DATE POSTED
Friday, February 21, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read it in your Bible or click Ecclesiastes 5 to read it in the New Living Translation (NLT).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
Praise God that His Word is completely true and can be trusted for direction, encouragement and most of all blessings. Without meditating on the Word daily, we go about our day like a man, or woman, without daily nourishment/food. I say all that to particularly draw your attention to today’s Scripture that captured my full attention. In just the 20 short verses of Ecclesiastes chapter 5, there are several areas of life that are addressed, and if adhered to, will give us peace and direction for our lives. Please click on the above reference so you can read the whole chapter, but here are the things that caught my attention:
–> Things we should gain from going to church (vs 1-2) – As we enter, let us always remember who owns the church/temple in which we enter. If we knew that the President of the United States, or the King of England, or any other national leader was there, we would make special preparation to insure we are dressed our very best, we would be on our best behavior, displaying our best manners, and we would listen way more than we speak. Although no where as important as God, we would give the authoritative figure our full attention, and would never question them, but probably vow to obey what they told us. If you agree with this, then perhaps you might get a better picture of what Solomon is telling us to do as it concerns the God of this universe when we enter His house.
–> Follow through on the promises you make to God (vs 4-6) – We are told that God considers a man/woman who makes vain and/or unkept promises, a fool. While you may punch me for calling you a ‘fool’, I hope that you would ask God to help you always stay true to your promises. I had a pastor who promised God in the middle of battle, that if He would save him, he would serve Him the rest of his life. This Brother recently retired from a lifetime of blessed and successful ministry! May we all keep our promises made to God as we seek His favor.
–> Our financial success – Riches (Vs 4-11) – Many of us might believe that riches bring us happiness. Solomon assures us that this is meaningless, as we constantly battle for more riches. Furthermore, when our mother presents us to the world for the very first time, we are penniless, no matter how rich our parents were. When our loved ones present us to God by laying us in our earthly grave, again we are penniless. Why again are we so concerned about riches??
–> How we should enjoy life (Vs 18-20) – We all enjoy a good meal, and most of us also enjoy being around family and friends. Solomon brings to our attention that for most of us, we are so busy with all of the above, that we can’t find time to spend with family, or around the table, without electronic devices, where we might enjoy quality time together.
Friends, I believe that two things become very clear in this short chapter of the Bible. Make every effort to spend your life/time with God and your family – the ones who make life possible for you, and who are deeply concerned about your happiness, joy and eternal destiny. While the rest of life may seem important, they are meaningless without God and family. As you’ve read this devotional, I pray that you have also completed a thorough analysis of your life against the instructions in God’s Word. Is there a proper balance, and do you exemplify a value pleasing to God in each of these areas of your life? God can help you be honest in your evaluation and with the realignment, if you let Him!

PRAYER
Thank You Lord for challenging me in my walk with You. It is so easy to compare ourselves to the world and assume that we must be doing fine. But You are our perfect God, and You not only set the bar for us, but You sent Your Son to show us how we could live more like You. As followers of Christ, please help us to be transparent in our thoughts, actions and words, so that others will experience the love, teachings, behavior and obedience of Your followers and they will desire a relationship with You, the One who gives us the strength, direction and desire. Be glorified in and through us, oh Lord. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. One of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals or subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, I encourage you to find a church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you make every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!