This passage compares two scenarios: an unfulfilled life of toil andloneliness and the benefits of living as a community. - P88
We were createdfor community, which is why "two are better than one." When wework together, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute to thewell-being of our entire society. - P88
But living as a community is not aneasy thing to do. It takes intentionality and self-denial. The church isa microcosm of society as God intended it to be. - P88
People of all different backgrounds and personalities are brought together through theirshared bond in Christ Jesus. - P88
Each one has been given different spiritualgifts for the sake of edifying and strengthening the rest of the membersof the community of faith. - P88
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Do not be quick with yourmouth to say anything before God. God is in heaven, and you are on earth,
- P91
so let your words be few. When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfillit. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. Much dreaming and many wordsare meaningless. - P91
Prayer is one of the most solemn activities we do as believers. It is anopportunity for a finite, sinful creature to commune with an infinitelyholy God. - P92
Whenever we engage in prayer thoughtlessly, we dishonorGod. In this passage, the Teacher warns that whenever we come intoGod‘s presence, we should not utter careless words before Him butrather speak out of love for Him and reverence for His holiness. - P92
Ofcourse, God cares about what we have to say and we should verbalizeour prayers. But our posture in prayer should be one of reflection andresponsiveness to His Word rather than merely dictating our desiresto Him. - P92
Our spoken words should reflect the attitude of our heartstoward Him. - P92
Our view of God determines how we relate to Him and those aroundus. - P92
God is an awesome God and is, therefore, to be feared. This rever-ential fear causes us not to rush into making promises that we may notfulfill. - P92
We would rather not promise anything than make empty prom-ises to God. And if we do make a vow, we should fulfill it. - P92
In the sameway, in our relationships with others, we should remember that Godis greater than all. - P92
We are all ultimately accountable to Him, especiallyin the way we treat people who are less privileged and vulnerable. - P92
Eachperson deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness because they arecreated in God‘s image. - P92
Heavenly Father, forgive me for every careless word I have spoken and everythoughtless vow I have made but failed to fulfill. - P93
Please help me to honorYou with my words and in how I treat others made in Your image. In Jesus‘name, amen. - P93
Many experts agree that communication is key in every kind of rela-tionship. Businesses spend a great deal of money to ensure that clientsreceive the right kind of information about products or services. - P93
InChristian circles, preachers spend considerable time preparing theirmessages. In family relationships, couples who communicate regularlyand honestly have a higher chance of thriving in their relationshipthan those who struggle to communicate. - P93
Even in our relationshipwith God, our spiritual well-being is affected,
to a great extent, by thestrength of our prayer lives. - P93
Effective communication happens when a message is relayed in sucha way that the recipient understands the speaker‘s meaning and intention. - P93
This means that effective communicators are not only concernedwith what they say but also how they say it. - P93
God has demonstrated tous what it means to communicate with grace. Since we could neverhave known or understood Him on our own, He came down to ourlevel and revealed Himself to us through His Son. - P93
Jesus took on human form, and through Him we can experiencethe love of the Father. - P93
Although this level of communication sets apractically impossible standard for us on our own, we are called toadopt Christ‘s mindset of humility and we can do so with the help ofthe Spirit. - P93
Our goal in communication, and relationships in general,
should be to extend grace to those who are least deserving because we,
too, have been given such grace. - P93
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