Date: Thursday July 12, 2012
Today's Chapters: Proverbs 21-23
Message Title: Turn Foolishness Into Belief

Hello My Friend,

To the world living in the will of God is foolishness, He has been regarded as a cruel, evil being that will strike a person down if they enjoyed life at all. Of course, one persons joy is anothers pain, but God is not cruel, people are. We have to remember that we were created in God's image, everything we feel He feels, only without sin, God is merciful and forgiving, people are not, so, the reason there is so much cruelty, disease, and hatred in the world is because of people. Only we have the power to change the world, through the power of Jesus Christ. “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 1:24-27,30,31.

The word fool has showed up in the Book of Proverbs 78 times in some form, foolishness means want of understanding, people want to understand, but they do not want to learn, they rather guess at everything instead of learn how to do it the right way, if it seems too hard, they want no part of it. It all comes down to the heart, God knows the heart, saved or not, He knows if it received Christ believing, He knows if it received Christ not believing, He knows if it received Christ in vain, He knows if it will never receive Christ. It is the heart that decides whether or not it is foolishness to live in the will of God. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” - Proverbs 21:2-5.

God does not want to see us suffering over wrong decisions, He wants us to trust that He knows what is best for us and let Him guide us in the right direction. It's like a parent telling a child not to play with the sharp knife or it would cut you and they get cut because they did not listen to the warning. God does not want us to learn things the hard way, if we just trust Him, stop being so proud to admit we need help, and look to Jesus in every thing we do than we will receive more than we can imagine. The foolishness of doing things our way never brings joy, we are always in need of something more, but with God we can find joy through even the messes. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” - 1 Peter 4:12,13.

It all comes down to this, faith and doing something about it, we must believe that God can do the things He says He does. If we do not have faith in things we see with our own eyes how can we have faith in God? Likewise, if we do not make an effort to do anything how can we increase our faith? “The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein. Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” - Proverbs 22:12-15.

While works (doing good) does not save us, works (making an effort) are necessary to survive. You can believe all you want that Jesus can save you, but unless you ask Him to save you than you are not saved. You can believe all you want that food will sustain you, but unless you eat you will die. God gives us the knowledge we need to do sustain us, foolishness keeps us from doing anything about it, if we never make an effort our faith is dead. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” - James 2:14,26.

Foolishness is something we all have from time to time, but we become wiser the more effort we make to follow the will of God, God never tires of giving us knowledge. “Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” - Proverbs 22:17-21.

God wants us to know how we can live the best life there is here on earth, no matter where we come from. The only way we can do that is by getting in His Word, studying it, and applying it to our lives. People make foolish decisions because they do not want to make an effort to learn and do things the right way. You cannot do just any job without learning how to do it first. I am a website designer, if I do not make an effort to learn the software I would never be able to design a website nor get paid. Do not envy the wicked for their temporal success, start learning what you need to do so you can be more productive and prosperous too. “When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.” - Proverbs 23:1-7,17.

Stop fretting about the things that you do not have, they are only possessions that we lose anyway, be blessed for the things you do have, integrity, morals, salvation, eternal life, food on the table, water to drink, other necessities. God will freely give us everything we need and then some if we just start making an effort to live in His will, not by how someone tells us God wants us to live, but by how God Himself tells us. Only until we do what is possible can God do the impossible, that's how God proves that He is God and the only One who can turn foolishness into belief. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” - 1 Corinthians 1:18-21.

Today's Prayer: God, I may not be the wisest person on earth, but I know that without You nothing lasts. No matter how much I learn, unless You are there with me, it is vain, I will never be satisfied. I tried to do things my way and all I did was make a mess of things, I am trusting You to guide me and turn my foolishness into belief as I learn Your truths and apply them to my life. Give me Your power to live in and through Christ, who makes everything possible. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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