Tag: Stupid

31.j. “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”

 

Matthew 6:22  “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

 2 Corinthians 11:3    But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

 Ephesians 4:18    They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

 Ephesians 5:8    for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

 Isaiah 5:20-21    Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!

 Jeremiah 4:22   “For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are ‘wise’—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not.”

 Revelation 3:17   For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Either our eye is directed at heavenly things (and therefore full of light) or it is directed at earthly things (and therefore full of darkness). It is all about the intentional choices we make every day. What is the first thought that comes to mind when we wake up each morning? What is the last thought in our mind when we go to bed? What fills our thoughts throughout the day? Do we wake up with the thoughts of praise, worship, and rejoicing to and in Jesus Christ? Do we walk up ready and willing to be led by the Holy Spirit? Do we wake up with a desire that wants to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we say, think, and do? Do we awake in hunger and thirst for His Word? Are we desiring to see the day the Lord has made? I know answering these questions seems easier or harder than others days, but it is a learned and practiced discipline of our own choice(s). When our heart is divided between the cares of this world and those heavenly we are in darkness.  It is in this darkness that nothing seems to make sense. Confusion, anger, hate, fear, conflict, and despair are their byproducts. How foolish does it sound to say; “I intentionally choose to think and live like this”? We choose to live in darkness, a place void of an intentional choice to honor, glorify, worship, and praise Jesus Christ. We sometimes think we can give lip service toward this goal but in fact, it is just words of our mouth and not from our heart and soul. We intentionally choose to be in darkness rather than humble surrender to and trust, faith, obedience, and reliance in Jesus Christ.  This humble surrender to and trust, faith, obedience, and reliance on Jesus Christ. It is not a one-and-done decision from sometime in the past, it is an intentional way of life, moment by moment each and every day. Look around, read and listen to news outlets and other media sources and you will see and experience the life of darkness.  They would have you believe this is how life is. It is not meant to be this way for the believer. No, our life should be filled with love, grace, mercy, kindness, peace, joy, and hope which can only be found in the light of Jesus Christ and humble surrender to and trust, faith, obedience, and reliance. 

Intentionally choose to wake each morning with a desire and expectation (for every moment of that day) to honor and glorify Jesus Christ.

13.r. “But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all. “

Zachariah 10:3   “My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the Lord Almighty will care for his flock, the people of Judah, and make them like a proud horse in battle. From Judah will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler.

Isaiah 56:9-10    The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.  “Come,” they say, “let me get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure.”

Jeremiah 10:21    For the shepherds are stupid and do not inquire of the LORD; therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.

Jeremiah 50:6    “My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill they have gone. They have forgotten their fold.

Ezekiel 34:2   “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?

Ezekiel 34:7-10    “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD:  As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep,  therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD:  Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.

The shepherds pretend to be guides of the people.  They lead them astray.  They do not feed them with the Word of God.  They feed them idols.  They feed them lies.  They lead them on paths away from God.  We can look at the shepherds being the religious leaders or the civil government leaders.  Both will be held to account for how they led the people God had placed under their responsibility.  These shepherds do not speak the truth but rather speak what the people want to hear. How is a person to be able to recognize false teaching leaders?  How are people to know lies from the truth from the craftily worded teachings of their leaders?  Too often preaching has turned into nothing more than saying what makes people comfortable, being afraid they might offend someone.  Too often leaders say what people want to hear without giving a second thought about trying to fulfill what they promised.  Without knowledge, understanding, and wisdom through God’s Word and Holy Spirit leading there is no way to see how blind we are to things of God.  Complacency and neglect of God’s Word will always lead to confusion between right and wrong.  In this confusion, people are easily led astray.  in this confusion, people turn toward their shepherds/leaders and away from seeking Jesus Christ.  In this confusion, people believe in everything other than what God’s Word proclaims.  In this confusion, people place their hope and trust in worldly shepherds/leaders.  There is no substitute for God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ.  There is no substitute that will fill the longing of our heart apart from God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ.  There is no Substitute that can take away the confusion, worry, and fear apart from God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ.  Do not look for answers to today’s problems, trials, and troubles apart from God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ.

Worthless idols – delusions

“The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands.”

Psalms 96:5  For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

Jeremiah 10:3-5    for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman.  They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move.  Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.”

Jeremiah 10:14-15     Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them.  They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish.

Genesis 1:1     In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Isaiah 42:5    Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it

There is quite a contrast between a worthless piece of stone, wood, or precious metal and our living God.  One is made by human hands and the other made everything from nothing.  One is worthless and a delusion the other is life, help, strength, might, power, and lives forever.  God will not share His glory and honor.  He alone is worthy of all praise, honor and glory.  Those who seek peace and hope from things made form human hands will find themselves empty and wanting.  Ultimately they will see the delusion but then it will be to late.  Their fate is sealed upon their death and cast into hell.  Those who choose to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey the one and only living God will see eternal life.  God alone gives life.  God alone is worthy.  Our God lives.  Worthless idols capture  heart and mind, taking them captive, a delusion is believed and a chose is made.  Keep your heart and mind purely on God.  Do not allow false teachings and idols take you on paths apart from God.

Lost without hope and understanding

“For this is a people without discernment; therefore he who made them will not have compassion on them; he who formed them will show them no favor.”

“They are both stupid and foolish; the instruction of idols is but wood!”

“If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern their latter end!”

Psalms 94:8  Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise?  He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?  He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge—  the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

Jeremiah 8:6-8    I have paid attention and listened, but they have not spoken rightly; no man relents of his evil, saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turns to his own course, like a horse plunging headlong into battle.  Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and the turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time of their coming, but my people know not the rules of the LORD.  “How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes has made it into a lie.

Proverbs 12:1    Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

Psalms 49:10    For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others.  Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names  Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.  This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah

Proverbs 1:22    “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

Proverbs 8:5    O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.

Romans 1:21-22    For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

Titus 3:3    For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

The end is clear for those who choose to walk their own path in this world.  We hear it said “they did it their way” or “he is self made” and give head nod to their accomplishment.  This is the way of the world- proud, boasting, always seeking and wanting more, taking paths in life that seem right but do not include God, seeking approval of man rather than God, believing lies to condone their actions, greedy. Scripture says these people are foolish and stupid.  Scripture also says  For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.  We were no different but somehow through God’s grace, mercy, and opening our heart and mind to the truth through Jesus Christ we were made new.  We were forgiven.  We were changed.  No longer having the passions and seeking pleasures of this world we found purpose, safety, hope, love, joy, peace, and comfort through Jesus Christ. We were lost but now we are found in Him.  Never forget the path from which you were saved.  That path of destruction and eternal hell.  Never forget that we too were once foolish and disobedient.  Keep speaking Christ into the lives of both the lost and saved.  God’s word does not return void – it will accomplish what He has planned.  What does it matter if a person rejects the message of Christ 100 times.  Might they not receive Him on 101?

1 Hearts far from Me

“Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man.”

“ I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts.”

“Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.”

Psalms 73:21  When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,   I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.   Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.   You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.   Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.   My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.    For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Psalms 92:5  How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!  The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever;

Psalms 69:5    O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.

Isaiah 29:13  And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,   therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”   Ah, you who hide deep from the LORD your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”   You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?   Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest?   In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.   The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.   For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off,

Matthew 15:7  You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:  “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;  in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

I think about my heart and if I am just serving God with my lips.  There are times when I can’t make sense of the purpose of my life.  I know it is to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey God, but what does that look like lived out.  Am I understanding His word in a way that is intended?  Are my ears open to hear His whispers of guiding me?  Are my eyes open to see His handy work?  Am I being filled anew each day with His Holy Spirit?  Do I desire Him more than this world?  Are my ears itching to hear something to confirm my lack of commitment is enough?  Am I a fence rider and living for this world and yet speaking of heaven?  Are my desires more for what this world has to offer?   I look forward to the day this battle with sin is over and I am with Him forever.  I trust in His grace, mercy and love through the redemptive work of Christ to usher me home with Him forever.

Who is Like you, oh God

“They are both stupid and foolish;”

“Behold, they are all a delusion; their works are nothing”

Hosea 12:9
He destroys you, O Israel,
for you are against me, against your helper.
Where now is your king, to save you in all your cities?
Where are all your rulers—
those of whom you said,
“Give me a king and princes”?
I gave you a king in my anger,
and I took him away in my wrath.

Deuteronomy 33:26
There is none like God, O Jeshurun,
who rides through the heavens to your help,
through the skies in his majesty.
The eternal God is your dwelling place,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
And he thrust out the enemy before you

Exodus 15:11
“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

1 Kings 8:23
“O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart;

Jeremiah 10:7
There is none like you, O Lord;
you are great, and your name is great in might.
Who would not fear you, O King of the nations?
For this is your due;
for among all the wise ones of the nations
and in all their kingdoms
there is none like you.
They are both stupid and foolish;

Isaiah 41:28
But when I look, there is no one;
among these there is no counselor
who, when I ask, gives an answer.
Behold, they are all a delusion;
their works are nothing;

What replaces God in our lives to the point where we no longer see Him as ALIVE and AWESOME and OUR HOPE and OUR SHELTER and OUR REFUGE and OUR ROCK and OUR KING.  I imagine something gets lost in our culture where we can easily criticize our President without fear.  We can choose to not stand if he should come into a room. We can choose turn our back on him without any fear of retribution.  Speaking with a friend from Asia yesterday, he was telling me about the King in Thailand who passed away.  If you did not stand upon his entry into a room you would be thrown in jail.  For the next week it is mandatory to wear black and if you don’t you would be thrown in jail. In many countries the office of the King is regarded much higher than the President in our culture.  Is it possible this view of our President dilutes our perception on how we look at God, or how we think we should serve Him?  It would do us well to think deeply about God and our commitment to Him in line with His word and expectations for each of our lives.  How does the excuse “I’m sorry God, I was just to busy for years on end to give you more than a passing thought” sound?  Our heavenly King has asked us to desire to humbly serve Him with all our heart, mind and soul.  How does this happen unless we choose to know and understand Him?  How does this happen if we spend little or no time in His word?  How do we praise and worship Him without continually expanding our knowledge of Him?