Displaying Christian Sermons by tag: ecclesiastes

John Hagee (August-02-2022) Daily Devotional: Ecclesiastes 7:8 - The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Every ending signals a beginning, and a new beginning brings a former matter to a close.

The diploma signifies a farewell to academia and ushers in a new reality of full-time employment. A wedding marks the end of singlehood and opens up a future of mutual, loving submission.

When we place our trust in Jesus, an ending occurs. Our old man – with his sinful attitudes and actions – passes away. We are mysteriously made a brand-new creation as we embark on this faith adventure full of hope and promise (2 Corinthians 5:17).

If we pay attention, we see that every one of these situations involves the process. A graduation, a marriage ceremony, and a salvation experience are captured in one moment in time, but living out these new beginnings is a journey. And like every journey, it carries its disappointments and delights, triumphs and tragedies, healing and heartaches.

If the new beginning looks different than you expected, be encouraged. Don’t be so focused on the somewhere-out-there that you lose sight of the here-and-now blessings. When we invite Jesus into every moment, He becomes a Friend Who walks through the fire beside us, Who heals our hurts, Who shares our joys, and Who teaches us the lessons that lead to life everlasting.

Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you walk every moment in the presence of Jesus to know the riches of His glory and the hope that never disappoints.

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - 2 Chronicles 32:1-33
• New Testament - Romans 15:23-33
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 25:12-17, Proverbs 20:16

John Hagee (February-23-2022) Daily Devotional: Ecclesiastes 3:4 - A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

Heartbreak finds us. This truth applies to all of humankind. Some heartbreaks shatter our world suddenly. Some come after long seasons of rejection before the final abandonment. Some result from our wrong choices; sometimes, we have no choice at all.

David experienced the depths of heartbreak. He and 600 mighty men returned to Ziklag after waging war for Israel. As they neared the city, instead of happy families running out to meet them, they saw smoke on the horizon. Their joy turned to terror.

Inside the city, they found that their wives and children were kidnapped, their homes burned, and their possessions stolen. Their hearts were broken. These elite commandos lifted up their voices and wept until they had no more power to weep (1 Samuel 30:4). These valiant warriors, whose stories were still being told thousands of years later, cried until they could cry no more.

What do you do when your heart breaks? How do you react when the enemy has stolen all that you treasure and you sit alone in the ashes? This is the time for tears. This is the time to lift your voice and weep until the tears run dry. The One Who has the power to help catches every tear in a bottle. He comes to comfort and console. For now, weep.

Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. God is near to the brokenhearted. You will succeed in spite of struggle. Cast all your cares on Him. He cares for you.

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - Leviticus 14:1-57
• New Testament - Mark 6:30-56
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 40:1-10, Proverbs 10:11-12

John Hagee (December-17-2021) Daily Devotional: Ecclesiastes 5:2 - Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few.

How do we respond to the pruning from our Heavenly Father? Do we submit to His wisdom? Or, are we quick to complain and blame?

James encourages us to be quick to listen, but slow to speak (James 1:19). Do not be discouraged by the pruning process. The Lord disciplines the child that He loves. He corrects the one that He embraces. In the same way that parents discipline their children, He trains us to grow and produce fruit.

James also warns us to be slow to wrath. When the Vinedresser lifts us up and begins the process, our frustration will not hasten the work. James goes on to say that “the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Our fits of temper will not bring about God’s best in our lives.

Our tongues have the power to speak life and health or poison and death. Do not cancel out the harvest by uttering hasty, rash words.

When we undergo the painful pruning, we can rejoice that our Father loves us enough to work with us until we produce the fruit that He desires. We can yield to His tender touch and wait quietly on the Lord.

Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May the Spirit of the Lord transform you from glory to glory as you become more and more like the Father. All praise and glory belong to Him!

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - Nahum 1:1-3:19
• New Testament - Revelation 8:1-13
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 136:1-26, Proverbs 30:7-9

John Hagee (October-12-2021) Daily Devotional: Ecclesiastes 4:9 - Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

We shine better together! Jesus looked at a group of people and said, “You are the light of the world.”

He spoke to each individual, since His light has taken up residence in each of our hearts. He also spoke to them as a group. Why? Because we shine brighter and better together!

Once we decide to try, to shine, to be difference makers, we must be willing to work with others. The church often suffers from an “I” problem – what “I” want, what “I” need, what “I” do. Instead, we must learn to ask how we can accomplish God’s plans together. How can we better reach this world?

How freeing to appreciate our differences! If we all are exactly alike, most of us are unnecessary. But He created us beautifully unique. Iron sharpens iron – one blade cuts against another – and friends hone the character of each other. In the places where one of us lacks, another comes to fill in the gaps; we come into agreement.

Under the cause of Christ, we unite to accomplish His purposes. Our God-given differences were made to complement – not compete with – one another. We are united in a purpose that is much greater than ourselves.

Together, we will shine so brightly that His glory will pour out to flood the whole earth!

Blessing:  May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you know that God has handpicked you to be a difference maker. You are the light of the world. Shine for the glory of God!

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - Jeremiah 19:1-21:14
• New Testament  -  1 Thessalonians 5:3-28
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 82:1-8, Proverbs 25:8-10

John Hagee (April-16-2021) Daily Devotional: Ecclesiastes 2:18 - 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.

There is a difference between making a great living and having a great life. Plenty of people make a great living but lead miserable lives, lives that lack peace, joy, and hope.

Friend, contrary to what you may have been told, it is possible to be a Christian and still be happy. Many people believe that being spiritual means walking around looking like you’ve been sucking a lemon all day. But that is not spirituality, that’s religious legalism and legalism is a curse.

But I have good news! Salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ sets you free to serve the Lord of the Bible and enjoy the life He died to give you–a life filled with powerful potential.

Back when Elvis Presley was at the peak of his career, his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, arranged for me to meet and talk with him in his hotel room in San Antonio, Texas. Elvis had everything that money could buy. He had luxury cars. He had jets. He had diamonds. He had fame. He had the applause of fans. He had a telephone that was covered with gold. Yet, I’ve never met a lonelier person. At the end of our conversation, Elvis said, “Pastor, will you pray for me?” I prayed with him. Elvis was a good person. He had a great living. But he had a hurting heart and a lonely, empty, joyless life.

What kind of life do you have? Are you living with divine purpose? Does your life have meaning? Or are you lonely? Are you angry? Are you frustrated? Are you chasing illusions that never materialize? Is your home in crisis? Is your marriage a war zone? If so, then you are not living up to your powerful potential. God has made it possible for you to have peace that surpasses all understanding. He has made it possible for you to have joy unspeakable and full of glory. He has made it possible for you to experience unconditional love.

I want to tell you, from the depth of my heart, there is a Father in heaven who loves you more than you can possibly imagine. Even if your mother and your father forsake you, Jesus promises that He will never leave you. He will be with you in the darkest valley. Nothing can separate you from His love.

Blessing:  May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Choose today to accept the love of your Heavenly Father and find the peace, joy, and hope of His Salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - Joshua 13:1-14:15
• New Testament - Luke 18:1-17
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 85:1-13, Proverbs 13:7-8

John Hagee (August-02-2020) Daily Devotion: Ecclesiastes 7:8. The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit

Every ending signals a beginning, and a new beginning brings a former matter to a close.

The diploma signifies a farewell to academia and ushers in a new reality of full-time employment. A wedding marks the end of singlehood and opens up a future of mutual, loving submission.

When we place our trust in Jesus, an ending occurs. Our old man – with his sinful attitudes and actions – passes away. We are mysteriously made a brand-new creation as we embark on this faith adventure full of hope and promise (II Corinthians 5:17).

If we pay attention, though, we see that every one of these situations involves the process. A graduation, a marriage ceremony, and a salvation experience are captured in one moment in time, but living out these new beginnings is a journey. And like every journey, it carries its disappointments and delights, triumphs and tragedies, healing and heartaches.

If the new beginning looks different than you expected, be encouraged. Don’t be so focused on the somewhere-out-there that you lose sight of the here-and-now blessings. When we invite Jesus into every moment, He becomes a Friend Who walks through the fire beside us, Who heals our hurts, Who shares our joys, and Who teaches us the lessons that lead to life everlasting.

Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you walk every moment in the presence of Jesus to know the riches of His glory and the hope that never disappoints.

Today's Bible Reading: 

• Old Testament - 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13
• New Testament - Romans 15:23-16:7
• Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 25:12-22, Proverbs 20:16-18

Jon Jorgenson (June-06-2018) Your life is definitely NOT meaningless | Ecclesiastes 12. A Day in the Word is a weekly YouTube bible study for youth and people of all ages. In today's episode, Jon teaches on Ecclesiastes 12, Jon talks about how because of God, your life is not meaningless.

Jon Jorgenson (May-30-2018) This Will Motivate You | Ecclesiastes Bible Study. A Day in the Word is a weekly YouTube bible study for youth and people of all ages. In today's episode, Jon teaches on Ecclesiastes 11, Jon gives us motivation for answering God's call on our lives.

Jon Jorgenson (May-09-2018) Why do bad things happen to good people? | Ecclesiastes Bible Study. A Day in the Word is a weekly YouTube bible study for youth and people of all ages. In today's episode, Jon teaches on Ecclesiastes 8, continuing our conversation around wisdom, and it's proper place in our lives.

Jon Jorgenson (May-02-2018) Why you're reading Proverbs wrong | Ecclesiastes Bible Study. A Day in the Word is a weekly YouTube bible study for youth and people of all ages. In today's episode, Jon teaches on Ecclesiastes 7, Jon talks about wisdom literature, and how you may be reading it wrong.