Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.
This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)
Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame"of your creativity!
Today's word: foolishness
Why do you think God chooses to use the world's foolishness to reveal His wisdom?
Why do you think some people cling to the message of the cross, while others think it is foolishness?
Let me know what you think!!
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
Good question. I can't know why some trade the truth of God for a lie calling it foolish but I do know that our human nature is to do what we want. Thus, they call foolish what they wish to discredit.
ReplyDeleteHere's an oddball thing: Of all the word studies I've done, I've never tackled "foolishness". Hmmmmm. Make you wonder what I'm trying to avoid in the way of conviction.
ReplyDeleteI don't know the answer to either question other than the Christianity 101 pat answer that the foolishness of the world provides a foil for God.
My pat answer to question #2 is: sin nature.
I've got nothing, Sharon. Someone needs to fan my flame!!!
Hi, Sharon,
ReplyDeleteGod's kingdom is upside down. Forgive your enemies, love the unlovable, walk in fruit of Holy Spirit in the midst of chaos? This is foolishness to those perishing. It is the opposite of the way we use to live before Christ!
That's my two cents.
Have a great weekend.
Mary
I'm with Debbie; I have never thought too much about foolishness, except I do know I don't want to be the fool that is mentioned a lot in Proverbs.....this takes some thinking I think.....
ReplyDeletebetty
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteI have had trouble with blogger and getting on to your space. But here now. Thank you for all your visits and encouragement. We sure will fight on shoulder to shoulder. Love the verse from Timothy, here.
God Bless - Nita
Parsley - A very good point. We tend to call foolish what we want to discredit. Very true. And it is also true that we want to do what we want. I tell you what, though - I love being called a fool for God, don't you?!
ReplyDeleteDebbie - Would love to see what you come up with if you ever do a word study on foolishness. And it's OK - the "pat" answers are still true! I like how you said the world provides a foil for God. It serves as a contrast for Him - it is the world's foolishness that really makes God's wisdom so great.
Mary - I liked your two cents! Yes, God's ways are completely opposite of what we would ordinarily consider "natural." (Aren't you glad?!) It makes me really excited when I think how Jesus "upset the apple cart" of the status quo.
Betty - You're no fool, my friend! The only fool is the one who refuses to acknowledge his foolishness, and refuses to turn to God's wisdom. I was also reminded of how God calls the person who lays up their treasure here on earth a fool. And I happen to know where you're "investing" - my wise friend!
Nita - Sorry about the computer problems. I've been missing you. So glad to hear from you. And again, congratulations on your baptism. I understand the increased attacks, Nita. It's just the way the enemy works. But yes, I stand shoulder to shoulder with you - our God behind and before us!
GOD BLESS!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI don't have ready answers to your questions - yet...
ReplyDeleteWhat does readily come to mind is the book of Exodus, and the foolishness of Egypt-itis - when we have attitudes similar to the Israelites after how good GOD had been to them....
Prayer:
Lord, please help us to be grateful to You steadfastly and to love you immensely through it all - storms and triumphs. You are GOD in it ALL!!!
Thank you, Precious Lord!
Hi Sharon -
ReplyDeletePlease forgive me - I forgot to precede my previous post above with "Hi Sharon."
Hi Sandra -
ReplyDeleteYou're just too cute!! No worries. Yes, I posted this word, but I'm still thinking about it. I really did like your example from Exodus. I think that that has to be the epitome of foolishness - to have the very Presence of God, and squander away your obedience and worship longing for Egypt. We're not so different, though - we do (at least I do) the same sorts of things. I try to run my own life, I don't wait on Him patiently, I listen to the enemy's lies - I want a good, easy life instead of wanting only Him. That is foolish - oh Lord, give us steadfast gratefulness for all You've done, and enable us to love you immensely through it all. Sandra, that was perfect...
GOD BLESS!