2 Ways to Stop Feeling Empty

We can have everything from money to position, but these things will never fill us up. Here are two ways the Bible shows us to stop feeling empty. #Biblestudy #Ecclesiastes #WomensBibleStudy #GoodMorningGirls

Have you ever chased the wind?

This seems like an absurd question – yet I’m afraid we spend much of our lives doing this.  We may not literally chase the wind – but metaphorically, according to the book of Ecclesiastes, we do.

Solomon says:

“I have seen everything that is done under the sun and behold, all is vanity and a striving after the wind.”  
~Ecclesiastes 1:14

All the work, wealth, wisdom, food and drink in the world cannot add up to inner satisfaction.

Turn to page 130 in your workbooks and join me as we focus on the keyword to the book of Ecclesiastes and 2 Ways to Stop Feeling Empty.

{if you are reading this in an email or feed – click here to view the video}

Without God nothing else satisfies.  

Like the bubbles that little children chase – life’s fleeting pleasures refuse to be caught.

Every good thing we have – including our work, wealth, wisdom, food and drink – comes from the hand of God.

Even our troubles, heartaches and struggles have meaning and purpose.

On my fireplace mantel sits a wooden block with these words painted on it: “This is the Life”.

image

It was placed there during a season of life that felt fabulous.  I really do have a great life!  But the enemy  – Satan – he doesn’t want me to be comfortable or have the ease of spirit I once felt.  He makes life messy and hard.

Last Friday, I wrote about the abundant life that Jesus wants us to have. It does not come from having things – it comes from having Jesus.  The verse I quoted was John 10:10 – and I only quoted the second half. Here is what the entire verse says:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
~John 10:10

The thief – that is Satan – he comes to steal, kill and destroy.  How does he do that? He will do it anyway he can. He may do it through leading us astray with life’s pleasures – which lead to emptiness – or through strangling us with worries and fears about worldly things.

Sometimes my head hits the pillow and my thoughts, worries, fears and cares of this world swallow me up and I have to stop – turn on my iPhone – and read Psalm 23 as I fall asleep:

The Lord is MY Shepherd. {Oh yes he is mine!}

I shall not want. {He is enough.}

He makes me lie down in green pastures. {Lord, help me to sleep.}

He leads me beside still waters. {Still my mind and my soul Lord.}

He restores my soul. {Fill me up, so I have more of you to give Lord.}

Oh friends! We really do have THE life!  We have Jesus – He is “The way, the truth and THE LIFE!” (John 14:6)

When our hearts are unsettled, our bodies are weary, our prayers go unanswered and our pillows are wet from tears – we are reminded:

God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

Even in the messy and hard – we are so blessed because we have God.

He alone is the only one that can satisfy all the inner yearnings of our soul.

Chasing the wind, by chasing the world’s pleasures is fun for a season.

But when all the bubbles pop – and they always do – then what?

Surrender it all to Him – your morning, noon and night.  Let your grip on the things of this world go.  Live it all for God’s glory, until you see Him face to face.  You will have NO regrets in the end.

As the old hymn says:

I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

Walk with the King,

Courtney

If you don’t have a copy of the Bible Study Workbook yet –
It’s available on Amazon in paperback here and Kindle here.

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To find all of the posts that go along
with this series – CLICK HERE.

 

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39 Comments

  1. Hi Courtney,
    Just watched your latest video-this is this best one yet! I am really enjoying this study on Ecclesiastes, and am loving the workbook as well. Any chance your future studies will have workbooks? Thank you for all your hard work and your mom’s as well! -Betty

    1. Hi Betty,

      Thank you for this feedback! I’m so glad you like it!

      My mom and I were waiting to see the response to this study and how God worked in our hearts before deciding if we would start on a second one. It looks like we have a green light and are beginning our second one now. It takes a bit of time to complete so it won’t be available for a while. But Lord willing, we’ll have another one available in 2017.

      Thank you,
      Courtney 🙂

      1. That is great news. I am really enjoying the additional teaching component the workbook provides. Super excited!

      2. Me too, Courtney. This has been a rich experience for my GMG group and I can tell they are more faithful and energized with all the research and resources you & your mom provided for this round.
        Thanks for the excellent video and have a great weekend! 🙂
        Becca

      3. Dear Courtney,

        That answers my question as well. I am really enjoy the study. Blessings to you and your mother. Thank you so much!

        From The Netherlands,

        Maaike den Boer

      4. This is my first study with GMGs. I have done several Proverbs 31 OBS. I love the Ecclesiastes workbook & I love that the study is so Bible intense. Just wanted to add that I also would love to do future studies with workbooks. I am thankful God is leading you & your Mom to prepare another. I will be one of the first in line to buy it. Thanks to you & your Mom for the hard work and obedience that is blessing so many of us.

  2. Hi Courtney,
    I love this last video & how u point out that the world is not ment to please us that God is ment to satisfy us & that we need to go to him for our satisfaction.
    The question u asked us are really good ones. I think if we would all take the time to thank God each day or multiple times a day our lives would be so much fuller.
    Please continue writing more work books. I am getting so much more of an understanding of the bible then I ever have before. Thank u ?

  3. God has given you such a special gift, with / through your words of speech ! Through your words to teach and explain God’s Word !!

    That is something as well , for us to consider and be thankful for.
    The precious gifts that God gives, and the ways we are able to use those gifts to bless others .

    For, without HIM… we can do nothing !!

    I am Thankful for you and your ministry !!

  4. I like the verse in John 16:33 , He plainly states we will have trouble in this world, but to fear not because He has overcome this world . For me it is so reassuring and solid .

  5. Galatians 6:9 “May we never tire of doing what is good and right before our Lord because in His season we shall bring in a great harvest if we can just persist.” (The Voice)

    Too often I get caught up in needing to get things done, especially at home and church. Vacuuming at home–hubby has found it’s not his job; or at church where the few are keeping things going.

    I need to continually take the focus off of ME (or like Solomon did — “I”) and put it back on to HIM…that what is needing to be done is for Him…to not grow weary…

    Thanks!!!

  6. Hello Courtney, I’m enjoying this study so much. It’s the first time I’ve purchased the book and I am very happy I did for this study. I’m reading the book of Daniel along with this study and I’m wondering if there are plans soon to do a study on the book of Daniel?
    Between the two books of the Bible I’m being so convicted. Especially knowing that we are living in the end times.
    Thank you for all the time you dedicate to this, I’m so happy I found this group!

    1. Hi Iris,

      I am blogging through the Bible so I’ll get to Daniel…eventually. 😉

      So glad you are enjoying the study!
      Lots of Love,
      Courtney

  7. Good morning – This study it is helping me realize that I without God nothing is possible. Sometimes I feel like Solomon chasing the wind looking under the sun instead of above the sun. Thank you for this study its really helping to change my perspective.

  8. I am so grateful for your hard work in getting these studies available to us. I have been doing your studies for about 2 years now, and I have enjoyed every one. I appreciate your Mom stepping up and helping you with Ecclesiastes. I know that she put alot of hard work into it as well. I also do the LGG studies and we just completed Ecclesiastes last month. It makes me wonder if God is trying to tell me something.? I so enjoy digging deep into God’s Word and getting to know Him more everyday. Thanks so much for all that you do.

  9. Hi Courtney
    -what I’ve learned this week – how being a believer can just make a 180 degree turn in our lives – what was vanity is now for His glory; what was empty toil and despair is now a joy for the simple things in life and a thanksgiving for the gifts from God’s hands!
    -a big thank you to you and your mom for putting the workbook together (I would love to do another one). I go to bed looking forward to the next day’s study!
    blessings,
    Karen

  10. “Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men.” (Col. 3:23) was my favorite verse for the week. There is such great wisdom in realizing that striving after the world’s ways and things will not satisfy, but leaves emptiness. Only God satisfies our souls as we do life “heartily” unto Him. Thank you, Courtney, for the encouragement to focus on coming to Him (morning, evening and all the in-between) and celebrating His gifts and goodness. Truly: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

  11. I stumbled upon your SOAK method on Pinterest about a year ago and love it! Then I saw this Spring that you would be doing this Bible study. I shared with a friend and we are both doing it. I am really enjoying it. I have also printed off the Bible coloring bookmark.
    The verse that really spoke to me this week is 1 Corinthians 15:58, I am trying to memorize it. …stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know your labor in the Lord is not in vain!

    1. Just said a prayer for you sister. Hang in there. Do not grow weary and keep pressing into Christ and pouring into His word and pouring your heart out to Him in prayer.

    2. Girlfriend in Jesus. Be encouraged, here is Gods Word speaking to you. Isaiah 40Good News Translation (GNT)
      Words of Hope

      40 “Comfort my people,” says our God. “Comfort them!
      2
      Encourage the people of Jerusalem.
      Tell them they have suffered long enough
      and their sins are now forgiven.[a]
      I have punished them in full for all their sins.”

      3
      A voice cries out,
      “Prepare in the wilderness a road for the Lord!
      Clear the way in the desert for our God!
      4
      Fill every valley;
      level every mountain.
      The hills will become a plain,
      and the rough country will be made smooth.
      5
      Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
      and all people will see it.
      The Lord himself has promised this.”

      6
      A voice cries out, “Proclaim a message!”
      “What message shall I proclaim?” I ask.
      “Proclaim that all human beings are like grass;
      they last no longer than wild flowers.
      7
      Grass withers and flowers fade
      when the Lord sends the wind blowing over them.
      People are no more enduring than grass.
      8
      Yes, grass withers and flowers fade,
      but the word of our God endures forever.”

      9
      Jerusalem, go up on a high mountain
      and proclaim the good news!
      Call out with a loud voice, Zion;
      announce the good news![b]
      Speak out and do not be afraid.
      Tell the towns of Judah
      that their God is coming!

      10
      The Sovereign Lord is coming to rule with power,
      bringing with him the people he has rescued.[c]
      11
      He will take care of his flock like a shepherd;
      he will gather the lambs together
      and carry them in his arms;
      he will gently lead their mothers.
      Israel’s Incomparable God

      12
      Can anyone measure the ocean by handfuls
      or measure the sky with his hands?
      Can anyone hold the soil of the earth in a cup
      or weigh the mountains and hills on scales?
      13
      Can anyone tell the Lord what to do?
      Who can teach him or give him advice?
      14
      With whom does God consult
      in order to know and understand
      and to learn how things should be done?

      15
      To the Lord the nations are nothing,
      no more than a drop of water;
      the distant islands are as light as dust.
      16
      All the animals in the forests of Lebanon
      are not enough for a sacrifice to our God,
      and its trees are too few to kindle the fire.
      17
      The nations are nothing at all to him.

      18
      To whom can God be compared?
      How can you describe what he is like?
      19
      He is not like an idol that workers make,
      that metalworkers cover with gold
      and set in a base of silver.
      20
      Anyone who cannot afford silver or gold[d]
      chooses wood that will not rot.
      He finds a skillful worker
      to make an image that won’t fall down.

      21
      Do you not know?
      Were you not told long ago?
      Have you not heard how the world began?
      22
      It was made by the one who sits on his throne
      above the earth and beyond the sky;
      the people below look as tiny as ants.
      He stretched out the sky like a curtain,
      like a tent in which to live.

      23
      He brings down powerful rulers
      and reduces them to nothing.
      24
      They are like young plants,
      just set out and barely rooted.
      When the Lord sends a wind,
      they dry up and blow away like straw.

      25
      To whom can the holy God be compared?
      Is there anyone else like him?
      26
      Look up at the sky!
      Who created the stars you see?
      The one who leads them out like an army,
      he knows how many there are
      and calls each one by name!
      His power is so great—
      not one of them is ever missing!

      27
      Israel, why then do you complain
      that the Lord doesn’t know your troubles
      or care if you suffer injustice?
      28
      Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?
      The Lord is the everlasting God;
      he created all the world.
      He never grows tired or weary.
      No one understands his thoughts.
      29
      He strengthens those who are weak and tired.
      30
      Even those who are young grow weak;
      young people can fall exhausted.
      31
      But those who trust in the Lord for help
      will find their strength renewed.
      They will rise on wings like eagles;
      they will run and not get weary;
      they will walk and not grow weak.

  12. I am loving this study on Ecclesiastes. It has always been my favourite book in the Bible, but I am learning even more new things this time. I hadn’t noticed how there are some positive things so early on in the book – ie God wants us to have pleasure eating and drinking.
    I used to feel my life was meaningless, but now I know my life is full of meaning as I have let God have control. v26 ‘God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him.’
    The workbook is so well laid out – it would be great if you do more. You and your mum have been so inspiring.

  13. Thank you so much to Courtney & your wonderful godly Mom for spending the time in putting together this Bible study series in Ecclesiastes. It’s one of my favorite books of the Bible too. I haven’t yet purchased the Study book guide yet, because of circumstances, though I soon will be.

    I have begun reading the 1st few chapters with my 2 eldest children & they have been happily taking notes. My younger 2 love the WLW resources for kids; the coloring pages & word searches etc… It’s a great study for thought, & for our conscience, & to teach us what’s really important for us to focus our affections upon & for our ultimate goal & good in our lives. That God should always take first place in our hearts, rather than what the god of this world offers us & wants to blind & deceive us with. We have our creator the God of this universe who will never let us down & will keep us whole & complete in Him if we will only allow Him full access into our lives, and ask Him to give us His wisdom & spiritual discernment. I’ve said to my kids before that if we live our lives completely surrendered to God in submission to Him & build upon our relationship with Him, by praying & being honest with God about our shortcomings, worries, fears & our need for total reliance upon Him for everything & studying all of His Word, everything else will automatically fit into place. i.e obeying God, self controlled, gentleness, kindness, hating sin, (all the desires of the flesh). Loving righteousness, and the desire to want to be more like Christ. Being a godly wife & mother, friend etc…Of course all of these things can only be produced from our new nature in Christ, Our old fleshly nature cannot produce anything good, and fights against our new nature. Gal 5:17. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary to the other, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would”. And romans 8:7

    Just to recap over what we’ve read personally.
    From Chapter 1 Verse 12 & 13. “I the preacher was King over Israel in Jerusalem”. Solomon was wise in his own eyes, he was a man of a great & important position, ruling the nation Israel. He put his all into seeking & searching all things worldly & his status his appointed position in the government. He was unwise with everything else, his godly life, his personal life, & family life. Not forgetting that God had given him great wisdom, but it seems to me he only used it on political matters of his kingdom, but not in his spiritual life, nor in his family.

  14. Hi Courtney, this is my first study with you. I’m so excited!!! I just love ecclesiastes!!! I can hear God speaking to me loud and clear!! This is exactly what I need right now in my life. I can’t wait to wake up and do this study each day!!! Thank you and your Mom. I look forward to more of your studies in the future

  15. I’m not doing the study but I’m glad I read this tonight. I am in a tough time in my life, consumed with fear and thoughts that are difficult to pray away. I hope it will pass. I hope God will restore me, and my joy.

    1. J, please read Isaiah 40 the whole chapter. Lord please be with J. Lord please in Jesus name, break through the fog that encompasses her. Lord I pray for your heavenly angels to stand guard around her, and fill her with a clear mind, set on You and Your ways(See Colossians 3:1-4). Lord please set her free from what is hanging on her, that does not belong to You, in Jesus name I ask this. And fill her with You Lord. Thank You Lord Jesus. Amen.

  16. I am enjoying reading through Ecclesiastes and I too wondered what vanity meant. I even asked my husband as I was reading it the other day. Thank you for the great video!! I enjoyed it so much I showed it to my 7 year old and she was able learn from it too. Thank you!

    1. According to the Strongs concordance, vanity has a few meanings. In Ecclesiastes chapters 1-12 where it is mentioned it means…From H1891; emptiness or vanity; figuratively something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb

      KJV Usage: X altogether, vain, vanity.

      – H1892 הבל הבל – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon Number
      Previous Strong’s #H1891 Next Strong’s #H1893

      הבל הבל
      hebel hăbêl
      heh’-bel, hab-ale’

  17. Hi Courtney, just want to thank you and your mum for these wonderful resources. This is just what I need right now and I’m really enjoying the workbook. It is so manageable and not overwhelming. Your videos are really helpful too. I’m so happy to hear that there will be another workbook. May the Lord bless you in this fruitful and necessary ministry Kx

  18. Good Morning every one 🙂 Courtney I have a question or to anyone who can answer it. In the past when I’ve done Bible studies with you the Friday video has come to my email. I have yet to receive one, so I go to your website to watch it. Has this changed or do I need to get signed up again. I ordered a study book thru you so I assumed that would get the videos coming too. Which the very first ones with your Mom and you did but since then notta one 🙁 Thx for you help
    Love, Love, Loving the study!! Not our Strength but His! ! Deb

    1. Hi Deb,

      If you are subscribed to this blog via email – you should be receiving my Friday blog posts in your email inbox. If you are not – please enter your email address along the side bar (or if you are on a phone scroll down) in the section that says “Enter your email”. I hope it is fixed easily for you. If you still do not receive it – please email me privately and I’ll manually add you to the subscriber list. So sorry about this inconvenience.

      Lots of Love,
      Courtney

  19. This truly has been a fabulous study – LOVING the new book!!! Blessings to you and your Mom for all you do for women! 🙂 You are an inspiration to me!

  20. Hi Courtney! I just love your new study of Ecclesiastes and your videos are fantastic. Thank you for sharing the love and knowledge of yourself and your mother. I have recently just found your fb page and can’t wait to see what is next.

  21. Courtney I love this study guide. I bought it and love it. The picture on the front cover is so beautiiful. The size of the guide is perfect. The font is a good size for young eyes and old. I love how you dig into Gods word. I love all the insights and thoughts and questions as well. The Lord is definately leading you and your Mom in this. Please do another in depth study guide, it is a helper for the hungry soul seeking God. Courtney are there any email groups. I belonged to one and it is no longer together. I tried another one, but the lady is unable to send me emails. I am so missing the fellowship with other emailers through this study guide. I would be willing to head up a email group if there we others who also wanted to do a email group. Please get back to me. mangomumma@yahoo.ca

    1. Hi Ingrid – thank you for your willingness to lead a group. This fall we will be regrouping (around the end of August). Please join our Facebook Leaders group at that time and leave your email address in the group and we will be sure to fill a group up for you.

      Thank you!
      Courtney 🙂

  22. Hi Courtney,

    I just wanted to say, I really appreciate this website! I am just starting a blog, and I seem to always return to your sight as such a wonderful example of what God can do with your gifts. This is my first time doing one of your studies (Ecclesiastes), and even though I’ve studied the book before, I am always fascinated by how God uses His word to bring out something I didn’t see in a previous study. He’s quite amazing that way! Keep up the good work, and thank you!

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