DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ESTABLISHED AND SETTLED

ESTABLISHED AND SETTLED
I Peter 5:10-11

"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Peter lifts their eyes above the earthly suffering to Jesus, to the glories of heaven, and to the work that God was doing in their lives by His grace. This world with its pain and suffering is not the end of the matter. Jesus proved that after suffering and death there is life forever and ever. When my life is shaken, that assurance is what establishes, strengthens, and settles my faith. All praise to Him.

TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The assurance that there are glories that await those who have faith in Christ is a source of strength in the time of suffering.

[end]

Have an established and settled day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- IN THE MIDDE OF THE FLOCK

 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOCK
I Peter 5:8-9
 
"Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."
 
I don't want to give the Devil much attention. I would rather focus on Jesus than Satan. But I must be vigilant because I do have an enemy. These verses follow the teaching about the shepherds and our responsibility to be in submission to the people God has placed around us and over us (see vss. 1-7). Jesus' called himself the "Good Shepherd," and He reminded his disciples that there is a thief whose prime objective is to steal, kill and destroy the sheep (John 10:10). It seems to me that the safest place is in the middle of the flock close to the under-shepherd and the Good Shepherd.  The lion looks for stragglers who are wandering away from the flock.  Loners who, in their pride, don't think they need anybody else are more vulnerable to the attacks of the lion than those who stay in the middle of the flock close to the Shepherd. Living in fellowship with the other sheep and in accountability to the Shepherd is a place of protection. That's where I want to be.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: There is protection from our adversary in the middle of the flock close to the Shepherd.
 
[end]
 
Have a "middle of the flock" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- I NEED YOU!

 I NEED YOU
I Peter 5:6-7
 
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."
 
In the context, Peter seems to relate our submission to others to our submission to God. Perhaps the pride that keeps me from humbling myself before others is the same pride that keeps me from humbling myself before God. Pride says, "I don't need you. I can handle this alone." Humility recognizes my need for help. Pride keeps me from asking for help, so I bear my burdens
alone. I seem to think it is a sign of weakness to ask for help. But humility says, "I need help." And God says, "I will help carry your burdens because I care about you." Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit" – those humble enough to know their need for God (Matthew 5:3). God's mighty hand is strong to help. O precious Savior, help me conquer my pride.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Humility is an attitude that recognized the need for help, and asks for it.
 
[end]
 
Have a "helped" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- OLD FOGIES

 OLD FOGIES
I Peter 5:5
 
"Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
 
I suspect that the dismissal of the elderly by the younger generation has been a perpetual problem from the beginning. Cain rejected Adam's instruction regarding sacrifice as being archaic and old-fashioned. Killing an animal probably seemed so inhumane, so Cain did it his "new" way without bloodshed. And the young people ridiculed and mocked the elderly prophet Elisha, calling him "old baldhead" (II Kings 2:23), showing their disregard for his counsel. It seems in our current culture also, the older generation is often regarded as "old fogies," old fashioned, and out of touch with reality, living in the past. In their pride, young people do not want to hear the voice of experience that only age can bring. But old people can be proud also, rejecting the innovative ideas of young people. So they get stuck in the rut of "that's the way we've always done it," and become marginalized by the younger generations. God calls us to a humility that lets us appreciate the ideas and viewpoints of each generation as long as they do not violate God's eternal Word.  We can all learn from each other.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Humility understands that each generation has perspectives that the other generations can learn from.
 
[end]
 
Have a "humble" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE WILLING SERVANT LEADER

 THE WILLING SERVANT LEADER
I Peter 5:2-4
 
"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion, but willingly, not for dishonest gain, but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."
 
For many years, I did not understand the role of the shepherd as a "servant leader." I thought it was my job to make the sheep do or be what I thought they should. I now understand that I can't make anyone do anything. I can only lead, and it is the sheep's choice whether they follow or not. The shepherd does not drive the sheep; he leads them. He is not a dictator but shows the path by his own walk. His motivation is not how much he can gain from the sheep, but how much he can bless them. His reward is not in this world but in heaven. But here's the clincher. Each of us is entrusted with people we are to shepherd, whether as a church pastor, as a parent in a family, or leader of a study group.  These sheep are not given to me to bless me, but for me to bless them.  To be a shepherd is a great joy but also a great responsibility.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: A shepherd does not drive the sheep but leads them into green pastures.
 
[end]
 
Have a "willing" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SHEPHERDS

 SHEPHERDS
I Peter 5:1-2a
 
"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you...."
 
Peter was not writing from an academic perspective but from personal experience. He had been there to witness the sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus, and after the resurrection, Jesus – the Great Shepherd – gave him a personal commission to shepherd His sheep. In that exchange, it is clear that the ministry of a shepherd flows out of a love for Jesus. Jesus said to Peter, "Do you love Me? Feed My sheep" (John 21:15-17). We have a multitude of preachers, but a dearth of pastors who are not hirelings, but who love Jesus and His flock and are willing to lay down their lives for His sheep (see John 10:11-15). My heart cries out for a shepherd who truly cares about me and my soul. But my experience says that they are few and far between.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The ministry of the shepherd (pastor) is to love and feed the flock.
 
[end]
 
Have a "shepherded" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SCARCELY SAVED?

 SCARCELY SAVED?
I Peter 4:18-19
 
" 'Now if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and sinner appear?' Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator."
 
Taken out of the context of the total revelation of Scripture, the phrase "scarcely saved" could be misinterpreted to mean that my salvation hangs by a thread, that I am saved by the skin of my teeth. But Scripture is clear that my salvation is secure because the blood of Jesus for was abundantly sufficient to cover all sin (I John 1:7). What does this mean, then? Jesus said that there was a narrow road that leads to life, and there are few that find it (Matthew 7:13-14). Why is that? Because the broad way is easy, and the narrow way is hard. Another word to translate "scarcely" is "with difficulty." In fact, some translations render this verse, "If the righteous person is saved with difficulty...." Living for Jesus is not always easy. There may be suffering, pain, and deprivation that could cause my faith to fail. There is joy in living for Jesus, but I don't always enjoy what comes my way. The way
to get through these times is to commit my soul to Jesus. He is faithful even when my faith staggers. My trust is in Him.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The path through pain and suffering is to commit myself to God.
 
[end]
 
Have a committed day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- BUSYBODIES

BUSYBODIES
I Peter 4:15-17
 
"But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?"
 
At first glance, it seems strange to include being a busybody in the list of other horrible sins – like murder, stealing, and doing evil. After all, meddling in someone else's life can't be that bad, can it? The idea behind the Greek word for "busybody" seems to apply to people who try to correct other people's faults while ignoring their own. That's why Peter says that judgment needs to begin in the Church among Christians. Before trying to take the speck out of someone else's eye, I need to remove the log in my own (Matthew 7:3-5). God calls me to judge myself so that I will not be judged (I Corinthians 11:31). By judging myself, I take away the basis for other people to judge me. If my heart and my life are pure, then I remove the legitimacy of the accusations. If I suffer for my failures, I should be ashamed because I deserve it. But if I suffer innocently, then I need not be ashamed and God is glorified. In the end, sinners will answer to God for their own evil deeds.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Christian who judge themselves and live pure lives need not be ashamed when persecuted for their faith.
 
[end]
 
Have a "self-judging" day. Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE JOY OF SUFFERING

 THE JOY OF SUFFERING
I Peter 4:12-14
 
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing has happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you also may be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the spirit of the glory of God rests upon you."
 
Any suffering I endure pales in comparison when I compare it to the afflictions of many Believers around the world who are being tortured and killed for the name of Christ. The most I suffer is some reproach from the ungodly culture. Suffering for Christ is not strange or astonishing when I consider that the Lord Jesus suffered at the hand of ungodly sinners. He endured the cross and counted the shame as nothing because He understood the future joy that awaited Him when His suffering was finished (Hebrews 12:2). So I should not be astonished when I encounter opposition. In fact, the Greek word translated "shame" also has the meaning of receiving and entertaining a guest with hospitality, I think in the sense of an unexpected visitor who just drops by. Persecution – whether physical or social – can be considered a blessing and a cause for joy when viewed as an opportunity to share in Christ's sufferings. That's why Jesus could say, "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven..." (Matthew 5:11-12). And James could write, "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials" (James 1:2). There is hope of glory when the trials of this life are ended. "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus. Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ."
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Persecution and suffering for the sake of the Gospel is not strange or abnormal.
 
 
[end]
 
Have a "normal" day. Love you

DAD'S RAMBINGS -- WHO SPEAKS FOR GOD?

 WHO SPEAKS FOR GOD?
I Peter 4:11
 
"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
 
Chuck Colson wrote a book entitled, "Who Speaks For God?" The short answer is "the preacher." Ministers used to be held in high esteem and were honored by the parishioners and the community. Not so anymore. That position has been diminished, partly because many preachers have departed from speaking God's Word and instead have dabbled in  politics, psychology, and personal opinions. My heart longs to hear Jesus proclaimed, God exalted, His Word expounded, and my spirit expecting to hear a word from God.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The calling of the preacher is to speak for God and expound His Word.
 
[end]
 
Have a listening day. Love you.
 
P.S.:  Thanks to all of you who sent me birthday greetings.  I had a wonderful birthday.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MANIFOLD BLESSIINGS

 MANIFOLD BLESSINGS
I Peter 4:10
 
"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
 
The common attitude among Christians is that God blesses us for our own person benefit. Scripture is clear that the gifts God gives us are intended to be a blessing to others – to the Church (see I Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:13). Peter does not list these gifts as the Apostle Paul does. He only says they are "manifold" or of various sorts, and grace is an unearned gift. These could be spiritual gifts, financial prosperity, good looks, intelligence, an outgoing personality, good health, or a hundred others. The point is that I am only a steward of these blessings that God has intended to bless others by (forget the good looks and intelligence). To only heap these blessings on myself is to misuse God's gifts. Just as an exhaust "manifold" on a car is a channel to disperse the fumes from the various pistons away from the engine, so I also am a only channel to disperse God's manifold blessing to other people.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The blessings God bestows on His children are given to bless His other children.
 
[end]
 
Have a blessed blessing day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- HOSPITALITY

 HOSPITALITY
I Peter 4:9
 
"Be hospitable to one another without grumbling."
 
It seems to me that hospitality may be on its way to join the dinosaurs – headed for extinction. In past times, people would feel free to just drop by for a visit on the spur of the moment. And the host would say, "Why don't you stay for dinner?" In the present society, you must phone to make an appointment. And if there is a meal, it is at a restaurant. I almost feel like I am imposing on people if I just stop to visit. I can almost hear the grumbling and complaining because people feel forced to let me in their house as an obligation. Hospitality does not depend on a clean house or a well-cooked meal. It come from an open heart that makes others feel welcome in my life.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's people should be hospitable to others with an open heart.
 
[end]
 
Have a hospitable day. Love you.
 
P.S.: Sorry I missed yesterday. I had a house emergency that took about 9 hours to fix.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- STRETCHED-OUT LOVE

 STRETCHED-OUT LOVE
I Peter 4:8

"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.' "

The Greek word Peter used which is translated "fervent" (ektenes) primarily means to be "stretched out." When I feel violated by other people, it stretches my love to the limit. Fervent love does not carry grudges for offenses.  It buries them with forgiveness..  However, tepid love does not stretch a cover over transgressions, but is quick to uncover them so that everyone knows I have been offended. They do not lie buried, but float on the surface of my memory. The love of Jesus is "stretched out" love. I'm so glad that Jesus does not continually throw my transgressions in my face but He forgives them, covers them with His blood, and remembers them no more (Hebrews 8:12; 11:17-18; I John 1:7-9). Lord Jesus, help me to love fervently – stretched out.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The test of my love is how much it can stretch to cover offenses.
 
[end]
 
Have a "stretched out" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SERIOUS PRAYER

SERIOUS PRAYER
I Peter 4:7
 
"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers."
 
None of us knows how much time we have left in this world. We think life will go on forever. So we procrastinate and put thing into the future. Manana! Tomorrow I will get serious about my prayer life. When I retire, I'll have more time for devotions. But, as the old saying goes, tomorrow never comes. I need to be serious about my walk with God today, because I may not have tomorrow.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Today is the only day we have to serve the Lord.
 
[end]
 
Have a "serious" today. Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT

 ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT
I Peter 4:6
 
"For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
 
This verse is a little difficult to understand, but I think it is concluding the passage that began in chapter 3:18-19 where, after His resurrection, Christ preached to those Old Testament saints who died and were in Paradise, and He took them to Heaven. They had died in a physical sense and were judged in the flesh according to the sin of Adam. Everyone dies because of the judgement on Adam's sin. But physical deaTH is not the end. There is spiritual life even after death. In a figurative sense, I was dead in my sin but by faith in Gospel I have been made alive (Ephesians 2:1-2), and I now live according to God in the spirit. And even though I may die as all people in the flesh do, I have eternal life through Jesus Christ my Lord. Hallelujah.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: There is life in the spirit even though the flesh may be judged.
 
[end]
 
Have a lively day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- HERE COMES THE JUDGE

 HERE COMES THE JUDGE
I Peter 4:5
 
"They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead."
 
God is love. But He is also holy, righteous, and just. It seems our society has focused on the love of God and neglected the judgement of God. It may seem that evil goes unpunished in this world. But God will judge the evil people and deeds of this world and it won't be pretty. That's why I need a Savior. I will not face the judgement of God because the Lord Jesus has already taken that judgment for me on the cross, and I do not fear.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God is just and He will judge evil.
 
[end]
 
Have a forgiven day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SQUARE PEG IN A ROUND HOLE

 SQUARE PEG IN A ROUND HOLE
I Peter 4:3-4
 
"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles – when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you."
 
Nobody like to be considered strange, odd, different, peculiar, or weird. I like to fit in and be accepted as normal. Peculiar people are the focus of pity at best and jokes, derision, and ridicule at worst. But if I do God's will (verse 2), I will be different because the will of the Gentiles (in this context, heathen) is contrary to the will of God. If my goal is to please God, I will be a square peg in a round hole. I just won't fit in. I am indeed a "peculiar people" (I Peter 2:9 KJV).
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: When a person lives according to the will of God rather than will of the world, he will be considered "strange."
 
[end]

Have a "strange" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE MIND OF CHRIST AND THE WILL OF GOD

 THE MIND OF CHRIST AND THE WILL OF GOD
I Peter 4:1-2
 
"Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he should no longer live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God."
 
Having the mind of Christ means to forsake my own fleshly desire, ambitions and rights to submit myself to the will of God. Jesus did it. He set aside his own position in heaven to come to earth as a man in the flesh, knowing that he would suffer horrible treatment at the hands of sinful men. The Apostle Paul echoes this same thought: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:5-8). I am called to have the mind of Christ which is in obedient and humble submission to God's will, even if it means suffering and depriving myself of my own pleasures.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The mind of Christ is humble submission to the will of God.
 
[end]
 
Have a "mind of Christ" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- NEWNESS OF LIFE

 NEWNESS OF LIFE
I Peter 3:21-22
 
"There is also an antitype which now saves us – baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ who has gone into heaven and is at the right had of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him."
 
Baptism is a beautiful picture of death and resurrection. Noah went through a water baptism (vs. 20), when the earth was cleansed of its wickedness by water. The old world with all its sin was dead and he came out of the ark to live a new life in a brand new world. Noah's baptism was a type of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus who died for the sins of this world so that through His death and resurrection we can live a new life in the spirit. Water baptism cannot save me; only the blood of Christ can cleanse from sin. But my baptism was a public witness that I have a good conscience toward God because my sins are cleansed by Christ's blood, and I live a new life in Christ. Water baptism is a picture of my death with Christ and my new life in Him.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE – Water baptism does not cleanse from sin, but it is a picture of dying to sin and being raised to newness of life.
 
[end]
 
Have a "good conscience" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S CLOCK

 GOD'S CLOCK
I Peter 3:19-20
 
"...by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water."
 
Noah was a just man who walked with God and found grace in the eyes of the Lord in the midst of a corrupt and wicked culture (Genesis 6:9-10). God, in His longsuffering grace, waited 120 years until the ark was completed before sending judgment on the earth by the great flood. Noah was saved from the destruction of the flood, but he was still a sinner who needed a Savior to pay the penalty for his sin. When he died, he could not go to heaven because of his sin. So he went to Paradise until Jesus died and was resurrected and led those Old Testament saints who were captive in Abraham's Bosom in victorious procession to heaven (see Ephesians 4:8-10). All of this speaks of God's longsuffering patience. He is not in a hurry. His clock may seem to move slowly, but it moves surely. Whether it was Noah's salvation, or the first coming of Jesus (see Galatians 4:4 – the fulness of time), or His the second coming, what God said will happen will certainly happen. God does things in His time, and not according to my schedule. I just need to be like Noah – obedient to do what He has asked me to do.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God is infinitely longsuffering and patient, but what He said will happen will happen when everything is prepared.
 
[end]
 
Have a patient and trusting day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- JESUS, THE CENTERPOINT

JESUS, THE CENTERPOINT
I Peter 3:17-18
  
"For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sinners, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit."
 
The suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus seem to be the center-point of Peter's letter to a people going through unjust suffering (see 1:18-21; 2:21-24; 4:1, 13). Jesus "went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him" (Acts 10:38). Yet, in spite of His good life, by the will of God, He was beaten and crucified. When, in God's will, I go through unjust treatment by others, I should remember Jesus's suffering for me. It makes my small afflictions seem insignificant. After all, I have not been killed. "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your soul. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed (death), striving against sin" (Hebrews 12:3-4). I need to keep Jesus and the cross of Calvary as the center-point of my life.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The unjust suffering of the Lord Jesus makes my suffering seem trivial.
 
[end]
 
Have a "Jesus-centered" day. Love you.