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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November 21, 2024 · 9:00 pm

Meaning

I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure”; but surely, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter–“Madness!”; and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?” 3 I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives. 4 I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. 5 I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove. 7 I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds. 9 So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Solomon’s attempt to find meaning in life is the stuff of legend. He tried many things in order to find peace and contentment. And each time, these pursuits came up empty.

The “preacher” chased after pleasure to the full. The pleasures of life were given to him in abundance. But, they were never enough and left him empty.

Next, Solomon pursued money and great building projects. He built palaces, public works and even the temple.  But, once again, these pursuits do not give him the peace and passion he longs for.

Finally, Solomon sought lasting meaning in his power. Power was heaped upon him as one of the greatest kings of his day. Even that power was not enough to shake him from his conclusion that all is vanity and meaninglessness.  

Only Jesus can bring satisfaction. Trust in Him today and everyday!

Tony French

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November 18, 2024 · 9:00 am

Searching

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Genesis 3:8-9

In the midst of human rebellion the Lord still calls out “Where are you?” to His creation. God’s mercy is on display even at the worst of times. Verses 8-9 reveal 4 things about the Lord’s love and grace……….

1) God seeks sinners

2) God receives sinners who trust in Him by faith

3) God restores sinners through salvation

4) God redeems sinners through the blood of Jesus

Tony French

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