"And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping....But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed."
Acts 9:38-40a
When faced with life and death situations, I do not need negative people around me who will not support my faith. Peter was following the scriptural pattern when he separated himself from the "mourners." Elijah was alone when he raise the widow's son from the dead (I Kings 17:19). Elisha "shut the door behind them" when he raised the Shunammite's son (II Kings 4:33). Even Jesus put the scoffers outside when he raised Jairus' daughter from the dead (Mark 5:40). When I am in desperate situations, I need to surround myself with people who will believe with me, and shut out those who will drag my faith down.
Today's Thought: When serious prayer is needed, it is scriptural to separate from those who will hinder faith.
Have a "faith" day. Love you.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
"At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died."
Acts 9:36-37a
The name Dorcas means Gazelle. No doubt Dorcas was a graceful lady, like a gazelle, with a beautiful spirit that cared for other people. She had a reputation of good works. She was especially helpful to widows (see vs. 39). But death is no respecter of persons. It comes to everyone – the good and the bad, and the beautiful and the ugly. So what will people say about me when I'm gone?
Today's Thought: My reputation – the good, the bad, and the ugly – will linger after I am gone.
Have a "beautiful" day. Love you.
Acts 9:36-37a
The name Dorcas means Gazelle. No doubt Dorcas was a graceful lady, like a gazelle, with a beautiful spirit that cared for other people. She had a reputation of good works. She was especially helpful to widows (see vs. 39). But death is no respecter of persons. It comes to everyone – the good and the bad, and the beautiful and the ugly. So what will people say about me when I'm gone?
Today's Thought: My reputation – the good, the bad, and the ugly – will linger after I am gone.
Have a "beautiful" day. Love you.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Dad's Rambings -- Make Your Own Bed
"Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, 'Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.' Then he arose immediately."
Acts 9:32-34
This seems like a strange command: "Make your bed." Surely after being incapacitated for eight years and not being able to do anything for himself, there was something more important to do than "make your bed." Perhaps Peter was saying to Aeneas, "Other people have waited on you for a long time. Now it's time for you to take care of your own needs, starting with making your own bed. Get on with life." It may seem that making your bed is a mundane thing to do, but that's what life is made up of – doing for myself the mundane and not expecting other people to serve me.
Today's Thought: I need to do what I can do without expecting other people to serve me.
Have a mundane day. Love you.
Acts 9:32-34
This seems like a strange command: "Make your bed." Surely after being incapacitated for eight years and not being able to do anything for himself, there was something more important to do than "make your bed." Perhaps Peter was saying to Aeneas, "Other people have waited on you for a long time. Now it's time for you to take care of your own needs, starting with making your own bed. Get on with life." It may seem that making your bed is a mundane thing to do, but that's what life is made up of – doing for myself the mundane and not expecting other people to serve me.
Today's Thought: I need to do what I can do without expecting other people to serve me.
Have a mundane day. Love you.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- The Balanced Walk
"Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied."
Acts 9:31
Since Saul was now a believer and no longer hassling the Church, there was a period of peace and growth without fear of persecution. But on a personal level in the Christian walk itself, there is a tension between fear and comfort. On the one hand, the fear of the Lord brings obedience. Without that fear of displeasing God, there is a lack of holiness, which leads to a troubled conscience, fear, turmoil and insecurity. On other hand there is the comfort of the Holy Spirit, which gives rest and peace to the troubled soul, and assurance that the believer is forgiven and right with God. Both sides of the equation are important for a person to live godly and also at peace with himself and with God.
Today's Thought: The balanced Christian has both a real fear of displeasing God, and comfort in knowing that sins are forgiven.
Have a balanced day. Love you.
Acts 9:31
Since Saul was now a believer and no longer hassling the Church, there was a period of peace and growth without fear of persecution. But on a personal level in the Christian walk itself, there is a tension between fear and comfort. On the one hand, the fear of the Lord brings obedience. Without that fear of displeasing God, there is a lack of holiness, which leads to a troubled conscience, fear, turmoil and insecurity. On other hand there is the comfort of the Holy Spirit, which gives rest and peace to the troubled soul, and assurance that the believer is forgiven and right with God. Both sides of the equation are important for a person to live godly and also at peace with himself and with God.
Today's Thought: The balanced Christian has both a real fear of displeasing God, and comfort in knowing that sins are forgiven.
Have a balanced day. Love you.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Dad's Rambling -- A Time of Training
"So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. So he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hebrews, but they attempted to kill him. When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Casesarea and sent him out to Tarsus."
Acts 9:28-30
Saul was eager to proclaim his new-found faith in the Lord Jesus. He had lots of zeal, but the older believers wisely sent him away for his own safety, but perhaps also because they recognized he needed time to mature his faith. He went home to Tarsus, and also spent time in Arabia and Damascus before launching his ministry. Three years after his conversion, he returned to Jerusalem before expanding his preaching to other regions. These years were a time of training where God taught him by revelation. (See Galatians 1:11-24). Too often new converts are thrust into ministry before their faith has had time to mature, which often leads to disaster in their Christian walk. We need the zeal, but we also need knowledge. They go together to make a successful ministry.
Today's Thought: Ministry calls for both zeal and knowledge.
Have a growing day. Love you.
Acts 9:28-30
Saul was eager to proclaim his new-found faith in the Lord Jesus. He had lots of zeal, but the older believers wisely sent him away for his own safety, but perhaps also because they recognized he needed time to mature his faith. He went home to Tarsus, and also spent time in Arabia and Damascus before launching his ministry. Three years after his conversion, he returned to Jerusalem before expanding his preaching to other regions. These years were a time of training where God taught him by revelation. (See Galatians 1:11-24). Too often new converts are thrust into ministry before their faith has had time to mature, which often leads to disaster in their Christian walk. We need the zeal, but we also need knowledge. They go together to make a successful ministry.
Today's Thought: Ministry calls for both zeal and knowledge.
Have a growing day. Love you.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- Nurturing the New Believer
"And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles."
Acts 9:26-27a
I can't help but wonder what might have happened to Saul if no one had accepted him because of his past? What if no one had believed in him or his conversion? Would his faith have survived? Would he have formed a sect around his experience? But there was one brave soul who wrapped his arms around Saul and nurtured him in his new-found faith. Barnabas is my hero. What a heart!!
Today's Thought: New believers need an welcoming embrace that accepts them and believes in them.
Have an accepting day. Love you.
Acts 9:26-27a
I can't help but wonder what might have happened to Saul if no one had accepted him because of his past? What if no one had believed in him or his conversion? Would his faith have survived? Would he have formed a sect around his experience? But there was one brave soul who wrapped his arms around Saul and nurtured him in his new-found faith. Barnabas is my hero. What a heart!!
Today's Thought: New believers need an welcoming embrace that accepts them and believes in them.
Have an accepting day. Love you.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- A Fact Of Life
"Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket."
Acts 9:23-25
It could be said that Saul truly became a basket case!!! Actually, he was only experiencing a fact of life. As Marvin (an alcoholic who stayed in our home for awhile) had a habit of saying, "What goes around comes around." Saul had persecuted the believers; now he became the persecuted. The hunter has become the hunted. Even when people come to Christ and are forgiven, they still suffer the consequences of their life B.C. (before Christ). It just reminds me that I need to be careful what I sow because some day I will reap the same harvest. It's a fact of life.
Today's Thought: What we sow, we reap.
Have a "sowing good" day. Love you.
Acts 9:23-25
It could be said that Saul truly became a basket case!!! Actually, he was only experiencing a fact of life. As Marvin (an alcoholic who stayed in our home for awhile) had a habit of saying, "What goes around comes around." Saul had persecuted the believers; now he became the persecuted. The hunter has become the hunted. Even when people come to Christ and are forgiven, they still suffer the consequences of their life B.C. (before Christ). It just reminds me that I need to be careful what I sow because some day I will reap the same harvest. It's a fact of life.
Today's Thought: What we sow, we reap.
Have a "sowing good" day. Love you.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- The Changed Life
"So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some day is Damascus. Immediately he preached the Christ in synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, 'Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?' "
Acts 9:19-20
I identify with the believers in Damascus. I have to admit that I, like them, am skeptical of the dramatic conversions of notorious people – the serial killer on death row; the abortionist; the Hollywood celebrity. Why do I doubt? Isn't God able to change people? Of course He is, but instead of accepting them as fellow-believers, I question their motives and wait for them to fail. Lord, help me to trust Your work in the lives of sinners – even if they are celebrities.
Today's Thought: It is not my place to judge a person's salvation and conversion.
Have a believing day. Love you.
Acts 9:19-20
I identify with the believers in Damascus. I have to admit that I, like them, am skeptical of the dramatic conversions of notorious people – the serial killer on death row; the abortionist; the Hollywood celebrity. Why do I doubt? Isn't God able to change people? Of course He is, but instead of accepting them as fellow-believers, I question their motives and wait for them to fail. Lord, help me to trust Your work in the lives of sinners – even if they are celebrities.
Today's Thought: It is not my place to judge a person's salvation and conversion.
Have a believing day. Love you.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- So Let The Light Shine In
"And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying hands on him he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road when you came, has sent me that you might receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized."
Acts 9:17-18
What a wonderful thing when the scales fall off and a person can see. I have heard people testify they didn't realize how dark their world had become until cataract surgery removed the scales. When the scales are removed their world is a brighter place – the colors more vivid. It is a dark world for people who are blinded by unbelief, who have not had the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ shine into their lives (II Corinthians 4:4). Praise God for spiritual sight that removes the blindness and darkness of unbelief.
Today's Thought: When the scales of unbelief fall from a person's eyes, the light of the Gospel shines in.
Have a bright day. Love you.
Acts 9:17-18
What a wonderful thing when the scales fall off and a person can see. I have heard people testify they didn't realize how dark their world had become until cataract surgery removed the scales. When the scales are removed their world is a brighter place – the colors more vivid. It is a dark world for people who are blinded by unbelief, who have not had the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ shine into their lives (II Corinthians 4:4). Praise God for spiritual sight that removes the blindness and darkness of unbelief.
Today's Thought: When the scales of unbelief fall from a person's eyes, the light of the Gospel shines in.
Have a bright day. Love you.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- God Sees The Inside
"But the Lord said to [Ananias], 'Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer.' "
Acts 9:15-16
God saw things in Saul that the people around him did not see. Even though Saul was wrong in his antagonism toward the people of The Way, God saw his heart – his desire to do God's work, his sincerity, his zeal, his hunger for truth and righteousness. Paul later testified of his zeal and blamelessness in his obedience to the Law (Philippians 3:4-6). He had a heart to serve God in the best way he knew how, and thought he was doing God's work by persecuting Christians. There are probably people around me who, to my eye, are hard in their rejection of Jesus, but who inside may be sincerely seeking God. May God help me to see them as He does.
Today's Thought: What people seem to be on the outside is not always what is on the inside.
Have a sensitive day. Love you.
Acts 9:15-16
God saw things in Saul that the people around him did not see. Even though Saul was wrong in his antagonism toward the people of The Way, God saw his heart – his desire to do God's work, his sincerity, his zeal, his hunger for truth and righteousness. Paul later testified of his zeal and blamelessness in his obedience to the Law (Philippians 3:4-6). He had a heart to serve God in the best way he knew how, and thought he was doing God's work by persecuting Christians. There are probably people around me who, to my eye, are hard in their rejection of Jesus, but who inside may be sincerely seeking God. May God help me to see them as He does.
Today's Thought: What people seem to be on the outside is not always what is on the inside.
Have a sensitive day. Love you.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- Obedience
"Then Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard much about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.' But the Lord said, 'Go......'. And Ananias went....."
Acts 9:13-14, 15a, 16a
It was no small thing for Ananias to obey the Lord Jesus. I imagine Ananias was scared out of his socks when he walked out of his house and down Straight Street to the place where Saul was staying. He knew the bad things Saul was capable of in his vendetta against Christians. He knew his life was on the line. Fear keeps me from sharing the Gospel as I should – fear of rejection; fear of looking stupid; fear of saying the wrong thing; fear of people. But fear did not stop Ananias. Perhaps he remembered the Psalm, "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 188:6) When God tells me to witness to a person, I can do it without fear because God has prepared the other person to receive.
Today's Thought: We have a call to witness even if there might be a hostile reaction.
Have an obedient day. Love you.
Acts 9:13-14, 15a, 16a
It was no small thing for Ananias to obey the Lord Jesus. I imagine Ananias was scared out of his socks when he walked out of his house and down Straight Street to the place where Saul was staying. He knew the bad things Saul was capable of in his vendetta against Christians. He knew his life was on the line. Fear keeps me from sharing the Gospel as I should – fear of rejection; fear of looking stupid; fear of saying the wrong thing; fear of people. But fear did not stop Ananias. Perhaps he remembered the Psalm, "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 188:6) When God tells me to witness to a person, I can do it without fear because God has prepared the other person to receive.
Today's Thought: We have a call to witness even if there might be a hostile reaction.
Have an obedient day. Love you.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- Arise and Go
"So the Lord said to him (Ananias), 'Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire of the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.' "
Acts 9:11-12
God was preparing Ananias and Saul at the same time. This was a very unique situation and God was very specific in His instructions to Ananias. Yet I hear in my own spirit the call to "Arise and go." All around me are people who are blind in their sins and who need the healing touch of Jesus. As the song say, "Lead me to some soul today. Teach me Lord just what to say. Friends of mine are lost in sin and cannot find their way." I want to be available.
Today's Thought: God's call is to "Arise and go" to bring sight to the blind.
Have a going day. Love you.
Acts 9:11-12
God was preparing Ananias and Saul at the same time. This was a very unique situation and God was very specific in His instructions to Ananias. Yet I hear in my own spirit the call to "Arise and go." All around me are people who are blind in their sins and who need the healing touch of Jesus. As the song say, "Lead me to some soul today. Teach me Lord just what to say. Friends of mine are lost in sin and cannot find their way." I want to be available.
Today's Thought: God's call is to "Arise and go" to bring sight to the blind.
Have a going day. Love you.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- Here I Am!
"Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, 'Ananias.' And he said, 'Here I am, Lord.' "
Acts 9:10
I hear echoes of the child Samuel saying, "Here I am. Speak, LORD, for your servant hears" (I Samuel 3:4, 9). Oh, that I might have an ear that is quick to hear and ready to say, "Here I am, Lord."
Today's Thought: God uses disciples who have an ear to hear and a heart ready to respond.
Have a listening day. Love you.
Acts 9:10
I hear echoes of the child Samuel saying, "Here I am. Speak, LORD, for your servant hears" (I Samuel 3:4, 9). Oh, that I might have an ear that is quick to hear and ready to say, "Here I am, Lord."
Today's Thought: God uses disciples who have an ear to hear and a heart ready to respond.
Have a listening day. Love you.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- Blind!
"And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank."
Acts 9:7-9
Saul had a revelation of Jesus and his spiritual eyes were opened, but he was blinded to the world around him. His cortege heard Jesus speak but did not see Him, and they still had their physical sight. There are those who hear the words of Jesus and have physical sight, but remain spiritually blind. And there are those who are blind physically but have had a revelation of Jesus, like Fanny Crosby who was blind and who wrote so many beloved hymns, like "Near The Cross." It is not enough for a person to hear the words of Jesus, even though faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Seeing Jesus spiritually only comes by revelation. As the chorus says, "Open my eyes, Lord, I want to see Jesus." Having spiritual sight is more important than having physical sight.
Today's Thought: A person can hear the words of Jesus and still remain spiritually blind.
Have an eye-opening day. Love you.
Acts 9:7-9
Saul had a revelation of Jesus and his spiritual eyes were opened, but he was blinded to the world around him. His cortege heard Jesus speak but did not see Him, and they still had their physical sight. There are those who hear the words of Jesus and have physical sight, but remain spiritually blind. And there are those who are blind physically but have had a revelation of Jesus, like Fanny Crosby who was blind and who wrote so many beloved hymns, like "Near The Cross." It is not enough for a person to hear the words of Jesus, even though faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Seeing Jesus spiritually only comes by revelation. As the chorus says, "Open my eyes, Lord, I want to see Jesus." Having spiritual sight is more important than having physical sight.
Today's Thought: A person can hear the words of Jesus and still remain spiritually blind.
Have an eye-opening day. Love you.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- The Presence of Jesus
"So he, trembling and astonished, said, 'Lord, what do You want me to do?' Then the Lord said to him, 'Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.' "
Acts 9:6
The presence of Jesus caused Saul to fall to the ground (vs. 4) and tremble (vs. 6). The phenomenon of being "slain in the Spirit" causes much derision by the skeptics. I only recall one time of this happening to me personally. It was during a revival service at Lowell, Oregon, when the evangelist called me forward for prayer. I determined in my heart that I was not going to fall. The next thing I knew, I was laying on the floor. People respond to God's presence in various ways, and some may be just show. But I don't discount the reality because some is false. I don't know the full purpose of the experience, but God got my attention, and I got a different perspective. The awareness of God's presence will bring a person into submission: "Lord, what do you want me to do?"
Today's Thought: People respond to the presence and revelation of Jesus in various ways.
Have a God-awareness day. Love you.
Acts 9:6
The presence of Jesus caused Saul to fall to the ground (vs. 4) and tremble (vs. 6). The phenomenon of being "slain in the Spirit" causes much derision by the skeptics. I only recall one time of this happening to me personally. It was during a revival service at Lowell, Oregon, when the evangelist called me forward for prayer. I determined in my heart that I was not going to fall. The next thing I knew, I was laying on the floor. People respond to God's presence in various ways, and some may be just show. But I don't discount the reality because some is false. I don't know the full purpose of the experience, but God got my attention, and I got a different perspective. The awareness of God's presence will bring a person into submission: "Lord, what do you want me to do?"
Today's Thought: People respond to the presence and revelation of Jesus in various ways.
Have a God-awareness day. Love you.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- Conviction
"And [Saul] said, 'Who are you, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' "
Acts 9:5
Apparently, the Holy Spirit had been prompting Saul to question whether what he was doing was right. Conviction works that way. It goads, it pricks, it nags. But in spite of the conviction, he became more and more zealous in his attacks on Believers, perhaps as a way to cover the gnawing feeling inside. Like Saul, some people try to cover conviction by being "religious," doing religious things. Others try to ignore it, but they become miserable and cantankerous. Others become antagonistic to spiritual truth. Still others try to drown the nagging questions by alcohol or drugs. There is only one way to deal with the goads of the Holy Spirit – confess Jesus as Lord and obey Him. Even as a Christian, I need to pay attention to the nagging feelings inside.
Today's Thought: The Holy Spirit convicts us by pricking our conscience.
Have an responding day. Love you.
Acts 9:5
Apparently, the Holy Spirit had been prompting Saul to question whether what he was doing was right. Conviction works that way. It goads, it pricks, it nags. But in spite of the conviction, he became more and more zealous in his attacks on Believers, perhaps as a way to cover the gnawing feeling inside. Like Saul, some people try to cover conviction by being "religious," doing religious things. Others try to ignore it, but they become miserable and cantankerous. Others become antagonistic to spiritual truth. Still others try to drown the nagging questions by alcohol or drugs. There is only one way to deal with the goads of the Holy Spirit – confess Jesus as Lord and obey Him. Even as a Christian, I need to pay attention to the nagging feelings inside.
Today's Thought: The Holy Spirit convicts us by pricking our conscience.
Have an responding day. Love you.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- Jesus Is Here
"As he [Saul] journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' "
Acts 9:3-4
Jesus identifies with His people. When we suffer, He suffers. When people attack a believer for his faith, they attack Jesus. Like the three Hebrews in the fire, the Son of God is there in the midst. We are not alone – Jesus is here.
Today's Thought: When believers are persecuted, Jesus is persecuted.
Have a Jesus day. Love you.
Acts 9:3-4
Jesus identifies with His people. When we suffer, He suffers. When people attack a believer for his faith, they attack Jesus. Like the three Hebrews in the fire, the Son of God is there in the midst. We are not alone – Jesus is here.
Today's Thought: When believers are persecuted, Jesus is persecuted.
Have a Jesus day. Love you.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- "The Way"
"Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem."
Acts 9:1-2
"Disciples of the Lord" (vs. 1) were called people of "The Way" (vs. 2) I don't know for sure, but this moniker may be a reference to Jesus' claim that He is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). To be identified as an adherent of The Way sets a person up for attack, but it is a badge of honor to be worn without shame.
Today's Thought: Christians are set apart, not just by name but by their lives.
Have a "The Way" day. Love you.
Acts 9:1-2
"Disciples of the Lord" (vs. 1) were called people of "The Way" (vs. 2) I don't know for sure, but this moniker may be a reference to Jesus' claim that He is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). To be identified as an adherent of The Way sets a person up for attack, but it is a badge of honor to be worn without shame.
Today's Thought: Christians are set apart, not just by name but by their lives.
Have a "The Way" day. Love you.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- Brief Encounters
"Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus."
Acts 8:39-40a
I believe in friendship evangelism, where Christ is shared through on-going relationship. But God also uses divine appointments – brief encounters of the spiritual kind, where Christ is shared and the people never see each other again. I need to be alert to those whom God has prepared to receive the Gospel though I may never see them again in this life.
Today's Thought: People can receive Christ, even through brief encounters, when their hearts are ready.
Have an alert day. Love you.
Acts 8:39-40a
I believe in friendship evangelism, where Christ is shared through on-going relationship. But God also uses divine appointments – brief encounters of the spiritual kind, where Christ is shared and the people never see each other again. I need to be alert to those whom God has prepared to receive the Gospel though I may never see them again in this life.
Today's Thought: People can receive Christ, even through brief encounters, when their hearts are ready.
Have an alert day. Love you.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- Water Baptism
"Now as the went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, 'See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?' Then Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' And he answered, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him."
Acts 8:36-38
Water baptismal services are special to me. They cause me to remember my own water baptism in 1958 in the Little North Fork of the Santiam River by my pastor, Rev. Jay Beebe. The water was so-o-o cold that it felt like there were icebergs in the river. It was a very important event in my life. In the eunuch's baptism, I think we see the pattern established for water baptism. 1) It is immediate. There is no waiting period to see if the conversion "sticks." Too often in our assemblies, we wait until there is a group to baptize. It should be immediate upon their confession of faith. 2) The testimony is clear: "I believe..." The testimony is not some obscure "Jesus did a lot in my life." Rather it is a testimony of my faith in Christ. So, what hinders a person from being baptized?
Today's Thought: Water baptism is the Scriptural response to confession of faith.
Have a remembering day. Love you.
Acts 8:36-38
Water baptismal services are special to me. They cause me to remember my own water baptism in 1958 in the Little North Fork of the Santiam River by my pastor, Rev. Jay Beebe. The water was so-o-o cold that it felt like there were icebergs in the river. It was a very important event in my life. In the eunuch's baptism, I think we see the pattern established for water baptism. 1) It is immediate. There is no waiting period to see if the conversion "sticks." Too often in our assemblies, we wait until there is a group to baptize. It should be immediate upon their confession of faith. 2) The testimony is clear: "I believe..." The testimony is not some obscure "Jesus did a lot in my life." Rather it is a testimony of my faith in Christ. So, what hinders a person from being baptized?
Today's Thought: Water baptism is the Scriptural response to confession of faith.
Have a remembering day. Love you.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- Preaching Jesus
"So the eunuch answered Philip and said, 'I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?' Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him."
Acts 8:34-35
Preachers must preach Jesus. The pulpits of America are filled with sermons on social problems, on 10 steps to a better life, on marriage and family, on positive thinking, or other good and useful topics, but miss the main message – Jesus and His death and resurrection. A preacher can do no better than to start at this Scripture and preach Jesus.
Today's Thought: Jesus must be the center of all preaching.
Have a Jesus-centered day. Love you.
Acts 8:34-35
Preachers must preach Jesus. The pulpits of America are filled with sermons on social problems, on 10 steps to a better life, on marriage and family, on positive thinking, or other good and useful topics, but miss the main message – Jesus and His death and resurrection. A preacher can do no better than to start at this Scripture and preach Jesus.
Today's Thought: Jesus must be the center of all preaching.
Have a Jesus-centered day. Love you.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- What A Savior!
"So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading from the prophet Isaiah...The place in the Scripture which he read was this: 'He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.' "
Acts 8:30a, 32
The Ethiopian was reading from Isaiah 53. It is one of my favorite Scripture passages. It is such a vivid prophecy of my dear Savior:
"He was despised and rejected by men, a man acquainted with grief...
Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows...
He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement of our peace was upon him, And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way,
And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:3-6)
I humbly bow again before the Lord Jesus in thanksgiving and adoration because He took my sin and paid the penalty. Hallelujah! What a Savior.
Today's Thought: Isaiah 53 draws us to the passion of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Have a thankful day. Love you.
Acts 8:30a, 32
The Ethiopian was reading from Isaiah 53. It is one of my favorite Scripture passages. It is such a vivid prophecy of my dear Savior:
"He was despised and rejected by men, a man acquainted with grief...
Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows...
He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement of our peace was upon him, And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way,
And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:3-6)
I humbly bow again before the Lord Jesus in thanksgiving and adoration because He took my sin and paid the penalty. Hallelujah! What a Savior.
Today's Thought: Isaiah 53 draws us to the passion of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Have a thankful day. Love you.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Dad's Ramblings -- One At A Time
"And behold, a man of Ethiopia....[who] had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot he was reading Isaiah the prophet. So the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go near and overtake this chariot.' "
Acts 8:27b-29
Individuals are important to God. In the middle of no-where was one person hungry for God, and he sent a preacher to minister to him. In an age when we think success is having a large congregation, and churches are closed and services cancelled because of small attendance, we need to remember that God deals with individuals and that ministry to one person is as important as ministry to hundreds.
Today's Thought: God reaches out to people one at a time.
Have a "one at a time" day. Love you.
Acts 8:27b-29
Individuals are important to God. In the middle of no-where was one person hungry for God, and he sent a preacher to minister to him. In an age when we think success is having a large congregation, and churches are closed and services cancelled because of small attendance, we need to remember that God deals with individuals and that ministry to one person is as important as ministry to hundreds.
Today's Thought: God reaches out to people one at a time.
Have a "one at a time" day. Love you.
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