Dad's Ramblings -- Conviction

CONVICTION
I Corinthians 11:32
 
"But when we are judged [by the Lord], we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world."
 
Thank God for the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I hate that rotten feeling I have blown it, when He convicts me of sin until I confess and am cleansed by His forgiveness (I John 1:9). But it is still better than being condemned and face the punishment of those who are unrepentant in the world. Again, thank God for His conviction.
 
Today's Thought: Holy Spirit conviction is a blessing of the Lord.
 
Have a "cleansed" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Self-examination

EXAMINATION TIME
I Corinthians 11:28-31
 
"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep [are dead]. For if we judge ourselves, we would not be judged."
 
I have heard people pooh-pooh the practice of self-examination at Communion time. But I take it very seriously. Communion has at its root the word "union." If I am out of relationship with either God or other people, then I violate the very spirit of the ordinance, and I need to repent before I partake of the Lord's Supper. Better to judge myself than to be judged by God.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Self-examination is a part of the Communion experience.
 
Have a "judging" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Lord's Living Supper

THE LIVING LORD'S SUPPER
I Corinthians 11:23, 26
 
"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus on the same night He was betrayed took bread .... For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till he comes."
 
In this section (vss. 23-30), Paul gave a four-point sermon about Communion. 1) Look Back – remember the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, His broken body and His shed blood (vss. 24-25 – "in remembrance of Me"). 2) Look In – examine yourself (vs. 28). 3) Look Around – consider the Lord's Body, the Church (vss. 27-29). 4) Look Ahead – to the next coming of Jesus (vs. 26). Communion is not just a rite, but a dynamic, living expression of faith.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The Lord's Supper is a precious time of remembering the sacrifice of our Savior.
 
Have a remembering day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Preferring One Another

PREFERRING ONE ANOTHER
I Corinthians 11:20-21; 33
 
"Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk .... Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another."
 
The Lord's Supper – the Love Feast – had degenerated into a church supper. Except that it was not a pot-luck meal. Rather, each family ate their own food which they had brought. So there were those who had a lot of food, and there were those who didn't – the haves and the have-nots. Somewhere along the line, they missed the sermon of "In Honor Preferring One Another" from Romans 12:10. (Maybe they slept through that one.) They also missed the meaning of the Lord's Supper – Sacrifice and Service. If we are truly "One In The Bonds Of Love," then there is no distinction between the haves and the have-nots.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: We are all on the same level at the foot of the Cross.
 
Have a "preferring" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Cliques vs. Factions

FACTIONS VS. CLIQUES
I Corinthians 11:17-19
 
"Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved by you may be recognized among you."
 
There is a difference between a clique and a faction. Cliques are a natural grouping of people who are comfortable together. They do not by design exclude anyone but are attracted to each other by their common interest, psychological make-up, experiences, and world-views. Birds of a feather flock together. In fact, I believe that God allowed all different kinds of congregations to accommodate various types of personalties. Some churches are quiet and some are loud. Some are liturgical and some free-style worship. But factions are different. Their commonality is discontent. They cause division because they see themselves as better than others – more holy, more righteous, more right.  They denigrate and exclude other people who do not agree with them. If they do not "approve" of something, it must be wrong. They demand that their way is "recognized" as the only way. The law of Christ is love; divisive people do not live in love.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Factions divide the Body of Christ by their demand to be in control.
 
Have a "love" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Tempest In A Teapot

TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT
I Corinthians 11:13, 16
 
"Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? .... But if anyone seems contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God."
 
Paul spend 14 verses discussing whether a woman should pray with her hair cut off. Then he ends by saying in effect, "It's no big deal." It is sad that so many churches are fractured by petty arguments about the color of the carpet, or the type of the pews or chairs, or musical styles of worship. People get fixated on the minor things and miss the major. (This not only happens in church; it happens in life.) These kind of disputes only disrupt relationships and sidetrack from the important issues – salvation and discipleship. They do not help build the Kingdom. I think Paul would say, "Get a life!"
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Church members should not major on the minor, and miss the major in the process.
 
Have a "major" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Social Order

SOCIAL ORDER
I Corinthians 11:3
 
"But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God."
 
God is a God of order, not of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33). He ordained social order in society, in the church, and in the home so that there will be peace. Just as Christ submitted Himself to the will of the Father, so man is to submit himself to Christ, and the woman to the man. This does not mean that the man is better than the woman. They are interdependent and need each other, because woman came from man but man comes from the woman (vss. 11-12). But it does mean that there are roles that man and woman assume in God's scheme of things. To ignore or violate God's order is to invite anarchy, confusion, and turmoil, and guess where that comes from.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Following God's social order will bring harmony and peace.
 
Have an "ordered" day. Love you.
 

RE: Life's Been Good To Me So Far

What a coincidence!   I did Dad's Ramblings today before reading your blog on Traditions.  I think God is truly saying something to us today!
 

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Life's Been Good To Me So Far

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Dad's Ramblings -- Traditions

TRADITIONS
I Corinthians 11:1
 
"Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions as I delivered them to you."
 
Traditions are valuable because they provide continuity with the past. They can help keep alive the "faith of our fathers." But misused, they devolve into mere observances with no spiritual life. They can become "a form of godliness but denying its power" (II Timothy 3:5). Jesus warned the Pharisees about transgressing the commandment of God because of the tradition of the elders, because they were honoring God with their lips, but their heart was far from God. They were substituting the teaching of men for true doctrine (Matthew 15:3, 8-9).  I love Fiddler On The Roof -- "Tradition!" -- but I lose the value of traditions if I merely keep them as an external form without internal faith.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Traditions, rightly used, are valuable rites of faith.
 
Have a "traditional" day. Love you.
 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Dad's Ramblings --

A NOT-FOR-PROFIT VENTURE
I Corinthians 10:33-11:1
 
"... just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ."
 
This is the second time in this letter that Paul said, "Imitate me" (I Corinthians 4:16). This is a bold invitation. It is so easy to say, "Don't do as I say; do as I do." It is harder to so model the life of Christ that I can confidently say, "Do as I do." Paul demonstrated the self-sacrifice that Jesus displayed when He sacrificed His life for the salvation of many. For Paul, it was strictly a "not-for-profit" venture for personal gain.  His goal was the profit of others.  What is the salvation of other people worth? Is my self-denial too great a price to pay for someone's salvation?
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Jesus' modeled self-sacrifice so that others will be saved.
 
Have a "not for profit" day. Love you.
 

Friday, June 15, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Glorifying God

GLORIFYING GOD
I Corinthians 10:31-32
 
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God."
 
I need to be careful to not violate my own conscience. But Paul calls me to go step further, and tells me to not violate another person's conscience. If I disregard other peoples' consciences and cause offense, I am not bringing glory to God. When I flaunt my own liberty and offend a brother's conscience, it brings reproach on the Lord Jesus because it demonstrates my lack of love and concern for other peoples' spiritual well-being. The Gospel calls me to love others, which may require me to put aside my own desires and freedoms.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The goal of the Christian is to glorify God in everything he does, or does not, do.
 
Have a glorifying day. Love you.
 

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- My Brother's Keeper

MY BROTHER'S KEEPER
I Corinthians 10:23-24
 
"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being."
 
The question God posed to Cain – "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9) – is still an appropriate question. God's answer is, "Yes." I do have an obligation to help my brother in Christ in his walk of faith.  (The Greek word for "helpful" means to "bear together.")  My words and actions can encourage or hinder him. If I truly care for him, then I will avoid doing things that will cause him to stumble. I may have to forgo some activities even though they may be acceptable for me personally. I do have a responsibility to care for the well-being of other believers because we are all a part of the same family. I am my brother's keeper.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: God calls me to care for the well-being of my fellow-believers.
 
Have a caring day. Love you.
 

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Provoked!

PROVOKED!
I Corinthians 10:21-22
 
"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?"
 
Picture an arrogant man who sets up two households with two wives, dividing his time between them, eating at both tables and enjoying both beds. What wife would not be provoked to jealousy and divorce him? Some people, in their arrogance, think that they can enjoy the best of both worlds, serving God and eating at Satan's table. But God, whose name is Jealousy (Exodus 34:14) gave His people the ultimatum in the decalogue – that they were to have no other gods because He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5). Yet Israel "provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods" (Deuteronomy 32:16). They had a low view of the God who delivered them from the bondage of Egypt. So it is that people who try to serve two masters have a diminished view of God. They think He will be happy and blessed to have their part-time affection and worship. But He is a jealous God and will never be satisfied with anything less than our whole heart, soul, strength and mind (Luke 10:27; Deuteronomy 6:5).
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: A jealous God demands total loyalty.
 
Have a single-hearted day. Love you.
 

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Communion

COMMUNION
I Corinthians 10:16-17
 
"The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we are partakers of that one bread."
 
Communion – partaking in the Lord's Supper – is always a special time for me. Communion is the word koinoia – sharing, fellowship, participation. In Communion, we share by faith in the death of the Lord Jesus when He suffered and died for our sin. But Paul brings another aspect to the ordinance of Communion. We are also sharing, participating, and fellowshipping with other Believers as we partake together. Communion is a community event, and is not taken in isolation. It is always in the context of the Church body. We are a community of faith and that is demonstrated as we fellowship together around the Communion table.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Communion is sharing in Christ's sacrifice and also in His Body, the Church.
 
Have a "communion" day. Love you.
 

Monday, June 11, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Worship

WORSHIP
I Corinthians 10:14
 
"Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry."
 
Idolatry is anything that takes the place of God in my affection and service. Satan wants me to worship himself, or if I won't worship him, to at least worship something besides the true God. He even tried to lure Jesus into serving him. Satan said, "I will give you everything if you will worship before me." Jesus responded, "You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve" (Luke 4:7-8). I need to recognize Satan's allurements and run away from such temptations.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: All worship and service belong to God and to no other.
 
Have a worshiping day. Love you.
 

Friday, June 8, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- The Human Condition

THE HUMAN CONDITION
I Corinthians 10:13
 
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
 
Temptation to sin is the bane of humanity. No one is exempt. It started with Adam and Eve's temptation by Satan in the Garden of Eden. Even the Lord Jesus in His humanity was tempted by the devil (Luke 4:1-13). All temptation, whether of Adam or Jesus or myself, falls into three broad categories – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I John 2:16).  But God has been faithful to supply resources to resist temptation. The first is God's Word (which Adam and Eve rejected and which Jesus relied on). The second is the armor of God – the shield of faith to "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (Ephesians 6:16). I am not defenseless when Satan fires his arrows of temptation. I can escape.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT – Even though we are all tempted to sin, we do not have to succumb to the wiles of the devil.
 
Have a victorious day. Love you.
 

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Take Heed!

TAKE HEED!
I Corinthians 10:11-12
 
"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who stands take heed lest he fall."
 
It is arrogance to think that I am such a strong Christian that I would never fail. But if Israel, who had such might demonstrations of God's glory and presence, fell, what makes me think that I am immune? I'm sure that Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Baker, Sandi Paddy, and all the rest of those who had moral failures did not think they would ever fall either. The admonition is clear: Take Heed. At the Grand Canyon, there are warning signs and guard railings to keep people from falling into the canyon. Wise people take heed to the admonitions and stay away from the edge. Yet people still fall because they don't pay attention to the warnings. If I am alert and aware of my own weaknesses and vulnerability to sin, I can put up guard railings to protect myself from falling.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Everyone has the capacity to fail in their Christian walk, but defenses can be erected to keep from falling.
 
Have a "heedful" day. Love you.
 

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Dad's Rambling -- Appreciating Our Salvation

APPRECIATING OUR SALVATION
I Corinthians 10:1-5a
 
"Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased....."
 
Paul used the deliverance of the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt as an example (vs. 11) of our salvation. God revealed Himself to them in the cloud; they crossed the sea into a new life, leaving behind the bondage of the old life; and began a journey to the land of promise. Along the way, they ate manna and drank water from the rock – a figure of Christ. All of these things picture the Christian life. But sadly, they did not truly appreciate what God had done for them. They lusted after the old life (vs. 6), they made an idol to worship (vs. 7), they were immoral (vs. 8), they tempted God (vs. 9), and they complained (vs. 10). In these things they did not please God. Sadly, many Christians do not appreciate what Christ has done for them. Oh, that I would truly appreciate and be grateful for my salvation in Christ.  Thank You, Jesus!
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: God is not pleased when we do not appreciate all He has done for us.
 
Have a grateful day. Love you.
 

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Unwavering Faith

UNWAVERING FAITH
I Corinthians 9:26-27
 
"Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."
 
Paul had no uncertainty as to the truth of the gospel he believed and preached. He was totally persuaded (Romans 8:38; II Timothy 1:12). That's why he was able to discipline himself to endure personal hardship and deprivation. He had met Christ personally, and his faith was unwavering. I wish I could say that I never have any doubts. Sometimes it seems like I am just "beating the air," and I wonder whether the gospel is really true. When I do question the validity of the Christian faith, I return to the truth of the historical Resurrection. After all these years of serving the Lord Jesus, I do not want to be disqualified.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Being fully persuaded by the gospel will produce a disciplined life.
 
Have a "unwavering" day. Love you.
 

Monday, June 4, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- The Marathon

THE MARATHON
I Corinthians 9:24-25
 
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may attain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown."
 
My friend, Floyd Whiting, has been a long-distance endurance runner for years, sometimes running 100-mile races, or 24 hour races. It takes a lot of training to get his body in shape for those events. People who do long-distance running train and discipline themselves, even forsaking some pleasures, so they can endure for the distance. In the race itself, runners must pace themselves so they have enough reserve to go the distance. And when they do "hit the wall" when it seems they can't go another step, they dig down deep past the pain, and keep in mind the tape at the end of the race. Sadly, some runners drop out and do not finish the race. The Christian life is a marathon, not a 500 yard dash. There are those who start the race but do not finish. It takes perseverance, but the prize at the end of the race is worth anything sacrifice we make to get there.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Running the Christian race requires discipline and perseverance.
 
Have a "marathon" day. Love you.
 

Friday, June 1, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- A Passion To Witness

A PASSION TO WITNESS
I Corinthians 9:19, 22
 
"For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; .... to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."
 
Paul's passion was to preach the gospel of Christ – "Woe is me if I preach not the gospel" (vs. 16). This burden called him to forsake his own rights and become a servant, becoming all things to all men. This verse has been misused by some eager people. A woman I knew went to nightclubs so she could witness while dancing with various men. In the Jesus Movement of the 1970, women in a group called Children of God became prostitutes in order to witness to Johns. You don't have to drink alcohol to minister to alcoholics. Jesus gave the model. He associated with sinners but He never partook of their sin. Paul maintained his integrity. In his zeal, he did not violate righteousness but remained under God's law and the law toward Christ (vs. 21). I must be in relationship with people to witness the gospel to them, but never lower my standards.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Witnessing requires that I be with sinners, but never requires that I become one.
 
Have a witnessing day. Love you.
 

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    • Dad's Ramblings -- Conviction
    • Dad's Ramblings -- Self-examination
    • Dad's Ramblings -- The Lord's Living Supper
    • Dad's Ramblings -- Preferring One Another
    • Dad's Ramblings -- Cliques vs. Factions
    • Dad's Ramblings -- Tempest In A Teapot
    • Dad's Ramblings -- Social Order
    • RE: Life's Been Good To Me So Far
    • Dad's Ramblings -- Traditions
    • Dad's Ramblings --
    • Dad's Ramblings -- Glorifying God
    • Dad's Ramblings -- My Brother's Keeper
    • Dad's Ramblings -- Provoked!
    • Dad's Ramblings -- Communion
    • Dad's Ramblings -- Worship
    • Dad's Ramblings -- The Human Condition
    • Dad's Ramblings -- Take Heed!
    • Dad's Rambling -- Appreciating Our Salvation
    • Dad's Ramblings -- Unwavering Faith
    • Dad's Ramblings -- The Marathon
    • Dad's Ramblings -- A Passion To Witness
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John Schiewek

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