Are You a Fool?

Happy Sunday!

Don't look to the world for answers!  They don't have any!  The issues and problems we see in society were created and caused by the same thinking that propagates it!

God has always provided the answers in the Bible.  But for some reason, we disregard God's answers.  During my reading and meditation this week, I came across these scriptures again.  Proverbs 1:24-27 says, "I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.  So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you."(New Living Translation).  I thought to myself, that's deep!  That seems a bit harsh.  But these scriptures come from God through the writer of Proverbs, Solomon.  In context they describe how Wisdom is begging us to listen to her.  Like any parent that will tell the truth, she is frustrated that her children will not listen to her knowledge, guidance, and experience.   

Proverbs 1:32-33 says, "Fools die because they refuse to follow wisdom. They are content to follow their foolish ways, and that will destroy them. BUT those who LISTEN to me will live in safety and comfort. They will have nothing to fear.”(Easy-to-Read Version).   I have decided to live in the safety and comfort that God provides to those who listen.  Sure, I've been foolish and lived according to the pattern of the world in the past...BUT I have committed to change!  I want everything God has prepared for me!  I will not be a fool!  

Dr. Bill Winston continued the series entitled, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Living Large".   He reminded us, "No one can stop you but you!"  Did you get that?  You are your own problem!  I know, I know...we have lived for so long in the victim mentality.  It's not my fault...it's the color of my skin, it's because my father didn't raise me, or it's because they didn't pick me to play softball on the elementary school team!  Get over it!  There are people in this world succeeding that have had horrific and unimaginable adversity.  Don't let the Devil trap you in past offenses.  There is one thing that Jesus said is impossible.  Bet you thought nothing was impossible.  Luke 17:1 says, "Then said he unto the disciples, It is IMPOSSIBLE but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!"(KJV).  Did you get that?  Jesus said there will always be opportunities to be offended!  That means there will always be people motivated by Satan available to hurt you, tempt you, and make life interesting!  But just because it is offered, you don't have to accept it!  Jesus is our perfect example.  Even on the cross, he refused to be offended.  He said, "Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.”(Luke 23:24, Easy-to-Read Version).  

How do I start?  Great question!  Romans 12:1-2 says, "So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."(Message).  This involves changing your thinking.  Proverbs 3:5-12 says, "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!  Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.  Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over."(Message).

God's Word is his voice!  Get in the Word...memorize it for your own good!  When the Devil tries to attack you there may not be enough time to find the scripture you need!  It's better to have your sword ready before the battle!

Love and prayers, Cynthia