Encouragement is more than just offering someone uplifting words when times are tough. It's about nudging fellow believers toward love that expresses itself in good deeds.It's about calling one another to live a life of love that is demonstrated by the way we treat one another. The goal of encouragement is to help one another be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

"They will know you are MINE by your love for one another!" Not by your bumper sticker, your tattoo, your cross necklace, or your WWJD bracelet but by your love. Jesus says LOVE OTHERS not because it the "good Christian" thing to do but because He loves US!

As we come to the end of Ecclesiastes - there are a lot of different paths that seem to promise “the Good life”, but there is only ONE path that leads you to where you ultimately want to go. Solomon’s parting wisdom is: Go live the good life. But understand the good life doesn’t exist without God or apart from Him. Know that it is only found in God Himself; so fear God & keep his commands. Remember God. Revere God. Resolve to follow Him.

We're continuing to dive into Ecclesiastes and tonight we examine one of the most valuable resources we have, but one that is dwindling: Time. Solomon is addressing the reality we all know exists, but seldom discuss. Our time is limited - so it matters how we utilize it. How do we maximize living the Good Life with an existence that has a shelf life to it? We see some practical advise flowing from Ecc. chapter 9.

In chapter 4 – Solomon is pointing out that it’s as if there are certain pulls upon the human heart. Think of it as a tug of war. The pull of Envy and the pull of Foolishness, but they will only take you toward isolation if you allow them leverage. What we truly need for the Good Life is the pull of Community.

Are you Edging God Out (EGO) with trying to control things that you shouldn't be? Are you filled with fear, anxiety, and worry because you don't trust God with your life?

We all pursue trophies...they just change with time; but Solomon has some words for us who are aiming our lives at those pursuits – the trophies of life under the sun. There's nothing wrong with WORK, we've been wired and entrusted to work - but when we allow 'work' to become our pseudo source of identity, we're asking it to do something it can't. Life is much more about who loves us and who we love - than what we know or what we do. Learn the secret and power of practicing PRESENCE.

Throughout his life Solomon experimented with a variety of pursuits and pleasures. Although he accomplished everything you can imagine, he was unable to find true and lasting satisfaction. When we pursue our ultimate satisfaction in what we find "under the sun," we arrive at the same conclusion as Solomon. That's because only a relationship with Jesus brings true and lasting satisfaction.

Everybody craves the Good Life! But what will truly deliver it? Tonight we begin a new series in the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon tries to find The Good Life in most any way possible and he discovers that life 'under the sun' doesn't ultimately offer it. So life-giving hope, meaning and significance must be found elsewhere. Chapter 1 is a rough way to start a book, but it sets a foundation that will help us as we examine these Scriptures. Join the journey in through this series.

We're examining a silent labeler that weighs down our heart and keeps us from experiencing the joy God longs to foster within. Whether it's the lies we tell ourselves or the ones spoken over us - shame has a way of sinking us. But shame doesn't have the last word...thanks to the grace of Jesus that enables us to walk with a new identity!