good times

Saturday, June 3, 2017 (8:24 a.m.)

Boomtown

Verdi, NV

Holy God,

Thank You. We are having safe travels and good times. Mm, yes... good times.

Mm, yes, Blessed God, You provide us the blessings to enjoy ourselves. I didn't expect to be reading in Ecclesiastes this morning, but here I am.

“So I concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God” (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13).

Holy God, I confess to You right now, there have been plenty of times that I have felt guilty for doing exactly that. Enjoying the fruits of our labor. Because You have blessed us so abundantly, I never want to take it all for granted.

You have provided us every opportunity to learn to work hard, care for our bodies and communicate in healthier ways. All this leading us to enjoying the fruits You so generously provide. The truly good times!

The Life Recovery Bible footnote explains “3:12-15 Here the Teacher gives us a practical alternative to the desperate search for ultimate meaning in life. We are to responsibly enjoy life as God's good gift to us. The Teacher wanted people to enjoy life more and to spend less time and energy trying to make sense of it all. Verse 14 sets parameters around our enjoyment of life. Everything we do must be done with the recognition that God is in charge. Our actions should demonstrate our respect for Him. This will prevent our enjoyment of life from becoming selfish hedonism.”

Mm, yes! Verse 14. “And I know that whatever God does is final. God's purpose in this is that people should fear Him.” My understanding of fearing You is not that we be afraid of You, but that we fully esteem and revere You. Mm, Father. Keep teaching us I pray.

Let our good times reflect the ultimate respect and admiration we have for You. It is only because of You that we are able to wholeheartedly sing ♫Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see: All I have needed Thy hand hath provided – Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!♫

Thank You Father. Let us use this day that You have made to fully rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24). Make it so our good times reflect You at every turn. We love You Father. And we are so incredibly grateful. Thank You. Amen.

(433 words ~ 9:15 a.m.)