April Fools by Gail Purath

My sister was born on April Fool’s Day. 

As you can imagine, she’s received lots of prank gifts in her six decades of life. I suppose she’s enjoyed a few, but for the most part it’s no fun being “made a fool” by the practical jokes of others.

Good thing April Fool’s Day isn’t a church holiday…
Can you imagine the pastor preaching that we have to work our way to heaven and then ending his message with “April Fools!” No, not very funny…pretty foolish, actually. 

But it wouldn’t be that absurd for the church to have a Fool’s Day because God has lots to say about fools. And unfortunately, we all celebrate foolishness from time to time.

When we neglect the study of God’s Word, we celebrate foolishness.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline… 

fools hate knowledge. 

Proverbs 1:7,22

When we refuse to accept correction or advice, we celebrate foolishness.

A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool...Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

Proverbs 17:10; 18:7

When we trust ourselves instead of God, we celebrate foolishness.

He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

Proverbs 28:26

When we speak before we think, we celebrate foolishness.

The mouth of the fool gushes folly… A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions…a fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating…a fool’s mouth is his undoing and his lips are a snare to his soul 

Proverbs 15: 2; 18:2,6,7

When we lose our tempers, we celebrate foolishness.

A fool is hotheaded and reckless…a fool gives full vent to his anger 

Proverbs 14:16; 29:11

But the worst celebration of foolishness is grievous to even think about….but we must.

Fools mock at making amends for sin…The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” 

Psalm 14:1; Proverbs 14:9

Jesus calls us to put aside our own foolishness and pray for the souls of those who would deny Him:

“Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

Jesus, Matthew 16:24-26, NLT

Martyred Missionary Jim Elliot said it well: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." 

Today let’s ask for God's wisdom and compassion for those who are foolishly headed for an eternity too bad to imagine.
All verses NIV unless noted.

Happy Birthday, sister Judy!  

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