Dad's Ramblings -- God Is There

"And he said, 'I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, and He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice.' "
 
                                                                        Jonah 1:3
 
God hears me when I cry out to Him in my distress. Even when it is self-inflicted – because of my own rotten choices – He does not turn a deaf ear. He is a gracious God Who has promised to not forsake me – ever (Hebrews 13:5).
 
Today's Thought: God is a present help in the time of trouble (Psalm 46:1).
 
Have a God-present day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Crying Out To God

"Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish's belly."
 
                                                                         Jonah 1:17-2:1
 
"Then" is a telling word. It is a symptom of a disease that is common to man. It is the malady of stubbornness. We wait until things get really bad before we ask for help because "I can handle it." Why didn't Jonah pray to the LORD before he ended up in the stinking intestines of a fish? He had already been through a hurricane. That should have been enough. Now alone in the darkness in the putrid, rotting stuff, he has time to wrestle with his own stubborn heart. The prodigal son had a similar experience. He had been living high on the hog, but when things got really bad and he had to slop the hogs, he "came to himself" (Luke 15:17). Who needs God when things are going well? David also experienced this. "Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire" (Psalm 69:1-2). Why do we wait until we are in hot water up to our neck and are sinking? What does it take to make me cry out to God? The first hint of trouble should make me turn to Him. Maybe if I seek Him today, I can avoid some of the struggles of the pit.
 
Today's Thought: The wise man cries out to God before he reaches the bottom of the barrel.
 
Have a "crying out" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- God Does What He Pleases

"Therefore they cried out to the LORD and said, 'We pray, O LORD, please do not let us perish for this man's life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O LORD. have done as it pleased You.' So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD and took vows."
 
                                                                                   Jonah 1:14-16
 
These pagan sailors began by praying to their gods (vs. 5) and ended up believing in the true God. Yahweh is mentioned 5 times in these verses. God does what He pleases, and in His divine will, He used Jonah's rebellion to bring sinners to faith. His will is that no one should perish but that everyone would come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). These men would probably never have believed in Yahweh if Jonah had not been there. What an awesome God. He can even use my bumbling mistakes to accomplish His will. It is about Him, not me.
 
Today's Thought: God accomplishes His will, even using our mistakes.
 
Have a faith-filled day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Living Humbly Before God

"And he said to them, 'Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.' Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them. Therefore they cried out to the LORD...."
 
                                                                        Jonah 1:12-14a
 
Jonah, the prophet – what a great man of God!?!? One would think that Jonah would be on his knees crying out to God in repentance and asking God to deliver him from the storm. But not Jonah. Nowhere in Chapter One is there even a hint of humbling himself before God, even though he acknowledges that he is responsible for the trouble. He would rather die than repent. The heathen sailors prayed to Jonah's God before Jonah did because they knew how serious the problem was. It was not until Jonah was in the belly of the great fish that he finally cried out to God (2:2). Sometimes people who have walked with God for many years become proud and hardened in their spirits and think they are so spiritual that they don't need to repent, even though the storms caused by their disobedience rage around them. They have to get to the bottom of the pit before they finally throw themselves on God's mercy. How much better to live humbly before God and avoid the storms.
 
Today's Thought: A humble heart lives in repentance.
 
Have a humble day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Ripple Effect

"Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, 'Why have you done this?' For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. Then the said to him, 'What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?' – for the sea was growing more tempestuous."
 
                                                                           Jonah 1:10-11
 
The sailors were suffering through the storm caused by Jonah's disobedience long before he told them. Sin causes tempests, not only in the life of the sinner, but in the lives of those around him.  It is a myth to think that I can sin secretly and no one else will be affected. Sin causes a ripple effect that touches those around me, even though they may not know the cause. I am not an island living only to myself. The consequences of my sin reach far beyond my personal life to my family, friends, and society.  The disobedience may be done in a hidden place, like an earthquake far below the surface where no one can see, but the devastation caused by the shaking and tsunami will cause havoc hundreds or thousands of miles.
 
Today's Thought: Secret, personal sin has consequences far beyond my own life.
 
Have a "tsunami alert" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Walking the Talk

"So he said to them, 'I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.' "
 
                                                                          Jonah 1:9
Jonah and I are a lot alike. Jonah's confession and the way he lived were inconsistent. To say he feared God – the Creator – and then live in disobedience demonstrates the gap between "talking the walk and walking the talk." How much like me. I do love and fear the Lord, the Creator and God of heaven.  But my life is filled with inconsistencies.  There are a lot of times my witness does not match my actions.  I'm so thankful for the grace of God.
 
Today's Thought: Actions need to match speech.
 
Have a consistent day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Judging or Loving?

"Then they said to him, 'Please tell us. For whose cause is this trouble upon us? And what is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you.' "
 
                                                                                   Jonah 1:8
 
In a different context, I find myself judging people, especially troublemakers, by asking these same questions. "What do you do for a living?" (as though a professor is more honorable than a house-painter). "What is your nationality, race and religion?" (as though a WASP is better than an African jungle native or a Muslim). I just finished reading Arthur Blessitt's book, "The Cross," which tells the story of his journeys around the world. For over 38 years he carried a wooden cross in every nation on earth. He has ministered to presidents and peasants, terrorists and rebels. He does not judge people based on their religion or race. Rather, he sees them as God's creation for whom Jesus died on the cross and who need to know Jesus loves them. Judging people builds walls that keep us from loving them. Oh, Jesus, change my heart to love people as those for whom you died instead of judging them by external perceptions.
 
Today's Thought: Judging people builds walls that keep us from loving them as God does.
 
Have a loving day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Knowing God's Will

"And they said to one another, 'Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble has come upon us.' So they cast lost, and the lot fell to Jonah."
 
                                                                                Jonah 1:7
 
I don't suppose that casting lots is the best way to make decisions. But sometimes when faced with a decision and the mind of God was not clearly known, Scripture records that lots were cast to determine God's will. For example, when the disciples chose a replacement for Judas, they cast lots between Barsabas and Matthias (Acts 1:26). Also, lots were probably used to identify the perpetrator of the sin at Ai – Achan (Joshua 7:10-26). (See also Leviticus 16:8, Joshua 18:6-10, and others.) Proverbs says, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD" (Proverbs 16:33). I sometimes use the same principle when making decisions. I trust that God will open or close doors. This Summer, we wanted to purchase a house in Salem. We found a home that had been on the market for three months with no offers made. It was a good home but we didn't know for sure that it was God's plan, so we offered a ridiculously low offer, trusting God to show us if that was His will. Within 30 minutes, an offer from another party was made and accepted. I received that as a resounding "No" from God. I think when my heart is trusting God, He can reveal His will through circumstances. I want His perfect will to be accomplished in my life. I believe that the steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23), and I can trust Him.
 
Today's Thought: God reveals His will to the heart that earnest seeks Him.
 
Have a "God's Will" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Praying for Others

"So the captain came to him, and said to him, 'What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider, so that we may not perish.' "
 
                                                                   Jonah 1:6
 
The seamen had tried calling out to their gods (vs. 5) but found no help. So they turned to Jonah. How did they know that Jonah was a servant of God? Perhaps his reputation as a prophet in Israel had followed him (see II Kings 14:25). Sometimes the non-Christians have higher expectations for us than we do. When their gods fail them, we can either be asleep or we can be involved in their struggles and pray for them. Apparently Jonah did not step up to the plate. But then, it is difficult to pray when we are living in disobedience to what we know is God's will.
 
Today's Thought: Being available to pray for other peoples' needs is difficult when we ourselves are disobedient to God.
 
Have an available day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Asleep!

"Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest part of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep."
 
                                                                           Jonah 1:5
 
What's with Jonah? He is asleep while the heathen sailors were struggling to keep the ship afloat. Sounds like some Christians I know. The ship is going down and they are oblivious to the situation. Yes, there is a place of resting in the Lord, but that doesn't mean we are asleep in our security while the rest of humanity – crying out to their god – are perishing. Lord, wake us up!!!
 
Today's Thought: Resting in the Lord does not mean being oblivious to the plight of humanity.
 
Have an "awake" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- God Is There

"But the LORD sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up."
 
                                                                          Jonah 1:4               
 
Two men – two storms. Paul and Jonah. The Apostle Paul suffered a great storm and the ship he was on was broken up (Acts 27). In that story, Paul was going to Rome in obedience to God's will. In the midst of the storm, he was able to minister to the crew of the ship. In contrast, Jonah was running away from God's will to go to Tarshish, and when the storm came, he had nothing to offer his ship-mates. I find it difficult to encourage other people when my storm is the result of my own stubborn disobedience. The truth is, either way, God is there in the midst of the storm. The Psalmist knew this truth:

                         "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?
                                 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
                                       If I make my bed in hell, behold You are there." (Psalm 138:7-8)
 
Today's Thought: Whether the storm is a result of obedience or disobedience, God is there.
 
Have a "God-present" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- What A Smell!

" 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.' "
 

                                                                     Jonah 1:2
 
I imagine what came up before God was the stench of the wickedness of Nineveh. There are smells that will almost make you puke. I have cleaned enough barns, chicken coops and turkey pens, changed enough diapers, smelled enough skunks and the odor of dead things and bad breath and body odor, to know awful smells. I wonder if wickedness smells like these to our holy God. I wonder how America smells to God. I wonder how much my own BO makes God hold His nose. On the other hand, there are sweet aromas. The offerings of praise and worship are "a sweet aroma to the Lord" (Leviticus 2:2). When Mary poured out the ointment on Jesus, "the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil" (John 12:3). There is the sweet aroma that fills the air when we walk in love and service (Ephesians 5:2; Philippians 4:18) as we exude the "fragrance of Christ in this world" (II Corinthians 2:14-15). I can smell good or I can be a stinker. I want my life to smell good to God and to those around me.
 
Today's Thought: The aroma of praise and worship smells better than sin.
 
Have a fragrant day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Hearing God Speak

"Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah....."
 
                                                                         Jonah 1:1a
 
The Scripture does not tell us how God spoke – whether audibly or in Jonah's spirit.  However it was, Jonah knew it was God's Word. How did Jonah know it was God's voice and not his own imagination? I struggle in knowing whether it is God speaking or whether it is my own brain gone wild. Jesus said His sheep would know His voice (John 10:4-5). There are those who scoff at the idea that God still speaks to people today. I do believe God speaks to me through the Scriptures – whether I read them myself in personal devotions or a preacher speaks His word. But when it comes to discerning His voice in making decisions, the picture is cloudier.  I do want to hear God's voice and do His will.  As the old hymn expresses it, "Speak to my heart; speak now I pray. God of salvation and Lord of Creation, O speak to my heart today."
 
Today's Thought: God still speaks today if we have ears to hear.
 
Have a listening day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Obeying God

"Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.' But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD."
 
                                                                                Jonah 1:1-3a
 
It is easy to sit in condemnation of Jonah for running away from God's call. It seemed like such an impossible task. If I heard a voice calling me to go to Tehran and proclaim God's judgment against it, I would probably respond the same as Jonah did.  Or I would say, as Moses did,  "Send Aaron."   Sometimes God calls us to do the seemingly impossible. In reality, I sometimes run away from even easy tasks. Obeying God is not always easy. Jonah took what he thought was the easy way out and so do I.
 
Today's Thought: It is not always easy to follow God's commands.
 
Have an obedient day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Fellow Workers

"Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  Amen."
 
                                                                             Philemon 23-25
Paul was not a one-man band. He was surrounded by people who shared his passion, vision, and burden for the Gospel – his fellow prisoner and fellow workers. There are people who think they don't need anyone else. They are self-sufficient. I'll admit that at times I have not been a team player. It seems so much easier to just do it myself. But the Church – the Body of Christ – functions best when the various members of the body cooperate together with their unique giftings to accomplish God's mandate.
 
Today's Thought: The wise person recognizes his need for the help of other people.
 
Have a "fellow" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Friendship

"But meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you."
 
                                                                              Philemon 22
 
This seems a little strange. Paul wanted to come and visit but said it will be through Philemon's prayers rather than his own. Perhaps this is another illustration of Paul not wanting to force himself on Philemon. He seems to be saying, "I want to come if you want me to." I cannot force someone to be my friend. Relationship is not a one-way street. It takes two to tango.
 
Today's Thought: Friendship cannot be one-sided, but requires the joining of two hearts.
 
Have a friendly day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Beyond Duty

"Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say."\
 
                                                                   Philemon 20-21
 
By repeating the phrase "in the Lord," it is clear that it was important to Paul that Philemon obey as unto Jesus and not just to satisfy Paul. Going the extra mile or giving the extra coat (Matthew 5) shows that the obedience is more than just a grudging response. If I only do just enough to get by – the minimum – it shows that I really don't want to do it. It is not a joyful response. I think it brings joy to Jesus when I do more than just enough to get by to satisfy my duty. It is like a parent who sees his children obeying by doing more than is required. It brings joy to the parent and freedom to the child.
 
Today's Thought: Real joy come from doing more than is required.
 
Have a "beyond" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Building a Reserve

"I Paul am writing with my own hand. I will repay – not to mention that you owe me even your own self besides."
 
                                                                     Philemon 19
 
I rarely hear humor in Paul's writings. Usually he is discussing deep theological teaching or correcting some problem in the church which are serious issues. But in this verse he prods Philemon to accept Onesimus, almost in a jesting way – "You owe me one!" It pays to treat people good because you may need to ask a favor from them. Helping people builds up a reserve account of credit to draw against.
 
Today's Thought: Good works build up a credit reserve to draw against.
 
Have a "good works" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Cost of Love

"If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would receive me. But if he has wronged you, or owes anything, put that on my account."
 
                                                                      Philemon 17-18
 
Paul's love for Onesimus is plainly evident. He is willing to put his pocketbook on the table for Onesimus. True love is like that. Love "does not seek its own" (I Corinthians 13:5). That is, love cares more about the other person than personal welfare or gain. Love seeks the best for another person regardless of the cost. It reminds me of the Good Samaritan, who told the innkeeper he would repay whatever was owed (Luke 10:35). There is a cost to love. It means nothing if there is no personal sacrifice. Love demands more than convenient giving. It requires giving of myself – like Jesus Who loved me and made the Great Sacrifice.
 
Today's Thought: True love is costly.
 
Have a loving day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- God's Purposes

"For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave ut more than a slave – a beloved brother, especially to me but now much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord."
 
                                                                                Philemon 15-16
 
God's purpose is that everyone be saved, and He goes to great lengths to accomplish that purpose. Onesimus no doubt had heard the Gospel message while he was a slave to Philemon, but for some reason, he did not accept it. He needed to hear it from another person before it penetrated his heart. In God's eternal purpose, Onesimus fled to Rome – hundreds of miles away – where he met Paul, a prisoner, and he heard the message again. This time, he responded to God's call and was saved. What seemed like a negative – his running away – became a positive in God's plan. Sometimes when we hear God's message from those with whom we are close, it does not sink in. (Some people even have to go to jail to receive the Gospel.) So God puts us in contact with someone else so we will hear the message in another context. And on the other hand, God puts people into our paths who need to hear His message in a new way. Either way, it is God's purpose in action to draw people to Himself.
 
Today's Thought: God works His purpose – even through negative things – to accomplish His plan in our lives.
 
Have a purposeful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Voluntary Obedience

"But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary."
 
                                                                            Philemon 14
 
Which is better? External motivation or internal motivation? Making someone do what I want is rarely a good method to accomplish my desires. It is sometimes necessary, especially with children or Skeeter the dog.  They may indeed do what I want, but it often causes rebellion or the feeling of being used.  I find that if I force Skeeter to take his Phenobarbitol pill by putting it in his mouth, he will eat the peanut butter and spit the pill out.  But if I let him lick it off of my finger in his time, he rarely spits it out.  It sometimes takes longer than I would like, but it avoids a negative reaction (g-r-r-r-).   Paul wanted to avoid such reactions with Philemon. It is much better to somehow motivate a person to want to do something. God does not use compulsion to make us obey Him, but He does call us to voluntarily obedience, and sometimes lets us encounter situations that motivate our want to. Voluntary obedience is always better.
 
Today's Thought: Seeking a voluntary obedience is always better than coercion.
 
Have a "volunteer" day. Love you.