Do not become the fool!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

If a wise man goes to court with a fool,
the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
(Proverbs 29:9 (NIV))

I have seen this verse show up a lot this evening. Most of the references have been a direct reference to the Vice Presidential debate.

One translation puts it more in context.

When the wise make a legal charge against the foolish,
the fools shout, they laugh—there is no calm.
(Proverbs 29:9 (CEB))

Stop to think about this verse and the current state of our nation and our world.

How many times have we played the part of the fool and laughed at something that we should have taken seriously? How many times has our government laughed or scoffed at something that is later discovered to be important. History shows us several examples. Hitler. Japan. We may even be looking at another example unfolding with Iran.

I have a serious question for you to consider.

What if we play the fool and ignore our faith? Something was said in tonight’s debate where both men claimed to believe in the sanctity of life. One said that he did not believe that it was his place to force his beliefs on others. In other words, he compromised his beliefs in what he stated was a core faith issue to him.

To me, this sounds like it is a denial of faith and the following may apply.

“Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
(Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV))

I am not trying to get political. I simply and honestly think that the words written in Matthew are meant to tell each of us that if we truly know Jesus, then we will not compromise our faith. If we follow Jesus, we are to do as He did. He did not ignore wrongdoing and sin. He confronted it. He confronted it out of love. He did not change His position or ignore His position when it was not politically correct.

Jesus did not change to please man!

He stayed true to what he knew God was calling Him to do.

Have you been true with what God has been calling you to do?

Have you laughed or scoffed at this calling?

Have you ever ignored what you knew to be true to be politically correct?

Has this become a personal denial of faith for you?

What happens if you deny the teachings? Does that mean that you deny the teacher? If we deny the teacher, the teacher will not know us.

If a wise man goes to court with a fool,
the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
(Proverbs 29:9 (NIV)

Stay true to God’s Word. Do not become the fool! Put Jesus first!

Copyright 1998 – 2012 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
(Luke 10:17-20 (NIV))

Can you imagine the excitement that the seventy-two had experienced that lead them to go back to Jesus with this proclamation?

Do you ever wonder what they actually saw and experienced that gave them that excitement?

Now, I want you to put yourself into this scene. How would you react when you hear the words “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” Every time that I read those words, I get chills. I honestly do not know how I would have reacted if I were to have heard those words first hand. The implications are mind blowing. Time to get theological.

Satan was cast out of heaven before Adam and Eve. Jesus saw this happen.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
(John 1:1-2 (NIV))

I don’t know about you, but this brings me great joy, for it confirms that my faith has been placed correctly. I want, I need, the power of Jesus in my life. I need to know that the demons will not harm me if I place my hope, faith and trust in Jesus.

But, more importantly, just as Jesus told the seventy-two, I rejoice knowing that because Jesus is who He is, my name is written in heaven.

Still, can you imagine hearing first hand these words and know that the speaker tells the truth?

“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”

Copyright 1998 – 2012 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Is God tempting you?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
(James 1:13-14 (NIV))

How many times have you heard someone say that God is tempting them? It is a popular misconception among non-believers and among those who do not truly understand the nature of God. God cannot tempt someone. It is not in His nature. Jesus explained this.

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
(Luke 11:17-20)

Satan is the source of all temptation. God may use this temptation to strengthen us, but the temptation never comes from God. No matter what you are facing in this world, keep your eyes upon Jesus. Doing so will help you to realize that the problems you are facing are not from God, but from Satan.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33)

Copyright 1998 – 2012 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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