How Not to Be Stupid!

Today's interesting post is taken from the Blog Life, Hope and Truth by Tom Clark. It addresses a very common problem we have - taking correction, accepting it and implementing it. Problem is - most of us are averse to it , which is stupid. My thoughts are simple: If we don't know how to stand corrected and do a course correction in our life, how can we claim to learn from Jesus? And therefore, how can we even claim to be Christians? 

Tom Clarks words ring true for every one of us so here it is: How do we course correct the Christian way: 

"We can all think back to when we were children and were corrected by our parents—and it was never enjoyable! No matter how gentle, loving and even merciful they may have been, it still stung to be corrected.

Does it get any easier to accept correction as an adult? If you can honestly answer “yes” to that question, then you are a rare individual!

Most people still find it quite distasteful to be corrected, and yet virtually everyone is corrected in one way or another throughout life. Perhaps correction comes through the words or example of a spouse, a neighbor, a boss or supervisor, a coworker, or a brother or sister in the faith. Not all of these times are deliberate, and sometimes the person giving the correction doesn’t even know he or she is doing so. But when it hits us, it stings.

At that point, we have a decision to make.

Hebrews 12:11 tells us, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

It stings to be corrected, but if we respond well, it will lead to good and positive results.

So, how do we respond to correction? William Barclay in his Daily Study Bible commentary brings out several possible reactions to correction, and I believe his thoughts bear consideration. I want to share his categories along with my own thoughts too.

When corrected we may . . .

Resignedly accept it. This is the stoic “stiff upper lip” type of response. No rebellious action is taken, but neither is it accepted with an open heart. The correction is seen as coming from a person in a position of power, and there is no choice but to assume a kind of defeated acceptance. Very little can be truly learned this way, and there is little if any growth.

Accept it with a grim sense of just getting it over as quickly as possible. I can’t tell you how many times I saw this reaction in my children as they were growing up. They weren’t interested in learning so much as just being done with the punishment. With this approach, there is never any gratitude for pointing out something wrong or potentially harmful, only some resentment combined perhaps with embarrassment. The result is a conspicuous lack of learning anything from the correction!

Accept it with an attitude of self-pity. I would refer to this as the Eeyore approach to life. You may remember that ever-discouraged donkey in the Winnie the Pooh stories. No matter what happened to him, it was always tragic. When another character greeted him with a cheerful “Good morning!” he would respond, “If it is a good morning, which I doubt.”

With this kind of approach to correction, all we can see is ourselves, our hurt and how we are just being beaten on again. As with the first two reactions, there is no positive growth, or even a mindset that allows for seeing the positive or the potential for learning and growth.

View correction as a punishment that is greatly resented. The basic question seems to be, “What did I ever do to deserve this?” Often this approach generates open anger and opposition to the correction. It views the correction as unjust or over-the-top or even just plain mean and vengeful. It is very difficult for a mind with this attitude to ever ask, “What does God want me to learn from this?”

Each of these four responses easily comes from a carnal and selfish mind. And none of them will bring about the results that are intended by the correction, nor will they bring peace of mind and happiness to us.

But there is another and much better option available:

To accept the correction as ultimately coming from a loving Father who only wants the best for us. To do this will require seeing God’s detailed involvement in our lives and having a living faith that He always has our best interests in mind. Even if someone spews angry emotional vomit all over us—95 percent of which isn’t even true—chances are there is a point or a lesson we can learn from the whole thing. This approach gives us the ability to see that everything can be used to make us a better and wiser son or daughter of God.

So, how do we respond to correction? It’s something to think about".

For a short study on this from the book of Proverbs, see “Taking Correction, or How Not to Be Stupid.”

Deep Diving into Psalm 19: Pastor Rajiv

 

When the Heavens Declare Gods Glory

Why Did it Have to be Me?

 

“The Lord trieth the righteous.” — Psalm 11:5 (KJV)

Have you ever been down into the depths of loss or heartbreak, suffering or complete disaster? When the only question in your head is "why me"? When you feel like you are being threshed literally with no escape?

It can be a heartbreaking thought - "I never hurt anyone, I tried to follow our Lord, I tried to do all the right things and I never hurt anyone knowingly. Then why? Why did it have to be me?"

Well, it had to be you for the very reasons you feel it should not have been: Your belief, faith & trust in the Lord.

This is not a dichotomy. This is the reality of our faith. We are entrusted with a mission because God sees our strength and faith in Him & knows we can see it through with His help.

Here is a lesson we can learn from wheat! Wheat, while nestled safely in its husk, is of no use to the one who planted it. Only through threshing—through the shaking, beating, and separating—does its true value emerge. So, it is with the righteous.

God, in His wisdom, sees the treasure hidden beneath our comfort, the strength forged in our struggles, the ministry birthed from our pain. “The Lord trieth the righteous”—not to shame, but to shape. Not to expose, but to expand. Not to destroy but to protect. 

Every trial is a tool. Every hardship is a holy invitation. What feels like breaking is often God’s way of building. He threshes us from the husk of self-reliance, pride, and fear, so that we might grow rich toward Him—full of faith, compassion, and purpose.

And here’s the miracle: Trials become testimonies. Testimonies become ministries. Ministries become movements.

And Movements are what happen when one person’s story ignites faith in many. It’s the ripple effect of grace—where healing multiplies, hope spreads, and lives are transformed beyond what we could imagine. What began as pain becomes purpose, and what began as personal becomes powerful. Your story, once marked by suffering, becomes a light for someone else’s path. What once wounded you now equips you to heal. That’s the divine exchange—pain into purpose, ashes into beauty.

So, my friend, if you’re in the middle of the threshing floor, take heart. You are not being discarded—you are being refined. You may not want this. You may hate it. You may fear the journey. But God does not expose you to the elements of this world to harm you. He is drawing out the wheat, the worth, the witness within you. He is healing you, building you and creating a witness for Himself because you become His Living Testimony. 

The Better Conversation

"Worry is a conversation with self about things we cannot change. Prayer is a conversation with God about things He can change."

​Have you ever found yourself replaying a difficult conversation in your mind, agonizing over a decision you can't undo, or losing sleep over a future event that's completely out of your control? That's worry. It's a relentless loop of mental chatter, a conversation we have with ourselves about all the things we can't fix, control, or change. And it's exhausting.

​Worry drains our energy, steals our peace, and can even take a toll on our physical health. It's the enemy of rest, the opposite of trust. When we worry, we're essentially telling God, "I've got this. I'll handle it myself." We're trying to carry a weight that we were never meant to carry. We become so focused on the "what ifs" that we forget the "what is" and, more importantly, the "Who is."

​Now, consider the alternative: Prayer.

​Prayer is an invitation to cease the weary conversation with ourself and begin a new one with the One who holds all things in His hands. It’s a shift in focus from our limited perspective to His unlimited power. When we pray, we are handing over our burdens to a God who can, and will, work all things for our good (Romans 8:28).

​Worry and prayer are two sides of the same coin, but with vastly different outcomes. Worry leaves us feeling helpless; prayer empowers us with hope. Worry keeps our eyes fixed on the problem; prayer lifts our eyes to the Problem-Solver.

​So the next time you feel that familiar knot of worry tightening in your stomach, remember this truth: you don't have to carry that burden alone. Stop the self-talk and start a conversation with God. Pour out your heart to Him. Lay your concerns at His feet. He can change what you cannot. He can calm the storms in your life, guide your steps, and provide a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).

​Don't let worry be the final word. Let it be the prompt for a prayer.

Never Rejected!

 

And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. Genesis 29:31 (KJV)

Leah was the woman no one chose. 

Her father used deception to marry her off. Her husband, Jacob, loved her sister more. And in a world that prized beauty and favor, Leah felt invisible.

But God saw her.

Look at her history - In Genesis 29, Leah names her sons with aching hope—“Now my husband will love me,” she says. Yet it’s not until her fourth son, Judah, that her focus shifts: “This time I will praise the Lord.” In her pain, Leah found purpose. In rejection, she discovered worship.

And God saw her.

Leah kept trying to earn love by seeking “more.” More children, more effort, more hope that maybe this time, someone would truly choose her. She was caught in a cycle many perfectionists know—chasing worth through what we can do.

But God saw her, not for her role but for her heart.

And He honored her. From Leah came the priestly tribe of Levi and the royal line of Judah—from which Jesus Himself would descend. The woman overlooked by man was chosen by God to carry the promise.

Taking a leaf out of Leah's story, remember this: even if others overlook you, God does not. He sees your silent tears. He knows your name. You don’t have to earn His love, not by perfect church attendance, perfect behavior, or perfect ministry. He loves you because you are His!

In fact, Scripture reminds us that God is especially near to the brokenhearted and the weary. Jesus doesn’t turn away from suffering—He steps into it. He walks with you through every scan, every treatment, every sleepless night.

You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. You are not a burden to Him.

God’s love is not based on your health, your strength, or your ability to “stay positive.” It’s based on His unchanging character. And He has promised: “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” That includes you—today, tomorrow, and in every moment of every journey.

The Judas Within

 

The two major villains of Christianity are Lucifer and Judas. We imagine their sin and shudder, never imagining we could act like them. 

But, within each of us, a complex and often contradictory landscape of loyalties and betrayals does exist. This internal conflict is what we might call "the Judas in you." This isn't about committing a grand, historical betrayal, but rather about the subtle, everyday moments where we turn against our own values, our truest selves, or those we claim to love. It's the part of us that whispers for the easy way out, even if it means compromising our integrity. A part that indulges in hate, criticism, gossip, slander, lies, compromising integrity at work or at home, backbiting, and the list goes on. The Judas in us manifests in various ways. It's the voice that convinces us to stay silent when we should speak up for what is right, prioritizing our comfort over justice. It's the impulse to gossip about a friend to feel more included, betraying their trust for a fleeting sense of belonging. It's the temptation to take credit for someone else's idea at work to get ahead, sacrificing honesty for ambition. Have you ever been happy when something bad happened to a person that you didn't like? "They got what they deserved. " This is not love. This is EVIL. This, is betrayal. 

These small betrayals, though they may seem insignificant, are the training ground for larger ones. They erode our self-respect and create a dissonance between who we are and who we pretend to be.

​Acknowledging the Judas within is not an act of self-condemnation but one of profound self-awareness. It requires us to look honestly at our motives and understand the fear, insecurity, or greed that drives us to act against our better judgment. It is only by recognizing this shadow side that we can begin to wrestle with it. We can choose to resist the temptation to betray ourselves and others, instead opting for the harder but more rewarding path of integrity. This internal struggle is a defining part of the human experience, and our ability to overcome the Judas in us is a measure of our true character.

 

Living Our Legacy

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

​Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

"I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become."

​These words are a powerful reminder that our past does not define our future. Life throws curveballs—illness, injury, and misfortune—that can make us stray from the path we know we should be on. Our memories of the straight and narrow can become blurred, and the voices we listen to may lead us in directions we never intended to go. In these moments, we can begin to forget who we are in Christ.

​But God never forgets us. Even when our own memories fail or our sense of self is stolen by hardship, God's love remains. We may feel lost and disconnected, but we are always seen and known by our Creator. We may feel He has let us down, but He is still with us, working for our good. 

​Often, our own desire for control and our limited imagination hold us back. We get so focused on being the "driver" of our own lives that we forget it's God who is meant to lead the way. We can only see the road directly in front of us, but God sees the entire journey. He knows every twist, turn, and beautiful vista along the way. His plan for us is bigger and more beautiful than anything we could ever imagine on our own.

​So, let's stop allowing life's hardships to beat us down and make us into someone we are not. Let's not let the challenges of this world strip us of our identity as children of God.

​Today, let's choose to be who we were meant to be—Christians, followers of Jesus, living out the legacy of faith we have been given. Let us surrender our lives to God's guidance and care, trusting that He will lead us down roads we've never seen before. It is only when we release our grip on the steering wheel that we can truly begin to live the life we were created for.

​What part of your journey are you ready to surrender to God's guidance today?

Reckless Faith

Psalm 125 ver 1

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." – Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Man by nature is associated with careful consideration, prudent planning, and a sensible approach. Recklessness is irresponsible. But when it comes to trusting God, we'll, a reckless faith is what God wants! Complete and total dependence on Him alone. That does not mean a person needing medicines should not take them.

But what about "reckless faith"? It sounds almost irresponsible, doesn't it? Yet, when we look at the lives of many biblical heroes, we see a striking pattern of audacious, seemingly reckless trust in God.

Consider Abraham, who left everything familiar to go to a land he'd never seen, simply because God told him to. Or Moses, confronting the most powerful ruler of his time with nothing but a staff and God's promise. Think of David, a young shepherd boy, facing a giant with just a sling and five smooth stones. These weren't calculated risks; they were acts of radical, reckless faith.

Reckless faith isn't about being foolish or ignoring wisdom. It's about being so utterly convinced of God's character and His promises that we are willing to step out into the unknown, even when it defies all logical explanation. It's trusting that His whispered word is louder than the world's loudest doubts. It's choosing to believe in His provision even when our cupboards are bare, in His healing when the doctors have given up, and in His way when all other paths seem blocked.

Perhaps there's an area in your life today where God is inviting you to practice a little "reckless faith." Is He calling you to forgive someone when it feels impossible? To pursue a dream that seems too big? To give generously when your resources feel scarce?

It takes courage to embrace reckless faith, because it often means letting go of our need for control and certainty. It means being willing to look foolish in the eyes of the world, for the sake of God's glory. But the reward? A front-row seat to witness God's incredible power at work, and a deepening of our intimacy with the One who calls us to step out of the boat and walk on water.

Don't be afraid to be a little "reckless" in your faith today. God isn't looking for perfect plans; He's looking for trusting hearts.

The Hedge Of Protection

Expanding further on the concept of a trouble filled world and Gods hedge of protection,

A core tension in Christian faith is acknowledging a fallen, broken world while still believing in a God who is both powerful and loving. That is quite a dichotomy.

​The answer lies in understanding the difference between God guaranteeing a trouble-free life and Him providing a hedge of protection within a troubled world.

​Praying for a "hedge of protection" is a powerful act of faith that is rooted in several key theological concepts:

​1. Acknowledging God's Sovereignty and Power

​The phrase "hedge of protection" comes directly from the book of Job. In Job 1:10, Satan complains to God about Job, saying, "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?"

​This passage teaches us that God's protection is not a passive force; it is an active, deliberate, and sovereign act. When we pray for a hedge of protection, we are not demanding that God act on our behalf. Instead, we are acknowledging that He alone has the power to place a barrier between us and the forces of evil and harm. It is an act of submission and dependence, a recognition that our safety ultimately rests in His hands.

​2. Acknowledging the Reality of Spiritual Warfare

​The Bible teaches that there is a real, unseen spiritual battle taking place. The "disaster and death" that came into the world through Adam's sin are not just random events; they are often the result of spiritual forces of evil seeking to harm humanity and thwart God's purposes.

​Praying for a hedge of protection is a recognition of this reality. It is a specific prayer for divine intervention against spiritual attacks, temptations, and the schemes of the enemy. It's an appeal for God to restrain the influence of evil in our lives, our families, and our communities.

​3. God's Promise to Intervene and Provide in the Midst of Trouble

​While God does not promise to remove all suffering from our lives, He does promise to be with us, strengthen us, and often intervene on our behalf. The prayer for a hedge of protection is a way of appealing to this aspect of God's character. It is a prayer for:

• ​Physical Safety: Averting accidents, protecting us from violence, and providing healing.

• ​Emotional and Mental Health: Guarding our minds and hearts from despair, anxiety, and fear.

• ​Spiritual Protection: Shielding us from temptations and attacks on our faith.

​In this way, the prayer is not an escape from reality, but an act of hope within it. It's a statement that while the world is broken, God is still a loving Father who actively cares for His children and is willing to intervene in their lives.

​Summary:

​The prayer for a "hedge of protection" is not a contradiction of the reality of a fallen world. Rather, it is an essential part of living in it. It acknowledges that the world is dangerous due to sin but affirms that God is greater than the danger. It is a prayer that seeks God's active intervention and provision in a world where trouble is inevitable, trusting that His presence and power can and will shield us from harm according to His sovereign will.

A Broken Life

                                          

Many people, including Christians, often ask - "when God loves us why does He allow bad things to happen to us? Why is there so much suffering, death and disaster in the world, affecting mostly everyone?"

The answer lies in the fall of Adam and Eve, a fact we gloss over as a story in Sunday school but is in fact the very foundation of our lives today. It highlights the seriousness of thier act of disobedience and rebellion. It all comes down to choices - what we choose to do as opposed to what God would like us to do.

Christianity teaches that God created humanity with free will—the genuine ability to choose between good and evil. This freedom is considered a necessary component for true love and a meaningful relationship with God. However, with the gift of free will comes the possibility of choosing sin, which introduced evil, pain, and suffering into the world. How?

Human Choice: Many theologians argue that a significant portion of the suffering in the world is a direct result of human choices, both on an individual and a collective level. God could intervene to prevent every instance of harm, but doing so would essentially negate free will and turn humanity into robots, incapable of genuine love, morality, or relationship with Him.

The biblical story of the Fall in Genesis describes how humanity's first choice to disobey God brought about a brokenness that affects all of creation. This is the origin of a world we made - where natural disasters, disease, and other forms of suffering are present, not because God wills them, but because of the consequences of that one act of rebellion.

God did not remove His hedge of perfect protection: we chose to walk out of it. Reason: curiosity, ambition, selfishness, greed,

So now we have to prove ourselves

As a consequence of Adam's disobedience, God "cursed" the ground (Genesis 3:17). This is a metaphorical way of saying that the world was no longer in its pristine, perfect state. It became subject to futility, decay, and disorder.

​Think of Adam as the CEO of a company. When he makes a disastrous decision (his act of disobedience), the entire company (the human race) suffers the consequences. The company's future is ruined, and the effects of that decision (like bankruptcy) affect every employee, even if they had no say in the choice. In this analogy, the "bankruptcy" is the reality of spiritual death, physical decay, and suffering that now defines the human experience.

​In summary, Adam's act of disobedience brought disaster and death into the world not as a simple, individual punishment, but as a fundamental, corporate change in the state of humanity and the world itself. His one choice corrupted the nature of all people and the world they inhabit, making all of us vulnerable to sin, suffering, and death

Then why do we pray for His hedge of protection?

The answer lies in understanding the difference between God guaranteeing a trouble-free life and Him providing a hedge of protection within a troubled world.