By coincidence (????), the "Through The Bible" reading for today contains an illustration of today's "Ramblings" in II Chronicles 16:7-10.
I love God's Word. Dad.
I love God's Word. Dad.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PEARLS BEFORE SWINE
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE
Matthew 7:6
" 'Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.' "
How does this verse fit into the context of judging (vss. 1-5)? I think it is the flip-side. The criticism may be valid (holy), but if the other person isn't ready to receive it, he will probably think it is an attack on him, and turn and rip you to shreds – "What business is it of your's? Keep your nose out of my affairs!" I may have pearls of wisdom to share, but unsolicited and unwanted advice is usually not well received. Better to wait until they ask for it.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Unwanted advice is usually not accepted nor fruitful.
[end]
Have a wise day. Love you.
Matthew 7:6
" 'Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.' "
How does this verse fit into the context of judging (vss. 1-5)? I think it is the flip-side. The criticism may be valid (holy), but if the other person isn't ready to receive it, he will probably think it is an attack on him, and turn and rip you to shreds – "What business is it of your's? Keep your nose out of my affairs!" I may have pearls of wisdom to share, but unsolicited and unwanted advice is usually not well received. Better to wait until they ask for it.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Unwanted advice is usually not accepted nor fruitful.
[end]
Have a wise day. Love you.
Monday, May 30, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SEEING CLEARLY
SEEING CLEARLY
Matthew 7:3-5
" 'And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me remove the speck from your eye"; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.' "
It is human nature to concentrate on the negative, and ignore the positive. If I take a sheet of white paper with a little dot on it and ask another person what he sees, he will usually say that he sees a black dot, ignoring the rest of the white page. We universally tend to focus on the specks in other people. The truth is, I have enough black marks of my own to fix without worrying about someone else's. Lord Jesus, help me to not be so critical of others, but to see clearly my own shortcomings.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: It is a full-time job to fix one's own planks without trying to fix the specks in other people's lives.
[end]
Have a clear-sighted day. Love you.
Matthew 7:3-5
" 'And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me remove the speck from your eye"; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.' "
It is human nature to concentrate on the negative, and ignore the positive. If I take a sheet of white paper with a little dot on it and ask another person what he sees, he will usually say that he sees a black dot, ignoring the rest of the white page. We universally tend to focus on the specks in other people. The truth is, I have enough black marks of my own to fix without worrying about someone else's. Lord Jesus, help me to not be so critical of others, but to see clearly my own shortcomings.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: It is a full-time job to fix one's own planks without trying to fix the specks in other people's lives.
[end]
Have a clear-sighted day. Love you.
Friday, May 27, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LOVING AND JUDGING
JUDGING AND LOVING
Matthew 7:1-2
" 'Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.' "
This is a difficult lesson to put into practice, because it is so easy to condemn people. It is not in my paygrade to judge and condemn people, but to love them. This is not to say that I am not to make judgements about what is good and what is evil. I must make distinctions between right and wrong. But it making those judgments, I must love the sinner. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (I Timothy 1:15) because of His great love for us. He said that He did not come to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17). Yet He judged sin through His death on the cross. This is the fine line – to judge sin but not condemn the sinner. God calls me to love – not condemn – while still standing for what is right and true. God, help me to have Your heart of love.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God calls us to love people instead of condemning, while at the same time standing for righteousness.
[end]
Have a loving day. Love you.
Matthew 7:1-2
" 'Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.' "
This is a difficult lesson to put into practice, because it is so easy to condemn people. It is not in my paygrade to judge and condemn people, but to love them. This is not to say that I am not to make judgements about what is good and what is evil. I must make distinctions between right and wrong. But it making those judgments, I must love the sinner. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (I Timothy 1:15) because of His great love for us. He said that He did not come to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17). Yet He judged sin through His death on the cross. This is the fine line – to judge sin but not condemn the sinner. God calls me to love – not condemn – while still standing for what is right and true. God, help me to have Your heart of love.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God calls us to love people instead of condemning, while at the same time standing for righteousness.
[end]
Have a loving day. Love you.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHY WORRY?
WHY WORRY?
Matthew 6:25, 27
" 'Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? .... Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?' "
Worry accomplishes nothing. It does not do anything to meet any needs, and adds nothing to the solution of my problems. It is a mind-game that saps my emotional strength. Jesus gave the illustration of the birds and flowers as example of God's care for his creation (vss. 26, 28-30). But even the birds have to search for their food. God does provide and I can trust Him to meet my basic needs of food and clothing. I don't have to worry, but that does not mean that I can sit back and do nothing. I can trust God to supply my needs according to His riches (Philippians 4:19), but I am still involved. Trusting God means I can be "anxious for nothing" as I present my needs to Him and let His peace guard my heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-7). It's not always easy not to worry, but trusting God is the way to peace.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Worry does nothing except cause loss of peace.
[end]
Have a trusting God day. Love you.
Matthew 6:25, 27
" 'Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? .... Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?' "
Worry accomplishes nothing. It does not do anything to meet any needs, and adds nothing to the solution of my problems. It is a mind-game that saps my emotional strength. Jesus gave the illustration of the birds and flowers as example of God's care for his creation (vss. 26, 28-30). But even the birds have to search for their food. God does provide and I can trust Him to meet my basic needs of food and clothing. I don't have to worry, but that does not mean that I can sit back and do nothing. I can trust God to supply my needs according to His riches (Philippians 4:19), but I am still involved. Trusting God means I can be "anxious for nothing" as I present my needs to Him and let His peace guard my heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-7). It's not always easy not to worry, but trusting God is the way to peace.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Worry does nothing except cause loss of peace.
[end]
Have a trusting God day. Love you.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ONE OR THE OTHER
ONE OR THE OTHER
Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
It's one or the other. It cannot be both. Either I love and serve God, or I love and serve the things of this world. The King of the universe will not share His throne with anyone or anything. So I have to ask myself the question: Which is more important to me – my relationship with God, or the things of this world that satisfy the desires of my flesh? I can't have both ruling my life. Jesus said, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve" (Matthew 4:10). I choose to make Jesus Lord and Master.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: There can be only one King on the throne of my life.
[end]
Have a God-serving day. Love You.
Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
It's one or the other. It cannot be both. Either I love and serve God, or I love and serve the things of this world. The King of the universe will not share His throne with anyone or anything. So I have to ask myself the question: Which is more important to me – my relationship with God, or the things of this world that satisfy the desires of my flesh? I can't have both ruling my life. Jesus said, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve" (Matthew 4:10). I choose to make Jesus Lord and Master.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: There can be only one King on the throne of my life.
[end]
Have a God-serving day. Love You.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- CATARACTS
CATARACTS
Matthew 6:22-23
"The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore the eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness."
I have the beginning stages of cataracts which are not ripe enough yet to be harvested. People who have had cataract surgery tell me their loss of sight was so gradual, they didn't even know that they were walking in darkness until the surgery let the light in. Many people walk in spiritual darkness, but think that their darkness is light, "having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart" (Ephesians 4:18). They think that their truth is light, "whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ...should shine on them" (Corinthians 4:4). O, Holy Spirit, shine into our lives so we can see clearly the light of Jesus.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: As physical eye disease distorts and darkens one's vision, so spiritual darkness keeps one from seeing Truth.
[end]
Have a 20/20 day. Love you.
Matthew 6:22-23
"The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore the eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness."
I have the beginning stages of cataracts which are not ripe enough yet to be harvested. People who have had cataract surgery tell me their loss of sight was so gradual, they didn't even know that they were walking in darkness until the surgery let the light in. Many people walk in spiritual darkness, but think that their darkness is light, "having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart" (Ephesians 4:18). They think that their truth is light, "whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ...should shine on them" (Corinthians 4:4). O, Holy Spirit, shine into our lives so we can see clearly the light of Jesus.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: As physical eye disease distorts and darkens one's vision, so spiritual darkness keeps one from seeing Truth.
[end]
Have a 20/20 day. Love you.
Monday, May 23, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- I LIVE FOR HEAVEN
I LIVE FOR HEAVE
N
Matthew 6:19-21
" 'Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.' "
I live for heaven. That's where my true treasure is. Life has to be more than this 75 years of existence. If the only reason I am alive is what I have in this life, then I am of all men most pitiable (I Corinthians 15:19), because I will die and all I have in this world will be gone. All my treasures on earth – my retirement account, my house, my "stuff," even my family, will vanish – "Poof!" If there is nothing after death, then there is no meaning for life on this earth. It is an empty shell. There must be more to life than the treasures I have here, as good as they are. My heart and my treasure are in heaven.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Life only has meaning in the light of heaven.
[end]
Have a heavenly day. Love you.
N
Matthew 6:19-21
" 'Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.' "
I live for heaven. That's where my true treasure is. Life has to be more than this 75 years of existence. If the only reason I am alive is what I have in this life, then I am of all men most pitiable (I Corinthians 15:19), because I will die and all I have in this world will be gone. All my treasures on earth – my retirement account, my house, my "stuff," even my family, will vanish – "Poof!" If there is nothing after death, then there is no meaning for life on this earth. It is an empty shell. There must be more to life than the treasures I have here, as good as they are. My heart and my treasure are in heaven.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Life only has meaning in the light of heaven.
[end]
Have a heavenly day. Love you.
Friday, May 20, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
Matthew 6:13b
"For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
To God belongs all the power and glory. The kingdom speaks of His absolute sovereign rule as the King of the kingdom. Power speaks of His strength and might – His omnipotence. Glory speaks of the praise, worship, and adoration due Him. "Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!" (I Chronicles 16:28-29). He is the King of Kings – Lord of all -- and worthy of worship!
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God is worthy of all praise and worship as the strong and glorious King.
[end]
Have a worshiping day. Love you.
Matthew 6:13b
"For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
To God belongs all the power and glory. The kingdom speaks of His absolute sovereign rule as the King of the kingdom. Power speaks of His strength and might – His omnipotence. Glory speaks of the praise, worship, and adoration due Him. "Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!" (I Chronicles 16:28-29). He is the King of Kings – Lord of all -- and worthy of worship!
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God is worthy of all praise and worship as the strong and glorious King.
[end]
Have a worshiping day. Love you.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- DELIVERANCE
DELIVERANCE
Matthew 6:13a
"And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
One preacher summarized the Lord's Prayer with three Ps – Provision (give us daily bread); Pardon (forgive us); and Protection (deliver us). This prayer is perhaps harder to put my finger on because troubles come to everyone. I know that God does not cause the temptation; "God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone" (James 1:13). He does allow trials to come – like Job – in order to work things into my life: "tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Romans 5:3-4). I also know that "the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations" (II Peter 1:9), and "no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape that you may be able to bear it" (I Corinthians 10:14). God does not promise that I will not experience temptations and trials, but He has promised that He will be with me through them and will deliver me out of them. He is faithful.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God does not always keep us from temptations, but He will deliver us out of them.
[end]
Have a "delivered" day. Love you.
Matthew 6:13a
"And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
One preacher summarized the Lord's Prayer with three Ps – Provision (give us daily bread); Pardon (forgive us); and Protection (deliver us). This prayer is perhaps harder to put my finger on because troubles come to everyone. I know that God does not cause the temptation; "God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone" (James 1:13). He does allow trials to come – like Job – in order to work things into my life: "tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Romans 5:3-4). I also know that "the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations" (II Peter 1:9), and "no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape that you may be able to bear it" (I Corinthians 10:14). God does not promise that I will not experience temptations and trials, but He has promised that He will be with me through them and will deliver me out of them. He is faithful.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God does not always keep us from temptations, but He will deliver us out of them.
[end]
Have a "delivered" day. Love you.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS --FORGIVEN
FORGIVEN
Matthew 6:12
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
Forgiveness is hard work. Releasing the hurt and pain of being violated or taken advantage of is not easy. I feel the offender owes me something and needs to pay me back, even if it is just to say, "I'm sorry." But it helps me to forgive when I remember how much I am forgiven. Even though I have transgressed God's holiness, yet He forgives me. What a wonderful thing to be forgiven – released from the debt I owe. Forgiveness brings release both ways: the release of the other person from their debt to me, and the release of my own spirit from the bondage of hurt. "Therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you must do" (Colossians 3:13).
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The Christian must have a forgiving spirit because they have been forgiven.
[end]
Have a forgiving day. Love you.
Matthew 6:12
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
Forgiveness is hard work. Releasing the hurt and pain of being violated or taken advantage of is not easy. I feel the offender owes me something and needs to pay me back, even if it is just to say, "I'm sorry." But it helps me to forgive when I remember how much I am forgiven. Even though I have transgressed God's holiness, yet He forgives me. What a wonderful thing to be forgiven – released from the debt I owe. Forgiveness brings release both ways: the release of the other person from their debt to me, and the release of my own spirit from the bondage of hurt. "Therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you must do" (Colossians 3:13).
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The Christian must have a forgiving spirit because they have been forgiven.
[end]
Have a forgiving day. Love you.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GIVE THANKS
GIVE THANKS
Matthew 6:11
" 'Give us this day our daily bread.' "
God is my source. Everything I have comes from His gracious hand. Saying "Grace" over my food may seem to be an empty ritual. But for me, it is a continual reminder that I am dependent on Him for even the basics of life. Jesus had a habit of giving thanks and blessing the food He ate (Matthew 14:19; 15:36; 26-27; Luke 24:30; John 6:11), and the Apostle Paul gave thanks for food, even in the face of an impending shipwreck (Acts 27:35). If it was a good practice for Jesus and Paul, shouldn't I also be thankful? I acknowledge that God is my provider. God is good and gracious to supply my needs (Philippians 4:19)..
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Dependence on God's provision should result in thankfulness.
[end]
Have a thankful day. Love you.
Matthew 6:11
" 'Give us this day our daily bread.' "
God is my source. Everything I have comes from His gracious hand. Saying "Grace" over my food may seem to be an empty ritual. But for me, it is a continual reminder that I am dependent on Him for even the basics of life. Jesus had a habit of giving thanks and blessing the food He ate (Matthew 14:19; 15:36; 26-27; Luke 24:30; John 6:11), and the Apostle Paul gave thanks for food, even in the face of an impending shipwreck (Acts 27:35). If it was a good practice for Jesus and Paul, shouldn't I also be thankful? I acknowledge that God is my provider. God is good and gracious to supply my needs (Philippians 4:19)..
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Dependence on God's provision should result in thankfulness.
[end]
Have a thankful day. Love you.
Monday, May 16, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THY KINGDOM COME
THY KINGDOM COME
Matthew 6:10
" 'Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.' "
Jesus spoke much about the kingdom of heaven. Many of His parables show us what the kingdom of heaven is and how it operates. By definition, a kingdom has a king. Jesus is the King. His prayer was that the rule of the King of Heaven would extend to earth. And it will when He comes again. His kingdom will be established here on earth and He will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16). In the meantime, His kingdom is in the hearts of people who accept His Lordship. I want Jesus to reign and rule on the throne of my heart. In the words of the song by Lanny Wolfe: "Jesus, be the Lord of all the kingdoms of my heart."
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Jesus is the king of the heavenly spiritual kingdom, and some day He will be king of all the earth.
[end]
Have a "Jesus is Lord" day. Love you.
Matthew 6:10
" 'Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.' "
Jesus spoke much about the kingdom of heaven. Many of His parables show us what the kingdom of heaven is and how it operates. By definition, a kingdom has a king. Jesus is the King. His prayer was that the rule of the King of Heaven would extend to earth. And it will when He comes again. His kingdom will be established here on earth and He will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16). In the meantime, His kingdom is in the hearts of people who accept His Lordship. I want Jesus to reign and rule on the throne of my heart. In the words of the song by Lanny Wolfe: "Jesus, be the Lord of all the kingdoms of my heart."
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Jesus is the king of the heavenly spiritual kingdom, and some day He will be king of all the earth.
[end]
Have a "Jesus is Lord" day. Love you.
Friday, May 13, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- INTIMATE PRAYER
INTIMATE PRAYER
Matthew 6:9
" 'In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.' "
We pray to the great God whose name and throne are far above all others. He is King of the Universe. But as a Father, He is not so far removed that He cannot be touched or sympathize with the needs and infirmities of His children. We can come to His throne in our times of need (Hebrews 4:15-16), and He really cares for His children. It would be like if I was to petition the leader of the most powerful nation on earth, President Barack Obama, for something, he would say, "Who are you?" because I have no intimate relationship with him. But his daughter Malia can sit on his lap and ask for anything, and he will listen to her. What a wonder that the King and ruler of all creation lets me call Him "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6), and He listens to my prayer. "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (I Peter 5:7).
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The God of the Universe is in intimate relationship with His children.
[end]
Have an "intimate prayer" day. Love you.
Matthew 6:9
" 'In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.' "
We pray to the great God whose name and throne are far above all others. He is King of the Universe. But as a Father, He is not so far removed that He cannot be touched or sympathize with the needs and infirmities of His children. We can come to His throne in our times of need (Hebrews 4:15-16), and He really cares for His children. It would be like if I was to petition the leader of the most powerful nation on earth, President Barack Obama, for something, he would say, "Who are you?" because I have no intimate relationship with him. But his daughter Malia can sit on his lap and ask for anything, and he will listen to her. What a wonder that the King and ruler of all creation lets me call Him "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6), and He listens to my prayer. "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (I Peter 5:7).
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The God of the Universe is in intimate relationship with His children.
[end]
Have an "intimate prayer" day. Love you.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- VAIN PRAYERS
VAIN PRAYERS
Matthew 6:7-8
" 'And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask.' "
Repetitious prayer is a part of many religious traditions, whether it is the mantra of Yoga, the prayer wheel of the Buddhist, five prayers a day of Islam, saying the rosary, or the liturgical use of the Lord's Prayer. The key word is vain – empty and useless. Any prayer that is not from the heart is vain. This is not to say that we should not pray repeatedly for what is on our hearts. Jesus said that "men ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). And He gave a parable of a man who pestered his neighbor for some bread. The neighbor gave to his friend "because of his persistence," and Jesus explained the parable by saying we should ask – and keep on asking – because the door is opened to those who ask, seek, and knock (Luke 11:5-10). Prayers of faith are from the heart, and I need to keep on praying about things that burden my heart, understanding that God knows before I ask.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Repetitious prayers are vain, but God hears the repeated prayers of the heart that are prayed in faith.
[end]
Have a "persistent prayer" day. Love you
Matthew 6:7-8
" 'And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask.' "
Repetitious prayer is a part of many religious traditions, whether it is the mantra of Yoga, the prayer wheel of the Buddhist, five prayers a day of Islam, saying the rosary, or the liturgical use of the Lord's Prayer. The key word is vain – empty and useless. Any prayer that is not from the heart is vain. This is not to say that we should not pray repeatedly for what is on our hearts. Jesus said that "men ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). And He gave a parable of a man who pestered his neighbor for some bread. The neighbor gave to his friend "because of his persistence," and Jesus explained the parable by saying we should ask – and keep on asking – because the door is opened to those who ask, seek, and knock (Luke 11:5-10). Prayers of faith are from the heart, and I need to keep on praying about things that burden my heart, understanding that God knows before I ask.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Repetitious prayers are vain, but God hears the repeated prayers of the heart that are prayed in faith.
[end]
Have a "persistent prayer" day. Love you
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PRAYER
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PRAYER
Matthew 6:5-6
" 'And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the street, that they may be seen by men. But you, when you prayer, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly."
I don't think Jesus was condemning public, corporate prayer. There are many illustrations in the Bible of public prayers meant to lead people to God's throne, so there is a place for public prayer. I think Jesus was condemning people who only pray in public so they will be praised for their prayer. I think the issue is this: to whom is the prayer intended? If it is just so people will think how holy the pray-er is, then it is not of value to God. A little girl was saying her bedtime prayers, and she was speaking so softly that her father could not hear her. "Honey, I can't hear you," he said. She responded, "Daddy, I wasn't praying to you." When the prayer is public and intended to lift other people to God, then it needs to be loudly and clearly spoken so that people can hear and be edified. But it is not an oration. I feel very inadequate when asked to pray in public because I am not a flowery speaker. When prayer is just between me and God, He hears the simplest prayer.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The focus of prayer, whether private or public, should not be the speaker nor the hearer, but God.
[end]
Have a prayerful day. Love you.
Matthew 6:5-6
" 'And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the street, that they may be seen by men. But you, when you prayer, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly."
I don't think Jesus was condemning public, corporate prayer. There are many illustrations in the Bible of public prayers meant to lead people to God's throne, so there is a place for public prayer. I think Jesus was condemning people who only pray in public so they will be praised for their prayer. I think the issue is this: to whom is the prayer intended? If it is just so people will think how holy the pray-er is, then it is not of value to God. A little girl was saying her bedtime prayers, and she was speaking so softly that her father could not hear her. "Honey, I can't hear you," he said. She responded, "Daddy, I wasn't praying to you." When the prayer is public and intended to lift other people to God, then it needs to be loudly and clearly spoken so that people can hear and be edified. But it is not an oration. I feel very inadequate when asked to pray in public because I am not a flowery speaker. When prayer is just between me and God, He hears the simplest prayer.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The focus of prayer, whether private or public, should not be the speaker nor the hearer, but God.
[end]
Have a prayerful day. Love you.
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ANONYMOUS GIVING
ANONYMOUS GIVING
Matthew 6:1, 3-4
" 'Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven ....
But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.' "
Anonymous giving is a challenge. My flesh wants someone to "sound a trumpet" (vs. 2) so that everyone will recognize what a great and generous guy I am. I want their praise and applause. God sees, whether anyone this side of heaven knows, and that should be enough.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's reward for giving is better than man's praise.
[end]
Have a "charitable" day. Love you.
Matthew 6:1, 3-4
" 'Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven ....
But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.' "
Anonymous giving is a challenge. My flesh wants someone to "sound a trumpet" (vs. 2) so that everyone will recognize what a great and generous guy I am. I want their praise and applause. God sees, whether anyone this side of heaven knows, and that should be enough.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's reward for giving is better than man's praise.
[end]
Have a "charitable" day. Love you.
Monday, May 9, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MATURE LOVE
MATURE LOVE
Matthew 5:46-48
" 'For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you, shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.' "
This command to be perfect seems to be out of context. What does being perfect have to do with loving others? The word "perfect" does not mean to be sinless. It means to be whole, mature or complete. In the context, it seems to refer to having maturity when it comes to dealing with people that I am at odds with. It is easy to love people who love me and agree with me. Even the ungodly do that. But when I have a clash with someone, the natural response is to avoid them – cross to the other side of the street, or shun them. When husbands and wives argue, they turn their backs to each other without kissing each other good night. The mature person does not shun people just because there is a disagreement. In the ancient culture, people greeted one another with a kiss on the cheek. The Apostles said to "greet one another with a holy kiss" (Romans 16:16; I Peter 5:14). This was not a kiss of passion, but was a form of greeting -- an indication of acceptance or respect for the person, and not necessarily agreement. To not kiss was a form of rejection. A Pharisee invited Jesus into his home for dinner, but showed that he did not really accept or respect Jesus by denying Him the normal courtesies of washing His feet, anointing Him with oil, or giving Him a kiss of greeting (Luke 7:44-46). Love and acceptance is not dependent on agreeing with each other, but of respecting one another as a person. I'm so glad that Jesus does not shun or reject me when I mess up. He is complete in His love for me.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The whole, complete, mature person can respect other people even when they disagree.
[end]
Have a mature day. Love you.
Matthew 5:46-48
" 'For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you, shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.' "
This command to be perfect seems to be out of context. What does being perfect have to do with loving others? The word "perfect" does not mean to be sinless. It means to be whole, mature or complete. In the context, it seems to refer to having maturity when it comes to dealing with people that I am at odds with. It is easy to love people who love me and agree with me. Even the ungodly do that. But when I have a clash with someone, the natural response is to avoid them – cross to the other side of the street, or shun them. When husbands and wives argue, they turn their backs to each other without kissing each other good night. The mature person does not shun people just because there is a disagreement. In the ancient culture, people greeted one another with a kiss on the cheek. The Apostles said to "greet one another with a holy kiss" (Romans 16:16; I Peter 5:14). This was not a kiss of passion, but was a form of greeting -- an indication of acceptance or respect for the person, and not necessarily agreement. To not kiss was a form of rejection. A Pharisee invited Jesus into his home for dinner, but showed that he did not really accept or respect Jesus by denying Him the normal courtesies of washing His feet, anointing Him with oil, or giving Him a kiss of greeting (Luke 7:44-46). Love and acceptance is not dependent on agreeing with each other, but of respecting one another as a person. I'm so glad that Jesus does not shun or reject me when I mess up. He is complete in His love for me.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The whole, complete, mature person can respect other people even when they disagree.
[end]
Have a mature day. Love you.
Friday, May 6, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S KIND OF LOVE
GOD'S KIND OF LOVE
Matthew 5:43-45
" 'You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ' "
This seems like an impossible task – to love those who do me ill. And it is, if my only definition of love is warm fuzzy feelings. But God's kind of love – agape love – does not depend on feelings. It is a choice of the will to desire the best for someone. God demonstrates His love by blessing the ungodly just like He blesses the righteous, with sunshine and rain. Jesus modeled agape love when He prayed for the Father to forgive those who were crucifying Him. Jesus died for us while were still sinners (Romans 5:8). When we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (vs. 10). I may not even like a person nor what they do, but as a child of God, I need to love them like He does. The best I can desire for someone is their eternal salvation.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's kind of love desires the best for people, and that best is the salvation of their souls.
[end]
Have a loving day. Love you – and I really do.
Matthew 5:43-45
" 'You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ' "
This seems like an impossible task – to love those who do me ill. And it is, if my only definition of love is warm fuzzy feelings. But God's kind of love – agape love – does not depend on feelings. It is a choice of the will to desire the best for someone. God demonstrates His love by blessing the ungodly just like He blesses the righteous, with sunshine and rain. Jesus modeled agape love when He prayed for the Father to forgive those who were crucifying Him. Jesus died for us while were still sinners (Romans 5:8). When we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (vs. 10). I may not even like a person nor what they do, but as a child of God, I need to love them like He does. The best I can desire for someone is their eternal salvation.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's kind of love desires the best for people, and that best is the salvation of their souls.
[end]
Have a loving day. Love you – and I really do.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FREEDOM TO GIVE
FREEDOM TO GIVE
Matthew 5:40-42
" 'If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.' "
I recognize that I am too possessive of my resources – whether things or time or what I want to do. I don't like to give up control so I hang on to them with a firm grasp. I understand that I don't really own anything. Everything I have comes from the goodness of God's hand. They belong to Him and I am only a steward. I need to have a balance between stewardship and ownership. Inside, though, I don't want to be a miser and hoard things. I do want to be a generous, happy giver. Freedom from the power of ownership brings a freedom in my spirit.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Freedom from ownership comes from recognizing that everything I have belongs to God.
[end]
Have a freedom day. Love you.
Matthew 5:40-42
" 'If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.' "
I recognize that I am too possessive of my resources – whether things or time or what I want to do. I don't like to give up control so I hang on to them with a firm grasp. I understand that I don't really own anything. Everything I have comes from the goodness of God's hand. They belong to Him and I am only a steward. I need to have a balance between stewardship and ownership. Inside, though, I don't want to be a miser and hoard things. I do want to be a generous, happy giver. Freedom from the power of ownership brings a freedom in my spirit.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Freedom from ownership comes from recognizing that everything I have belongs to God.
[end]
Have a freedom day. Love you.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- JUSTICE OR REVENGE?
JUSTICE OR REVENGE?
Matthew 5:38-39
" 'You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.' "
This is a hard teaching. Jesus was quoting from Moses' law which says, "Whoever kills any man shall surely be put to death. Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, animal for animal. If a man causes disfigurement of a neighbor, as he has done, so shall it be done to him – fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him" (Leviticus 24:17-20). Was Jesus rescinding that law? I think not. I don't think He was denying the need for people to held accountable for their misdeeds, nor saying I can't defend myself when I am physically abused. After all, God is a God of justice. Here, I think Jesus was referring to personal attacks against my person and character, rather than physical abuse. A slap is a personal affront. My natural instinct is slap back. I think Jesus was pointing to a higher way of living: seeking justice without demanding revenge. God said, "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people" (Leviticus 19:18), and, "Vengeance is Mine" (Deuteronomy 32:35). There is a place for the government and its courts to uphold justice (Deuteronomy 25:1-3). If someone steals my property or does damage to me, justice demands that they pay for their crimes. But personal affront is a matter of the heart. I need to leave the vengeance to God.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's people need to seek justice without vengeance.
[end]
Have a "just" day. Love you.
Matthew 5:38-39
" 'You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.' "
This is a hard teaching. Jesus was quoting from Moses' law which says, "Whoever kills any man shall surely be put to death. Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, animal for animal. If a man causes disfigurement of a neighbor, as he has done, so shall it be done to him – fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him" (Leviticus 24:17-20). Was Jesus rescinding that law? I think not. I don't think He was denying the need for people to held accountable for their misdeeds, nor saying I can't defend myself when I am physically abused. After all, God is a God of justice. Here, I think Jesus was referring to personal attacks against my person and character, rather than physical abuse. A slap is a personal affront. My natural instinct is slap back. I think Jesus was pointing to a higher way of living: seeking justice without demanding revenge. God said, "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people" (Leviticus 19:18), and, "Vengeance is Mine" (Deuteronomy 32:35). There is a place for the government and its courts to uphold justice (Deuteronomy 25:1-3). If someone steals my property or does damage to me, justice demands that they pay for their crimes. But personal affront is a matter of the heart. I need to leave the vengeance to God.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's people need to seek justice without vengeance.
[end]
Have a "just" day. Love you.
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- YES IS YES AND NO IS NO
YES IS YES AND NO IS NO
Matthew 5:33-37
" 'Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord." But I say unto you, do not swear at all, neither by heaven...nor by earth...nor by Jerusalem...nor by your head. But let your "Yes" be "Yes," and your "No" be No." For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.' "
This swearing has nothing to do with profanity. It is averring my truthfulness by appealing to some outside source to support what I say. If I have developed a reputation of integrity by the way I live, then my word is sufficient bond. I will consistently do what I say, and people can depend on it. If I don't have that kind of reputation, swearing on a stack of Bibles will not engender trust by people around me that what I say is true. And I need to beware of the word, "Maybe." It is too often an attempt to avoid being pinned down. Let my "Yes" be "Yes" and my "No" be "No."
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The person who has developed a reputation for truthfulness does not need anything but his word for a bond.
[end]
Have a "Yes" day. Love you.
Matthew 5:33-37
" 'Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord." But I say unto you, do not swear at all, neither by heaven...nor by earth...nor by Jerusalem...nor by your head. But let your "Yes" be "Yes," and your "No" be No." For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.' "
This swearing has nothing to do with profanity. It is averring my truthfulness by appealing to some outside source to support what I say. If I have developed a reputation of integrity by the way I live, then my word is sufficient bond. I will consistently do what I say, and people can depend on it. If I don't have that kind of reputation, swearing on a stack of Bibles will not engender trust by people around me that what I say is true. And I need to beware of the word, "Maybe." It is too often an attempt to avoid being pinned down. Let my "Yes" be "Yes" and my "No" be "No."
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The person who has developed a reputation for truthfulness does not need anything but his word for a bond.
[end]
Have a "Yes" day. Love you.
Monday, May 2, 2016
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S PLAN FOR MARRIAGE
GOD'S PLAN FOR MARRIAGE
Matthew 5:31-32
" 'Furthermore it has been said, "Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce. But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery." ' "
By coincidence, Kurt Cameron is in the news today for his statements on marriage from God's perspective. He is taking a lot of heat because God's way does not sit well with a secular media or secular society. God's plan for marriage is still one man and one woman for life. The secular society that has forsaken God's plan has lowered marriage to a materialistic and consumer level – use it for awhile and when it grows old, toss it in the trash. Two people committed to each other for life through thick and thin is a picture of Jesus and His Bride. The husband's job is to love and protect his wife just like Jesus does, and the wife's role is to be in submission to her husband. Violation of that model brings disaster, not only to the family but to society.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's plan for marriage is a man and a woman committed to each other for life.
[end]
Have a "committed" day. Love you.
Matthew 5:31-32
" 'Furthermore it has been said, "Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce. But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery." ' "
By coincidence, Kurt Cameron is in the news today for his statements on marriage from God's perspective. He is taking a lot of heat because God's way does not sit well with a secular media or secular society. God's plan for marriage is still one man and one woman for life. The secular society that has forsaken God's plan has lowered marriage to a materialistic and consumer level – use it for awhile and when it grows old, toss it in the trash. Two people committed to each other for life through thick and thin is a picture of Jesus and His Bride. The husband's job is to love and protect his wife just like Jesus does, and the wife's role is to be in submission to her husband. Violation of that model brings disaster, not only to the family but to society.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's plan for marriage is a man and a woman committed to each other for life.
[end]
Have a "committed" day. Love you.
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