How the wise interact with the foolish

Proverbs 26:4-5 (New King James Version)

⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
      Lest you also be like him.
       ⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly,
      Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
     
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Ponder this: Lesson is: Don't talk to worldy people on a worldy perspective as you'll only reach a worldy conclusion. Speak to a fool (one who says in his heart that their is no God) from a God perspective (which is wise) so that they will see the foolishness in their understanding. However, there will still be some that do not understand. See 1 Corin 1:22-24 for the answer to that.

[Courtesy of KingBrown_]

Stop and look up

Daily Scripture 4-29-10

Isaiah 40:26 (New International Version)

²⁶ Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.
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Ponder this: How many times have you encountered someone who didn't believe that God existed? In this scripture, God is literally giving us one of the best conversation topics to have with person such as this. He says to look up and look at His creation. God's creation testifies to His majesty and His existance. Who else could have fashioned all these amazing thigns we see everyday? The birds, the trees, the clouds, the sea, dogs, cats etc.etc.

If God sees all the bad stuff in the world, then why doesn't he do something about it?

Daily Scripture 5-15-10

Proverbs 15:3 (New International Version)

³ The eyes of the LORD are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
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Ponder this: God sees all the good in the world and all the evil. So why doesn't he stop the bad stuff? Poverty, Child prostitution, Murder, a lying tounge, sinful thoughts etc... Well, all the bad stuff is a manifestation of sin in the world. After Eve disobeyed God, she allowed for sin to enter into the realm of this world. Death is the greatest manifestation of sin but there is all this other 'bad' stuff that comes before death. Is there no hope for helping the world? God gave you His Spirit to do great things in this world. You are a door, or portal if you may, of God's kingdom. You loose and you bind. You have authority over all the wickedness in this world and righteousness in heaven. If we as believers would only pray, and live a life of holiness, this globe might look a bit different.

It's just words until the Holy Spirit moves

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (New International Version)

 ⁴For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
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Ponder this: God's children receive the preaching of the Gospel as more than just words. Those words have a power over them and the Holy Spirit convicts them and makes them want to imitate the life of Christ and other Christ-like believers. For those who are not ready to be harvested, the Gospel will just be words. Preach to everyone for it is not by your strength or power that they will be saved, but by the power of God and His Holy Spirit that they will be convicted and drawn to repentance.

Watching your brother stumble is a sin

Galatians 6:1-2 (New International Version)

  ¹Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. ²Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

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Ponder this: The law of Christ is found in Luke 10:27 ['Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'] So for you to not help your brother when you see him/her stumble is a sin. . . Think about that.

Thinking is good.

Proverbs 15:1 (New International Version)

 ¹ A gentle answer turns away wrath,
       but a harsh word stirs up anger.
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Ponder this: Think before you speak.
[courtesy of LosOtros.ca]

Embrace Afflictions

Psalm 119:67 (New International Version)

 ⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray,
       but now I obey your word.

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Ponder this: God teaches us the most in our afflictions. Count all your trials as pure Joy. [James 1:2-4]

Settle your debts

Matthew 5:25-26 (New International Version)

 ²⁵"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

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Ponder this: Sin is your adversary and he is taking you to court. Since the wages of sin is death, when you stand before the Most High God, the perfect judge of the Universe, you will have to pay up for your many sins. That fine is death aka an eternity of torment in hell. Jesus is kindly warning us in the above scripture that while sin is taking us to court and while we are still alive we should settle our debts. Jesus paid our fine for us. He died for us and was tormented in place of us so we wouldn't have to be. All we have to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He did what He said He did and our debts will be cleared.

Do not work for food that spoils

Romans 14:17-18 (New International Version)

¹⁷For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, ¹⁸because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
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Ponder this:  What we eat and what we drink are tangible and Earthly. They will perish. Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit are untangible and Spiritual. They are fruit of godliness and are imperishable, enduring and eternal. Seek after things that last, not things that perish. Focus on Godly fruit rather than fruit that comes from your own hand.

"You are mine"

Isaiah 43:1 (New King James Version)

¹ But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:

“ Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
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Ponder this: I fell in love with this chapter the very first time i read it. It's awesome because it talks about God's everlasting love and devotion to His people. Imagine hearing the God of the entire universe speaking the above verse in your ear as a lover whispers into the ear of His beloved. *shivers* God loves hard.

Formula for entering into the court of the Lord

Psalm 100:4 (New International Version)

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
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Ponder this: I don't want to make God's word seem technical, but for simplicity sake I will say this: the above scripture is like a mathematical formula for entering the court of the Lord.

Thanksgiving + Praise = Entry into God's court

Just like a mathematical formula works everytime, this formula will work every time. Practice giving God genuine thanks and praise for all of his amazingly wonderful deeds at the beginning of every prayer and experience being in the presence of your Holy Daddy on a daily basis.