Happy New Year!
I pray you were able to attend both New Year's Eve services – the one with Pastor George that morning, and the one with Brother Copeland that evening. If you missed either one, I want you to PROMISE me you will not let the rest of this day go by without going back to the EMIC service archives and watch them!! For now, let's continue with our study of Proverbs 1!
"How long, O simple ones [open to evil], will you love being simple? And the scoffers delight in scoffing and [self-confident] fools hate knowledge?" Proverbs 1:22 (AMPC)
God puts people in four different classes in relation to wisdom. Wisdom pleads with three of those classes of people. In this verse we see the first three.
First, there are the simple – those who are open to evil, ready to go any direction that someone might tell them to go. Now, it is possible for the simple to go in the direction of the Word. If they do, God will give them wisdom and prudence so they won't be simple anymore. Instead, they'll begin to operate in discretion.
Then there are the scoffers or scorners. These are people who have been open to evil so long, they aren't simple any longer. They have pushed so long against God's wisdom, their hearts have ceased to be open to good. They won't even let others talk to them about God.
The further these scorners went in the way of evil, the more they became hardened to the voice of wisdom. Now their hearts are hardened and cold, and they mock everything that's right.
You see, if a person stays simple, sooner or later he will begin to do what is wrong. If he doesn't repent and begin to listen to wisdom, he eventually becomes a hardened scorner who mocks the things of God. As a scorner, he shuts himself off even more tightly from the wisdom of God.
And if that person continues in the way of the scorner, he will finally end up in the third class of people: those who are fools. A fool is even further down the path that leads away from God. His heart is even more hardened against God than the scorner. The fool is absolutely determined to set himself against God.
Next week we will discuss the last class, but before I end, listen to what the Kesuvim / The Writings (Mishlei/Proverbs) on pg. 12 say about verses twenty-two:
Vs. 22 "How long, O simpletons, will you love folly? Scoffers covet mockery for themselves, and fools hate knowledge. Malbim explains the difference between the verse's three categories: A simpleton is easily swayed because he lacks the understanding to accept chochmah. A scoffer mocks chochmah because it cannot be proven through logic, but he does not hate it. However, since he mocks anything based on faith alone, he lacks fear of God, the only key to Godly chochmah. A fool can understand chochmah, but he rejects it because it demands that he not indulge his every desire." (NOTE: chochmah = instruction/teachings)
"According to the Vilna Gaon, the three groups represent the three main reasons that people do not study Torah: (1) Simpletons have been enticed to abandon Torah in favor of worldly pleasure. (2) Scoffers love idle chatter and useless and harmful talk. (3) Fools abandon Torah because they do not make the effort to study it properly; they want to know everything without effort."
Now, here’s a look at what is happening this week into next with our Radiant groups!
- Thursday, January 4th is our monthly Radiant Book Club meeting. We meet every 1st Thursday at 12:15 pm in the WordWorks Bookstore. NOTE: This month the meeting will be in the Hospitality Room. The book selected for our January discussion is The Joy and Power of the Tithing Covenant by Brother Kenneth Copeland. Register today and discover hidden written treasures you may have never chosen on your own, as well as special perks for being a member – did I mention it’s free to register!! Registration has its perks!! You must be registered in the Radiant Book Club to get the discounted price of 15% off the books we will be reading!! We have other surprises that come with membership!! YOU DO NEED TO ATTEND to get the most out of your membership!!
You can register here: Radiant Book Club - Friday, January 5th is the meeting of our newest group Life In The Middle! This group is specifically for women ages 30-45 and meets every 1st & 3rd Friday at 7pm in SLC Classroom B.
- Sunday, January 7th is our Marriage Re-Envisioned group for single women. Come join us as we learn the essentials of preparing for marriage. Whether you are single, divorced, or widowed we have a place for you! We meet every 1st & 3rd Sunday right after service in SLC Classroom B. You may bring lunch with you.
- Sunday, January 7th is when Bridge Moms meet to cook the meal for our Bridge Young Adults group. We cook every 1st & 3rd Sunday. 2:30pm-6:30pm – Prep to clean up. This group requires a food handlers license (license fee reimbursed upon completion), so if you are interested in joining, please reach out directly to Pastor Cathy: cgrigg@emic.org
- Tuesday, January 9th is our Growing From Glory to Glory group. A time to enjoy the Word of God, good teaching, and light refreshments with other women of EMIC. They meet every 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 12:15 pm & 5:30pm in the Hospitality Room.
For information on any of our groups, email women@emic.org. Also, if you are ever in need of prayer, please call our prayer line at 877-281-6297. Or, if you need pastoral counseling, call the church office at 817-252-2900 to schedule a time to meet with me.
You are LOVED!
Pastor Cathy
