Tag Archives: hope

Meaningless Labors… and a Different Point of View

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 2:17-26 With verses 17 ff. we continue the Teacher’s warm and cozy view of our lives under the sun, this time we are talking about work. In verses 17-23, we see a very high concentration of markers making it … Continue reading →

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Wisdom and Folly

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 2:12-16 Our Teacher now examines wisdom and folly, and in so doing he comes to the conclusion that wisdom is better, but it only goes so far. A wise person walks in light, while a fool stumbles around in … Continue reading →

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The Pursuit of Pleasure

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 Do you know anyone who doesn’t like pleasure? To be sure, that is a loaded question because it is not possible to say “No” to that one. Everyone likes pleasure… by definition, although not everyone has the opportunity … Continue reading →

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The Quest for Wisdom

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 Solomon (a..k.a. Koheleth) sets out his great quest for wisdom in these verses, but all of the wisdom that the wisest man of all time managed to collect, wasn’t worth very much. Here’s an example: Suppose you went … Continue reading →

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Photo of the Week: October 19, 2016

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Don Merritt
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A Final Thought from Our Study of John

Posted on October 18, 2016 by Don Merritt

When I was a boy, I read a book about the life of Jesus, and it really got my attention. As I thought about it, and as I thought about this Jesus guy, I really had no problem believing that … Continue reading →

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“Do You Love Me?”

Posted on October 18, 2016 by Don Merritt

John 21 Chapter 20 is John’s record of events concerning the risen Christ in Jerusalem; chapter 21 is John’s story from Galilee.  Why the disciples had traveled there isn’t given, but it makes sense that they wouldn’t be staying on … Continue reading →

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The Tomb is Empty!

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Don Merritt

John 20 Last time, our lesson closed when Pilate finally sent Jesus away to be crucified.  Now we pick up the story after the crucifixion has been completed, on the first day of the new week with Mary Magdalene who … Continue reading →

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The Verdict

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Don Merritt

John 19:1-16 These verses comprise one of the most amazing narratives in all of world literature.  They tell a terrible story of betrayal, hypocrisy, and weakness, evil and hate, yet through this quagmire of politics, dishonesty and intrigue God’s great … Continue reading →

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Blessed Are You

Posted on October 16, 2016 by Don Merritt

In verse 10, Jesus said that those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed; here He gets personal, for now He isn’t referring to someone else, or some group of individuals, now it is about “you”. People may speak all … Continue reading →

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