Tag Archives: help

September 25, 2025 · 9:00 pm

Ecclesiastes Conclusion

9 And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright–words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. 12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

What should we do based on Solomon’s teachings? After all, he searched high and low and far and wide for meaning and purpose in life. What did he finally learn about these matters and what is his final wisdom for us?

The entirety of this book is distilled in three simple and powerful life lessons. Here they are.

**Fear God!  Have a healthy respect for the power, person, and preeminence of God at all times. He is God, we are not.

Fearing God in this manner requires a relationship with Christ. He gave His life to for us so that we may be forgiven, restored, and reconciled to God. We show our respect and fear for God by believing His Word and trusting Him for salvation.

**Keep his commands! Solomon declares obedience to God as the “whole duty of man.” We are called to be surrendered to God day by day. Our obedience springs from our salvation. After all He has done for us, we can seek to obey Him.

**Finally, live with a realization that we will stand before God in judgment. Our lives are not our own. Every person who has ever lived will not escape His judgment. Whether good or evil, all acts that take place will be judged by God. We are all accountable to Him.

The book ends with these three lessons. As we conclude, may we take a moment to give thanks for Jesus. Without Christ, we are hopeless, our lives have no lasting value, and life and death are meaningless. But through Christ, we have hope for the future. We have hope for heaven. And we have meaning and purpose that lasts. “To God be the glory, great things he has done.” (1 Samuel 12:24)

Tony French

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September 22, 2025 · 9:00 am

Enduring

I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees.

Psalm 119:48

The Enduring Nature of God’s Word

In a world where trends come and go, and human philosophies rise and fall, the Word of God stands firm. As Isaiah 40:8 declares, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” No matter how much opposition it faces, the Bible remains unshakeable and continues to change lives across generations.

The Bible is far more than a religious text – it’s a living, active force that God uses to purify, persuade, prepare, and protect us. It’s our roadmap for life, our source of strength, and our connection to the heart of God. As we make Scripture a central part of our daily lives, we open ourselves up to its transformative power.

So, let’s embrace the challenge to not just read the Bible, but to let it read us. Let’s allow its truths to penetrate our hearts, shape our thoughts, and guide our actions. For in doing so, we’ll find ourselves growing ever closer to the God who speaks to us through its pages, becoming more and more the people He created us to be.

May we echo the psalmist’s heartfelt cry: “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97). Let’s make God’s Word our daily bread, our constant companion, and the foundation of our lives. In its pages, we’ll find wisdom for every situation, comfort for every sorrow, and inspiration for every day. The transformative journey awaits – will you take up the challenge and dive deep into the life-changing power of God’s Word?

Tony French

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September 11, 2025 · 9:00 pm

Remember Your Creator

1 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”

Ecclesiastes 12:1

Solomon’s conclusions are outlined in these final verses of this book. The core message of these verses is to live wisely every day.  Why? Let’s examine chapter 12.

Solomon’s first lesson in this chapter reminds us to live according to Godly wisdom in youth and beyond. Life has a limited duration, and youth is a temporary phase.  We should always live for Christ.

A verse in 1 Timothy 4:12 anchors this point in a New Testament context. It reads Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Paul’s teaching has application for all young believers, not just young preachers. Our young people should be examples to a lost and dying world by how they treat others, how they talk, and how they show love. Obviously, we are all to be examples no matter our age. But, these passages emphasize Godly living for youth no matter the situations they face.

Tony French

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July 31, 2025 · 9:00 pm

Promises

17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, And your princes feast at the proper time– For strength and not for drunkenness! 18 Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks. 19 A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything. 20 Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter. 

Ecclesiastes 10:17-20

Keep something in mind as you read through Ecclesiastes. Life may feel chaotic, but it isn’t truly out of control.  God is in control. He is sovereign over all things. He providently works the “counsel of His will” for His glory and for “our good.” (Ephesians 1:11 & Romans 8:28).

Seeing that all this is true, we can trust God. Life possesses inherent meaning, and it is not appropriate to characterize God as inactive.  He is working on our behalf and moving history to His desired end.

We cannot trust our feelings and emotions alone. Feelings can fool us. We must trust in the revealed word of God. He will do what He has promised.

**He has promised His presence (Matthew 28:20)

**He has promised His power (Romans 15:30)

**He has promised His peace (John 14:27)

**He has promised us a place in heaven (John 14:1-3)

Trust in God’s promises. They are trustworthy and true.

Tony French

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December 18, 2023 · 9:00 am

Honoring Others

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer. 

Romans 12:11-12

Romans 12 is filled with practical instruction for Believers. The above referenced verses contain several key points about relationships among Christians. Let us briefly peruse them during this article. 

How are we to treat one another?

**We are to be devoted to one another. Loyalty is a lost concept in our world today.  Loyalty needs to be recovered and practiced within the church.

**We should honor one another. Selfishness has no place within the body of Christ. Honoring one another reveals the depth of our love for those in the Church.

**We ought to be diligent, fervent, and service-oriented towards those whom God has called in the body. Our service should not be lackadaisical and half-hearted. The Christian should serve heartily and faithfully in the Church.

**We need to be a rejoicing people. We have much to be joyful about even though life is difficult. A happy people will attract others to the faith.

**We strive to persevere through all things. True Christians stay the course and keep the faith. We may stumble, but, we do not abandon the Truth.

**We are devoted to prayer. We may struggle at it, nonetheless, we pray. We pray believing that God hears and God knows that is best for us.

I pray God’s richest blessings upon us all as we seek to obey these truths each day.

Tony French

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November 6, 2023 · 9:00 am

Refuge

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

People today are fond of saying “our times are troubled.”  On certain days, such a pronouncement would be an understatement. Violence, carnage, and mayhem reign in our streets and our hearts. Each new tragic episode is said to be the worst episode that has ever taken place. Well, it’s the worst at least until the next tragedy comes around.

As each tragedy comes and goes, humans become more despondent and distressed. We ask “what causes these things to take place?” and “how do we stop this?” Unfortunately, from a human perspective, there are no easy answers.  Each side on the political spectrum simply doubles down on their arguments. But nothing seems to change.  Tragic, terrible, events teach us that there will never be true peace on earth until King Jesus rules and reigns.

In the meantime, what are we to do? Remember, the truth of God’s Word. When tragedy and hurt come our way, be cognizant of God’s unchanging truth and unchanging love. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Why?

He is our refuge. Christ is the one we can turn to in every situation. He experienced pain, sorrow, injustice, betrayal, and even death for us. Turn to Him as your refuge from the tragedy, the violence, the pain. Pray, trust, and keep believing in the goodness of God despite what you see going on around you.

He is our strength. He is the reason you and I are able to keep going. Jesus is the cause of our worship, our service, and our obedience. And He is the reason you’re able to get out of bed in the morning. Trust in Him—He is your strength.

He is our help.  Christ has been your help, He is your help today, and He will always be your help. He is our might and He will carry us through.

God never promised perfection in this life. Evil will always be a part of this world until Jesus returns. Keep recalling what God has declared. He is your refuge, your help, and your strength.

Tony French

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