S235P1 – Intentional Christianity: to walk worthy

Eph. 4:1-3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. It was time…

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S234P10 – When fools rush in: hope still remains

Pro. 26:12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. They were the brothers who everyone would call when they wanted to have a good time.  Family money made their lifestyle easy, and their only goal in life was to find…

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S234P9 – When fools rush in: a dangerous cycle

Pro. 26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. Many of my evenings were only a blur.  Others were a complete mystery to me.  There was a part of me which thought that my drinking was only the normal antics of a twenty-something who liked to have fun on…

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S234P8 – When fools rush in: fruitless arguments result

Pro. 26:4 Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. He prided himself on being the devil’s advocate and pushing people’s buttons just to see them get riled up.  When I first met him, I thought he genuinely wanted to engage in spiritual discourse regarding the things…

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S234P7 – When fools rush in: knowledge is rejected

Pro. 17:16  It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning. Every Friday night was total chaos.  Of course, what else could be expected from a bunch of teenagers who drastically outnumbered our staff?  Even among the chaos, God still provided plenty of opportunities for us to reach the kids one-on-one and…

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S234P6 – When fools rush in: egos inflate

Pro. 12:23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness. No one could get a word in edgewise when he was around.  One did not have to be speaking to him in order for him to spot an opportunity to interject and make himself the authority on whatever was the…

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S234P5 – When fools rush in: tempers flare

Pro. 12:16 A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. Today, I am not the kind of person who flies off the handle about anything.  Sure I have my share of frustrations, but those instances of getting fired up are probably relatively calm compared to most.  Before meeting Jesus, I was…

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S234P4 – When fools rush in: false gods abound

Rom. 1:21-23 Yes, they (the wicked) knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping…

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S234P3 – When fools rush in: words bearing bad fruit

Pro. 10:20-21 The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. I remember the first night I volunteered for that youth ministry.  I was brought on as a leader, but those…

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S234P2 – When fools rush in: the choice of wisdom

Pro. 1:20-23 Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools…

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