The Wise, The Simple, The Foolish!

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs. The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure. A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Proverbs 14:12-18 NIV

Throughout the Proverbs we are warned about being foolish, what happens to fools, and the reward of the wise. For those of us who read and understand what we read; current events are obvious illustrations--in living color--of The Word.

The wise are those who heed instruction and seek wise counsel in all things. The wise understand what they don't know and seek those who do know before making decisions that could have adverse affects.

The simple--those who are gullible enough to believe everything they hear a person say and ignore facts and evidence to the contrary. They will inherit the just rewards of their inability to understand--facts matter.

The foolish are those who think they know everything when they actually know very little. But they will not heed sound advice and often act before thinking a matter through to understand all the possible ramifications of their actions. They are driven by ego and not by logic. They abhor facts and evidence and deride others who know facts and evidence matter. Then, after they have been publicly exposed for their foolishness, they tend to blame everyone else for what they either said or did, never accepting responsibility for what they do.

It is time for integrity and honor to return to the White House and unfortunately, since most of the GOP--president, vice-president, speaker of the house, and senate majority leader are complicit in the on-going investigation in the Russian hacking and derailing of our democracy--there's only one way to go--we need a new election to remove the taint and stench that hovers over the White House.

It has become apparent, with the barring of the American press from a meeting with Russian officials, that the president is bought and paid for and answers to Vladimir Putin.

Now, it is up to #EverydayAmericans to step up and speak out--demanding an end to the Russian influence by removing the president.

Perhaps, the wise will be able to persuade the simple to vote for an Everyday American--one who is an Everyday American with no political baggage or connections to foreign entities. We shall see!

Wisdom's Turn!

Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10 NIV
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 NIV
Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded. Proverbs 13:13 NIV
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. Proverbs 13:14 NIV
Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction. Proverbs 13:15 NIV
All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly. Proverbs 13:16 NIV

If we are honest with ourselves about ourselves and look closely, we will see us in any of the Proverbs--not those just listed here, but any of them. When we are willing to see ourselves, we'll see others more clearly and understand we are standing in the room marked, "improvements needed" and won't judge others negatively simply because we have not shared their walk in life.

When wisdom speaks--we should certainly listen since this wisdom--comes from above and is not contingent upon what mere mortals think.

Where People Fit!

Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. Proverbs 29:1,2
Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.Proverbs 29:6
The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.Proverbs 29:7
Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger.Proverbs 29:8
If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. Proverbs 29:9
The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright. Proverbs 29:10
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

Throughout a person's life, they go through stages--trying to determine where they fit in with life's scheme of things for them.

I believe that however a person turns out--in life--begins with the foundation that is laid when they begin seeing themselves in the environment in which they find themselves. And as such, when people realize what their surroundings are and they can make a difference or simply accept it--they are in position to choose their end in life. Being born into a poverty-ridden environment doesn't mean that's how a person how to end their life. Being born into a gilded society where a person has everything done for them, doesn't mean they will be a better person for it and many end up being morally corrupt.

What I've discovered about many (not all) people who had to work their way to what they wanted (nothing given to them except moral standards), they are more inclined to have a benefactor's heart. They always want to help someone--without fanfare or recognition--just to make sure someone has a chance for a better life.

At the opposite end of this spectrum--those born with "silver/gold spoons" as feeding utensils, usually (not always) end up looking down on those who did not have what they have and have no compassion on those who do not what they were given at birth. They tend to go through life thinking the world owes them and they do for others when they can derive attention for it.

Looking at The Word of God, we see primarily how people fit into specific categories in our general society. Now, note these adjectives are not the labels earned at the beginning of life, but rather near the end of life.

The stiff-necked--after many rebukes--those who refuse to change their ways.

The righteous--those who do what is right according to God's Word.

Evil-doers--those who plot and plan to do evil to others for their own gain.

The wicked--those who thrive on doing evil and enjoy it.

The wise--those who respect and adhere to wisdom from above.

The fool (stupid, idiot) those who have been taught what is right, but rebel against it to go their own way and keep finding themselves in a rut--never moving forward, always blaming others for their outcome since they refuse to accept responsibility for what they do or don't do.

The bloodthirsty--those who do not care about the bloodshed of others in their quest to accomplish their own missions.

Thinking about what we do and why we do it--we should be able to find ourselves in one of these categories. Where do you fit?

The Wisdom of The Wise!

The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,

but not so the heart of fools. Proverbs 15: 7

A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;

he will not consult the wise. Proverbs 15:12

He who is wise listens,

He who is foolish, scorns and mocks.

He who receives correction earns respect,

He who mocks correction earns disdain.

He who seeks The Lord first is encouraged,

He who ignores The Lord is dismayed.

Those who praise God in the beauty of Holiness,

Are filled with hope and never despair.

Those who know--God--not just about Him,

Are blessed to be His children.

Is it wisdom or fate to speak what God says,

To obey when God speaks, and receive what God has?

The wisdom of the wise keeps flowing freely

While the ignorance of fools keeps them enslaved.

Are you wise or foolish, blessed or cursed?

Whose Words Are Heeded?

"Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded. The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good." (Ecclesiastes 10:15-18 NIV)

For whatever reason--the masses choose to ignore the poor and humble, the quiet dignity of those who have no need to shout--thinking more highly of those who make a lot of noise, but their character is void of integrity and wisdom. Why is that? Our society tends to put those who make noise on pedestals and upon microscopic inspection, we discover--too late--nothing of substance in the noise-makers.

This is true of most of the politicians running for office--especially those vying for the position of President--but we can't blame them--we are the ones to elect the ones who make the most noise, the empty promises designed to tickle our ears and cause us to ignore wisdom speaking from those who are not as noisy, but quietly sharing the wisdom of sages.

There's a lot of noise being heard from the top Republican candidate right now--and people are buying into the bluster and clamor; he's feeding the frenzy because people are so unhappy with the sitting president. I'm certain that when others jump into the fray, they'll be just as noisy, at least some will and people will pay attention to them, but will they really have anything of substance to say?

At this moment--I'm not impressed with any candidate and this post is not really about politics, but it serves as a perfect analogy in demonstrating how we ignore the wise and give more credence to those "making some noise."

This is especially true of so many of our churches--the more noise is made, the greater some people think the leadership is. In fact--what I've discovered in observing the worship services of a number of churches is this: The musician plays loudly, the choir sings loud and long, and the preacher--gets up and ignites a shout, whoops and hollers, but the service is void of any movement by Holy Spirit because He couldn't be heard in order to lead them. And since Holy Spirit cannot be heard, only religious tradition is observed and no one learns anything of substance and those who enter the building--confused and empty of spiritual guidance--leave the same way, but they had a good time, making noise.

In the quiet of the night or a fleeting, illusive moment, if we listen carefully, and know The Word of God, we can hear Holy Spirit speak in the stillness and receive wisdom from on high. But in the midst of the noise--literally or figuratively, we can only hear "the noise" of complaint, confusion, chaos, and disdain--the noise of self-aggrandizement, haughtiness, and superiority--hearing nothing that will make a difference in anyone's life other than the maker of the noise.

If we want peace in our homes, our communities and in our nations, we must be willing to look beyond desire to hear the noise of those who make empty promises, and those of empty character, and seek the quiet wisdom of God's Word and obey.

Whose words are you hearing and obeying?

Where Are The Wise Ones?

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives" (Proverbs 11:30 NIV).

In the Kings James Version of this verse of scripture, the words are slightly different. the last part states that "he who wins souls is wise." The bottom line regarding both translations--it takes a wise person to win souls and save lives. Where are the wise ones?

In order to win people to Christ, we must be wise in our approach--"drawing people with loving kindness," not brutal criticism.  If we teach The Word, based upon The Word, and demonstrate the love of God in everything we do, we will give people a reason to want to know Jesus!  If all they ever hear from us is criticism about what they wear, what they do, and when they do it, we will not draw them, but drive them far from us and any desire to want to know Jesus.  People who are able to demonstrate the love of God, accept others where they are and bring them into a fuller knowledge of Jesus Christ. People will change when they see a need to change, not because we want them to change.  Our role as Christians is to help them to want to change to honor God, not us.

In order to save lives--of all people, especially those who are not in a position to defend themselves, we must have wise people in elected positions or other positions of authority. But before we can elect wise people, those voting for them, must be wise. Voters need to know the person for whom they are voting. They need to know their positions regarding the poor, the needy, the vulnerable, senior citizens, veterans, and everyone else. For a person to vote for someone simply based upon name recognition or religious affiliation is pure foolishness. This is especially true for those who say one thing with their tongues to entice and deceive and do just the opposite with their voice and vote in legislation. Voters--the everyday people need to research and investigate the candidates running in any election. Judges need to make decisions based on the law and not popular opinion--giving into the special interest groups simply because...whatever the reason. Lawmakers need to do the right thing for all people--and stop caving to special interest groups--corporations or the mighty rich in dollars, but poor in spirit and soul. They have already been deceived by the enemy when they attempt to "buy" the rights to rule legislators. 

Where are the wise ones? Where are the people who truly know God and how He wants us to live? Where are the wise preachers who know how to draw people to Jesus and not drive them away? Where are the wise?

I pray that most of us need to look no further than our mirrors to see the wise, but if that is not the case; if we have been deceived and influenced by the enemy, I pray for recognition of the hand at work and willingness to do something about it--change for the better.

Lord, help us to exercise more wisdom in all that we do. Help us to recognize the enemy's influence and to shut it down--within us and where ever we have opportunity to do so. Help us to stay focused on promoting Jesus and the Agape Love that overflows onto all who are willing to receive. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen!

Foolish, Wise, Weak, or Mighty

"But God has chosen the foolish things to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" (I Corinthians 1: 27)

How like God to create situations in which "mankind" can make no sense of it!  In an earlier verse in this same passage (v.25) Paul states, "the foolishness of God is wiser than men" and this is why so many people do not believe that God is God and what He has said is what He has said. It is foolishness to them because they have decided they are wiser than God.

God chose a donkey to speak--foolishness in the eyes of those who heard it.

God chose a harlot to preserve in the midst of tribal war as a lifeline into which Jesus appears.

God chose a man who had committed murder and had a speech impediment to rescue the Hebrews from a "wise" Pharaoh (at least in his own eyes).

God wrought miracles at the hands of the least expected to be used and still does.

God uses any willing vessel--no matter their station in life or the number of degrees they have or do not have.

He has said, "wisdom is the principal thing and with all our getting (of wisdom) we should get understanding".  Who can understand God and what He does without having a relationship with Him?

The answer to the question is simply this:  Those who are considered foolish enough to believe He is who He says He is and can do what He says He can, have a relationship with Him. Those who know they can do absolutely nothing in their own strength, but are totally dependent on Him have a relationship with Him. In our weakness, He is made strong and in our foolishness, He is revealed wise.  Without a relationship with Him, everything He is and does is foolishness to those who consider themselves wise (without Him in their lives).

Which are you today--foolish, wise, weak or strong?

Father, help us to see just how much we need You since we have no wisdom of our own and certainly no strength that even comes close to matching Yours.  We submit to Your leading, and we are trusting in Your Word, and loving that You love us enough to keep us in right relationship with You.  In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen!