Confounding the Wise: PAGE 101

God uses His wisdom to confound the wise, parables to test knowledge of our insight and discernment to differentiate between all the above.  Here is an amazing scripture that discusses this:

“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.

For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;

The intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

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?

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.

Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 

But we preach Christ crucified:

a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

but to those whom God has called,

both Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,

And the weakness of God is stronger

Than human strength.

Brothers and sisters,

Think of what you were when you were called.  

Not many of you were wise by human standards;

Not many were influential;

Not many were of noble birth.

But God chose the foolish things of the world 

To shame the wise;

God chose the weak things of the world

To shame the strong.

God chose the lowly things of this world 

And the despised things—

And the things that are not—

To nullify the things that are,

So that no one may boast before him.  

1 Corinthians 1: 18-29

This scripture points to exactly why some people miss out on the saving grace of the cross.  To use human understanding to seek out an invisible God is, as the above scripture says, a stumbling block.  Some folks can’t get through the natural barriers of earth-bound knowledge and move into the spiritual. Here is a pretty blunt scripture that states why that is:

“For you know that you were not redeemed

from your useless (spiritually unproductive) way of life

Inherited (by tradition) from your forefathers

With perishable things like silver and gold,

1 Peter 1:18

Family beliefs and traditions from our forefathers can be a stumbling block to finding the one true God.  Indeed, the wisdom of this world says that Christianity is foolishness; scientists of this world say “prove it” and the philosophers of this world say it is nonsense.  But for those who have been saved it is the Power and wisdom of God.  

“But the natural (unbelieving) man

Does not accept the things
(the teachings and revelations)

Of the Spirit of God,

For they are foolishness to him;

And he is incapable of understanding them

Because they are spiritually discerned.”

1 Corinthians 2:14

“Whoever is (spiritually) wise,

Let him understand these things;

Whoever is (spiritually) discerning and understanding,

Let him know them.

For the ways of the Lord are right,

and the righteous will walk in them,

But transgressors will stumble and fall in them.”

Hosea 14:9

Song Recommendation:

Til the End of Time

By: Cody Carnes 

Featuring Kari Jobe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zvNWCb7JEA

The Choice-Maker: Page 100

As a Christian I read scripture and scour books seeking a deeper understanding of the faith I have and the God I serve; yet, at times, my life’s purpose seems hidden and indecision creeps in!  I received some peace of mind one morning when I read this scripture:

“You did not chose me but I chose you.” 

John 15:16

“God chose me”! For years I thought it was the other way around! I’ve been so busy making personal choices that I overlooked the Choice-Maker! Not only did He chose me but he also has a plan …“for me”.  In Jeremiah, scripture says:

“I know the plans I have for you

Declares the Lord;

Plans to prosper you and not harm you

To give you a hope and a future!”

That is a very straightforward “declaration” from the Lord; unlike my life-plan that has had so many plot twists and abrupt turns that I have whiplash!  Perhaps we all should put down our computer bags and take off our nametags for a time-span and focus on a Word from the Lord!

He made the choice and bestowed upon me the gift of Life! He placed me perfectly into time so that I would make a difference in this world.  He has THE plan.  So, not only is He the Choice-Maker He is the Way-Maker.

I’m so busy living in the small-minded confines of my plots that I call plans that I’ve totally forgotten that fact!  Surely the Creator of the Universe is more capable of planning out and fulfilling goals than I!  Like the navigation option in my phone map….I sometimes have to take action and “re-center” my life.  Re-centering is a very small task that requires the important act of listening.  In doing so we receive the directions we need. God says we can always hear His voice-if we listen:    

“Whether you turn to the right or the left

you will hear a voice saying

“This is the way to go

Walk in it!”

I never have to be lost again because I have an internal map!  And, I no longer have to maintain the posture of perfection in order to maintain my position because I am already Chosen.  In turn, I have chosen to base my life on the pursuit of God, The Creator; His Word, His promises, His prophesy and all the mysteries of eternity.  It’s all there in one map-The Word of God!

The knowledge that God chose ME is profound!  He is in control and He chose me!  No matter what I do …I am Chosen; No matter what I master or what strives to master me, I am chosen.  No matter what I conquer or what evades me; no matter what brings me joy or what hurts me, I am chosen.  No matter how I miss the mark or disappoint myself or others… and in all my vices and in my greatest victories-I am chosen! 

It takes one action to come back to center; the act of acknowledging the designer of all things; God. 

In the beginning God created

The heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

That’s one big map!!!!

Song Recommendation:

So Will I (100 Billion X)

By:  Hillsong UNITED

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfVd5x9W1Xc

Beyond Our Ability To Endure: Page 99

There are times when life inflicts circumstances beyond our ability to endure-so that when all is said and done- we know we made it through because of an undeniable faith in God.  These overwhelming events aren’t typical – for there is a deep and purposed weight to them.  They usher pain into our lives that tear at the fabric of our being to the point that we know, without doubt, we shall never be the same. The result of coming-to-the-end of what we think we can sustain is life-changing. We are forced to admit that we simply can’t be who we were before this tragedy came upon us. God’s authority and dominion mandates this truth.  

During this season, each and every sunrise burnt our face and scorched our heart so consistently that our daily life began to feel like hell. The night would bring a sleepless  silence that was deafening.  In the midst of this pain we made major adjustments for there was no other choice. 

Our life paused! 

~Selah~

We’re not sure how long we lingered in the anguish of circumstance- for we lost the desire to mark off any form of time. But; then, on a day that we thought would never come, the sun’s heat weakened and our tattered heart felt some relief. We found a tiny amount of clarity and we realized it was ok to look back; bravely we did so. 

In our minds-eye we’re there now. With closed eyes and head bowed we turn and feel the sun our back and a cool wind on our face that flows over and beyond us.  Opening our eyes- we’re shocked to see how far we’ve come- as we take in the steepest, war-torn valley we’ve ever seen. Our heart and mind find great relief in the visual confirmation of this tremendous up-hill battle.  We know, in every sense, we’ve made it through. In spite of human reason, we found a way to get beyond the devastation this circumstance wrought. We even got through those nights when we awoke in a fearful panic wondering what was wrong…and then remembered.

The journey was heart-breaking, mind-piercing, soul crushing pain that only total change could soothe. Change, indeed, brought us to this very point. Mentally, we become aware of time and with amazing inner-strength we build a redemptive memorial-one that will be forever etched on our soul; there is no other way to admit this fated assignment has run its course.  We’re at the perfect place to do so; at very top of our mountain-of-circumstance. This vital marker is spiritual in nature and wields some peace… so we sit down. 

 Another slight wind of change hits our face and, because we are now aware of the passage of time, we smile.  Knowing we’ve been indelibly changed, we smile.  Our throat tightens, sweat drips down our back and tears of relief well up; we let them flow again and let go “again”  and, for the thousandth time, we let God, again.  This letting go isn’t a “giving up” but a “letting it be”.  For the first time in our lives we understand “God’s peace” and confess it is not of this world.

We rise, turn and walk over the mountaintop onto the other side AMAZED that we survived to this point, or at all.  Finally, we are on the down-hill. Wide-eyed, we notice the colors of life are visible again and we admit that we came very near to emotional and physical death, but we survived! Our heart is still pumping, but in a different way. Because of this we see things differently now. We realize that God never left us, that He gave us the strength to endure and we can finally admit that it’s time to purposely breathe again…. live and participate again on planet Earth. 

 Our journey in life continues!

Our Lord stands watch on the mountain-top as we continue down paths laid out for us that lead out beyond green pastures and beside still waters… and He gently prays over us,

 “Lo, I am with you; even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20

FOR NICOLE-

 Only the Lord knows why! I'd surmise, "For distinct purposes."

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;

Perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned;

Struck down, but not destroyed.”

2 Corinthians 4: 8-9  

A MUST LISTEN TO

Song Recommendation

The Garden

By: Kari Jobe

There is “death and resurrection in every single seed”.

Kari Jobe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y43Z0WJLDS4&list=RD6mAvt3CxEQM&index=3

 A MUST LISTEN TO:

SONG RECOMMENDATION

In Over My Head

By:  Jenn Johnson

“Whether I sink; Whether I swim….

It makes no difference when I’m in over my head.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mAvt3CxEQM&list=RD6mAvt3CxEQM&index=1

All of You: Page 98

Lord, I know that you are trying to speak to me.

That you want me to understand prophesy.

You’re deepening the lesson on perseverance;

Teaching me that obedience is a form of adherence.

Lord, I know that you have a plan for me.

I know that it’s one small part of history.

So, I’ve been looking deep into your spirit

to find my life’s purpose and step into it.

Lord, one of your end-goals is maturity.

Purposely, good and bad experiences are teaching me

I've learned that if I want your wisdom I must participate.
I acknowledge my daily life is filled with spiritual lessons that carry weight.

You allow my human mind to find expansiveness

 Space large enough to dream and enjoy happen-stance.

As these sentences form tempo and elegance

I linger over them and sense your presence

I realize the passage of time is simply a path

That leads me to a great worth and value that lasts

It’s incredible that I’m living inside eternity

Even though my being is physical and earthly

You’ve given just enough time on this journey to take me

down the path that offer's a glimpse into life’s mysteries.

I’ll follow you till I have full understanding

to a point where my heart and mind are not lacking anything

And THEN I’ll know all of YOU,

“Now we see only a reflection

as in a mirror;

then we will see face to face.

Now I know in part;

then I shall know fully

Even as I am fully known.”

1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV

SONG RECOMMENDATION:

The More I Seek You

By :  Kari Jobe

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4crRPpqoW4