“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-2; 14)
It is one of the most profound statements about the eternal nature of Jesus. Then Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us. Why did the Word become Flesh? Let’s look at 10 reasons Jesus came to earth and dwelt among us in human form. AUDIO | TEXT PDF
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” –Ecclesiastes 3:11
Why does every culture on every continent in every generation have a concept about God? Egyptians believed in life after death as well as a final judgement. They believed that after death your soul was weighed on a balance scale. On one side of the scale was your soul, and on the other side was a feather. If your soul was lighter than a feather, you could have eternal life in paradise. If not you received eternal punishment.
Why would Egyptians, Babylonians, Mayans, Native Americans, Chinese, Japanese, all have a concept of God, life after death and judgement? Why would isolated tribes in the Amazon rain forests, cut off from outside civilizations still have a concept of the “Great Spirit in the sky.” Because God placed Eternity in our hearts. God created us “in His image” (Gen. 1:26) with a spirit and consciousness of eternity. Let’s examine the fascinating fact, the fascinating effect and the fascinating reason God placed eternity in our heart. AUDIO | TEXT PDF
Wisdom for the Seasons and Storms of Life “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
We are so conditioned by culture to believe that happiness is found in our circumstances. This is the “when/then” way of thinking… “when I get that job, then I’ll be happy… when I retire, then I’ll be happy… when I get my way, then I’ll be happy.” However, the timeless wisdom of God’s word reveals that true happiness is not based on life circumstances–It is based on living in harmony with God and His will through all of life’s circumstances. Although we all experience the seasons and storms of life, God will be with us through those seasons and storms. He makes all things beautiful in His time. AUDIO | TEXT PDF
What makes a happy life? What brings true happiness, meaning and fulfillment? A 75 year Harvard study has been trying to find the answer. We know one thing they’ve discovered – happiness is not found by accident by winning the lottery of life. Solomon was searching for the answer to this question as well, and he had already won the lottery of life! Solomon had more money, more power, more prominence, more wives and more wisdom than anyone else alive, and yet he was still empty and unfulfilled. Solomon was still searching. True Happiness is Not Based on Winning the Lottery of Life, it is Based on Living with Wisdom in Harmony With God and His Will. AUDIO | TEXT PDF
Obstacles we Encounter in Our Search for True Meaning, Fulfillment, Happiness
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” (Viktor Frankl)
Solomon describes some of the obstacles under the sun that we encounter in our search for true meaning, fulfillment and happiness. As we recognize these obstacles in Ecclesiastes chapter 1, we also find some spiritual lessons. AUDIO | TEXT PDF
Jst Church of Christ | Grants Pass 
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