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PGA Chaplain Bible StudiesWeekly Study No 18 - 28/07/2009 Ecclesiastes Ch 5:18-20 “Then I realised that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of his life that God has given him-for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives man any wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.” (Ecclesiastes Chapter 5: verses 18 to 20 NIV). Enjoying Success!Last week our theme was on coping with losing. This week our author deals with a much more positive theme, enjoying success. I don’t think a lot of us have trouble celebrating our victories in life. We live in a time when life is quite good for most of us and we have plenty of opportunities to succeed, plenty of food to eat and wine to drink when the occasion arises. We have birthdays, graduations, weddings, sporting achievements, jobs, children, and national days to celebrate as well. Our author notes one of the reasons to celebrate is because life is short (verse18). So even though God invites us to sacrificial giving and to be generous, there are times to spend and to celebrate what God has given us. Even Jesus who lived the simplest life without many possessions or resources was accused by his opponents of being a party goer for taking part in the occasional celebration. What I find sad today is that there is a perception that you cannot celebrate and enjoy your successes without alcohol. While I do enjoy the occasional wine at a celebration, the abuse of alcohol can often turn a celebration into a tragedy. Apart from the normal celebrations of life mentioned above there is a much greater celebration and satisfaction. As followers of Jesus we have much to celebrate. Jesus said, “I come that you might have life, life in all its fullness.” One of the main reasons we go to church is to celebrate the life and victory of Jesus. Jesus has shown us the way to life, he has died for our sins and rose from the dead to conquer death. He lives today and one day will return to our world to restore all of life. Moreover he has given us his Spirit to walk with us through life; we have someone as our helper, our guide our strength. I love the words of Psalm 100 verse 4 “I will enter his gates with thanksgiving in my heart I will enter his courts with praise”. At the heart of celebrating and enjoying our successes is giving thanks to God who makes it all possible. When someone like Aaron Baddeley win the Australian Open and at the presentation and gives thanks to Jesus who makes all things possible, then our gratitude is directed to the right person. Lord, Thank you for all the successes we have in life and the enjoyment that comes from them. Most of all, we celebrate Jesus and all he has done for us. Amen.
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