DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WORTH IT!

 WORTH IT!
Matthew 5:29-30
 
"If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you.....And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell."
 
Plucking out an eye or cutting off a hand are hyperboles. Jesus used an extreme example to teach the cost of sin. But hell is not a hyperbole. Jesus believed in a literal hell, and so do I. He knew that no pleasure in this life is worth going there. For some, to keep from sinning, the cost may be losing an eye or an arm. For some it may be loss of social status, economic security, or relationships. Moses forsook the comfort of Egypt, "choosing to suffer affliction with the people of God than to suffer the passing pleasures of sin for a season" (Hebrews 11:25). Whatever the cost of losing any of these things would be worth it to avoid going to hell. Jesus said, "Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul. Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul" (Mark 8:25-27). As the song goes, "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus."
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: There is nothing in this life that is worth going to hell for.
 
[end]
 
Have a "worth it" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- VIRTUAL SEX

 VIRTUAL SEX
Matthew 5:27-28
 
" 'You have heard it was said to those of old, "You shall not commit adultery." But I say to you that whoever looks on a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.' "
 
Famous last words: "I did not have sex with that woman" (President Bill Clinton). He may not have had intercourse with her, but he did violate this scripture. Virtual sex and pornography is nothing new. I've been told that excavation of the bathhouses of Pompeii (destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD) has shown that the walls were decorated with erotic images. In American society, pornographic imagery is unavoidable. Sexual desire is a God-given gift and life would be poorer without it. But proper use of that gift is my responsibility. A pastor of mine used to admonish the men in his congregation to "look in her eyes." That's good advice for a man (or woman) who wants to keep a pure heart.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Sexual desire is a God-given gift, but it needs to be controlled.
 
[end]
 
Have a self-controlled day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- "I WAS WRONG"

"I WAS WRONG"
 Matthew 5:25-26

" 'Agree with your adversary quickly while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the office, and you be thrown in prison Assuredly I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.' "

This seems to be strange advice. It seems to suggest that I concede quickly to those who oppose me. Does it means I am to be a weak-kneed, jelly-spined coward who is afraid of a fight and give in all the time? I think not. I think it means I should be quick to admit when I am wrong. That is difficult because it challenges my ego. I think it also means implicitly that I should be careful in choosing what is worth fighting about. Some things are not worth the battle, especially when I am wrong. But I need to be strong in defending my core values. To agree with an enemy just to keep the peace, as Noville Chamberlain did when he tried to appease Hitler just before WWII, is not wise. It doesn't work. However, if it just a matter of defending my pride, it is better to be taken advantage of than to go to court (I Corinthians 6:7). We are called to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18), but not at the sacrifice of truth.

TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Quick confession of guilt is good, but not at the expense of truth.

[end]

Have a peaceable day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- CLEAN HEART AND PURE WORSHIP

 CLEAN HEART AND PURE WORSHIP
Matthew 5:23-24
 
" 'Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that our brother has something against you, leave your gift before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.' "
 
Sometimes we have the attitude that we can come to worship a holy God in any old way we want. Although I can come boldly to the throne of grace and find mercy and grace in the time of need (Hebrews 4:16), I can't truly worship if my conscience is not clean. In the model of the tabernacle in the wilderness, God had Moses place wash basin (a laver) in front of the entrance to the Holy Place so the priests could cleanse themselves before entering into God's presence. If I know that there is something amiss, either in my relationship with man or with God, I need to reconcile that issue so I can truly worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Pure worship demands a clean conscience.
 
[end]
 
Have a "clean conscience" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW

 THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW
Matthew 5:21-22
 
" 'You have heard it said to those of old, "You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment." But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, "Raca!" shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, "You fool!" shall be in danger of hell fire.' "
 
The commandment against murder goes back to Genesis (Genesis 9:5-6) and is repeated in the Decalogue (Exodus 20:13). Murder is wrong because it destroys a life that is made in the image of God. But Jesus taught that there is more than one way to kill a person. I can destroy a person by attacking his character. "Raca" is a term for a senseless, emptyheaded person. By my words I can destroy people without murdering them. Jesus was concerned with more than just keeping the law; He wants His people to keep the spirit of the law. I was convicted a few months ago about calling highway drivers who do dumb things "stupid." People do stupid things without meaning to. They (and I) just have lapses of judgment. There is no need to get angry about it. I need to be careful not to be angry when there is no legitimate reason – "without cause."
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God is just as concerned about keeping the spirit of the law as He is about keeping the letter of the law.
 
[end]
 
Have a spirit day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- EXCEEDINGLY RIGHTEOUS

 EXCEEDINGLY RIGHTEOUS
Matthew 5:20
 
" 'For I say unto you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.' "
 
The scribes and the Pharisees were the "Righteous Brothers" Band. They were very diligent and meticulous in their observance of the rules. It is hard to imagine being any more righteous than they. So how can I exceed that level of righteousness?  I am so unrighteous, the only way I can measure up is to rely on the righteousness of Jesus by faith. I have to fall on God's grace.  As the old hymn goes, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name." His righteousness exceeds anything that I can do, and He imputes to me His righteousness (Romans 4:11-24). "Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5).
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Christ's righteousness exceeds anything I can do, and He gives me His righteousness.
 
[end]
 
Have a righteous day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE "GREAT" TEACHER

 THE "GREAT" TEACHER
Matthew 5:19
 
"Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, shall be called great in the kingdom of God.
 
Teaching is easy; teaching is hard. I've had good teachers and I've had bad ones. The good teachers were those who had proven their ability to do what they taught. The old saying is, "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach." I can tell you how to swim, but showing your how to swim is better. Telling people how they ought to live is easy. Showing them how to live by my own life is more difficult. The most powerful teaching is demonstration. Jesus said that the teacher who first "does" and then exhorts is a great teacher.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The best teaching is by modelings.
 
[end]
 
Have a "great" teaching day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FOREVER SETTLED

 FOREVER SETTLED
Matthew 5:17-18
 
" 'Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass form the law till all is fulfilled.' "
 
Some people are "New Testament Christians." They have no time for the Old Testament because they think it is of no value. But Jesus was an "Old Testament Christian." He understood that the law was holy and just and good (Romans 7:12). The purpose of the law is that it makes us aware of our sin (Romans 3:20). It is a teacher that brings us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). But the law by itself is only a shadow of Christ (Colossians 2:17) and could never make me perfect before God (Hebrew 10:1). If keeping the law by itself could have saved me, there would have been no need for Jesus to come and sacrifice Himself. He did not come to replace the law but to complete it. All of this highlights the value of studying the Old Testament. It is God's eternal Word. "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settle in Heaven" (Psalm 119:89).
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Knowledge of the Old Testament is important because it helps us better understand our Savior.
 
[end]
 
Have an "Old Testament" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MY DESIGNED PURPOSE

 MY DESIGNED PURPOSE
Matthew 5:15-16
 
"Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
 
When Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb, he had a purpose for his creation – to light the world. The purpose of a light bulb is to give light in a dark place so people can see the world as it is. If the light bulb is covered, the designed purpose is defeated. The designed purpose of my life is to show others how good God is. If I am a "secret believer" and keep my testimony hidden, I am not fulfilling my divinely designed purpose. May God be glorified through my life.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: A covered light does not fulfill its purpose.
 
[end]
 
Have a "bright" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOOD FOR NOTHING

GOOD FOR NOTHING
Matthew 5:13-14
 
" 'You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.' "
 
I'm not sure how salt can lose its flavor. I know that one way is to adulterate it with another substance. When I add too much salt to my food, the only way to make it palatable is to add more ingredients or water. The Church is the salt of the earth. It gives flavor to our world. But some people think it is too strong, so they adulterate it and water it down to make it palatable. But a diluted Gospel does not have the effect that is intended. The truth is that a diluted Gospel is dismissed by society as worthless. That is the state of the Church in America today. Society as a whole has abandoned the Church because it has so watered down the Gospel, it is just like the rest of society. It has no effect on our culture. So they throw it out and trample it underfoot. Lord Jesus, help me to stay true to Your Gospel, even when people reject it because it is too strong.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: A diluted Gospel is worthless to society.
 
[end]
 
Have a "good for something" day. Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE REWARD OF SUFFERING FOR JESUS

 THE REWARD OF SUFFERING FOR JESUS
Matthew 5:10-12
 
" 'Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.' "
 
Persecution for Christ's sake takes many forms. It may be a disparaging word. It may be lost job opportunities or advancement. It may be isolation or abandonment by family and friends. It may even be torture and death. (Suffering from sickness does not count unless it is a result of ministry for Jesus.) But to be honest, much of what I consider persecution is not because of my faith, but is a result of my own foolishness, lack of wisdom, or plain stupidity. When I suffer because of my faith, I have a choice: I can either gripe, grumble, complain, and protest, or I can follow the example of the Apostle Paul who experience much persecution: "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ" (Colossians 1:24). Feeling sorry for myself may make me feel good, but rejoicing and gladness bring more eternal reward in the kingdom.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Suffering for Jesus brings great eternal rewards.
 
[end]
 
Have a happy day.   Love you.

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DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE COST OF PEACE

THE COST OF PEACE
Matthew 5:9
 
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
 
Peace-making is hard work. It demands that I give up my right to be right in order to bring reconciliation, without sacrificing my integrity. There are some who do not want peace. The Psalmist knew this truth. He wrote, "I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war" (Psalm 120:7). Any efforts to make peace with such people are bound to fail, as is evidence by Israel and the extremists who vow to destroy the Jews. There will never be peace in the Middle East until the Prince of Peace comes and sets up His kingdom of peace. So Paul wrote, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceable with all men" (Romans 12:18). We also read, "Pursue peace with all men" (Hebrews 12:14). This is actively striving for peace. When I pursue peace, I am reflecting the Lord Jesus, Who is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). He gave up all His rights, even giving His life,  in order to make peace – to reconcile man to God. The person who pursues peace is exhibiting his position as a son of God.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God calls His people to be peacemakers, even at the expense of their own rights.
 
[end]
 
Have a peace-filled day. Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- I NEED A LAXATIVE!

I NEED A LAXATIVE
Matthew 5:8
 
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
 
What does it mean to be pure in heart? Does it mean to be sinless?   The Greek word translated "pure" is katharos, the basis for our word "catharsis." A cathartic is a cleansing and purifying agent, a laxative that removes all the impurities and toxins in my system. It is like water that has been purified by reverse osmosis and has had all the foreign chemicals and minerals removed. My heart gets so filled with crud that hinders my relationship with God – anger, resentment, greed, wrong motives. I want more than just the cleansing of forgiveness; I need a heart-cleansing – a pure heart that is unadulterated by anything that would keep me from wholly loving and serving God. I cry with King David, "Purge me with hyssop ...Create in me a clean heart, O God" (Psalm 51:7, 10).
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: A pure heart is free from toxic corruption.
 
[end]
 
Have a "pure heart" day. Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MERCY ME!

 MERCY ME!
Matthew 5:7
 
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
 
God calls me to be a person of mercy because mercy reflects God's nature. Jesus said, "Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice' " (Matthew 9:13). In God's eyes, showing mercy is more important than fulfilling religious duties. There is a difference between mercy and grace. Grace is giving or receiving what I don't deserve. Mercy is not giving or receiving what I do deserve. I deserve punishment and hell for my sin. But God's mercy provided a way so that I don't have to receive His judgment. "It is the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning...." (Lamentations 3:22-23). Then His grace daily loads me with benefits which I don't deserve (Psalm 68:19). If I want to receive mercy, I must show mercy. It is God's law of sowing and reaping.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Mercy begets mercy.
 
[end]
 
Have a merciful day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE HUNGER AND THE THIRST

 THE HUNGER AND THE THIRST
Matthew 5:6
 
" 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.' "
 
Some people call it "God-consciousness." Others call it a "God-shaped hole." Blaise Pascal, a Christian philosopher of yore, wrote, "What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him .... This infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words, by God himself." People try their best to satisfy this craving in their hearts – to fill the vacuum – but are not satisfied. God-consciousness can only be sated by God Himself. The person who has a longing for God and His righteousness is blessed because he can find in Jesus true fulfillment and satisfaction.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Only God can fill the empty heart.
 
[end]
 
Have a satisfied day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GENTLE MEN

 GENTLE MEN
Matthew 5:5
 
" 'Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.' "
 
The popular conception of meekness is weakness. But not so in God's kingdom. The word carries the connotation of mildness of disposition and gentleness of spirit. The fruit of the spirit includes gentleness (Galatians 5:23), and we are called to be "peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men" (Titus 3:2). Walking worthy of the Lord means we treat people with lowliness and gentleness and love (Ephesians 4:1-2). Meekness is the opposite of a haughty spirit that looks down on other people, disrespects them, and tramples them in the dust. In contrast, it bears with their weaknesses with a good spirit. It does not mean we are spineless jellyfish. Moses was the meekest man on earth (Numbers 13:3), yet he led a nation out of bondage. There is strength in meekness. Jesus was meek (Matthew 11:29; 21:5), but He certainly was not weak. He could have destroyed those who were crucifying Him, but He restrained Himself. That was indeed "power under control." That power is not used to destroy other people with my words even though I have the ability to do that. It is not always easy to be gentle with people who mess up or work against me, but it is the way to inherit the earth. O Lord Jesus, help me to be a gentle man.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God calls His people to meekness that is exhibited in a gentle spirit.
 
[end]
 
Have a gentle day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MOURNING

MOURNING
Matthew 5:4
 
" 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.' "
 
I feel sorry for people who lack emotions. Anyone who cannot feel the depth of sorrow cannot experience the heights of joy either. These human emotions – both sorrow and joy – are God-given as a part of being made in His image. But I think that in this instance, Jesus has in mind sorrow for sin for violating God's standards. There is no comfort, no easing of guilt, apart from true sorrow for sin, so the sinner must carry his own guilt. The sinner who is truly sorry for his sin is truly blessed because He receives God's forgiveness and comfort..
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Sorrow for sin opens the door to receive God's comfort.
 
[end]
 
Have a "mourning" day. Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- POOR IN SPIRIT

 POOR IN SPIRIT
Matthew 5:2
 
"Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' "
 
An evidence of the kingdom of heaven is a humble heart. Conversely, pride is a hallmark of the kingdom of this world. That is because the god of this world is consumed by pride – thinking himself to be greater than God (Isaiah 14:12-14). But the King of the kingdom of heaven came to serve and not to be served (Matthew 20:28). Humility does not mean that we have to have a poor self-image. I know who I am – a child of the King made in His image. In fact, we can only serve if we know who we truly are. But if my motivation is to exalt myself, then I am full of pride. A citizen of the kingdom of heaven exalts the King. "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit" (Psalm 34:18). "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite spirit – these, O God, You will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). " 'God resists the proud, but gives grace ot the humble.' Therefore humble yourselves under the might hand of God....." (I Peter 5:5b-6).
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: "Poor in spirit" means to be a humble servant.
 
[end]
 
Have a humble day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GO WHERE THEY ARE

 GO WHERE THEY ARE
Matthew 5:1
 
"And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him."
 
Jesus taught in the synagogues (4:23). That's where the religious people hung out. But He also went out where the less religious people were, even to a mountain. The Apostle Paul used this same approach for evangelism. For example, when he came to Athens, he first went to the synagogue, but he also spoke in the marketplace (Acts 17:17), because that's where most of the people were. Sometimes I fall into the trap of thinking that if I could just get people to church, they would hear the Gospel and get saved. But that is not reality. Most people will never go to church. So I need to go where they are. Although a church service can be evangelistic, the main purpose of church is for building up Believers (Hebrews 10:24-25; Ephesians 4:11-13). Jesus "did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance" (Matthew 9:13), so He went where the sinners were. And so should I.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: To share the Gospel with the unsaved, I need to go where they are.
 
[end]
 
Have a "going" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH

 THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH
Matthew 4:23-25
 
"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of diseases among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria, and they brought to Him all sick people and he healed them ... Great multitudes followed Him...."
 
There were three primary foci of Jesus' ministry – teaching, preaching, and healing. He taught, opening the Word of God that was revealed in the Old Testament Canon; He preached, proclaiming the Good News (the Gospel) that the Kingdom of Heaven had come; and He healed sick people. These three emphases ministered to the mind, to the spirit, and to the body.  And these three areas are the mission of the New Testament Church. Jesus commissioned the Church to "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel" with signs of healing following (Mark 16:15-18), and "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you" (Mark 28:20). Then, among other gifts, He gave to the Church of prophets and teachers (Ephesians 4:11) and gifts of healings (I Corinthians 12:9). We need all three to accomplish our mission to evangelize the world.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The Church has been commissioned to continue the ministry of Jesus through teaching, preaching, and healing.
 
[end]
 
Have a commissioned day. Love you.