Wrather Thoughts

A daily journal of the thoughts, ideas, and life of Ed Wrather who is a pastor and writer of the Burning Bush Devotional www.theburningbush.net wrather@dobsonteleco.com

Thursday, October 09, 2003

We had a nice Bible Study and Prayer meeting last night and the Lord blessed us with 3/4 inch of rain.

I went to Elk City this morning to pick up a prescription and some other things. Jeanie is working at home today and seems to feel better. Thank you Lord for helping us to get well!!
The Burning Bush Devotional
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10.09.03

Changing Course

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” - Acts 9:1-5.

A thief in the Vancouver area received a little surprise while trying to make off with a roll of copper wire. The wire was connected to a generator that was running and when the thief tried to disconnect the wire, his shoes were blown off and he was burned. He received a 27,000-volt electrical shock. He was found wandering in a nearby railroad yard without shoes and with second-degree burns. The 41-year-old man is recovering from his injuries but will face criminal charges. According to police the man is “well known” to them.

You have to wonder if an unexpected 27,000-volt jolt that blows your shoes off is enough to make a career criminal change his vocation? Certainly, it should give him something to think about. Saul prior to his conversion had an experience that was just as shocking. Saul was on his way to persecute some more Christians in Damascus believing that he was serving God in doing so. However, God intervened in his life. The Bible says, “…suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.” That is an understatement since the light, which Saul encountered, was so bright in blinded him.

Saul was headed in one direction and when he encountered the resurrected Christ, the direction of his life was completely changed. The shock of this encounter with Christ was so great that Saul eventually became the apostle Paul and a part of the group that he had been persecuting. Paul was not the first and not the last to have the direction of their lives radically changed by a shocking encounter with Christ. Those who came after Paul most likely did not see a blinding light but their encounter with the Lord was no less shocking or life changing. Paul’s life was changed when he came to understand that he had been wrong in persecuting Christians and in his heart committed himself to follow Christ.

For some people it might take more than a 27,000-volt jolt to change the course of their lives. What they really need is an encounter with the living Lord Jesus. What about you? What would it take to change the course of your life?

Wednesday, October 08, 2003

Last week Jeanie had her radioactive thyroid treatment to kill her thyroid since it is hyperactive. She is finally doing better physically.

I had my doctor's appointment in Oklahoma City on Monday and he does not think I will have any more problems. A scope is scheduled for the last part of November. However, my digestive system I know still has some problems and I will continue to try to eat better and exercise more.

Wrote another devotional last night and hopefully will be able to get back on track with writing and everything else. Last Sunday we had the best attendance since I have been home from the hospital and I hope that continues.

Jeanie is still working at home and has gone to Elk City today to drop off some completed work and pick up new work.
The Burning Bush Devotional
(Over 8,000 subscribers in 75 countries)

10.08.03

The Fool’s Way

For he sees wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. - Psalm 49:10-11.

On September 1st in Denver, a man told friends that he had been planning to jump from a moving car. He was not planning to commit suicide but wanted to feel some pain so that he would have the courage to have a tattoo. The 20-year-old during rush hour jumped from a car moving at about 40 mph and he was killed as a result. Another foolish and dangerous stunt was done by a teenage boy in Missouri. For some reason he felt like he needed to demonstrate his pain tolerance and he did this by hitting himself in the head with a skateboard. He then invited a friend to hit him in the head too, which resulted in his being knocked out with one blow, and sadly, he died just a few days later.

What is it that makes a person a fool? Is it the doing of what every sane person knows a person should not do? Is it the saying or writing of words every sane person knows a person should not say or write? Why do they do such things? For young people it is easy to say that they feel invulnerable and that they have a sense because of their youth that they will live forever. For those older as the Psalmist indicates some even in the face of much evidence to the contrary believe they will never face death. Ultimately, whether young or old it is the belief that they will never have to face any consequences for their actions. This belief comes from a lack of a fear of God.

The Book of Proverbs, which contains so much wisdom in the first chapter, says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7).” The lack of knowledge and wisdom, which results in foolish actions come from a person’s contempt for wisdom and instruction and ultimately contempt for the Lord.

How do you avoid being and acting like a fool? The Bible is very clear about this in many passages of Scripture. In Proverbs 9:10 for example we are told, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” To be wise and act with wisdom it is necessary to have a respect and reverence for God. King Solomon indicates that this is the beginning of all wisdom.

Are you a fool? Most of us have been fools at one time or another to some extent. We can avoid foolishness by having true respect and reverence for God and in doing so we will begin walking on the path of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.