I photographed this scene at the Honolulu Foster Botanical Gardens. The man (unknown to me) is studying a guide to the plants and paths in the Garden. It was an opportunity to show the immense size of the tree compared to the height of the man. As he is studying the guide and which path to take, it reminds me of how we need to study the Bible to direct our paths and choices.
As I was reading the Bible earlier this week, the phrase "foolishness of God" struck me and I decided then and there to do a blog post on I Corinthians 1:25.
Of course, there is no foolishness of God. It just appears that way to ungodly men who do not appreciate or understand the Gospel and Christ crucified. There are so many scoffers today (2 Peter 3:3-4). They scoff not only about the supposed "delay" of the Rapture, but also about the fact that the Son of God who was crucified could save us when He did not save Himself from death on the cross. They fail to comprehend that Jesus had to shed His precious blood as a way to save all who believe in Him .....His blood washes away our sins. On the cross, Christ was our substitute; He took the sins of the whole world upon Himself so that we might not die in our sins if we believe in Him. The fact that Jesus was resurrected gives us believers hope of eternal life as well. We also will be resurrected after death or caught up to Heaven in the Rapture, whichever occurs first. Many people today are immersed in pleasure, career, selfish pursuits of all types, ambition, and the list goes on. They live secular lives, never giving thought to Jesus and God and where they will spend eternity. The Gospel and Christ puts a damper, so they think. on their selfish pursuits and wild lifestyles. Even if they are not pursuing a wild life, they are still dead spiritually without faith in Jesus, and will spend eternity in Hell unless they repent and live a life totally surrendered to the Lord.
Also, ungodly persons feel that the actual preaching itself of the Gospel is foolishness. But God can use the meekest and weakest of men to preach Christ with clarity and effectiveness. Therefore, they can be stronger in their effectiveness than the wisest of worldly men. The world's wisdom is foolishness.
I Corinthians 1:25 speaks not only of the foolishness of God, but also of the weakness of God as being stronger than men. God is not weak; it only appears so to people who are carnally minded and who do not have a spiritual understanding of the things of God. It no doubt takes strength on the Lord's part not to just zap all the ungodly and be done with it. .However, we are in the age of grace right now and God is long suffering.
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9
After the Rapture of the Church, and during the seven-year tribulation, there will be much destruction and the wicked people will suffer and die. Now is the time to turn to the Lord in repentance !! To depart from evil is the wisest thing anyone can do; that and turning to the Lord and living for Him.
When you appreciate the beauty of orchids and all of God's creation, you can see the wisdom of God in His handiwork. Seeing all the marvels of nature should draw us close to the Lord; He is, after all, the Creator of man as well. Just think of the miracle of a baby growing in the womb; the precision found in the heavenly planets and stars. Also consider the tender love that wild animals (as well as our pets) show towards their offspring ....because of the instinct the loving heavenly Father put within them. Think about the instinct of the wild birds to migrate each year....the list could continue forever! One thing I never tire of is the beauty of sunsets and sunrises. Below is a very short time lapse video of gorgeous sunsets:
Also consider the caterpillar that miraculously becomes a butterfly:
I used to own tropical fish, and spent much relaxing time watching them swim in the tank. God showed love and wisdom in creating such a variety of fish and other animals for our enjoyment. Enjoy the following:
How mighty and amazing is our Creator! How dare mankind to ignore Him and even to blaspheme Him ! The wonders of His creation testify to His great love and His awesomeness. Yet man can be extremely proud and defiant towards Him, to their own peril. We only have one life! Only what's done for Christ will last ! (As the powerful poem goes).
Many people today think they are way too wise to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are very proud of their human wisdom. Just remember that what the world considers foolishness is instead a sign of God's love and wisdom. Open and read your Bible. By doing so you will come to intimately know God and Jesus and your love for them will grow as you study and pray and learn to comprehend their loving attributes.
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" - I Peter 1:18-19
"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - I John 2:17
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
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