Ecclesiastes Chapter 9 Discussion



 
  • Rugged Christian - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 1 year ago
    First, it is not the denial of life after death; just simply the observation that death is the end of life as we know it. Only the living things experience the things of life.
  • Douglas Mark Kemplin on Ecclesiastes 9 - 1 year ago
    What does it mean when the Bible says? the dead knoweth nothing. Ecclesiastes Cha 9 verse 5
  • Richard H Priday - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Vain repetitions: There are those who would be Pharasitical that repeat a phrase; or mantra somehow trying to impress men or God with their petitions. Clearly; there is precident as with the persistent widow ( Luke 18:1) to pray without ceasing ( 1 Thess. 5:16-18).

    It should be acknowledged on our part that some prayers are answered after only one request; in fact divine occurances can occur without anyone present (as far as we know) have offered up any prayer. It is He; Christ Himself who "ever intercedes" for us ( Heb. 7:25 and other passages). We; therefore should seek to worship in the Spirit; in accordance with His will. This is accomplished through knowledge of the living Word; and often is shown scripturally to be in agreement with the covenants and promises already established by God.

    There are generally thought to be 3 ways God responds to a prayer request; namely no; not yet; or yes. The bigger problem is not why a specific prayer seems to be unmet or not responded to; but HOW God is speaking to us regarding a matter. We often focus on the result or effect of an inner problem as shown in external actions; or behaviors. We tend not to see how the Lord is using a difficulty for either our edification or that of the individual lifted up in prayer. This; of course may be wisdom that takes time to appear. If someone is a mature believer; then they are more likely to request something based on better understanding of the ways of God working in their lives. All things work out for the good for those who love God ( Romans 8:28). Our prayers for unsaved people should always be centered on their need for repentance; not ignoring their other needs.

    There is actually no Bible verse where we are asked to pray for an individual to be saved; thus a strong indication of God's sovereignty in the doctrine of election.

    Hopefully; in all this when there are things we can do for someone in need; we can take action to be an answer to prayer( James 2:16).
  • Suze - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Right back at you ELB .
  • Mishael - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Psalms 100:4

    Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

    the Book of Psalms was written by many writers. A Psalm is a Song. Many people have recorded songs with Bible verses.

    It is the presence of the Holy Spirit that helps us praise. You show yourself to be very blessed.

    I even sing Psalms, through tears, when reading of the difficulties King David experienced-so much like my own problems.

    I much prefer music on YouTube that is all scripture so I can hear the Melody. I like John Michael Talbot and his brother, Terry's music sometimes. See what you think.

    'Troubadour' means singer. John has an album called Troubadour.

    In the battle against The Walls of Jericho; the Singers were in the front, the musicians next.
  • Evangilist Mel - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    when Jesus was in the garden he was praying the same prayer, so why can't we...we say in our church (pray until something happens, he may not come when you want him but he always on time
  • ELB - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Amen, Brother Alex!

    God Bless You!
  • ELB - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Amen, suze!

    gbu
  • Suze - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Always thank God for every good thing in your life , in doing this you are acknowledging Him as the source of all good things and thanking Him for His generosity and mercy and loving kindness to you , even asking something from Him is praising Him because in doing so you are acknowledging His power to intervene and do anything He wants to with His creation . Helping others is also praising Him , if you do some thing nice for some one and they thank you , you could say to them ; don't thank me thank God , they may think that you are crazy but that's their problem . I'm often nice to people I don't like very much because I know that God wants me to be kind to everyone , this is also praising Him , when you do His will even if you don't really want to ! Submission to God's will is definately praising Him . In submission you are showing your faith in Him and His righteousness . I sometimes thank God for the same things every day , if it's truly from the heart it doesn't matter if it's a bit repetitive .
  • Alex N - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Hiya Robert GBU....Lemme give ya my take on Praising God....Our old adamic nature is too tainted with sin to praise God Perfectly...We need to birth a new innerman, a new heart and a new spirit which is the H.G. the Child of Promise....Remember Jesus said outta of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou has PERFECTED PRAISE....Which is the H.G. our new innerman, That Child of Promise....That results from his seed the word that is planted in our hearts etc...Being bornagain of an incorruptible seed etc...Even by the word of God that liveth and abideth for ever..the living WORD that good seed

    ....Thats y the new birth is so important...We get a new heart and a new spirit...That Child of Promise that can Praise God Perfectly...And a Kingdom...Unless you receive the Kingdom of God as a lil Child you will in no wise enter there in...Its that lil Child which is the H.G that can Praise God Perfectly...As we have borne the image of the earthly ( Our adamic nature ) we must also bear ( birth ) the image of the heavenly....the H.G. that Child of Promise.

    ....Thats y Elijah has to come and turn the hearts of the Fathers to the CHILDREN ...Which are the babes and sucklings that can Praise God PERFECTLY...OK
  • GiGi - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Dear Robert.

    If You read accounts of Isaiah's or John's vision of heaven, You will notice that the angels repeatedly cry "Holy, holy, holy is the

    Lord God Almighty."

    I don't think that Scripture is talking about repeating words of praise to God, rather speaking to Him with empty words coming

    from our mouths but not from our heart and mind.

    You could take a little time to write down a variety of praise phrases and continue to add to these along the way. Then you can

    read through some of these before you give them up to God. When you do come to God, use what the Holy Spirit brings to

    mind.

    One thing that helped me many years ago was to write words describing God under each letter A-Z and find Scripture references

    for these. This helped me expand my praise vocabulary AND deepen my understanding of God's character.
  • Brenda - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Singing songs of praise is one way of praising God. Also seek out things in your life and give thanks to God for them. The more you do these things the more comfortable you will become and your heart will open up to Him. Also confess to the Lord you need help in praising Him and He will help you.
  • Robert Johnstone on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    I have been been praising GOD every day. I was told that you do not keep saying the same thing, even praying. How do i prayse GOD every day with out repeating myself? Do you prayse GOD every day. I need help for this.

    Robert Johnstone
  • GiGi - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Dear Reynaldo,

    I understand that it is culture. Thanks for clarifying since it seems to matter much to you.
  • Reynaldo Acevedo - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Sigmund Freud called it talk therapy which is still used today in mental health care. we are doing more for mental health disease. In this discipline we use it to get things out in the open for our Savior to be beckon.

    Lord, it is tight to give you thanks and praise, please hear my plea. Raul was my favorite Uncle and in life he served you Lord, with a contrite heart. As I talk about our past with Raul for closer it is without expecting an answer form my Uncle Raul. Let others learn from my plea. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
  • Reynaldo Acevedo - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    biting the forbidden fruit was also a thought.

    it was wrong and it is still talked about it today.

    misunderstanding a definition or any false assumptions caters to the evil one.

    letting go of something for self-perseverance reminds me of the quote " you are in America, you can want all you want, but it doesn't make it right. btw. It is not heritage, it is culture.
  • Jesus Loves You and so do I - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    That's a good verse. I was forgiven of a lot of low-living. I was peeled just like an onion; piece by piece until I was bare and Had NOTHING to save me. A very bad time. Death looked good to me. But Jesus dropped into my wreckage and pulled me up to the land of the living.

    After I'd been saved some months I leaped into evangelism. You know wee kids with their Daddies taking them out trick r treating? I felt like the Lord was with me no matter all the mess. I fell in with a storefront church; most of them were street preachers. I heard the Call. Thirty years later, it's still my passion.

    All that discussion of sharing hopes of seeing my saved relatives someday in heaven_is externalizing. I know they're dead, gee whiz. My Favorite times are sharing my soul-winning prayers with the LORD OF THE HARVEST. If I see disasters on tv, I pray about everything! It's an on-going conversation with the Holy Spirit. He lives in me, and I live in Him. He desires to have relationship with US. Im sorta solitary, but have kids and I love them enough to keep a wall of prayer around them; and extended family too. I care deeply about war vets who are closed off inside their pain. I stand in the gap for them. Satan hates my guts and I give him lotsa trouble. He fights dirty and I fight as Jesus taught me: on my knees in prayer and exceeding Praise of the Lord!

    Television is not real life. It's like opium. You don't feel life anymore.

    I watch news of Signs of the Time. Jesus said to watch and Look Up, which is what most of us are doing. We're missing signs. All hell is busting out. Do you see it?

    We are given Dominion, Power and Authority to open eyes and ears in the Name of Jesus. Remind Satan he's NOT human and has no authority to destroy a life. He's the ultimate ILLEGAL ex-archangel. He stirred up storms on Job. He's still doing it. SO PRAY LIKE A CHILD OF GOD. Use your authority in Jesus's Name. Send them into wilderness. Then praise JESUS for the victory.
  • David - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Mishael The simple answer is most people don't believe the dead are dead as it says in Ecclesiastes 9:5+6.
  • GiGi - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Mishael,

    I never said that we should not recall and remember loved ones. I have no problem with visiting a grave or special place of one we have lost. The original topic was praying for the dead and attempting to make contact with them as Reynaldo spoke about in the Day of the Dead practices e mentioned.

    I know everyone has ways to remember loved ones who have died. As family, we talk a lot about my dad and his quirkiness and laugh. So, I really doo not think I am hammering anyone. My post must have struck a nerve and I am sorry that it did, but my intentions was to address the topic of praying for or to those who have died, especially if one is trying to make contact with a dead loved one. I have read your many posts about warding off demonic influences, and I think these practices open up such doorways for demons to interact with people. So, that is why I am speaking against these practices.

    God Bless You this Day, Mishael
  • Rick - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Mishael Why are we throwing out scripture if its all Gods Word 2 Timothy 3:16?
  • Mishael - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    If it is necromancy to "talk" to the dead, why then do we have funerals and build graveyards with roads so we can put flowers on the grave? Sit on a bench and REMEMBER that persons life?

    Is it just an industry someone invented? Why do we use graveyards? Isn't it a waste of prime real estate?

    Why did Michael the Archangel (the Angel of War) fight with satan over Moses's body?

    Why do we have a huge complex in Wash DC in honor of unknown dead soldiers?

    I don't know. I miss my parents and sometimes I talk to the air and remember good things they did for me.

    It's really uptight and sorta mean, to hammer people for missing loved ones. We should just throw out these scriptures below,

    1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11

    Wherefore comfort one another
  • Rick - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Gigi I understand are you still interested.
  • GiGi again - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Raynaldo,

    Thank you for sharing more about the Day of the Dead. I understand that it is part of your heritage.

    I still think that it is necromancy when one tries to contact someone wo is deceased to converse with them or have them present in a situation, regardless if there is fortune telling or "magic" involved. So, I do not do it, myself.

    As to speaking to Jesus, we are encouraged to pray to God and the Holy spirit interacts with us. That is different. One is dealing with God, who is unique and in a class of Being all by himself. It differs from "communicating" to or with people who have died. But I can let this conversation go for today. Thanks for you input.
  • GiGi again - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Raynaldo,

    I am not sure if you understood me correctly in what I said about my dad. e was a believer and God took him before we were ready, but we accept that God makes the best decisions. He was merciful to my dad in taking him before e had to suffer the effects of emphysema whatever else old age would have brought him. My mom, siblings, and I all recognize this. As to being a caregiver for someone close to us. Most of us who know the Lord do so with love and concern for that person. But it is hard to do for some because they themselves may be advanced in years and the work is taxing on them. The neighbor my Mom spoke to is in her 80's, too, and her and her husband still live together in a condo. she has some outside help come in daily. That is all I was saying. I think you over-spiritualized it a bit.
  • GiGi again - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Good Morning rick, I was referring to the temple and the tabernacle. Thanks for asking.
  • GiGi again - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Well said Michael. Thank you. God Bless you today
  • Reynaldo Acevedo - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    necromancy is talking to the dead about fortune telling or magic. not just talking to the dead as you stated, Edmund Freud is the father of talk therapy, Carl Jung continued his work. That thought or discipline is used today to help heal others that need closer in their lives.

    Consider reading slower for understanding to gain wisdom. TJCWP.

    Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
  • Reynaldo Acevedo - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    sometimes we are selfish in our wants and needs. many bad parents, evil men or women were gone before their time.

    As you stated, taking care of a loved one can seem impossible and sometimes it is or just not doable. The evil persons that are not taken (have died) and need caring can be supported even if we don't think they deserve it. We would rather hang and/or imprison them than rehab them as their choices are not our problem.

    God is merciful, don't be afraid. Stating that it is bad for others to care for the sick when not able to, in your stated case, and calling it merciful by God's hand is misaligned. Do not be afraid. Pray for the ones that are in need of understanding of their merciful and serving life's. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
  • Reynaldo Acevedo - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    it is necromancy when talking to the dead about fortune telling, talking to the dead is not necromancy. I talk to Jesus Christ all the time with a contrite heart through prayer and because I know he will listen.

    I hold that steadfastly and it's in "The Holy Bible."
  • Reynaldo Acevedo - In Reply on Ecclesiastes 9 - 2 years ago
    Day of the dead has been observed for over 3,000 years. These days Catholics honor those that have gone before us on November 1st (for children) and November 2nd (for adults.) It is raining heavily every day, somewhere. It doesn't mean loss is all there is! When we ask for the dead to come celebrate this one day with us it is talk to them to exchange words unsaid. We also dawn on a skeleton mask to scare them off after this day of talk therapy, we don't want them to stick around... read about talk therapy that is still used today in Psychology and Psychiatric Counseling. Freud fathered it and Carl Jung embellished it. We use talk therapy all over the world in Education, and in business (naming a couple of disciplines) to meet the needs of the world we live in. Without talking it out we wouldn't have the written language. Without talking we might as well be mute. Get it out of your system, out of your heart, ie. love, for it is right to give him thanks and praise. Have you ever met Jesus Christ our Savior? Neither have I, but I still talk to the Lord, our God.

    I can go on, so I will. Spanish was the first language I spoke, English 2nd. years later I mastered the English vernacular as I was born in America. Through pictures and visions, along with mentors of many ethnicities I learned to learned and it garnered me wisdom that I use today to help our living brothers and sisters in Christ. We do not forget our ancestral history. We must not forget those that gave us our freedom that we have today. Are we to embellish those attributes and be idle? There are many ways of life, together we can seek truth. Just imagine it and then live it. Through Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.


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