(Disclaimer: Some articles and links to articles published in this ezine may contain false doctrine. They are included due to some valuable content. The fact that they are printed here does not mean that we accept or endorse their doctrine. All writings of men, including ours, should be carefully compared to the New Testament writings.)

To hear a biblical word or name correctly pronounced, choose the first letter of the word from the alphabetical list below, then select the word.

"And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive." (2 Kings 8:30)

It is easy to understand why Solomon was in such good standing with God in his early life. He was humble, loved God's people and wanted desperately to rule them well and in the paths of righteousness. And as the prayer above shows, he wanted himself and his people to always ask forgiveness when they erred from the strait way. Instead of asking God to let us win the lottery, we ought always to plead for forgiveness of our shortcomings and weaknesses. Instead of complaining and asking for more than we have, we ought to earnestly thank Him for the bountiful blessings that we do have and give as much of it as we can to those who have less.

Our prayers ought to reflect our thanks more than anything else, and our supplications ought to be more for forgiveness, humble and forgiving hearts, ability to stay on the strait and narrow path of righteousness and opportunities to teach others the commandments of Jesus Christ.

Solomon was a man upon which God bestowed "a wise and understanding heart." With his wisdom and insight Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes. In it he describes the parameters of man's existence. He clearly pursues the purpose of life and concludes that life without God is vanity and a "grasping for the wind".

After surveying all of man's pursuits in life - pursuits which he had enacted upon his own life - Solomon summarized that life on earth is for service to God. He said, I have done it all, seen it all, acquired it all and this is my conclusion: " Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Eccl. 12:13). The word duty is not in the Hebrew language and this is literally rendered, "This is man's all."

Solomon was not telling us what to do, but who we are. In other words, you and I are on this planet for one reason - to fear God and keep His commandments. This is the reason for our existence.

Many in our world are out of touch with this core purpose of life. The liberal posture neutralizes and diffuses the fundamental reason for being. It focuses on the human instead of God. It fails to place God and humble submission to Him as our ultimate goal and instead encourages people to focus on themselves. They press the attitude of feel good and pursue religious interest that bring about personal pleasure . It is an appeal to the lust of man. They fashion God as a loveable grandfather figure who places no demands on anyone and simply wants people to relax, enjoy self-gratification, and worship Him in a way that makes sense to you as an individual while omitting obedience.

Only when we get back to Solomon's clear advice to life's purpose can we change the erosion of life's quality. Herein lies our purpose and goal. Fear God and keep His commandments my friend - it is life!glorified and praised.

"The superior reasoning power...revealed in the incomprehensible universe, forms my idea of God."...Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched...but are felt in the heart."...Helen Keller (1880-1968)

Someone has made the observation that our ears are out in the open, exposed and unguarded while our tongues a concealed behind ivory bars. James wrote, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." To be slow to speak is to speak in a careful manner, allowing our words to be the result of diligent thought, rather than haste. In the book of Proverbs we read, "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life" (Proverbs 13:3).

Our speech can be utilized in a negative manner. We can use our words to incite anger. "A soft answer turneth way wrath, but grievous words stir up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). Our speech can be used in a filthy manner. "Put filthy communication out of your mouth" (Colossians 3:8). A filthy mouth is the result of a filthy heart (Matthew 12:34). Our speech can consist of words with no purpose. We will one day give account of every idle word we have said (Matthew 12:36-37). Our speech can cause us to violate another person’s trust in us. "A talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter (Proverbs 11:13). Our speech can be used to participate in gossip. We ought not be talebearers or busybodies (I Timothy 5:13).

Just as our speech can be used in a negative manner, it can also be used in a positive manner. Our speech can be used to speak the truth. Someone has said, "If you always tell the truth, you never have to remember what you said." How true that is! Our speech can be used to speak of our faith. With the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:9-10). Our speech can be used to honor God. With the fruit of our lips we offer praise to God and honor his name (Hebrews 13:15). Our speech can be used to encourage others. We are to let that which comes out of our mouths be that which is good to the use of edifying (Ephesians 4:29). Our speech can be used to spread God’s word (Psalm 119:172).

Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak.

Many people read the Bible and get the wrong impression of what God promises His Children. We all know that Matthew 6: 33 says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." and the televangelists will jump to the occasion and explain to you that it means great wealth. but we would do well to read the whole chapter and see how many new cars and riches he had promised them. He was talking about not worrying about what you will eat and what you will drink and what you will have to wear. Nowhere does it mention ribeye steaks and gourmet coffee, suits from Joseph A. Banks, etc.

If we ever convince ourselves that God will favor us with extreme wealth and perfect health if only we will devote ourselves to Him and put seeking the kingdom first in our priorities, we will be in for a sad awakening. If any man is able to put the kingdom more ahead of all else than did Paul, I'd like to meet him. And Paul, like Jesus, had no place to call home that I know of and had to depend upon others for shelter and bare necessities. The poor old fellow could not even get his "thorn in the flesh" removed. In fact, Jesus himself warns us that it is near impossible for a wealthy man to enter the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:24 and Mark 10: 25).

To "seek ye first the kingdom of God", means that you are convinced that such will reward you greatly...in heaven with God, forever in peace and rest and comfort. As long as we have adequate food to meet the body's nutritional requirements and clothing suficient to cover our nakedness, let us learn there with to be content. (1 Timothy 6:8) And let our requests to Him be for ability, resources and wisdom to be able to proclaim His word to the world in meaningful and fruitful ways. And always ask that His will be done. That request will always be answered.

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