Jeremiah Rivera is a close friend of Joshua and I; and a fellow Disciple of Christ.  Jerry, as we affectionately call him, is a search and rescue swimmer in the US Navy; and is currently serving a tour of duty in the Middle East.  Below, is one of his daily Bible studies that he sends while out to sea to fellow military personnel, family and friends.  I particularly enjoyed it - so thought some fellow financial advisors may be able to gain great perspective as well.  Thanks Jerry!

Read:  1 Corinthians 1:18-31

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise,
and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things
which are mighty; -1 Corinthians 1:27

        Does this verse make sense?  We are taught that only the strong survive and thrive in today's battleground called life.  Today we do not carry around swords and crossbows but, PhD's, MD's, MDV's, LMNOP's and so on.  These things alone are good, they are an example of our knowledge in a particular field, but knowledge puffed up can become a stumbling block to the simpleness of the message of the cross.  I look out at night and see the stars shining bright and think "Wow, God you are amazing" when say an astronomer who is puffed up in knowledge alone might say, "Well you see, the fusion of the metilielashia atoms combined by the diameter of pie divided by 2 explains the orbiting factor of the Zeldacons.

It's really not that difficult, just simple science really."  I still say, "Wow!, that’s cool." 

Paul say's this "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

Jesus of Nazareth was born of a virgin fulfilling the prophecy told by the prophets of old.  The Spirit of the Lord descended upon him and the heavens opened, a voice came saying, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  He was The Christ, The Lamb without blemish who before many witnesses performed miraculous signs and wonders which God did though Him and was delivered by the foreknowledge of God, and taken by lawless hands, and crucified and put to death.  On the third day God raised Him up having loosed the pains of death. (Acts 2)  "For if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)  Moses was a sheepherder, Peter was a
fisherman,  what are you?  I'll tell you - You are a child of God, a co-heir with Christ and a beloved of the Father.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, Even to the end of the age." Amen (Matt 28:19-20) 

                                I will not boast in anything:
                            No gifts, no power, no wisdom
                            But I will boast in Jesus Christ;
                             His death and Resurrection -Author Unknown

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding.
-Proverbs 3:5