank God for as He has and continues to help me with this very area….

Some thoughts here. Take care of even the inner thoughts that do not become verbalized. Remember that it is He that searches the hearts and intents of all (Jeremiah 17:10, Romans 8:27).

Have you been in a situation where you may have bargained with God; “If you will, I will”, a promise, vow, deal, bargain, or exchange in order to get God to do what you want? Be careful!

Allow yourself to be willing and humble in inviting the Spirit to search you and show you those troublesome areas, those toxic and dark places that are often brushed over or ignored. Do as David in Psalm 139:23-24 and invite His Word to lead an inner inventory. Humble yourself and give Him access to these areas. Even if your flesh still enjoys its own works and you’ve been ‘in it so long’ that you’re nearly numb to the inner prodding of your own conscious…Yet and still, admit to and agree with Our Creator that those things that are revealed are anti-Christ in nature and in opposition to the Word. Then you can ask Him to help your will, desire, and want to become healthier and whole. Philippians 2:13 KJV For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Process is messy but the Grace is so bountiful!

That part really hits me and all I can say is that

I am so grateful and blessed that Jesus Blood covers all my sins because I would have a hard time giving any more than an account of those that are covered in the Blood. No condemnation, and gradual sanctification are some of the blessings of living for Jesus. He died for all; past present and future: no condemnation. Through His sacrifice and gift of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we can become people of high moral character in word and deed, sharing our faith by how we live our lives as well as use our time, talents and treasures.

Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

This life-long process means by turning our lives over to Him and learning to live differently, think, choose, speak, and relate to one another in a way that honors God, day to day, choice by choice, we can become people of Purpose and Substance, honor Christ’s Sacrifice. To submit ourselves to His will above all, to acquiesce to His ultimate Authority over even Life and Death.

The Word is corrective, which has allowed me to continue to work out the fruits of the spirit in my own life progressively….yet I am far from finished! And great is His Love and patience that He continues His work in us!