Stupidus or stupendous?

Sunday’s Monday

Stupidus or stupendous?

I used to think stupid and insane went hand in hand but over time I’ve learned that’s just not true. Insanity can have a medical or physiological root cause, whereas stupidity is merely a personal choice. I made the latter choice for many years through arrogant pride, wishful thinking and (as my dad used to say) a stubborn streak wide enough you could land a plane on. I suffered long and hard for a longtime before I became so beat down, that I had to realize my misery was being caused by ME! I was sick beyond the reasoning of medical science even though the physiological side of medicine titled it addiction. Which leaves so much grey area in its definition that our gray matter can’t get hold of it.

I was given a word this week that I think best describes my dilemma over the years. That word is stupidus; to which my definition is knowing my way doesn’t work and yet following through on every idea (as if it were great), regardless of the consequences that may follow. Jeremiah described me to a T when he wrote Jeremiah 4:22-24 (GNT), 22 The Lord says, “My people are stupid; they don't know me. They are like foolish children; they have no understanding. They are experts at doing what is evil, but failures at doing what is good.” It wasn’t until God saved me that I found I wasn’t the only one with this lifestyle and I wasn’t the only one living out my consequences, ergo the word stupid-us. Later I was given understanding for a quote I once heard in a meeting; “Thousands are deceived into supposing that they have “accepted Christ” as their “personal Savior”, who have not first received Him as their LORD.” A. W. Pink. At this point of understanding I discovered I was one of those who had not received Jesus as Lord. I was cherry picking the bible for the parts that were comfortable to me and that is self-service not God service.

Trouble is, there are hundreds of millions of people that choose to live this stupidus lifestyle and they do their best to grow their numbers. Through half-truths, false teachings, unachievable promises and often times whole lies to entice people to allow them to control their thinking. James explains in James 1:14-15 (GNT), 14 But we are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires. 15 Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Being mindful of Jude 7 (GNT), Remember Sodom and Gomorrah, and the nearby towns, whose people acted as those angels did and indulged in sexual immorality and perversion: they suffer the punishment of eternal fire as a plain warning to all. If the bible says it’s wrong, it can never be right!

As in my case I am ecstatic to say, by the grace of God, I was save by His grace and sent to His people to be matured in the service of Jesus. Romans 10:9-10 (GNT), 9 If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from death, you will be saved. 10 For it is by our faith that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved. It was at this moment my life started changing from stupidus to “stupendous!” For those that don’t know the definition of, stupendus; causing amazement; astounding; marvelous: amazingly large or great; immense. Need I say more! I admit my life is not perfect and will not be this side of heaven, but it gets a little closer with each passing day and I thank God for the hope of Glory He’s given me. I am stupendous and getting better! Which reminds me of a phrase I heard, let God lighten your load and enjoy the journey.

My prayer for us this week is that we get a firm grip on living like Jesus, as this is a year of testing. I pray Colossians 3 will strengthen our relationships, bonding believers together as one body in one accord. Colossians:16-17 (GNT), 16 Christ's message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts. 17 Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father. Amen

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!

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