A big tree attracts the gale.
(Chinese proverb on pride)
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (I Corinthians 1:20 NIV)
Where are the wise men, the scholars, and the philosophers? Are we hearing from them? If we are so advanced as a civilized nation why are they warning us of the dangers of global warming? Why is it that we cannot keep peace and are always at war with some other nation? But yet we think that we have many of the answers, and do not apply them. The USA disposes of more eatable garbage every day than most third world nations have to eat in a single day. Even our poor throw away a lot of food. Why are there little children starving in Africa and Asia, and the other side of the globe is wasteful? But yet we spend billion of dollars sending people to space, developing bigger weapons to destroy each other, and design comfortable and timesaving furnishings for our homes and lives. Dont get me wrong I am not against prosperity. I believe that God desires us to prosper in all ways. I just dont believe in poverty, and wonder why with all the prosperity there is in the world, why there is so much poverty? The apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians provides me with some of the answers I am looking for. Even though he wrote it around 1,950 years ago, today it still rings true. God has made foolish the wisdom of the world. That little starving child in Africa doesnt give a hoot about the space station. And in Gods eyes that little hurting baby is worth more than a million shuttles and space stations. Why cant we get our lives together as a world community and help each other more than we hurt each other? Because the wisdom of the world is foolish, compared to that hungry child. Maybe were looking in the wrong direction. The prophet Zechariah said, Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit say the LORD Almighty. Maybe if we want to get things done right we need more of the Spirit of God instead of the spirit of man. I dont know why I headed this way today in my thoughts, but walk through the Word after my study time seemed to be headed this way. I had a wonderful weekend. I traveled over 1,200 miles to Texas and back, and enjoyed many benefits of prosperity as we traveled. I traveled in air-conditioned automobiles and stayed out of the heat in an air-conditioned house. I enjoyed several fine restaurants as we traveled and I was comfortable. Why my burden this morning for those who are in poverty I dont know. Possibly because of the realization, that I also, at one time was in poverty. Mine was a self-induced poverty brought about by self-centered drug and alcohol use. I would have died in my poverty had it not been for the grace of a loving God that helped me up as I surrendered and asked for help. And for the many friends and family that offered encouragement and assistance. It takes help to rise above the curse of poverty, and I am grateful for that help. May I learn to lend a helping hand as I hold on to the hands that helped me. May we be connected as a chain, and God will do for us what we could not do for ourselves ..JRE
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. (1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV)
(Chinese proverb on pride)
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (I Corinthians 1:20 NIV)
Where are the wise men, the scholars, and the philosophers? Are we hearing from them? If we are so advanced as a civilized nation why are they warning us of the dangers of global warming? Why is it that we cannot keep peace and are always at war with some other nation? But yet we think that we have many of the answers, and do not apply them. The USA disposes of more eatable garbage every day than most third world nations have to eat in a single day. Even our poor throw away a lot of food. Why are there little children starving in Africa and Asia, and the other side of the globe is wasteful? But yet we spend billion of dollars sending people to space, developing bigger weapons to destroy each other, and design comfortable and timesaving furnishings for our homes and lives. Dont get me wrong I am not against prosperity. I believe that God desires us to prosper in all ways. I just dont believe in poverty, and wonder why with all the prosperity there is in the world, why there is so much poverty? The apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians provides me with some of the answers I am looking for. Even though he wrote it around 1,950 years ago, today it still rings true. God has made foolish the wisdom of the world. That little starving child in Africa doesnt give a hoot about the space station. And in Gods eyes that little hurting baby is worth more than a million shuttles and space stations. Why cant we get our lives together as a world community and help each other more than we hurt each other? Because the wisdom of the world is foolish, compared to that hungry child. Maybe were looking in the wrong direction. The prophet Zechariah said, Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit say the LORD Almighty. Maybe if we want to get things done right we need more of the Spirit of God instead of the spirit of man. I dont know why I headed this way today in my thoughts, but walk through the Word after my study time seemed to be headed this way. I had a wonderful weekend. I traveled over 1,200 miles to Texas and back, and enjoyed many benefits of prosperity as we traveled. I traveled in air-conditioned automobiles and stayed out of the heat in an air-conditioned house. I enjoyed several fine restaurants as we traveled and I was comfortable. Why my burden this morning for those who are in poverty I dont know. Possibly because of the realization, that I also, at one time was in poverty. Mine was a self-induced poverty brought about by self-centered drug and alcohol use. I would have died in my poverty had it not been for the grace of a loving God that helped me up as I surrendered and asked for help. And for the many friends and family that offered encouragement and assistance. It takes help to rise above the curse of poverty, and I am grateful for that help. May I learn to lend a helping hand as I hold on to the hands that helped me. May we be connected as a chain, and God will do for us what we could not do for ourselves ..JRE
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. (1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV)
