April’s Fools Day

Prayer ~ Lord, help me not to make fools of others—or myself—today, but to help us all in some way to build up our relationship with You.

Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster. The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their destruction. The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin. People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray. Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. 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. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible. Proverbs 10:14-23

Meditate. Do you really want to fool someone or be fooled by someone today?

Noah's dove - no olive branch.

April Fools! It is a custom celebrated in over a dozen countries around the world—even in Ukraine where they say, “April the first, I trust nobody.” I’m sure there won’t be much trust, pranks, or such a joyous day there today. Pranks, practical jokes, lies, and even false stories in the news media are the norm for this day which may have originally begun recounting Noah’s release of a dove on the ark before there was any land. Another possible source of the beginning of this foolishness day was within the stories of The Canterberry Tales written in the fourteenth century by Geoffrey Chaucer. Do you remember having to read that classic book in High School? Likely you were more caught up in trying to come up with a prank that wouldn’t get you in trouble but would make a fool of the school bullies.

Is it desirable to make others look foolish? According to these verses above—just a few about fools from Proverbs—foolishness is not a desirable attribute. It might be a goal for elementary-age children and pranksters at heart who can find lots of prank ideas online, but is it something that God wants us to do? We are to encourage and build others up.

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

Shortly before he died, Joshua challenged the Israelites to love God and serve Him, not idols. If there is one thing that makes God angry it is for people to serve idols instead of Him.

But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

What or whom will you serve today? Are you going to pull the prank of the year…or honor God in all that you think, do, and say? Will this be a day of foolishness? April Fool’s Day.

Verse of Salvation ~ But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8

Memory Verse of the Week ~ What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Bumblebee gathering pollen

We can’t live on bread alone. Have some butter and honey on a slice of raisin bread toast for breakfast, lunch, or supper. Although it may crystalize, honey never spoils, goes rancid or actually has an expiration date. There don’t seem to be as many bees out in the flowering trees this year—so honey may be in short supply soon, like so many other foods. Enjoy it while you can.

 

  

© 2022 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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