Ecclesiastes 12:10

  David sinned with Bathsheba and that led to more sin as he tried to cover it up. He tried his best to get Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, to do wrong in the process. Uriah didn’t.   So David convinced himself the solution was to have the noble warrior killed by the hands of the Ammonites.   His actions made him an adulterer, a liar, a despicable leader and a murder. But it also made him stupid.     You see in order to make the death of Uriah happen; he had to enlist the help of his commander Joab. Joab wasn’t the type to not take advantage of the situation. So when Joab made an error in battle by letting the men get too close to the wall, he used the information of Uriah’s death to distract David from criticism. “and if it happens that the king's wrath rises and he says to you, 'Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall? 'Who struck down Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman throw...

A Series of Unfortunate Events Unfortunate here means troubling or disturbing. Who had his head crushed by a millstone thrown by a woman? Herod Abimelech Joab Salazar Who was eaten by worms? Herod Jezebel Ahab Jambres Who had a tent peg driven through his skull? Korah Nadab Gideon Jael Who was hung on the very gallows he had prepared for another? Mordecai Abner Haman Isthar Who fixed a stew that had been poisoned by a wild gourd? Jesus Moses Samuel Elisha What King's official was trampled by crowd of starving citizens just as Elisha had foretold? Omer Ahab Mannessa Onan What King's census led to the death of seventy thousand men? David Ahab Solomon Joram What man was struck dead by God for attempting to steady the Ark when it wobbled on a cart? Nacon Nadab Uzzah Belshazzar Who had his son's house collapse during a party killing all his children? Samson Jacob Job Elimick What man was stoned under false charge i...

  “God wants me to be happy”.   You probably heard people make this comment as a justification. I can do this thing that is clearly a sin but it is OK because God wants me to be happy. Now there is some discussion there, but let’s assume God does want you happy. Wouldn’t he tell you how to be happy? Let look at some verses: But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye 1st Peter 3:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you 1 Peter 4:14  Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.  Behold, we count them happy which endure. James 5:10-11 Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. Romans 14:22   These verses paint a different picture of how God says one is happy. Suffering for righteousness. Being insulted for the name of Christ. Happy be...

What Exactly Do You Do Around Here? Get a Job! I'll Name a person you tell me their original occupation Amos Prophet Grower of sycamore figs Scribe Fisherman Peter Carpenter Knife Maker Fisherman Tent Maker Paul Tent Maker Scribe Lawyer Shephard David Nobleman Musician Potter Shephard Nehemiah Governor Soldier Cupbearer Priest Matthew Priest Tax Collector Scribe Fisherman Daniel Magican King Harp Player Baker Luke Scholar Sailor Physican Tutor Ethiopian Eunuch Bodyguard Landscaper Ambassador Treasurer Oholiab Engraver King Judge Priest

  A man had two sons   The younger son of them felt he had earned his share of his father’s estate so he left home with Dad’s credit card and went out to find himself.   It didn’t take long till the card was maxed out and the people that the younger son was indebted to didn’t seem to care too much about the younger son’s journey of discovery, and just wanted their money. Times were tough and it seemed a full of himself spoiled son wasn’t the resume material for an easy high paying job so the son had to get a low-end menial one.   One day when he was scrubbing toilets, the younger son had an epiphany. His Dad was wealthy and raised him accustomed to that lifestyle. This wasn’t fair. He couldn't even afford an unlimited data plan on minimum wage. He shouldn’t have to work. His father had cursed him with affluenza. This was his fault! He should march right back to father house and lay the blame right square on him!   So as texted his Father to te...

  It might just be the most shocking verse in the Bible. It is certainly one people don’t embroider on a throw pillow or sticker on the wall. How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones Against the rock. Psalms 137:9   It’s violent overtone toward children. A prayer to God to harm others.  It’s gleeful delight in the worse happening to an enemy. Should such a bitter outburst belong in the Bible?   To understand its place and inclusion, we need to examine the whole psalm. The 137 th Psalm is the song of a people forced into captivity. Those ripped from their homes. Poets forced to sing songs about a homeland that now lies in ruins. To their captors they are just entertainment, but to the captives they are just pain.   That is why they are lashing out. How can such a wicked people win? How can evil dominate? “God” they cry, “ do something !”   Pain doesn’t talk with reason. Agony does not come as a measure re...

Bitter Hope this doesn't leave a bad taste in your mouth... Who is described as bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword? An idol An adultress A false prophet A drunk king Who asked to be called Mara (meaning bitter) after she lost her husband and sons? Ruth Hannah Tamar Naomi What bitter tasting drink did Jesus refuse on the cross? Wine mixed with gall Water Milk Sour wine Who made the Israelites lives bitter with hard labor in mortar and bricks? The Philistines The Babylonians The Egyptians The Romans Who cried out with a great and bitter cry when he realized his father had blessed his brother? Jacob Essau Benjamin Reuban What does Proverbs say to give to the perishing and whose life is bitter? Good Cheer A meal of soup Strong dink A quick death What prophet exclaimed woe on those that " substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter "? Isaiah Jeremiah Daniel Ezekiel During what feast were bitter herbs to be e...

  Everyone thinks their Mom’s cooking is the best, but chances are it is not [1] . It has more to do with the fact her cooking is the one that you started eating. It is what you expect food to taste like. If she made her potatoes lumpy, then that is how you like them because that is what you think they are supposed to be. It is not until you broaden your palate, that you may begin to see that maybe there is something better than that.  You’ll sometimes hear the remark; this will ruin all other <whatever> for you. Some cooking will reset your taste buds once you have had it. It becomes the standard. If we only ever had crummy versions of something, we really don’t know what it really tastes like. For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew...

SWEET This should be tasty... Who made the water of Marah sweet by throwing a tree into them? Elisha Elijah Moses Jacob Whose riddle went 'Out of the eater came something to eat, out of the strong came something sweet'? David Ishmael Job Samson Who was called the "sweet psalmist of Israel"? Moses David Korah Ethan the Ezrahite Which of these is NOT described as sweet in Proverbs? Bread obtained by falsehood Honey from the comb Stolen water The tales of a rich man Who were accused of being full of sweet wine? The men of Judah before battle The priests on the new year Apostles on the day of Pentecost The sons of Rechab What prophet was told to eat a scroll that was sweet in his mouth but turned his stomach bitter? John Ezekiel Jeremiah Isaiah What prophet voiced the complaint of God 'You have bought Me not sweet cane with money'? Jeremiah Isaiah Daniel Elijah In Jotham's parable, what tree said: "Shal...

  It really is a true story.   It happened in Florida back in 1986.  Jurors were being transported upstairs by elevator to hear a case when the elevator got stuck between floors. For twenty minutes they hung there until the elevator was finally fixed. On their late arrival, the judge was concerned that the event might sway the jury. Why?     The case they were to rule on involved an escalator accident. And the company being sued was the Otis Elevator company. The same company that operated the elevator they had just been stuck in. And they knew it because they have been staring at that sign for the last twenty minutes. Amazingly, the judge decided not to disqualify any of the stranded passengers/jurors, concluding instead that they were able to put aside their recent experience with the defendant and rule fairly.   I’m not so sure.   The actions that surround a message have a great impact on the message. We need to remember th...

Salty See if you are worth your salt. What judge after razing a city and killing its people also salted the earth? Samson Gideon Abimelech Othiel Whose rule be given to him and his sons from God by a covenant of salt? David Saul Jesus Jeroboam Whose wife was turned into a pillar of salt? Abram Ahab Reuben Lot Who said,"Can something tasteless be eaten without salt"? Job Jesus Jeremiah Jehu Who said, "Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again?" Job Jesus Jeremiah Jehu What did Paul say should be seasoned with grace as though seasoned with salt? Our praise Our giving Our prayers Our speech Who made a name for himself when he returned from killing 18,000 Arameans in the Valley of Salt? Gideon Joab David Nimrod What prophet purified the water of a city by throwing salt into it? Elijah Ezekiel Elisha Eldrich What other name is the Salt Sea known as? Dead Sea Red Sea Mine...