Please watch or listen to this critical message
- not about baseball (33 minutes)
Click the picture or link or
Copy and paste the link into your browser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tblyuy-L5iI
or search YouTube for
The Foolishness of God - 1 Corinthians 1 18-25
Church of the Open Door (Easter message 2018)
“For the word of the Cross is to those who are perishing
foolishness, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom
of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.’
“Where is the wise man?
Where is the scribe? Where is the
debater of this age? Has not God made
foolish the wisdom of the world? For
since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know
God. God was well-pleased through the
foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
“For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom;
but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles
foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the
power of God and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of
God is stronger than men.” I
Corinthians 1:18-25
The world God wants to love -- the world God is appealing to
-- may never see Him; our own faces get in the way. God took all the risk. He longs to establish and deepen a
relationship with us so the world will know Him.
That WAS His plan.
The doctrine of the Holy Spirit is the doctrine of ‘the Church’: God living in us. Such a plan is the ‘foolishness of God,’ as Paul
says.
Frederick Buechner wrote in A Room Called Remember: ‘to choose for His holy work in the world lamebrains
and misfits and nit-pickers and holier-than-thous and stuffed shirts and odd
ducks and egomaniacs and milquetoasts and closest sensualists.’ You must wonder sometimes, what WAS He
thinking! But His plan is perfect, even
when we can’t understand.
Take care, your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene (who
prays for you each morning).
PPS: My statement of
faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com (also you will find a series of beginner
Bible studies there.). Also, you can find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing
a Google search for ‘WeakDay Devotion’.
(Also, there is an android ‘Goggle Blogger’ app you can download to read
them on your phone.)
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS
·
Elizabeth G – her
Dad, now in palliative care is not expected to live much longer. Thankfully, Elizabeth is with him now.
·
Patti – has
injured her shoulder and is severe pain.
She will be having an MRI to discover the source of the pain. Pray for her as she waits for the appointment
and for her beloved husband, John, who is having to do all the things Patti
usually does. Pray for her health care
providers and that the Lord will hold her through this time in a special way.
·
Hans –
a dear friend in Germany, with cancer has been having serious heart pain for
the last two days. His monthly
immunotherapy was scheduled for tomorrow.
The doctor decided to try to manage the pain until he goes to the
hospital when they can investigate the source.
Pray for strength through the pain and God’s mercy. Continue to pray for his healthcare
providers, his patience and wisdom. Pray
he is surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who will support
him through this journey. Pray for his
Mom (age 83) who is unwell herself, that their time together will be filled
with extraordinary good memories and lots of love.
·
Isaias and Judith
(Ambassadors for Christ the Philippines) – the Philippines has been
devastated by constant batterings from typhoons. Their ministry (new website: https://afcph.org/
) faces many challenges. Many of their leadership
group and groups of believers have lost everything, including worship centres. China’s threat grows. Pray for the leaders, administrators, workers
and teachers. Pray our Father keep these
servants strong, in good health, safe and supported and that they keep a
balance in their lives. They need funds badly now. Go to the website or send
encouragement to Isaias Catorce at icatorce@gmail.com
·
My brother, Tim – just received a new bi-pap machine and is already
seeing benefits. Pray for his continued
wisdom and patience in managing his COPD (chronic-obstructive pulmonary
disease) and arthritis. Pray his doctors
are attentive, wise and compassionate.
Pray for Barb, his wife for her strength and compassion. Continue to grow their faith so they can
share Christ with others.
·
USA – Pray the Lord will demonstrate His power in
unexpected and uniting ways during these times of unrest and confusion. Help hearts settle and rest in Him
alone. Let the truth of God’s Word and
ways overcome the drive to destroy our founding, Bible-based values. For Christ-centre, Bible-based revival in the
USA and religious freedom for Christians wherever they may be.
·
J&R – recently
had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with them and would appreciate prayers
that God uses His words in their hearts to draw them to Him for Eternity!
·
Kevin and Sandy
Currel - (in Melbourne) Kevin has a wonderful ministry in teaching
through images and words and has created many Christian resources. (To learn more: https://www.kevincurrell.com/
). He just had another procedure, which looks good and will have the results
next week. Please continue to pray for
him, especially that God will supply the funds needed for this extraordinary
time.
·
Peyton
- eldest granddaughter of Jeff and Rachael.
Pray for this lovely woman of God as she goes off to college, that she
remains safe and strong in her beliefs and convictions and continues to
encourage many with her loving faithfulness to the Lord.
·
Tracey –
slowly healing from a fall where she broke four ribs. Pray she will be patient and that the pain
will be easily managed.
· USA President Donald Trump – As Christians it is our responsibility to pray for our leaders and trust that God has a plan for the USA through this man. If you doubt the importance of his appointment, just look at the baseless antagonism against him. Surely Satan is NOT happy and means to thwart God’s plan. Pray someone helps President Trump and Melania understand the true meaning of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray they will both have an insatiable hunger to read God’s Word for themselves. Pray God sends a Bible-Believing Christian to regularly disciple them in the Truth. Pray God shuts the mouths of the false prophets who regularly circle around them.
Pray for those in full-time service
Pray to uphold our Christian leaders – that they never compromise God’s Word, are bold and courageous in the face of evil. Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity, strength and for their families.
Pray for those with ongoing health concerns
Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile health. Pray God takes special care with them and protects them in practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on them during this challenging time.
No comments:
Post a Comment