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Tuesday,
September 29,
2020
"Man's
Foolishness"
Message summary: Some things are just plain foolishness!
Listen
to this message on your audio player.For
it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the
wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will
frustrate” (1 Corinthians 1:19). “For the wisdom
of this world is foolishness with God” (1
Corinthians 3:19).
As we drove through Washington on our bus Saturday to get dropped off for the prayer march we passed the smashed car with the boulder in our lead photo. I wondered if it was left over from some of the riots and destruction this summer. Or it looks like something a group of rascally teenagers would do if they broke into a salvage yard and used a skid loader to drop a boulder on a car (although I imagine it took a very expensive crane).
As
we finished the march we walked over to where I
recalled passing the car to take a closer look. It
was an actual art display in front of the
Hirshhorn Museum of Art (located here). I am so embarrassed
to admit my utter lack of sophistication that I
didn't recognize this as a "work of art" worthy of
being placed in front of one of our nation's
supposedly premier art museums. There were other
art displays around the building that looked like
they were just picked out of a metal scrap yard. I
see nicer looking material at the fabrication shop
we visit!
Actually
I am not embarrassed one little bit by my lack of
sophistication in admiring such displays of modern
art. I suppose if I was in the "artsy" crowd and
made it my ambition to understand the incredible
skill of the artist I could come to more
appreciation. However, in all honesty, I feel more
like the little boy in Hans Christian Anderson's
classic tale, "The Emperor's New Clothes" (See
below for summary). In looking at the car with
a boulder on top posing as "art" I say that's
just plain foolishness!
I
can appreciate art that reflects the beauty and
wonder of God's creation such as Michelangelo's
painting on the Sistine Chapel ceiling and so much
more that actually takes skill.
Our world is richer for art that reflects
God-given creativity.
Regardless
of where we live, we encounter the secularized
“foolishness” that prevails in our “postmodern”
culture. This “foolishness” is now rampant in our
culture and is even impacting many Christian
colleges and churches who are forsaking the wisdom
of God for the foolishness of the world. Sometimes
my head spins as I see the rapid decline and the
accumulative effect of years of living according
to the ever-changing human philosophies of this
world.
We must heed the Scriptural warning, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
The first daily verse is such a powerful expression. “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate” (1 Corinthians 1:19). Paul is actually quoting Isaiah 29:14 in the Old Testament, thus the expression, "It is written". In this window of the times we live in, the wisdom and intelligence of the world seems so prevailing, but God’s promise stands, and one day it will be destroyed.
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” The Apostle Paul is saying that wisdom from a worldly standpoint is foolishness to God who is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. Human based wisdom does not form a bedrock foundation of genuine truth.
I want to know the ways of God, who is all-wise so that I can properly discern the foolishness of this world presented through academia, political, cultural, or even the entrenched religious circles may be saying it’s wise. Consider this rather obscure statement from Daniel. “He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” (Daniel 2:21). Amen, may God give us this wisdom and discernment today!
I want to continue to grow in my understanding of God’s ways. And that begins when I recognize that ultimately all wisdom apart from God is foolishness. This day join me in seeking to know the Lord and His ways better!
Be
encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, when we gave you our heart, we made the
willful choice to no longer conform to the trends
and philosophies of this world. Instead we
ask You to daily renew our minds so that we see
this world and its philosophies through the eyes
of Christ. We are put to the test daily in
deciding what is truth and what is error. May Your
Holy Word be our reference point and Your Spirit
be our Guide as we are exposed to countless
philosophies based on human understanding and the
basic principles of this world rather than Your
eternal, foundational truths. Sharpen our
discernment and grant us courage so that we
readily know truth from error and are fearless in
saying so. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Summary of the “The Emperor’s
New Clothes”
The tale of “The Emperor’s New
Clothes” is a child’s story that teaches
an important lesson for everyone to learn.
The story follows a vain emperor who only
cares about how he looks in front of his
kingdom. Two jokesters come to his court
appearing as tailors who create beautiful
clothes in order to trick the emperor and
make a fool of him publicly. The two
tricksters promise an emperor new clothes
that are invisible to those unfit for
their roles because they are incompetent.
The emperor agrees to allow the
men to "make" clothes for him. They
present him with an invisible suit that
the emperor puts on and begins wearing in
front of his court. The emperor’s advisers
cannot see the clothes but pretend they
can in order to keep their positions.
Meanwhile, the emperor struts around the
court naked, thus making a fool of
himself.
The emperor proceeds to leave
his palace and show off his new outfit to
the entire townsfolk. The people cringe
but play along because they do not want to
insult the king or appear stupid.
Suddenly, a child who is too young to
understand what is going on begins crying
out that the emperor is naked. He actually
states the truth! (from here)
“But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). I desire to have the mind of Christ processing my thoughts and understanding today. I seek to hear and to heed the words of Scripture, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). I want to walk in the wisdom of God.
"I
Want To Know Christ"
Video
Let There Be Praise Singers
Note:
Yesterday in identifying several of the
Convene group members we saw in Washington I
mistakenly misidentified a couple. In this photo the couple on the
left are actually Kevin and Heidi Tancrel not
Brian and Elizabeth Gerhart, another Convene
couple.
Washington
Prayer March
September
26, 2020
On
our way to look at the crushed car we passed
the Enid A. Haupt Garden which has many
amazing plants and flowers
"Little
Oranges" - this broad leafed plant had
clusters of hairy oranges in its center and
sharp thorns on its leaves.
Related
to the Yucca plant
The
most eye catching color in the entire garden.
Back
closer to home!
This
tree is changing on the Old Windmill Farm
Petey
the goat relaxing. He is quite ornery and gets
into everything, but for now the fall pumpkin
sits unbothered.
Send a message to
Stephen & Brooksyne
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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Weber - All Rights Reserved
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