What Constitutes the Fool and The Wise?

"Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge."

While reading the Bible during this last quarter, I decided to recalibrate and "blitz" through the Bible during these last two months of the year; I read our text today.  The NASB says, "Leave the presence of a fool or you will not discern words of knowledge."  You will not find, "words of knowledge," in the mouth of a fool.  No matter how "smart" he may sound, the words will only be foolishness.  The MSG says, "Escape quickly from the company of fools; they're a waste of your time, a waste of your words."  Now some would think it arrogant to talk this way, but then I would suggest they take it up with the Almighty; this is His Word. 

You know as well as I do that there are people with whom we have conversed who are just plain, "a fool."  On what do we base this assessment?  They do not acknowledge the reign of Jesus Christ in the Earth, yea, in the Universe.  They instead reign, or at least they think they do.  Their authority of all they think and say is they themselves, and any "sources" they may quote are just those for whom they have searched until they find those who affirm or confirm their I-rule life style, "deep calls to deep."  Such fools reign in Hollywood and the world media, universities and governments.  So many people, even those who call themselves "Christian" fall for their "intellect," their seemingly rational, not fanatical insight to life.  They, not the Follower of Jesus, are the smart ones. 

Do not be intimidated by , "a foolish man," who appears "wise."  He is not.  Proverbs 18:2 says, "A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart."  I guess a wise person, then, is one who delights in understanding and in expressing Jesus' Heart.  And the only way that can be done is to delight in His Words, not mine.  Instead, I make His Words mine, His thoughts mine, His deeds mine, His will mine.  Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, because it was founded on the rock.  But everyone who...does not.., will be like a foolish man...."  According to today's text, "Go from the presence...."  Then, as our Lord says, "If he repents, forgive him."  Perhaps he will come to his senses and come to Jesus.  I know, again, this sounds arrogant to some.  It is the word of God to me.   

Father, in Jesus' Name, I have no wisdom or understanding or knowledge which is of any good apart from You.  I thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, that You Alone are the, "Wisdom from God."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"My Enemies Reproach Me...,But You, O Lord...."

"My enemies reproach me all day long; those who deride me swear an oath against me....But You, O Lord, shall endure forever, and the remembrance of Your name to all generations." (Psalm 102:8 & 12)

The smart people are those who in the face of the enemies' attack realize, "But You, O Lord, shall endure forever...."  So, in the face of, "My enemies reproach," I believe in, trust in, rely upon, live in and obey Jesus Christ, Who, "shall endure forever, and the remembrance of Your Name to all generations."  Then and only then will I also, "endure forever,"---------------- to all generations," i.e., forever and ever, in Eternity, no time, no space, no sickness, sin limitation, just, "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father in His throne."  All of this because of, "the Blood of His cross."

Our text is from a "Messianic Psalm."  Side note: each Psalm as well as the whole Bible is "Messianic."  At any rate, it foreshadows Jesus' Words on the Cross as well as His bodily, "God with us,"sojourn on this planet.  It also speaks of the Jews and their pilgrimage throughout the centuries.  What is going on right now in Israel and the Middle East in general is a generation-to-generation war.  It has been going on for millennia, and no firebombs, no "Iron Domes," no "peace talks," which is code for, "We really don't know what we're doing," will stop it.  I really feel for those to whom the following statement is mere religious talk, cliche, or "christianese," but there will not be peace in the Middle East or on earth anywhere until the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, returns.  And, "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory."  Notice, this is not the Throne in Heaven; it is the Throne upon which He will sit, "When the Son of Man comes," here, when He returns to the Earth.

The past US elections, the President, the Congress, the Supreme Court, the United Nations can not affect the eternal plan of King Jesus.  It is time for the Church and people who call themselves "Christian" to believe and act upon what they say they believe.  "History is headed toward a dramatic climax" is not just a quote of Billy Graham; it is Biblical truth.  "....There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken....And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh," 0r, in other words, "My enemies reproach me all day long," will be over.  And, we will be with Him Who,"shall endure forever"----------------------- forever.  Now, "HAPPY THANKSGIVING."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I offer Thanksgiving for You, Your Word Jesus Christ, and that You have included me in your Eternal Purpose.  What Happy Thanksgiving.  Amen.
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Please be praying for the North Korea opportunity---------- and HAPPY THANKSGIVING 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"The Immensely Valuable Living Stone"

"....You come to Him, as living stones to the immensely valuable living stone,..to be built up into a spiritual House of God, in which you, like holy priests, can offer those spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4b-5, J. B. Phillips)

My daily reading of the latter part of the New Testament-- Peter, a businessman who surrendered his life to Jesus Christ.  Through the centuries, he became "St. Peter," even had the largest church building ever built name after him.  But he did not start this way; he was Peter the fisherman, boat owner and entrepreneur, and this is a part of Peter's testimony as well as teaching of the Holy Spirit through and in Peter.

Peter says that he found in Jesus, "....the immensely valuable living stone...."  The Bible describes Jesus as our Rock, our high tower, fortress.  Speaking of the Jews in the wilderness, Paul writes, "....[they] all drank the same spiritual drink.  For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ," the Ever-Present One, feeding, sustaining, protecting, "the immensely valuable living Stone."  Peter also says that the Church (which includes you and me) is being, "built into a spiritual House of God," and that we are, "like holy priests," called to, "offer...spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God by Jesus Christ," and I am very sure that Peter would add, "those spiritual sacrifices," are only acceptable to God, "by," i.e., "through, on account of, because of," Jesus Christ.  I love this testimony of a man who was very, very close to Jesus.

Okay, I know the Holy Spirit is in charge of the Biblical writings.  But is it not great to know that God speaks to us so intimately through men and women who were just as you and I?  We can walk in the same insight, the same intimacy as they, because now in the Holy Spirit the Blessed Trinity resides, works, and reaches others yet to know Him in and through us.  Peter's testimony is now my testimony, your testimony.  And I think we can say that Jesus is still building you and me, His Church.  People yet to come to Jesus Christ are yet to be a part of the, "spiritual House of God."  And maybe, just maybe He sees them already "there" as those , "living stones."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You seem to be still building Your Church, adding to Your, "spiritual House," Your, "church daily those who [are] being saved."  Amen.
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Please be praying for the North Korea mission and for those Koreans who are suffering, yet, "living stones."

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2