Fools...

Happy Sunday!

Psalm 14: 1 says, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."(KJV).   Another translation of this scripture says, "That man is a fool who says to himself, “There is no God!” Anyone who talks like that is warped and evil and cannot really be a good person at all."(Living Bible).  That's a pretty scathing description of an unbeliever!  No one wants to be a fool, and hopefully we won't play the fool.

My cousin posted a comment on Facebook this week.  It recounted a conversation she had with a cashier.  She said, "Happy Easter!", then the man said he doesn't celebrate Easter and since it falls on April Fools Day that should tell you that it's not worth celebrating.  Of course, I laughed then commented with the Living Bible version of Psalm 14:1.   

We celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and honor him as our Passover Lamb.  In John 1:29, John the Baptist is quoted as saying, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."(KJV).  The Jewish Passover Celebration or remembrance happens to fall in March or April, and also generally coincides with other festivals and celebrations that have been celebrated for thousands of years, even before Jesus came on the scene.   If you do a search for Easter on the Internet, you will find conflicting opinions.  Some believe that “Easter” is related to the Assyrian goddess Ishtar or the Babylonian goddess Astarte.  Ishtar was worshipped as the the goddess of fertility and immoral sexual activity.   Have you ever wondered why eggs, and bunny rabbits would be associated with the resurrection of Jesus?  Have you ever wondered why Ham would be the main meat on the menu, when Jews don't eat pork?  As the Apostle Paul said many times, "I don't want you to be ignorant!"(Romans 1:13; Romans 11:25; 1 Corinthians 10:1).  

The Apostle Paul encouraged his son in the ministry, Timothy by saying, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."(2 Timothy 2:15).  We need to know what we believe and why we believe it.  God is not against thoughtful questions and investigation.  He wants us fully equipped with the information we need to succeed, prosper, and overcome in this life.  I enjoy seeing the reading lists of my friends and family.  Read the Bible, BUT also read other books.  Expand your horizons.  If you are rooted and grounded in the Word, you will be able to weed through any falsehood and glean the truth.

Back to Fools...Jesus encouraged us to never call anyone a fool.  Matthew 5:22 says, "But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."(KJV).  Don't miss this!  Why would calling my brother a fool put me in danger of hell fire?  Great question!  So glad you asked.  To call someone a fool is to say they have no purpose or reason for living.  That would mean that God created them for nothing, and to be nothing.  My friends, God does not waste effort.  If you made it here and missed abortion, missed being still born, missed being murdered, or dying from a childhood disease at birth...YOU HAVE a Purpose.  There is a reason for your life.  There is something you are meant to do, and no one else on the planet can do it like you can.  

Proverbs 1:22 says, "...fools hate knowledge"(KJV).  I'm not going to call you a fool, but I am praying that you won't be foolish.  Proverbs 9:6 encourages us to stay away from the foolish, "Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding."(KJV).  Proverbs 12:15 says, "A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others."(Living Bible).  Proverbs 12:23 says, "Prudent people don’t flaunt their knowledge; talkative fools broadcast their silliness."(Message).  

Celebrating the Resurrected Saviour, Jesus the Christ...

Love and prayers, Cynthia