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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- The Gospel In A Nutshell

THE GOSPEL IN A NUTSHELL
I Corinthians 15:1
 
"Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand...."
 
Here is the Gospel in a nutshell:

              1. Jesus died for our sins (vs. 3),
              2. He was buried, and rose from the dead (vs. 4),
              3. He was seen alive by over 500 people (vs. 5-7).
 
Paul presents a concise definition of the Gospel. The Gospel is not a religious form or creed, but a living Savior in whom we believe. This is the Gospel – Jesus is alive!!! This the good news I believe and in which I stand.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The Gospel is simply that Jesus died, was buried, rose again, and is alive.
 
Have a "standing" day. Love you.
 

Monday, July 30, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Decently and In Order

DECENTLY AND IN ORDER
I Corinthians 14:33, 40
 
"For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints .... Let all things be done decently and in order."
 
Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives guidelines to provide parameters for the operation of the spiritual gifts: 1) Not more than three tongues and interpretations in a service (vs. 27); tongues for the congregation are only to be used when there is an interpreter present (vs. 28); they are to be evaluated and judged by the others (vs. 29); only one speaker at a time (vss. 30-31). The purpose of these guidelines is to provide order and structure in a church service. The danger is to have so much control that the operation of the spiritual gifts are "ordered" right out of our services. The exclusion of these spiritual ministries is our loss. We must not forbid the ministry of spiritual gifts; indeed, we need to desire their operation in our midst (vs. 39). They just need to be done in a decent and orderly manner.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The ministry of the spiritual gifts are to be orderly, not eliminated.
 
Have an "decent and orderly" day. Love you.
 

Friday, July 27, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Sponge Bobs or ATMs?

SPONGE BOBS OR ATMS?

I Corinthians 14:26

"How is then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation.  Let all things be done for edification."

Many church meetings are only spectator sports, watching the performers on the platform. The crowd sits and listens to the choir and the preacher for an hour and goes home. If there is any involvement, it is in following the cheerleaders in congregational singing or responsive readings. God intended more than that when we come together. He has given us gifts share with other people to encourage, exhort, and stir up to love and good works (Romans 10:24-25). God's plan is for us to be more than Sponge Bobs – just soaking everything up, but to be ATMs, giving out of what we have inside to bless and meet the needs of other people.

TODAY'S THOUGHT: Church is a place to minister, not just to be ministered to.

Have an ATM (Alert To Ministry) day. Love you.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Prayer, Praise and Thanks

PRAYER, PRAISE, AND THANKS
I Corinthians 14:14-17
 
"For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say, "Amen," at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified."
 
Personal tongues (without interpretation) open an avenue of prayer and praise to God that is not limited by the intellect, as the human spirit – the innermost being of a person – expresses itself to God. We don't always know how to pray so the Holy Spirit prays through our spirits, making intercession for the saints (see Romans 8:26-27). And on the Day of Pentecost, the disciples gave glory to God in tongues they did not know (Acts 2:11). What a wonderful thing, that God has given us the opportunity to pray, praise and give thanks with out spirits, unfettered by our brains.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Prayer and worship in tongues is not limited by our puny brains.
 
Have a prayer, praise and thanks day.   Love you.
 

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Dad's Rambllings -- The Proper Use Of Tongues

THE PROPER USE OF TONGUES
I Corinthians 14:5, 13
 
"I wish that you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, that the church may receive edification .... Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret."

Paul did not disparage speaking with unknown tongues. In fact, he wished that everyone would, and admonished the church to "not forbid to speak with tongues" (vs. 40). Instead, his teaching subject is the proper use of tongues. My personal prayer language is between myself and God and does not edify the church. So I need to do it quietly. However, tongues with interpretation is equal to prophecy, and is for the benefit of the entire assembly. Apparently there was misuse of tongues in the Corinthian congregation where some thought that they should speak their personal tongue to the church, but no one could understand them. Paul used the illustration of instrumental music (vss. 7-8). Unless music is played properly and in harmony (distinction in the sounds), it is just a bunch of noise and has no meaning. If I went into a Chinese church, the sermon would mean nothing to me unless it was interpreted for me (vss. 10-11). That's why Paul wrote, "I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in tongues" (vss. 18-19). So, "let all things be done decently and in order" (vs. 40).
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Proper use of tongues in the church will avoid confusion.
 
Have a "proper" day. Love you.
 

Monday, July 23, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Edifying Yourself

EDIFYING YOURSELF
I Corinthians 13:2-4
 
"For he who speaks in a tongue [without interpretation] does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks exhortation, edification and comfort to men. But he who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church."
 
Speaking in tongues does not make sense to the natural mind. What is the purpose? But then, most of God's ways do not make sense to human understanding. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). However, Paul brings clarity to the difference between personal tongues, and tongues and interpretation (which equals prophecy) in the assembly. Personal tongues, without interpretation, are for the edification or building up of the individual who is praying, while tongues and interpretation are for the edification of the church. Jude says, "Build yourself up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20). And I, for one, can use all the building up I can get!
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Speaking in tongues sans interpretation edifies the individual while tongues with interpretation edifies the congregation.
 
Have an "edifying" day. Love you.
 

Friday, July 20, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- The High Calling of Preaching

THE HIGH CALLING OF PREACHING
I Corinthians 14:1, 5
 
"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.... I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, that the church many receive edification."
 
There is nothing wrong with desiring to be used of God in  spiritual gifts – miracles, faith, healings, tongues and interpretation. But the greatest calling is prophecy. It is to be esteemed above the rest. To be able to declare the Word of God for the building up of God's people is indeed a great honor. I don't know if the story is true, but I heard of a famous preacher who was encouraged to run for president of the United States. He declined because he felt being president would be a demotion. Preaching is indeed a high and holy calling to be desired.
 
Today's Thought: The greatest calling is to proclaim God's Word.
 
Have a "desiring" day. Love you.
 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Childish Adults

CHILDISH ADULTS
I Corinthians 13:11, 13

"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things .... Now abides faith, hope, love, thee three; but the greatest of these is love."
 
What is the difference between a child and an adult? For certain, adults should have more knowledge and understanding, and have put away their toys. But I know smart adults who have never grown up, whose lives are still centered around themselves and their toys. The baby is very self-centered; he demands attention and that all his needs be met. The toddler is very possessive of his own toys; he has a hard time sharing with others. The childish adult is self-centered. He cannot share his things with others because everything must flow toward the center. In contrast, the mature person is "other-people" centered. In a word, he loves. No matter how much faith and hope a person has, if he does not share love he is still a self-centered child. God, help me to grow up. (See Ephesians 4:14-15: "that we should no longer be children" but "grow up."
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: A child is self-centered and loves himself; a mature person is other-centered and loves people.
 
Have a "grown-up" day.   Love you.
 

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- When Perfection Has Come

WHEN PERFECTION HAS COME
I Corinthians 13:8-10
 
"But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away."
 
Some teachers who do not believe that the gifts of the Spirit are for today use this passage as a proof-text, maintaining that the completed canon is the "perfect" which has come. It seems to me that the only perfection centers on Jesus and His Kingdom, whether here on earth or in heaven. When He comes again to this earth to set up His rule, or when we get to heaven, then all things will be complete, and we won't need the gifts of prophecy, tongues, or knowledge. He will be all in all. This is confirmed in verse 12 – now we know in part, but then our understanding will be complete. What a day that will be!!!!
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The gifts of the Spirit will no longer be needed when we are in His presence.
 
Have a looking forward day. Love you.
 

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Persistent Love

THE PERSISTENCE OF LOVE
I Corinthians 13:7-8a

Agape Love ....
    "Bears all things" – even when the other person dumps on you.
    "Believes all things" – looks for the best in someone even when all reports negative.
    "Hopes all things" – sees a future for someone even when everything looks dim.
    "Endures all things" – even during the messiness of strained relationship.
    "Never fails" – it does not quit, even in the worst of circumstance.

This kind of of love is hard work, but it is worth the effort.

TODAY'S THOUGHT: Love is persistent though all sorts of challenges because it is based on choice rather than feelings.

Have a persistent day.  Love you.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- The Face Of Love

THE FACE OF LOVE
I Corinthians 13:4-6

Love
         Suffers long and is kind;              Does not envy;
                    Does not parade itself;
                          Is not puffed up;
                                     Does not behave rudely;
                                            Does not seek its own;
                                                    Is not provoked;
                                                            Thinks no evil;
                                                                   Does not rejoice in iniquity;
                                                                          Rejoices in the truth.

What does true love look like?  Paul painted a picture and it is the face of Jesus.   He was patient and kind, humble, treated everyone with respect, and did not fight back in revenge.  He modeled love, and He calls us to be like Himself.  "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God....As He is, so are we in this world" (I John 4:7, 17b).  This kind of love is not natural.  It is supernatural.  When we love with God's love, we are showing Jesus to the world.  What a challenge!

TODAY'S THOUGHT:   True agape love looks like Jesus.

Have a love-ly day.   Love you.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- The Love Equation

THE LOVE EQUATION
I Corinthians 13:1-3
 
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and have all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing."
 
Love adds value to whatever I do. When I stand before Jesus and the books are opened to my profit and loss ledger, how many of the things I have done will have a zero in the profit column? They may have been good things in themselves, but they profit me nothing because they were not done out of love.  They will be in the "wood, hay, stubble" category, good only for burning (I Corinthians 3:12-15). Love makes even the most inept ministries valuable. To quote John Maxwell, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Lord, help me to love like that.
 
TODAY'S THOUGH: The value of any ministry or good work is determined by the love equation.
 
Have a loving day. Love you.
 

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Lovers

LOVERS
I Corinthians 12:28, 31
 
"And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, send prophets, third teachers, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues....But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way."
 
The various gifts are God-appointed and we should desire them. Yet Paul explains "a more excellent way" in Chapter 13 – the way of love. It is better to be a lover than to be an apostle, prophet, teacher, or worker of miracles who have no love. And for sure, administrations (organizers) become insufferably bossy without love. I'll take a lover any day.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: It is better to be known as a lover than a great preacher or teacher or worker of miracles.
 
Have a "loving" day. Love you.
 

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Connected

CONNECTED
I Corinthians 12:25-26
 
"...that there should be schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."
 
I'm not too good at doing this verse. I become so isolated and self-centered, I don't even know when someone else is hurting or rejoicing, let alone sharing the pain or joy. I am so consumed with my own life, I don't have the time or emotional energy to get involved. So much for bearing one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). If the body is truly connected without schism, then a stubbed toe or a full stomach affects the entire body.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: When the Body members are connected, they share each others' pain and joy.
 
Have a connected day. Love you.
 

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- The Unpresentable Parts

THE UNPRESENTABLE PARTS
I Corinthians 12:22-24
 
"No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given great honor to that part which lacks it."
 
Which is more important – the face or the liver? The liver is not a thing of beauty. I haven't yet seen a picture of a liver hanging on a frontroom wall with the other pretty faces of the family. Yet try living without it. The hidden parts are just as important – perhaps more necessary – than the external ones that get all the glory. Who will receive the greater reward? Billy Graham or the person who prayed? When I think that my service to God is of no value because no one notices it or praises it, I need to remember that God sees the hidden "unpresentable" parts and will reward them.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Unnoticed ministries are just as important as the ones that get all the glory.
 
Have an "unpresentable" day. Love you.
 

Monday, July 9, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- Diversity in Unity

DIVERSITY IN UNITY
I Corinthians 12:12-13a, 14, 20, 27
 
"For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body .... For in fact the body is not one member but many .... But now indeed these are many members, yet one body .... Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually."
 
A lesson in a university psychology class taught the fact that "the sum of the whole is greater than the parts." One plus one is greater than two because of the symbiotic effect. An eye can see and a hand can do, but put them together and they accomplish more than each individually. Christians are not clones. We do not lose our individuality. As the old saying goes about marriage, if two people are the just alike, one is unnecessary. In the body, each part is unique and has special gifts to contribute. I'm not a fan of diversity training, but in the body of Christ (and marriage), we need to celebrate and appreciate diversity.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Together as individuals, we make a complete unit.
 
Have a "unique" day. Love you.
 

Friday, July 6, 2012

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

I'm using Mom's computer.  I hope this attachment comes through okay.  Please let me know.

Dad

Monday, July 2, 2012

Dad's Ramblings -- True Spirituality

TRUE SPIRITUALITY
I Corinthians 12:1, 3
 
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.... Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit."
 
"Spiritual gifts" may be a mistranslation. The original text merely says, spirituals; gifts is supplied by the translators. In the context, it seems to me that this is referring to people rather than gifts. "Spirituality" is a popular buzzword, especially in the Hollywood celebrity crowd who like to say they are "spiritual," but they don't want anything to do with the Lord Jesus. They think they are "spiritual" because they follow some guru or cult or have some interest in spiritual things. Paul warns us not to be ignorant or "carried away" (verse 2) by such claims of spirituality. If anyone denies Jesus as Lord, he or she is not of God. True spirituality is submission to the Lordship of Jesus. Anything else is false spirituality.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Being "spiritual" is not the same as being Christian or godly.
 
Have a "spiritual" day. Love you.