DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A TOUCH AND A PRAYER

A TOUCH AND A PRAYER

Matthew 19:13-15

“Then little children were brought to Him, that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them, for such is the kingdom of heaven.’ And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.”

How slow we are to learn; how quickly we are to forget. It was not that long ago that Jesus had called a little child to Himself (Matthew 18:2). Now, here the disciples were, rebuking parents for bring their children to Jesus for a touch and a prayer. Jesus died for children also. We all need His touch and His prayers. Even now, He is interceding for me (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). Lord Jesus, lay Your hand on my children, my grandchildren, and my (future) great-grandchildren. I bring them to You.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Everyone needs the touch and the prayers of Jesus – even children.

[end]

Have a “touched” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- CASTRATI

CASTRATI

Matthew 19:11-12

“But he said to them, ‘All cannot accept this saying, but only to those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.’ ”

A eunuch is a man who does not have male genitalia, whether by birth or by operation, and does not have a normal sexual drive. For this reason, eunuchs were used as keepers of harems (see Esther 2:2, 14; 4:4). In medieval times, boys were used to sing the soprano part in choirs. It was a good, dependable vocation, so parents would castrate their boys to keep their voices from changing. Thus, they were called “castrati.” I believe that Jesus was answering the disciples’ idea that it is better not to marry. That is true only for eunuchs or castrati. Some religious organizations demand celibacy of their ministers, and have caused untold misery through sexual abuse and misconduct. Although there may be some men who are called to celibacy, this is not the norm. Marriage is honorable (Hebrews 13:4), and should be exalted.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Marriage is the norm except for those without normal sexual urges.

[end]

Have a “normal” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE DIVORCE OPTION

THE DIVORCE OPTION

Matthew 19:9-10

“ ‘And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.’ His disciples said to him ‘If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.’ ”

Jesus gave only one reason for divorce: sexual infidelity. This rules out all of the other reasons. From the response of the disciples, this teaching must have struck a chord. Did some of the disciples consider divorcing their wives, who might have been nagging them because they were gone all the time following an itinerant preacher? Ministry can be tough on a marriage and a family when the wife and husband do not share the same calling. It is said that the wife of John Wesley was very unhappy and would come and disrupt his evangelistic services. (He may have given her some cause by his attention to another woman.) The Apostle Paul wrote concerning this conflict. “I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress – that it is good for a man to remain as he is: Are you bound to wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife…..But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord – how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world – how he may please his wife” (I Corinthians 7:26-27, 32-33). Perhaps the disciples felt this pull in two directions – to follow Jesus and to be a husband – and thought it would be better to be single again so that they could better serve the Lord. But Jesus made them understand that divorce was not an option. Divorce only compounds the problem.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Divorce is not an option except in the case of infidelity.

[end]

Have a "married" day.  Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- HARD-HEARTED

HARD-HEARTED

Matthew 19:7-8

“They said to Him, ‘Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?’ He said to them, ‘Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.’ ”

Jesus answered the age-old question: Why does God allow people to do things that are against His will? The answer is that God has given each of us free will that can choose to obey or disobey Him. We are not robots, programmed to always do the right thing. We decide whether we will do God’s will or fulfill our own lustful desires. When our hearts become hard and insensitive, we violate His perfect will. It is called “sin.” I want what I want when I want it, regardless of God’s will. When my heart becomes hard toward God and toward other people, I do all kinds of bad things. God calls me to be tender-hearted (Ephesians 4:32). O God, help me keep a tender heart!

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: A hard heart toward God causes sinful behavior.

[end]

Have a "tender-hearted" day.   Love you.

CHRISTMAS GREETIINGS

CHRISTMAS MEDITATION

2016

WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?

If you ask people what Christmas means to them, you will get a lot of different answers.

To some, it is a time for family gatherings.

For others it is giving and receiving gifts.

Some only see it as a time for parties,

      a holiday from work (with pay),

     a time to help the needy,

                    a time for nostalgia of former times with sleigh rides, carols ringing through the air, and children looking forward to Santa.

      These all contribute to the aura and mystique of Christmas, but they miss the real meaning.

              Christmas is the celebration of the God of heaven coming to earth

in the form of a baby in a manger

with the purpose of reconnecting us with Himself.

A Savior was born.

        MAY THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS FILL

YOUR HEARTS THIS SEASON.

         

                  Merry Christmas

                                                      

      ”Unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given.” Isaiah 9:6

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S MATH

GOD’S MATH

Matthew 19:4-6

“And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning “made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.’ ”

This is God’s math in marriage: 1 + 1 = 1. God created man Adam and Eve with different biological apparatus so that in the sexual act they become one. He created each gender with unique abilities and giftings so that when they are joined together, they fill up what is lacking in the other sex. They compliment each other. They need each other in order to be whole. That is why God said, “It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Genesis 2:18). God did not make Eve as a clone of Adam. A man is incomplete without woman, and a woman is incomplete without man. They need each other biologically, emotionally, and spiritually in order to be compete. In our fallen world because of our stubborn independence, this does not always happen, but it is God’s creative intent.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: God created man and woman to be different so that when they are joined together they become one, completing what is lacking in the other.

[end]

Have a “completed” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE HARD WORK OF MARRIAGE

THE HARD WORK OF MARRIAGE

Matthew 19:1-3

“Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these saying, that He departed form Galilee and came to the region beyond the Jordan. And great multitudes followed Him and He healed them there. The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?’ ”

The Pharisees would not quit their attack, even though Jesus continued to do miracles that proved His authority. They were more interested in their own agenda, so they kept testing Him. The fact is, they did not want to believe. Their question about divorce is apropos for today. Our society has succumbed to the practice of “easy divorce” – “for just any reason.”   Incompatibility is the lowest common denominator that is a catch-all for almost any reason to divorce. Marriage is hard work and requires a lot of self-denial, compromise, and forgiveness. Sure, marriage can be painful, but so is divorce, not only for the couple involved but also for the children and extended family. It is easy to think that divorce is a simple solution. But there is no such thing as easy divorce. I was wisely counseled during a difficult time in my marriage, “When it seems you don’t feel in love, believe in marriage.” Commitment to marriage itself will get a couple through the tough times. God’s way – one man and one woman committed for life – is God’s way, and it is the best way.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Marriage can be difficult, but divorce “for just any reason” is not the answer.

[end]

Have a "committed to marriage" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A SCARY PRAYER

A SCARY PRAYER

Matthew 18:23-35

“ ‘Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.’ ”

To illustrate forgiveness, Jesus told a parable of a master who demanded repayment of a large debt that his servant owed him (over three trillion dollars in today’s money). The servant begged the master for mercy lest he and his family be sold into slavery. The master had compassion and forgave the debt. But then the man turned around and demanded payment by a fellow servant who only owed him $3,200 (in today’s money). He would not forgive that small debt and threw the fellow servant into debtors prison. When the master heard what had happened, he called the his servant and said to him, “You wicked servant!   I forgave you all the debt you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” (vss. 23-33). I wonder if Paul had this parable in mind when we wrote, “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you must also do” (Colossians 3:13). When I consider how much God has forgiven me of my sins, which were very great, how can I not forgive someone else for their offenses? It is a scary prayer that Jesus gave us: “Forgive us our trespasses as [or in the same way] we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:12). Jesus went on to say, “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15). Forgiveness is serious business.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: We are to forgive people in the same way that God has forgiven us.

[end]

Have a forgiving day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE FREEDOM OF FORGIVENESS

THE FREEDOM OF FORGIVENESS

Matthew 18:21-22

“The Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’ ”

Peter’s question about forgiveness was in the context of offenses (vs. 7), how to deal with them (vss. 15-17), and binding or loosing them in heaven and on earth (vs. 18). The fact is that unforgiveness is a terrible bondage. I too often drag around the chains of unforgiven offenses that bind my spirit. The only way to loose the chains of offenses against me and be free in my spirit is to release them through forgiveness. When offenses are forgiven, they are loosed on earth and they are also loosed in heaven. When I don’t forgive, they are bound both on earth and in heaven. There is freedom in unlimited forgiveness. If I only forgive seven times, I will still be in bondage on the eighth offense. But by 490 times (70 x 7), I am truly free. Freedom in my spirit is dependent on how forgiving I am. This is especially true in marriage, because offenses pile up through the years if not continually forgiven. When I bring up past offenses, I show that I have not truly forgiven. Long-term relationships demand unlimited forgiveness. Forgiveness not only releases me but it also releases the other person. Oh, God, help me to have a forgiving spirit so that I can be free in my spirit.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Unlimited forgiveness brings freedom to both the offended and the offender.

[end]

Have a forgiving day. Love you.

RAMBLINGS -- PRAYING IN GOD'S WILL

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- POWERFUL PRAYER

Matthew 18:18-20

" 'Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.  For where two are three are gathered in My name, I am there in the midst of them.' "

There is power in united prayer when two or more agree.  But there is a hidden assumption behind binding and loosing things in heaven and on earth, and that is praying according to God's will.  God is not bound to answer prayer that is not according to His will, regardless of how many people agree.  They must agree with God.  I do not have a blank check to get whatever I want unless it is in agreement with what God wants.  The Apostle John wrote this:  "Now this is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (I John 5:14-15).  Again Paul wrote, "For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8:26-27).  I do not always know what God's will is in a matter, but I know that the Holy Spirit knows, so it is a great blessing to be able to pray in the Spirit.  That is powerful prayer.

TODAY'S PRINCIPLE:  Powerful prayer is in agreement with God's will.

[end]

Have a powerful prayer day.  Love you.

DAD;S RAMBLINGS -- LISTEN UP!

LISTEN UP!

Matthew 18:16-17

“ ‘But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to he church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.’ ”

I’ll admit that I am stubborn. I don’t like correction. If one person tells me I am wrong, I often dismiss it as just a difference of opinion. If two or three people tell me I am wrong, I am more apt to take it to heart. If everyone tells me I am wrong, I better pay attention. “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). Listen up, John!

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Correction from the mouths of many people is worth listening to.

[end]

Have a listening day.  Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- CLEARING OFFENSES

CLEARING OFFENSES

Matthew 18:15

“Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained a brother.”

The word, “moreover,” indicates that Jesus was still speaking on the subject of offenses which will surely come (verses 6-7). I am prone to take offense because of the actions of another person. But it is my experience that the offender does not usually know that he has caused offense. I remember a dear brother who asked my forgiveness of some ought he had against me, but I had no idea that I had caused him to be offended. But he did the right thing – he came to me about it. The best way to clear an offense – whether real or imaginary – is to go to the person and talk about it. This is not easy because I hate confrontation. But I carry a lot of extra baggage and waste a lot of emotional energy carrying unwarranted offenses. This does not always mean that the person will receive what I say because he may not acknowledge his part in the problem. There is always the possibility of the “if he hears you.” But it the first step toward clearing the offense and restoring the relationship.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: The best way to clear an offense is to go to the offender and talk about it.

[end]

Have a "clear" day.   Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHAT DO YOU THINK?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Matthew 18:12-14

“ ‘What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that was straying? And if he should find it, assuredly I say to you he rejoices more over that sheep than the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.’ ”

What do you think? Why would God leave heaven to come to this earth polluted by sin, be born in a manger in Bethlehem, and die on a cross? It was because He loves us straying sheep. God is not willing than any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9b). He desires that all men would be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:4). That’s why He came. “Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan; Oh, the grace that brought it down to man; Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary.”

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: God loves His sheep so much that He would leave the comfort of heaven to find those who are lost.

[end]

Have a “thinking” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S UNSEEN AMBASSADORS

UNSEEN AMBASSADORS

Matthew 18:10-11

“ ‘Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.’ ”

Angels are God’s unseen ambassadors who do His good pleasure (Psalm 103:20-21). They are “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14). I don’t know how many angels God has assigned to me. It must be a legion or so, and I keep them busy! I do appreciate the ministry of angels. Some day in heaven I will meet them and thank them for all their help. I think they will show me all the times they intervened on my behalf. Thank You, Lord God, for providing Your angels for my benefit.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: God has assigned angels to minister to and for His people.

[end]

Have an “angel” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- AMPUTATION

AMPUTATION

Matthew 18:7-9

“ ‘Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes. If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you … If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be case into hell fire.’ ”

Jesus was using hyperbole to make a point. My hand, foot, and eye are not moral nor immoral; they can be used for either good or evil. Merely amputating an appendage or destroying an eye will not keep a person from sinning because sin is a matter of the heart. I think His meaning was that if there is something that tempts me to sin, then I need to eliminate that from my life. I can live without it. Most things are neutral. They are not moral or immoral. It is how I uses them that causes offense. Facebook can be a good thing, but it is also used in evil ways. A knife can cut an apple or it can murder. The issue is not with the object but how I use it. Merely getting rid of it will not keep me from sin, unless I take care of the heart because “out of the heart proceed evil thoughts” (Matthew 15:19). I would rather live without the pleasure of some good thing in this life than spend eternity separated from God.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: It is better to live life without even good things, than to miss heaven.

[end]

Have a day “void of offense toward God” (Acts 24:16 KJV). Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE NURSERY

THE NURSERY

Matthew 18:5-6

“ ‘Whoever receives one little child like these little ones receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.’ ”

The value of children’s ministries cannot be overestimated. It is an awesome responsibility to care for children, because “Jesus loves the little children of the world.” Nursery ministry is more than just babysitting. It is opportunity to lead little ones to faith. It seems that Jesus’ phrase, “little ones who believe in Me,” gives a larger scope to the text than just taking care of children. Nurturing new-born Believers is also a vital ministry. We can’t just bring them to birth and then abandon them. Without the care of “parents,” they are left vulnerable to the enemy of their souls who would lead them into sin. They need to be loved and instructed in the faith. When we receive new Christians, we receive Christ.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Nurseries – both physical and spiritual – are of vital importance.

[end]

Have a “nurturing” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- TRUE GREATNESS

TRUE GREATNESS

Matthew 18:1

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ ”

The disciples were concerned with their own position and status. This is a common preoccupation with many people, whether it is wanting to be first in line in the grocery checkout, being top dog in an organization, or playing first chair in an orchestra. This desire to be first is embodied by Muhammed Ali – “I’m the greatest!” But this is not the Kingdom way of living. Jesus called a child to Himself and told His disciples they needed to become as a little child – humble. Humility is the path to greatness. That means putting others ahead of myself and serving them. I need to be content playing second or third fiddle and let God take care of the position and status.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: The way to greatness is through humility and service.

[end]

Have a “great” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- AVOIDING OFFENSE

AVOIDING OFFENSE

Matthew 17:24-27

“When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, ‘Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?’ Peter said to Him, ‘From strangers.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to Them for Me and you.’ ”

Jesus used this occasion as a teaching moment about not offending people. As the Lord of the temple, Jesus was free and under no obligation to pay the temple tax. However, in order to avoid needlessly offending people, He observed the custom. There are customs other people observe that I am not required to observe. However, in order not to offend other people, I will oblige them. Paul picked up this principle in his writings. In regard to eating certain foods or observing certain days, he said “not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way … If your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love” (Romans 14:13b-15a). And again he wrote, “Beware lest somehow this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak” (I Corinthians 8:9). If it does not violate my integrity, then I need to accommodate another person’s faith. I am free from the law but bound by love.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Observing certain customs may not be required by my faith, but may be required by love.

[end]

Have an "inoffensive" day.   Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- NO SURPRISES

NO SURPRISES

Matthew 17:22-23

“Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up. And they were exceeding sorrowful.”

Many stories have a surprise ending. Jesus did not want His disciples to be surprised by what was going to happen, so He warned them that His life would end tragically. I would be sorrowful, too, if someone close to me said, “I’m going to die soon.” The word “cancer” brings that kind of response because it seems synonymous with death. But the disciples apparently did not hear the last part – that He would rise again – and they were surprised by His resurrection. Even after they went to the empty tomb on Easter morning, they could not believe it. Hear this! I am going to die (hopefully not too soon). Don’t be surprised. But hear the rest of the story (ala Paul Harvey): I will live again! “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Death is not a surprise and neither is life after death for the Believer.

[end]

Have a “warned” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- EFFECTIVE PRAYER

EFFECTIVE PRAYER

Matthew 17-19-21

“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief; for assuredly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. However, this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.’ ”

It seem my prayers, like the disciples’, are so ineffective. Jesus’ put his finger on the problem. In my heart I don’t really believe or anticipate that God will answer my prayers. So I go through the motions, but it is hard to pray in faith. James wrote, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly….” (James 5:17b-18a). I wonder if Elijah, with a nature like me, had some doubts about his prayers, so he prayed the more earnestly and fervently, which may have included fasting. Lord, I believe that with You, nothing is impossible. Help my unbelief!

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Faith and Prayer go together like a hand and a glove.

[end}

Have an effective prayer day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- "BRING HIM TO ME"

“BRING HIM TO ME”

Matthew 17:14-17

“Now when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him saying ‘Lord have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely …. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.’ And Jesus answered and said, ‘…..Bring him here to Me.’ And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that hour.”

The disciples were ineffective in their attempt to bring deliverance to this poor son. I don’t know what method or tactic they used, but it seems from Jesus’ rebuke for their lack of faith, that their failure apparently stemmed from having misplaced faith. Perhaps they were trying to minister in their own strength and power. So Jesus said, “Bring him to me.” That is the only solution to the needs of people. I can try in my own abilities to help people, but the only effective approach is to bring them to Jesus. He is able to meet their needs.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: The only effective way to minister to people is to bring them to Jesus.

[end]

Have a “bringing” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SIGNS OF THE TIMES

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Matthew 17:10-13

“And His disciples asked Him, saying ‘Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ Jesus answered and said to the, ‘Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But Elijah has come already, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.’ Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them about John the Baptist.”

Even though John the Baptist had declared that he had come to “prepare the way of the Lord” (Mathew 3:3), neither the disciples nor the rest of the Jews understood that he was the prophetic voice of Elijah. His life and death was a sign that the coming of the Messiah was at hand. Only when Jesus opened their understanding did the disciples see how JB fit into the picture. So it is today. We have many signs around us that point to the soon the return of the Lord Jesus, but people do not understand them. It takes spiritual understanding to see. Open my eyes, Lord.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Spiritual revelation is necessary to understand the signs of the times.

[end]

Have an understanding day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS

MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS

Matthew 17:9

“Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, ‘Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.’ ”

It was indeed a glorious experience on the mountain, seeing Jesus and Elijah and Moses together. It was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Peter wanted to settle down there and build houses. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live on the mountain top? But the truth is, you can’t live on the mountain top. Eventually you have to come back down to the valley where the nitty-gritty of life takes place. God gives the mountain-top so that we will know there is life beyond the valley. The valley has its challenges, and the glorious experiences where I get a glimpse of heaven helps me remember that there is more than what I face in the valley.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Mountain-top experiences help one face the valleys.

[end]

Have a “mountain-top” experience today. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- TOUCHING OTHERS

TOUCHING OTHERS

Matthew 17:7-8

“But Jesus came and touched them and said, ‘Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”

In Luke’s record of this event of the Transfiguration, he included the fact that Moses and Elijah were talking to Jesus about what what going to happen soon in Jerusalem – Jesus’ crucifixion and suffering (Luke 9:30-31). If anyone had cause to be afraid, it should have been Jesus. Yet in spite of this, Jesus came to the disciples and touched them and spoke words of comfort. He could get out of his own comfort zone to minister to His fearful disciples because He trusted His Father. It is sometimes hard for me to get past my own situation to reach out to to others who are in need of a comforting word because I am so consumed by my own problems. To submit my own fears to God in order to touch others who have their own needs is a huge challenge, but it is an opportunity to help people lift up their eyes to see Jesus, and Him only.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: When faced with personal challenges, there are still opportunities to reach out and touch other people who have their own fears.

[end]

Have a “touching” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE VOICE

THE VOICE

Matthew 17:5-6

“While he [Peter] was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased. Hear Him!'  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.’ ”

There is a TV program entitled, “The Voice.” There may be some great voices in this world, but there is no voice like God’s voice. When He speaks, awesome things happen. He spoke, and the worlds were formed (Genesis 1 and Hebrews 11:2). He speaks, and the earth trembles (Psalm 18:7-15). It is interesting that it was not the sight of Jesus in His shining garments or the appearance of Elijah and Moses that caused the disciples to fall on their faces in fear. It was God’s voice. Oh, that men would hear the voice of Almighty God and fall on their faces before Him. God has spoken; hear His voice.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Awesome things happen when God speaks.

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Have a “hearing to the voice of God” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE MONUMENT

THE MEMORIAL

Matthew 17:4

Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, ’Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles; one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ ”

It is common practice to build monuments for famous people or events, like Lourdes, France, or even the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The disciples’ experience on the mountain was a truly awesome event, but God never intended for them to stay in that place. We are the temples of God in the present on this earth and Jesus is with me wherever I go. I can’t get stuck in the past – “the good old days” – I will miss what God is doing today and in the future. It is like driving a car. It is important to look in the rear view mirror to see where I came from, but if I lock my gaze on the road behind, I will end in disaster. I need to keep my attention on what God is doing today and what lies ahead if I want to have a vital spiritual life.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Monuments to the past are okay, but they are not a place at which to dwell.

[end]

Have a “today” life. Love you.

THANKSGIVING MEDITATION

THANKSGIVING MEDITATION

2016

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!”

Psalm 136:1

This Thanksgiving Day, my heart is filled with thanksgiving to God for His goodness.. He is good, and wants the best for His creation.

Anyone who doubts that God is good needs only consider how He endowed the human body – how marvelous and wonderful it is.

Take, for instance, the eyes. Not only do they give us perception of the world around us, they, in coordination with the brain, also judge distance and speed. And the eye itself is a marvelous invention. The pupil opens and closes to allow the proper amount of light into the receptors in the back of the eye. The eye also has cones that distinguish colors that enhance our lives with the gorgeous red and gold sunset, the beauty of a rose, and the azure color of the sky. How impoverished would be our lives without color to bless us. God is good!

Or consider the nose – a multi-functional channel that lets us breath and release sinus drainage. In addition, it has sensors that gather the wonderful smells of baked bread and dinner cooking, perfumes, and the aroma of a flower. What a dull world it would be without the sense of smell. God is good!

Or consider the mouth that is used for speaking, eating, and breathing, But it also has taste buds that allow us to enjoy the marvels of sweet and sour, not to mention the plethora of good foods that God has created for us to enjoy – the persimmon, the orange, the herbs, and pork chops. Life would be barren without the sense of taste. God is good!

I could go on and on. The ear that allows us to hear beautiful music and an encouraging word. The arm that is just the right length to put food in the mouth and also embrace a loved one. Feet that can kick a football and transport a person to various places in the world. The various internal systems that allow the body to function properly without having to be told. All of these show the goodness of a Creator that loves us and gives us good things. Without these God-given blessings, life would be like being a tadpole. God is good!

On this Thanksgiving Day, let us pause to thank God for His goodness, for THE LORD IS GOOD!!!

Love,

Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LIFE AFTER DEATH

LIFE AFTER DEATH

Matthew 17:3 – “And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with them.”

There is life after death. This was not the first time someone who had died reappeared on earth. When King Saul wanted to talk with Samuel, who had died, he visited a witch at Endor. She held a seance and Samuel appeared and spoke with Saul (I Samuel 28:7-20). As Jesus said, God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is not the God of the dead, but of the living (Matthew 22:32; Mark 12:27; Luke 20:38). All of these – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Samuel, the rich man and Lazarus, and a great cloud of witness (Hebrews 12:1) – testify to the fact that when I die, I will not cease to exist, but I will enter another sphere of living. How did the disciples know that this was Moses and Elijah? Somehow, we will know as we are known (I Corinthians 13:12). In heaven, I won’t have the handicap of not being able to remember names and faces. I will know everybody, even without name tags. Hallelujah!!! Jesus offers eternal life to all who believe in Him (John 3:16). As the old Negro Spiritual says, “Soon I will be done wid the troubles ob de world – goin’ home to lib wid God.”

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: There is life beyond the grave.

[end]

Have a “living” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP

ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP

Matthew 16:27-28

“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves, and He was transformed before them. His face shown like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.”

What a tremendous experience that must have been on the mountain top. The brightness of His glory must have been indeed an awesome sight. This revelation of Jesus had a great impact on Peter, and years later he was still writing about it: “And we head this voice which came from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain” (II Peter 1:18). I am so glad for the mountain-top experiences in my own life where Jesus revealed Himself to me in His glory. I remember them and they encourage and strengthen me when I am in the valley. Jesus is the same in the valley as He is on the mountain. But there are those special visitations that I remember, and they support my faith when I am not on the mountain..

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Jesus reveals Himself in the moutain-top experiences so that we can remember them in the valley.

[end]

Have a remembering day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE DAY OF REWARD

THE DAY OF REWARD

Matthew 16:27-28

“ ‘For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.’ ”

For the person who will “deny himself, take up his cross, and follow” (vs. 24), there is a day of reward coming. The believer in Jesus may not receive much recognition in this world for his sacrifices, but there will be a time when he will be repaid. There is an old proverb which says, “This world is the only heaven a sinner will ever know, and this world is is the only hell a believer will ever know.” I have been truly blessed as a Christian, but whether or not I receive any tangible recognition in this world for my service to Christ, I am looking forward to that day in heaven when He will reward.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: The person who lives for Jesus may not receive much reward in this life, but Heaven will repay in abundance.

[end]

Have a “rewarding” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LOST AND FOUND

LOST AND FOUND

Matthew 16:25-26

“ ‘For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’ ”

It is a poor investment strategy to concentrate only on the short term goals and ignore the long term. I may have to sacrifice some of the immediate gratifications to ensure a sufficient retirement account. If I enjoy the pleasure of this life for a short season and miss the glories of heaven for eternity, I am indeed a poor man. “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep for to gain what he cannot lose.” My soul is worth more than anything this world has to offer, and heaven will be worthy any short-term sacrifice. As the old song goes, “Let me lose myself and find it, Lord, in Thee.”

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: I am a rich man if I lose this life and find heaven.

[end]

Have a lost and found day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MY CROSS

MY CROSS

Matthew 16:24

“The Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let Him deny himself, and take up His cross, and follow Me.’ ”

There have been many speculations about what it means to “take up one’s cross.” One man said his cross was his mother-in-law. Others think it is an illness or handicap, or situation out of their control.  I personally think that my cross is my flesh, with all its earthly, carnal desires. I carry it with me wherever I go, and I must put it on the cross daily. The cross speaks of death by crucifixion. The Apostle Paul said, “Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24). He also said, “I die daily” (I Corinthians 15:31). Even though “our old man was crucified with Christ” (Romans 6:6), for some reason it keeps resurrecting, and I have to keep nailing it again to the cross. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Since Jesus love me so much that He endured the cross, how can I not deny myself and take up my cross and follow Him?

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Every man must carry his own cross, crucifying the flesh daily.

[end]

Have a “crucified” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE HUMAN PERSPECTIVE

THE HUMAN PERSPECTIVE

Matthew 16:22-23

“Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’ ”

From his human, worldly perspective, Peter was telling Jesus – the One he had just confessed was God – what to do. He was actually being a mouthpiece of Satan. How often I, like Peter, tell God what to do. I sometimes don’t like the way God does things, and from my human perspective, I think I have a better idea, so I tell Him how I think it ought to be done. This only shows that I am not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men. I am faced with the options of accepting God’s plan or being a tool of Satan to fight it. May my prayer always be, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: God’s way is always the best way, even when I don’t understand it.

[end]

Have a “God’s perspective” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE FUTURE BEGINNING

THE FUTURE BEGINNING

Matthew 16:21

“From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

The things that Jesus would suffer at the hands of the authorities in Jerusalem did not catch Him by surprise. He knew what lay ahead of Him – His suffering and His crucifixion. So He prepared His followers so that they would not be caught unaware. But His passion was not the end of the story. Resurrection was coming, which would begin a whole new dimension of God’s plan. It seems that the Holy Spirit is today preparing the followers of Jesus for future suffering at the hands of the ungodly. Dark days lay ahead. God said that “in the last days perilous times would come” (II Timothy 3:1). I hear many voices warning the Church that persecution and suffering lies ahead. But there is light at the end of the tunnel – Resurrection! Death is not the end – it is only the beginning of God’s great plan for the future.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Even in the face of perilous times, Christ’s followers have hope for the future.

[end]

Have a hopeful day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PERONAL REVELATIONS

PERSONAL REVELATIONS

Matthew 16:20

“Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.”

The time had not yet come for Jesus’ messiahship to be revealed to the masses. It was a revealed to His close group – not to everyone. His messiahship would be revealed on a larger scale when the time was ready. There are some insights and revelations that God speaks to my heart that are meant for me alone, and not for anyone else. There have been times when I tried to share with other people some spiritual truth that God had illuminated to my own heart, but because they were not on the same page, they received my revelation with a blank stare. They could not understand nor share my excitement of what God had shown me in His Word. This does not mean that I should not witness about the Lord Jesus as Savior, because that is not a personal revelation. But I need to be careful where I cast my personal pearls of insight, lest they be trampled underfoot. In God’s divine timing and purposes, He can reveal those insights to other people. In the meantime, I need to keep personal revelations to myself.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Some revelations are personal and need to be kept personal.

[end]

Have a “personal revelation” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

Matthew 16:19

“ ‘And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ ”

There are many ideas of the meaning of this verse. I’m not sure of all the ramifications, but I think there are three keys that are necessary to unlock the storehouse of heaven: God’s Word, Faith and Prayer. God’s Word tells us what God’s will is so we will know what needs to be bound and loosed. Faith is the assurance that He will do it. And Prayer is the avenue God uses to set in motion the releasing of His will on earth. All three are essential. I need to by faith bind and loose the things that God wants to bind and loose.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: The keys of the kingdom of heaven are essential to see God’s will done on earth.

[end]

Have a "key" day.   Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE CHURCH IS ALIVE

THE CHURCH IS ALIVE

Matthew 16:18

“ ‘And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.’ ”

Satan has tried to get rid of the church for 2000 years, but still it stands. Jesus is building His church despite all the forces that hell tries to erect against it. Jesus is building His church in China even though the government has tried to eradicate it. Muslims and Hindu try to persecute the church out of existence, but still it grows. Secular liberals in America want to see the church marginalized out of civil discourse in the hope that it will die. But Jesus will build His church in spite of all that Satan tries to do to stop it, because the church is built on the foundation of the faith that Peter proclaimed: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: The Church of Jesus Christ will grow regardless of all that hell tries to do to stop it.

[end]

Have a growing day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHO IS JESUS?

WHO IS JESUS?

Matthew 16:13-16

“When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, ‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’ So they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ ”

The question still hangs in the air: “Who is Jesus?” I don’t imagine most people give it much thought. If they do, He is to them only a historical person shrouded in the mist of the past, or a prophet who taught good ideas, or a mythical figure who never existed. But to me, Jesus is the living Savior, Lord and King. He is my judge, my friend, my healer, my righteousness, my provider, the lover of my soul. He is the center of my life, my reason for living, the core of my being. He is my God and is worthy of all my worship and praise and love. He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: The answer to the question, “Who Is Jesus?”, is determined by our relationship with Him.

[end]

Have a Jesus day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LIVING BY FAITH

LIVING BY FAITH

Matthew 16:5

“Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.’ And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we have taken no bread.’ ”

The disciples must have had the same problem I have – poor memory. How could they forget to take food? So they kicked themselves for their irresponsibility and lack of foresight. It was not too long ago that they had seven basketsful of bread left over from the feeding of the four thousand (Matthew 15:37). What happened to all that food? Since they brought no food, they would have to trust Jesus to provide. Jesus turned this incident into a teaching moment to highlight the doctrine of the Sadducees and Pharisees (vs. 12) which depended on their works to please God rather than their faith in God. Living by faith does not depend on how good I do, but it is trusting God even in my failures. I fail so often, but God keeps showing me how faithful He is to provide. He is more interested in my faith in Him than in my performance. How gracious God is!

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Living by faith does not depend on how well I perform but on how much I trust God.

[end]

Have a trusting day.    Love you. 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE SIGN

THE SIGN

Matthew 16:1-2a, 4

“Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. And He said to them …. ‘A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.’ ”

The Pharisees and Sadducees had plenty of signs indicating that Jesus was the promised Messiah. The miracles that followed His ministry – healing and deliverance, feeding the multitudes, a voice from heaven declaring that He was God’s beloved Son – should have been enough to cause them to believe, even as the signs of the clouds in the sky signaled the weather (vss. 2-3). Their problem was not in having no signs; it was their deliberate choice to not believe. There would be one great sign of the prophet Jonah – His Resurrection from the dead. But even that would not be enough to make them believe. What more could they ask for? People reject Jesus, not because there is no proof of His divinity, but in spite of the proof, in order to live their own immoral lives without the demands of His lordship.  I choose to believe the sign.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: God has given The sign of Jesus’ divinity – His resurrection, yet many refuse to believe in Him.

[end]

Have a believing day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SENIOR MOMENTS

SENIOR MOMENTS

Matthew 15:33

“Then His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?’ ”

What short memories the disciples had! It was not that long ago that Jesus had performed the miracle of feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21). Here they are again, in the same predicament with a multitude of people in a deserted place with no food except a few loaves of bread some and some fish. They apparently forgot how Jesus had multiplied the loaves and fish to meet the need, with basketsful left over. So Jesus repeated the miracle. Repetition is a valuable teaching method because I forget so quickly. We all have our “senior moments” -- even young people. God is so patient with me. I forget so quickly how God has met my needs in the past, so He just keeps teaching me by continuing to graciously provide out of His abundance. Maybe some day I will learn to truly trust Him.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: God keeps doing miracles, not only because He is compassionate, but also because we are so slow to learn to trust Him.

[end]

Have a “remembering” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE COMPASSION OF JESUS

THE COMPASSION OF JESUS

Matthew 18:32

“Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, ‘I have compassion on the multitude because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.’ ”

Jesus had a heart of compassion, not just for the big things like salvation or healing, but for the everyday needs of life. Here were people who were simply hungry, and He was concerned they might not have enough strength to get home. He still has a heart of compassion. “We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses...” (Hebrews 4:15). He is touched with my needs, whether the big things like spiritual or physical needs, or the daily needs like food and strength. God supplies my needs because He cares, and provides nourishment lest I faint on the way. “But You, O Lord (Adonai), are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” (Psalm 86:15).

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Jesus cares about all the needs of life.

[end]

Rejoice in God’s provision today. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- AT THE FEET OF JESUS

AT THE FEET OF JESUS

Matthew 15:29-30

“Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them.”

The crowds came to Jesus as He sat on the mountain, and laid their needs at His feet. Today, Jesus is seated in heaven at the right hand of the Father, but I can still bring my concerns to Him, and lay them down at His feet. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). He is waiting for me to come.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Jesus invites his people to lay their needs at His feet.

[end]

Have a “laying down” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE CRY OF THE NEEDY

THE CRY OF THE NEEDY

Matthew 15:21-23

“Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from the region and cried unto Him, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely oppressed.’ And He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she cries after us.’ ”

It is hard to comprehend the attitude of the disciples. Here was a hurting woman who cried out for help, but the disciples turned a deaf ear to her pleas and said, “Send her away.” Was it because she was not a part of their “group?” Had they become so callous by all the suffering around them that they did not feel the pain of this woman and her daughter? This convicts me. How often do I turn away from people who are crying out for help, but who are not a part of my “group?” People are hurting and need the Savior, regardless of their economic class, race, or religion. Oh, God, give me an open ear and a tender heart to hear the cries of suffering people.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Suffering people are crying out for help, hoping someone will hear them.

[end]

Have a sensitive day. Love you.