DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SECRETS

 SECRETS
Matthew 2:7-8
 
"Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.' "
 
Why was Herod so secretive about this? I suspect that even then he had evil intentions in mind to kill the Baby whom the wise men had called "King of the Jews." Nefarious deeds are often done secretly. That's why "everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed" (John 3:20). If I feel a need to hide my action, it is an indication that it is less than honorable, and I should not do it. If I furtively eat a grape in the produce section of the grocery store and do not want the produce manager to see me do it, this is my conscience at work, and I need to listen to it.  As David prayed, so I also pray: "Cleanse me from secret faults" (Psalm 19:12b).
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: A hidden deed is often a forbidden deed.
 
[end]
 
Have a "light" day. Love you.
P.S. Today, Leap Year Day, my father would have celebrated his 27^th birthday (108 years). Happy Birthday, Dad!

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHERE DO I FIND JESUS?

 WHERE DO I FIND JESUS?
Matthew 2:5-6
 
"So they [the priests] said to him [Herod], 'In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a ruler who will shepherd My people Israel." ' "
 
Herod's question: "Where do I find this king?" The answer: In Bethlehem. Jesus was not born where one would expect – not in the capitol city of Jerusalem, not to the high priest, not in the royal palace. Jesus was born to a humble carpenter and his wife in a humble nondescript village in a humble barn. People look for Jesus in all the wrong places. They look to the great philosophers, to the rich, the famous, the intelligent. They want a Jesus who is among the power brokers of this world. But Jesus is found among the humble. The producers of the television show, "Searching For The Real Jesus," interviewed theologians, philosophers, scientists, and  archaeologists. They did not include in their show testimonies of the common people who had found Jesus – like the drug addict, the poor, the outcast, the prisoner. They did not even consider the Bible as a worthy source. They were looking in the wrong places. I'm so glad that Jesus is found among the humble, the poor, the ignorant. Otherwise, I would have been left out.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Jesus is found among the humble.
 
[end]
 
Have a humble day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- TROUBLING TIMES

 TROUBLING TIMES
Matthew 2:3-5
 
"When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the temple together, he inquired of them where the Christ as to be born. So they said to him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet .....' "
 
God has a way of challenging the status quo. When troubling news comes out of the White House and Capitol, it is God's way of upsetting the apple cart to see is perhaps people will seek His answer. In former times of crisis in America, our leaders would seek spiritual counsel. Sadly, I don't think that is the way it is today. Instead, our governmental authorities rely on human reasoning and secular solutions. But when troubling times come, wise people turn to God to find the solutions in His Word.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: In troubling times, God's Word has the answers to the problems.
 
[end]
 
Have a "seeking God" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE STAR

THE STAR
Matthew 2:1-2
 
"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.' "
 
I don't understand much about this star. Did it shine both day and night? Did everyone see it or just the Magi? Was it a natural star in the heavens, or was it a supernatural light – perhaps an angel? This I do know: it was a supernatural sign that led the wise men to Jesus, because "it came and stood over where the young Child was" (vs. 9). God gives light to lead seeking people to Jesus. Not everyone receives or understands the light. It is like the oblique reference to this event that Peter gives regarding prophecy or the prophetic word – "a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (II Peter 1:19). The light shines but "the god of this age has blinded [those] who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them....For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (II Corinthians 4:4-6). I'm so glad for the light of the glorious Gospel that has shined in my heart and led me to Jesus.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God gives light that leads seeking people to Jesus.
 
[end]
 
Have a "light" day. Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE

 FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE
Matthew 1:24-25
 
"Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn son. And he called his name Jesus.
 
Joseph's complete and unquestioning obedience is a model for me. He obeyed the angel's command immediately to marry Mary– without diddling around or second-guessing God's will. He refrained from intimacy until the baby was born, knowing that this child was a God-thing and not of his doing;  he did not let his own desires mess up the works. Then he named the baby "Jesus." He could have named him "Joseph Junior," but he acceded to the command of the angel. I'm thankful for people  who will live by God's instructions. They are models for future generations. "Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful. May the fire of our devotion light their way."
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Godly people who will obey God's instruction are a model for future generations.
 
[end]
 
Have a "God's will" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PROPHECY FULFILLED

 PROPHECY FULFILLED
Matthew 1:22-23
 
"So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 'Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is translated, 'God with us.' "
 
Jesus was not born into a vacuum. He was born in the context of the Old Testament prophecies. In them God revealed that He would come and dwell with us as a human being. In Matthew's Gospel we will find numerous references to the fulfillment of prophecies given to Israel through the prophets. Our confidence that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah – God with us – and that the Gospel is true, is based in the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The groundwork for the Messiah is laid in the Old Testament by the prophets who foretold His coming.
 
[end]
 
Have a confident day.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE NAME

 THE NAME
Matthew 1:21
 
"And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will sve His people from their sins."
 
Before sonograms, most prospective parents did not know the sex of their child. Mary and Joseph received divine revelation, not only of the sex but the name of their baby. There have been many people who have been named Jesus, from Old Testament times until today. Joshua and Hosea are forms of the word meaning "Savior" or "Deliverer." And especially among the Hispanic cultures, Jesus is a popular name. But none carry the significance of the One born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. As Peter proclaimed in his witness before the Jewish leaders, "For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). That's why it pains me to hear it used as a curse word. Jesus! Oh, what a wonderful name!!!
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: No other name but Jesus bring the promise of Salvation.
 
[end]
 
Have a Jesus day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THINKING THINGS THROUGH

THINKING THINGS THROUGH
Matthew 1:19
 
"But while he thought about these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.' "
 
When my children were younger and they asked if they could do something, often my response would be, "Let me think about it." It frustrated my kids, but I wanted time to think through the options, and also seek the Lord for His answer. Wisdom takes time to consider the possible answers rather than jumping at the first solution. Joseph was caught in a dilemma. His first thought was to send Mary away to a home for unwed mothers. However, he took time to think about it. In the waiting time, God revealed His plan, and that was for Joseph to marry Mary. Joseph may have thought about the risks of that solution, especially the shadow that would be cast on his and Mary's reputations when the women of the town counted the months between the wedding and the birth – "They haven't been married nine months." But God told Joseph not to fear. Often rash responses can be wrong. Taking time to think things through allows time for God to reveal the better way.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Taking time to think about a problem allows God to reveal His plan.
 
[end]
 
Have a cogitating day. Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- AN HONORABLE MAN

 AN HONORABLE MAN
Matthew 1:9
 
"Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly."
 
Joseph is an unsung hero. Mary gets all the attention, but Joseph demonstrated his godliness and great strength of character. He was an honorable man who was caught in a very difficult situation. Should he follow the Mosaic law in judging apparent immorality? Or should his love for Mary trump the legal issue? It must have been a very troubling time for Joseph. But he chose mercy over judgment, and showed grace and patience. Lord, help me to be gracious and patient in situations I don't understand.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: An honorable person does demonstrates grace in difficult situations.
 
[end]
 
Have an honorable day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE OLD, OLD STORY

THE OLD, OLD STORY
Matthew 1:18
 
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was a follows: After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit."
 
The wonder of the Christmas story never grows old, no matter what time of year I hear it. The awesomeness of a virgin maid having a baby conceived by God is so amazing as to be incredulous were it not for the rest of the story – the incredible life, the horrible death, and the glorious resurrection of this child that was in Mary's womb. But it is not a myth. It is an historical fact that never loses its beauty no matter how many times it is told. "Tell me the old, old story of Jesus and His love."
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The story of Christmas is so wonderful that it never grows old, no matter how often it is repeated.
 
[end]
 
Have a Christmas in February day. Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE BROAD VIEW OF TIME

 THE BROAD VIEW OF TIME
Matthew 1:17
 
"So the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until Christ are fourteen generations."
 
Sometimes we need to look at the broad scheme of time to appreciate where we are today. Time is measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years, and centuries. It is also measured in generations (grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren). And time is measured by significant people or events. American history is marked by July 4^th, 1776; by the Civil War; by the Great Depression; by World War II, and the Viet Nam War. In a broad view, Matthew divided Jewish history into three epochs – from Abraham to David, to the Babylonian Captivity, to Christ's birth. Then he narrowed it down to generations and individual people. Jesus' lineage recorded in Matthew shows how God chose certain people to be a part of the ancestral line, including some who seemed to be odd additions – a deceiver (Jacob), illegitimates (Perez by Tamar; Solomon by Bathsheba), and half-breeds (Boaz by Rahab the Canaanite harlot, and Obed by Ruth the Moabite). It was undoubtedly difficult for these people to realize that they fit into the broad scheme of God's plan, but God was working His plan all the way through. God is in control of time on this earth from Creation, to the Flood; to Jesus' birth and Resurrection; to the Second Coming. It may be difficult to see how people and events fit into God's plan. On a personal level, God has been in control of my life from birth through youth, to marriage and graduation from college, to pastoral years, and to retirement years. In the nitty-gritty of living one day at a time, it was sometimes hard to see God's hand at work in the daily routines of life. But as I look back at the broader scene, I can see how God arranged people and events to bring me to this season of my life – and it is good!
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God is in control of the seasons of time, and will work things according to His plan.
 
[end]
 
Have a "timely" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- RELATED!

 RELATED!
Matthew 1:1
 
"The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: ...."
 
Genealogy doesn't mean a great deal to me. Yes, I am interested in my family tree, and I am proud that one of my ancestors was an original settler that came to North America on the Mayflower. But speculating on whether I have any Jewish blood in my lineage does not really affect my life. It's not like Alex Haley's "Roots." But to the Jews, the genealogy was extremely important. To trace Jesus' ancestors back through the centuries was crucial to establish His right to the throne of David. I appreciate the heritage I have received from my parents, especially the spiritual legacy on my mother's side. But the most important lineage I can claim is that I am a child of God through faith in the Lord Jesus. Praise God, I am related! So I can sing, "I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God......"
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Belonging to family is very important, but the most important heritage is belonging to the family of God.
 
[end]
 
Have a "related" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S INVITATION

GOD'S INVITATION
 
Hosea 14:1a-2, 9
 
"O Israel, return to the LORD your God .... Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, 'Take away all iniquity; receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.' " .... Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them."
 
I can hear the popular love song in my head from my youth: "Return to Me."  Hosea Chapters 9-13 are a litany of Israel and Judah's sins and God's impending judgment. But God's heart churned with sympathy and He could not just let them go (Hosea 11:8). So He entreated them to return to Him and forsake their backsliding. When we return to the LORD, we are like the prodigal son who came back to his father, and was graciously received,  forgiven and restored. Thanks you, Father, for Your love and patience.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The wise and prudent understand the consequences of sin, but they also know the grace and love of the LORD to those who turn from sin to walk in righteousness.
 
[end]
 
Have a wise and prudent day. Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A STRANGE THING

 A STRANGE THING
Hosea 8:12
 
" 'I have written for him [Ephraim] the great things of my law, but they were considered as a strange thing.' "
 
The Hebrew word translated "strange" means to turn aside or depart, and hence to be alien or foreign, or even a strange woman (prostitute). So the NIV renders this: "they regard them as something foreign." It fits the picture of Israel who had God's revelation but rejected it and turned aside to go after Assyria like a wild donkey, hiring lovers (vs. 9) and making altars for sinning (vs. 11). When sinners reject God's Word and consider it strange or alien, it is only natural. Their understanding is darkened, they are ignorant, and blind (Ephesians 4:18). But it is hard to understand how people who have been born again by God's spirit and enlightened can depart from the Bible, treating it as something strange or alien. They would rather "love the world and the things that are in the world" (I John 2:15). I want to sing with the Psalmist, "O, how I love Your law, O God" (Psalm 119:97).
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: It is a strange thing when Christians treat God's Word as a strange thing.
 
[end]
 
Have a "great things" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE WHIRLWIND

 THE WHIRLWIND
Hosea 8:7
 
" 'They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.  The stalk has no bud; it shall never produce meal. If it should produce, aliens would swallow it up. ' "
 
This adage is a variation of the Law Of The Harvest. We always reap more than we sow. To Israel, their disobedience seemed a small thing – just a breeze – but it spawned a tornado. The whirlwind brought disaster: crops that failed and enemies who stole their produce. Proverbs 22:8 says, "He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow."   Sin may seem insignificant, but it will produce more trouble than could be imagined.   But it works the other way, too. If I sow righteousness, faith, encouragement, and blessing, it will come back to me greater than I gave.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The result of what I sow is determined by what I plant.
 
[end]
 
Have a "good harvest" day.   Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- "I DID IT MY WAY"

 "I DID IT MY WAY"
Hosea 8:4-7
 
" 'They set up kings but not by Me; they made princes but I did not hear them. From their silver and gold they made idols for themselves – that they might be cut off. Your calf [or idol] is rejected, O Samaria! My anger is aroused against them – How long until they attain their innocence? For from Israel is even this: A workman made it, and it is not God; but the calf [or idol] of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.' "
 
Frank Sinatra's signature tune could have been Israel's theme song: "I Did It My Way." They did their thing without seeking God's direction. They did what was right in their own eyes – ala Judges 23:25. Any idea of man that does not align itself with God's will is doomed to destruction. Actually, that is the course of every man. I think that I know best and can make my own decisions without God. But all of my ideas will be smashed to pieces and lay shattered at my feet. There is a place of renewed innocence, of being clean before God. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9). But, oh, how long it takes me to come to that altar of repentance.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Human plans that do not seek God's will are bound to end in destruction.
 
[end]
 
Have a godly day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- CHOOSING THE GOOD

 CHOOSING THE GOOD
Hosea 8:1-3
 
" 'Set the trumpet to your mouth! He shall come like an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant and rebelled against my law. Israel will cry to me, "My God, we know You!" Israel has rejected the good; the enemy will pursue him.' "

The shofar was blown for several purposes – to call the people together in convocation, and as an alarm. God instructed Hosea to sound the alarm – judgment was coming. They could cry all they wanted that they knew God, but their actions betrayed their words. They had rejected the good way – God's way – for their own way. God's way is the best way.  It leads to life and peace.  There are consequences for spurning His way. 
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: It is dangerous to reject the good to follow my own way.
 
[end]
 
Have a "good" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- HALF-BAKED

HALF-BAKED
Hosea 7:4-16
 
Israel is ....
"Like an oven heated by a baker – He ceases stirring the fire ....." (vs. 4)
"They are all hot, like an oven ...." (vs. 7)
"Ephraim is a cake unturned ...." (vs. 8)
"Ephraim is like a silly dove, without sense .... (vs. 11)
"They are like a treacherous bow ...." (vs. 16)
 
God describes Israel by using metaphors that paint a picture of an unfaithful nation. They were like a lazy baker who did not keep the fire going while the dough was rising. They were hot-headed, roasting their judges and kings. They were a half-baked cake, not completely devoted to God but mixing with other nations idolatries. They flitted around like a silly dove with no real direction, going to Egypt and Assyria for help. They were like an undependable bow that could not be relied on to shoot properly. All of these describe a people who had known God's revelation but rejected it to follow their own way. I want to keep my fire stirred; I want to be hot, but not hot-headed; I don't want to be half-baked in my devotion to God; I don't want to be a silly dove, flitting around from tree to tree (or philosophy to philosophy) with no real purpose; I want to be a bow that can be depended on to do what I was intended for.  I purpose not to be a half-baked Christian.   In other words, I want to be faithful to God.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE:  A faithful person is whole heartedly devoted to God and can be relied on to fulfill his God-given calling.
 
[end]
 
Have a faithful day.  Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PEOPLE-PLEASERS

 PEOPLE-PLEASERS
Hosea 7:3
 
" 'They make a king glad with their wickedness, and princes with their lies.' "

Sometimes those in authority over us want us to do things that we know are wrong. The temptation is to make the boss happy and keep in good favor. I remember an employer asking me to change a bill of lading to benefit the company financially. But I could not violate my conscience by lying, and I refused at the risk of being fired. I was not dismissed, and in fact, I think the boss respected my honesty. To violate what I know to be right just to please someone else is a dark hole. People in authority will always have sycophants and brown-noses who will agree with what they want to hear. It takes a strong person to stand against the crowd and speak the truth, whether it is accepted or not. There was a king who said of a prophet, "I hate him because he does not prophesy good concerning me" (I Kings 22:8). It is better to accepted by God than to make the king glad. Lord, help me to stand strong for truth and righteousness, even if it displeases the authorities.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: To make the king glad by compromising my convictions brings God's disapproval.
 
[end]
 
Have a God-pleasing day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD SEES

 GOD SEES
Hosea 6:10, 7:1-2
 
" 'I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel: There is harlotry in Ephraim, Israel is defiled .... When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was uncovered, and the wickedness of Samaria, for they have committed fraud; a thief come in; a band of robbers takes spoil outside. They do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness; Now their own deeds have surrounded them; they are before My face.' "
 
Theft and fraud are always done surreptitiously, undercover. The perpetrators think that they can get away with their crimes because they think no one knows. They do not consider that God sees it all. God wanted to heal Israel but he would not as long as they would not acknowledge and confess their sin. It is a common deception to think that my sins are hidden. God wants to heal (save) me from my sin, but He will not until I bring it into the open before Him, confessing it to Him. Nothing is hidden from God – my sins are "before His face."
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Nothing is hidden from God's eyes – He sees it all.
 
[end]
 
Have an "uncovered" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH YOU?

WHAT AM I TO DO WITH YOU?
Hosea 6:4, 6
 
" 'O Ephriam, what shall I do with you? O Judah, what shall I do with you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, and like the early dew it goes away .... For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.' "
 
I can hear a parent, frustrated by a misbehaving child, saying, "What am I going to do with you?" The parent loves the kid too much to kill him, but is disappointed when the child messes up. Israel and Judah were those children, who's love for God was so fickle. They thought as long as they went to church, made their sacrifices, and did the religious thing that they were good with God and could mess around with other gods. God desires more than the outward show of religion that has no heart for God. A truly devout heart understands the meaning of mercy. Jesus illustrated this. He had just called Matthew – a sinner – to follow Him, and that rankled the Pharisees who prided themselves on their religiosity. Jesus said to them, "Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance' " (Matthew 9:9-13). People who know how much they have sinned against God understand God's mercy of forgiveness. Thank You, Lord God, for your great mercy to me, the chief of sinners (I Timothy 1:15).
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God desires a people who understand how much they have been forgiven (that's mercy) rather than people who just go through the sanctimonious motions of religion, but whose hearts are far from Him.
 
[end]
 
Have a merciful day. Love you.