January 16, 2025 · 9:00 pm

Appointed Times

1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; 3 A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; 7 A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; 8 A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. 9 What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? 10 I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

God is in control. This is a comforting thought for the Christian. It reminds us that our lives are not spinning around in an out-of-control manner. Chance and happenstance play no part in our circumstances. Rather, our circumstances are divinely controlled by God Himself. Even when it doesn’t appear to be the case, God is still in control.

Solomon confronts this fact as he observed the rhythm and flow of life.  May we see the nature of God’s control as we study this lesson this week.

Chapter 3 comprises one of the most famous passages of scripture in the Old Testament. Everything has an appointed to a time.  The good and the bad, the joyful and the sorrowful are appointed to this life. Perhaps the following breakdown can make the point clearer.

Appointed Times for………………………..

Birth and Death

Planting and Destruction

Killing and Healing

Tearing Down and Building Up

Crying and Laughing

Mourning and Dancing

Cast Stones and Gather Stones

Embrace and Refrain

Gaining and Losing

Keeping and Discarding

Tearing and Sowing

Silence and Speaking

Love and Hate

War and Peace

Wow! What an incredible list. And God controls it all. He sovereignly reigns through our ups and downs, our victories and defeats, and our success and failures. God is in control of it all.

We may be thinking “if God is in control, then why is my life so difficult?” Shouldn’t my life be easier if God controls all things? There is no easy answer for these questions. God never promises ease and comfort on this earth (John 14:27). We live in a sinful world that will create circumstances that hurt us and cause us pain. We can’t understand it all. Yet, when can be comforted knowing that God is provident, in charge, and that He will never leave us.

God has given us an eternal perspective. We instinctively know that God exists and we are accountable to Him. We should be thankful that God has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ. For through Christ’s perfect life and sacrifice we have eternal life.

Tony French

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January 13, 2025 · 9:00 am

Thoughts For Believers

Three thoughts for Believers today………………………………………….

God’s provision is more than enough  (Romans 8:31-32)

 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

God’s purposes are never thwarted (Romans 8:28-30)

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

God’s love is never diminished (Romans 8:38-39)

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Christian, you are blessed today!

Tony French

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January 9, 2025 · 1:00 pm

Enjoy

24 Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? 26 For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

Solomon’s counsel here is stark. Due to the meaninglessness of life, we should enjoy God’s blessings. God’s provision is reason enough to give thanks and praise for all that He does.

As we view life from God’s perspective, we find that life is not meaningless. As we trust in Christ and follow Him, our life develops an eternal nature that gives us something the world cannot give.

God is the giver of all blessings (James 1) and all good things. And He is with us every step of the way.

This world’s goods, pleasures, and power can never give us the meaning and significance we so desire. But, when we are adopted into God’s family, our life takes on an entirely new dimension. We receive a hope and purpose that is not of this world.

Don’t get me wrong. The life of the Christian is not perfect and trials and difficulties await us all. Through our Savior, we are able to endure even the most challenging of circumstances and come through them in victory. As a Christian, life is anything but meaningless.   

Tony French

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December 19, 2024 · 9:00 pm

Christmas

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Matthew 1:18-25

It is a glorious story. Christ has come to redeem his people.

It is a wonderful story. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

It is a powerful story. He is JESUS, the long awaited one.

May we give thanks and praise to Christ during this Season, and forevermore!

Tony French

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December 16, 2024 · 9:00 am

The Gifts Of The Savior

What is Jesus bringing us this Christmas? It’s an interesting question. Might I suggest these four gifts.

**Light to See

The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.

Isaiah 9:2

**Life Worth Living

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

**Love to Share

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13:34

**Living Truth

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:32

God bless you and have a wonderful, merry Christmas!

Tony French

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December 12, 2024 · 9:00 pm

Life Without God

17 Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 18 Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. 20 Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun. 21 For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? 23 For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.

Life without God also renders work and labor meaningless. Solomon was famous for his great achievements and building projects. Some of the great buildings in the history of Israel were built during the reign of King Solomon.

Even success in work, however, was not enough to give him substance and significance. He couldn’t seem to enjoy his success knowing that once he died, someone else would take credit for his labor and someone else would spend his resources. His success was no salve to the restlessness for his soul. 

Only Jesus can provide true peace. Christ alone can give us ultimate purpose. Look to Jesus, Child of God, and be filled with His peace.

Tony French

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December 9, 2024 · 9:00 am

B-I-B-L-E (1)

Why study the Bible? Let us examine some thoughts on that subject…..

**Study the Bible to learn who God is.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1 Timothy 3:16-17

**Study the Bible to find spiritual guidance.

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

**Study the Bible to grow spiritually.

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

1 Peter 2:1-3

We will examine a few more thoughts next week. In the meantime, let us read and study our Bibles regularly.

Tony French

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December 5, 2024 · 9:00 pm

Overcoming

12 Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the king?– Only what he has already done. 13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness. 14 The wise man’s eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived That the same event happens to them all. 15 So I said in my heart, “As it happens to the fool, It also happens to me, And why was I then more wise?” Then I said in my heart, “This also is vanity.” 16 For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, Since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die?

Ecclesiastes 2:12-17

Death comes to all. The fool and the wise alike are still subject to the same fate. We all die. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us that we are appointed to death because of our sin.

Jesus is our hope for forgiveness. Jesus is our hope for heaven. Without Him, we are lost and separated from God. In Christ, we are saved, sanctified, and secured. Are you ready for death? That day is approaching for all us.

Trust in Jesus and be saved. Repent of your sins and turn to Jesus. Death, indeed, comes to all.

Tony French

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December 2, 2024 · 9:00 am

Immovable

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58

As believers, we are commanded to be steadfast and immovable in what we believe. We are urged to trust in the Word of God and to be abundant in our service for God. Why are these commands given? Let’s think about this today.

We are commanded to be immovable in the Word and the work of the Lord because Jesus rose from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15 details the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. His resurrection is grounded in history through these witnesses. His death, burial, and resurrection assures victory for all Christians. Therefore, we can continue to serve Him daily.

We are also commanded to be immovable because of the truth with which we have been entrusted. We understand that Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and that is has God as its ultimate author (2 Peter 1:19-21).  These precepts allow us to keep believing and trusting the Bible even when we don’t always understand.

Ultimately, we can remain immovable because of the faith of those who have come before us. There is indeed a “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) that accompany us on our journey. Down through the centuries, others have believed what we believe and have practiced what we seek to practice. It is comforting to know that others have struggled and suffered persecution and yet still kept the faith.

Their faith encourages us to go on today. Their example urges us forward in faith until we see Jesus. What about us? When our time on earth is done, may it be said of us that we were steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the word of the Lord!

Tony French

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November 25, 2024 · 9:00 am

Thankful

Let’s look at a few thoughts about thankfulness for this week……

**For the Believer, Thankfulness is Commanded

Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

**For the Believer, Thankfulness is Celebrated

Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 107:22 Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing.

**For the Believer, Thankfulness is Constructive

Psalm 107: 15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men!

Psalm 18:49 Therefore I will give thanks to You among the nations, O LORD, And I will sing praises to Your name.

May God bless you with a glorious week as you live for Him!

Tony French

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