Not Fooled

Not Fooled

Revelation 20: ⁴ Then I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given the power to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been executed because they had proclaimed the truth that Jesus revealed and the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image, nor had they received the mark of the beast on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and ruled as kings with Christ for a thousand years. ⁵ (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were over.) This is the first raising of the dead. ⁶ Happy and greatly blessed are those who are included in this first raising of the dead. The second death has no power over them; they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and they will rule with him for a thousand years.

 

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Being gullible was a problem I faced. I took what was said as face value. I repeated some of the words without checking whether the information was right or wrong. “Do you know what you are saying?” someone challenged me.

 

• I was saying things that contained half-truths.
• I believed in what people said without checking their character.
• I was fooled quite easily, because I wanted to be part of a crowd.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw thrones of people given power to judge. They had not been fooled by the beast or the false prophet or Satan. All things that looked glamorous but took people away from CHRIST, did not penetrate their hearts and they remained followers of JESUS, even unto death.

 

My Observations:

• It takes prayer to not be fooled.
• It takes giving up “my” desire to have a kingdom to hear the truth from GOD.
• It is worth losing the world and gaining my soul.

 

Relative truth can fool me into deep problems. I mean, when something sort of makes sense, but has a slight dab of lie mixed in, I sometimes cannot tell what is the real truth. Then my desires blind me further to want to believe in lies more than the truth. BUT GOD gave me a way to know the truth.

 

JESUS is the Way, the TRUTH and the life. Following HIM means getting to know HIM. It means I love HIM more than I love “being known” for studying HIM and becoming a Pharisee. It also means that the world has nothing to offer me, BUT JESUS has everything I need. I gladly give up the world’s lies for the TRUTH.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer mention about the “first raising of the dead?”
• Has life gotten so difficult that you are willing to believe in a lie?
• Will you seek the truth yourself by reading the Bible without someone else’s interpretation so GOD can speak to you through HIS word today?

Dare to be Foolish

Dare to be Foolish

2 Corinthians 11: ¹⁶ I repeat: no one should think that I am a fool. But if you do, at least accept me as a fool, just so I will have a little to boast of. ¹⁷ Of course what I am saying now is not what the Lord would have me say; in this matter of boasting I am really talking like a fool. ¹⁸ But since there are so many who boast for merely human reasons, I will do the same. ¹⁹ You yourselves are so wise, and so you gladly tolerate fools! ²⁰ You tolerate anyone who orders you around or takes advantage of you or traps you or looks down on you or slaps you in the face. ²¹ I am ashamed to admit that we were too timid to do those things!

 

But if anyone dares to boast about something—I am talking like a fool—I will be just as daring.

 

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Going with the crowd felt good. I finally fit in, even to the point where people expected me to act a certain way. I was finally considered a leader. But something happened. Someone challenged me to give up my partying ways and focus my life on CHRIST. This seemed foolish. Give up being popular?! Yeah, right!

 

• I felt there was safety in numbers.
• I wanted to be seen and noticed in the big ocean of people.
• I wanted “my” way to be followed.

 

Paul seems to get sarcastic with his words. He points out that people so easily followed “fools” who used the right words at the right time. Then he says he will be daring at what the crowd says is foolish.

 

My Observations

• Surrendering my life to JESUS may seem foolish to many, but not to HIM.
• Following HIS word may seem foolish to the world, but not to HIM.
• Seeking CHRIST every day may seem foolish to the greedy, the power hungry and the controllers, but not to HIM.

 

Daring to follow CHRIST means being looked at by the world as foolish. I mean, JESUS died trying to tell HIS creation HE loves each and ever one. This message of surrender could not be heard so they killed HIM, looking for a political giant to follow.

 

JESUS was raised from the dead and those who believe in this resurrection are labeled as foolish. “Why would GOD die?” The world does not understand HIS love and it seems foolish to the power hungry for HIM to give up everything to save HIS own creation. I gladly accept HIS foolish gift and will be just as daring to speak about HIM.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about a form of wisdom?
• Is it tempting to follow the rich and powerful?
• Do you think you would be different if you were rich and powerful?
• Will you surrender your life to CHRIST and accept the weapons that are considered weak by the world, such as the fruit of the Spirit today?

Foolishly Bold

Foolishly Bold

1 Corinthians 3: ¹⁶ Surely you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you! ¹⁷ God will destroy anyone who destroys God's temple. For God's temple is holy, and you yourselves are his temple.

 

¹⁸ You should not fool yourself. If any of you think that you are wise by this world's standards, you should become a fool, in order to be really wise. ¹⁹ For what this world considers to be wisdom is nonsense in God's sight. As the scripture says, “God traps the wise in their cleverness”; ²⁰ and another scripture says, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are worthless.” ²¹ No one, then, should boast about what human beings can do. Actually everything belongs to you: ²² Paul, Apollos, and Peter; this world, life and death, the present and the future—all these are yours, ²³ and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

 

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Worried about what people would think of me, I chose not to speak about JESUS. I was trying to reach a certain title in this particular company and I “needed” to behave a certain way. I could not jeopardize “my” journey upward. “I will show my relationship with JESUS when I get on top, then people will believe because I’m in charge” I thought to myself.

 

• There were times when I followed the ever changing ways of the world.
• There were times when I felt embarrassed about speaking up for JESUS.
• There were times when I worried about what humans would do if I spoke about JESUS.

 

Paul brings assuredness about GOD’s eternal protection. HE knows there will be some evil people who want to go against HIM and HIS people. HE also knows they will try to harm HIS people and vows to destroy those who bring harm on anyone who believes in JESUS.

 

• GOD wants me to know that I am HIS temple.
• GOD wants me to treat other people with the same holiness as I should treat myself.
• GOD wants me to become foolish to the world so HIS wisdom may shine all the brighter.

 

Leaving the pursuit of money, title and accolades may seem foolish to the world, but it is wise to GOD. I mean, the world raises questions about preservation of life based on its wisdom. GOD says “HE knows that the thoughts of the wise are worthless.”

 

GOD has given everything to me because I belong to JESUS and JESUS belongs to GOD. I am glad I do not have to be scared of what the world thinks, because the world is mine because it belongs to JESUS.

 

• Are you worried about your future?
• Do you think humans are in control of you?
• Will you stop trying to use human wisdom and turn foolish by following JESUS so you can achieve true wisdom today?

Wisdom to Rely On

Wisdom to Rely On

1 Corinthians 1: ¹⁸ For the message about Christ's death on the cross is nonsense to those who are being lost; but for us who are being saved it is God's power. ¹⁹ The scripture says,

 

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
    and set aside the understanding of the scholars.”

 

²⁰ So then, where does that leave the wise? or the scholars? or the skillful debaters of this world? God has shown that this world's wisdom is foolishness!

 

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“Sit down and pray” was the advice given to me that did not make sense. You mean to tell me that I need to say some words to GOD and my problems would go away? I said skeptically. I was amongst scholars who had “proven” their ability to think in front of other people. I chose to pray. It didn’t make sense. My problem of that time, went away as quickly as it came/

 

• Many times I considered using the wisdom of others to get out of trouble.
• Many times I thought I would follow the examples of “successful” people to get ahead.
• Many times I worried and needed to talk to people who others considered “wise.”

 

Paul says something daring about JESUS’ death burial and resurrection. He says it is “nonsense” to those who are being lost. He knew that reliance on what is seen and proven could have flaws. Where should I place my hope?

 

• GOD wants me to rely on HIS wisdom to get me out of troubles.
• GOD wants me to rely on HIS wisdom to guide me to HIS promises.
• GOD wants me to rely on HIS wisdom to truly be successful.

 

Relying on GOD takes faith in the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things that cannot be seen. I mean, time after time, GOD has shown me that HIS way usually does not make sense to the wise people I know. Stopping, sitting and asking GOD “What do YOU want me to do?” is foolishness to those who cannot conceive that only GOD has the answer.

 

The wise and scholarly and great debaters of the world who do not rely on GOD’s wisdom will be shown as foolish. It is GOD who has the power to make the impossible happen. My belief in JESUS is the power that fuels my decisions. I am grateful HE chose me when I would not choose HIM.

 

• What information do you rely on?
• Are you seeking other humans to help you determine your next actions?
• Will you place your trust in GOD, even when it looks foolish to those who may not be following HIM, but the world considers wise?

Walking Away

Luke 15: ¹¹ Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. ¹² And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. ¹³ And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. ¹⁴ But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. ¹⁵ Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶ And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

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Tired of the hypocrisy, I stopped going to church. I mean they tell me to “stop sinning” and “give money” yet their actions only pointed to sleeping around and sustaining their salaries, as if GOD were a business. When I left I decided that “sleeping around” and “sustaining my salary” was a good idea. Things did not go well.

• When blame is on my mind, sometimes it is actually a desire.
• When I get mad at what other people are doing, sometimes I’m seeing what I “want” to do.
• When leaving a good place is my first thought, I may have misread why I was there in the first place.

JESUS had just spoken about a lost sheep then a lost coin, now HE provides a parable of a son who saw his father as nothing more than money. In fact, he demanded an inheritance in a way to claim his father as being “dead” to him. He squandered everything and could not sustain himself when life became difficult.

• GOD sees my hurt and understands it.
• GOD sees my tantrums and puts up with it.
• GOD sees my blame, lust, gullibility and rage, yet HE allows me to keep going.

 

With no argument from the father, the son got what he wanted and needed. He received money and compassion. I do not see an argument from the father nor an attempt to explain the dangerous path the young man was going down. GOD allows me to decide the paths I travel. Walking away from GOD was not a good choice for me.

• Are you considering walking away from GOD because you think your life should be better?
• Is life difficult right now and you are tempted to pull away from those who follow GOD?
• Will you put your trust in GOD today in spite of what is going on in your life?

I’d rather be foolish

1 Corinthians 1: ¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written:

   “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;

   the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

 ²⁰ Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

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Technology is a difficult field to field to preach the gospel to.  I mean exact sciences look for answers in exact locations and GOD just hasn’t been in the places scientists look. I started to question GOD’s existence. I mean why the invisibility? Why the silence? Why the lack of aroma or taste? And most of all why hasn’t HE touched me?

• GOD is visible in all of creation so if I open my eyes I could see HIM every day.
• GOD speaks to me daily through HIS Bible, people and circumstances so if I open my ears I could hear HIM.
• GOD spreads the smell of sacrifice throughout the earth so if I would take a whiff I could smell danger to dodge, fear to fight and success that saves.
• GOD gives HIS message freely so if I would speak about HIS SON I could taste the sweetness of HIS love.
• GOD reaches out to me daily so if I would reach out and hug that person who is in despair, give to someone in need or pick up the person who has fallen I would feel HIM.

My five senses have been cursed to deteriorate. My spiritual senses need to grow in order to relate to GOD in the way HE wants me to.  My senses will play tricks on me causing me to lose faith, BUT GOD wants me to simply believe without seeing. HE wants my faith to be based on more than faulty senses. HE wants me to believe in HIM alone.

• Are you trying to rationalize GOD out of your life?
• Are you trying to figure GOD out so you can manipulate HIM?
• Won’t you open your eyes and ears to GOD today and watch HIM do HIS wonders?
• Can’t you believe GOD is everywhere, knows everything, and is all powerful?

I think I’m getting stupider!

Luke 2: 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

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The older I get the dumber I think I am. I’m not talking about in men’s eyes, I’m talking about as it relates to GOD. I have followed GOD for a long time and you would think I would be perfect by now. Well, it’s quite the opposite.

• The older I get the more sins I commit.
• The older I get the more grace I need.
• The older I get the more I set GOD up for failure in my eyes.

Fortunately for me GOD forgives me daily. HE knows my weaknesses and looks beyond them because I am something special to HIM.  HE places obstacles in my way to make me stronger in the faith and HE never ever leaves me alone.

• Only GOD can help me grow in wisdom.
• Only GOD can help me grow my faith.
• Only GOD can help me grow favor with HIM and man.

When I focus on my situations and problems I act “stupider and stupider” doubting HIM and worrying about my situations. But when I focus on GOD and HIS mighty power that raises me up from the dust then I am growing in wisdom, faith and favor.

• Do you think you “know it all?”
• Are you deliberately seeking GOD’s wisdom?
• Will you drop “your will” and seek GOD’s will today?

You're and "idiot," or is it me?

Matthew 5: ²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

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“Look at that doofus driving with his turn signal on” I said to my family as I expressed my impatience with driving. When the promotions came out and “that” person was on the list I thought “that idiot?”

When questioning my parents for not letting me go to the party or event I mumbled and grumbled and muttered under my breath “stupid!” Notice I wasn’t “stupid” enough to say it out loud.

When I corrected a person for not hearing what “I” said even when they may have been distracted, or I may have said it the wrong way or at the wrong time or in the wrong tone, I may have thought that person was a little, uh, off “their” game and I wasn’t to blame.

• Calling someone a fool is insulting to GOD who made them.
• Calling someone slow insults GOD and raises me higher than HIM.
• Calling someone dumb slaps GOD’s face because I don’t know the whole plan.

At one time I thought this verse was a little harsh.  I mean doesn’t the Bible point out “foolish” “slothful” people? In my examples there is one thing in common, “I’m not getting my way.”

• When I am not getting my way I pout and call the other person names.
• When I am not getting my way I think the other person is stupid and they need “my” help into “better” thinking.
• When I am not getting my way I believe my plan is better and I discount the other person’s method of doing things.

GOD wants me to appreciate the differences HE made in people. HE wants me to value opinions of others while humbly adding my “two cents.” A weak leader tries to prove their value by downplaying others, a strong one doesn’t have to.

• Do you think “that” person is stupid?
• Are you questioning a person’s intelligence?
• They may be insulting your intelligence, do you have the right to do the same to others?
• Can you pray for “that person” instead of criticizing them?
• Have you ever thought “maybe I’m the idiot” in this situation?