DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A TOUCH AND A PRAYER

A TOUCH AND A PRAYER

Matthew 19:13-15

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

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

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

[end]

Have a “touched” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- CASTRATI

CASTRATI

Matthew 19:11-12

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

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

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

[end]

Have a “normal” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE DIVORCE OPTION

THE DIVORCE OPTION

Matthew 19:9-10

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

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

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

[end]

Have a "married" day.  Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- HARD-HEARTED

HARD-HEARTED

Matthew 19:7-8

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

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

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

[end]

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

CHRISTMAS GREETIINGS

CHRISTMAS MEDITATION

2016

WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?

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

To some, it is a time for family gatherings.

For others it is giving and receiving gifts.

Some only see it as a time for parties,

      a holiday from work (with pay),

     a time to help the needy,

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

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

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

in the form of a baby in a manger

with the purpose of reconnecting us with Himself.

A Savior was born.

        MAY THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS FILL

YOUR HEARTS THIS SEASON.

         

                  Merry Christmas

                                                      

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

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S MATH

GOD’S MATH

Matthew 19:4-6

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

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

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

[end]

Have a “completed” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE HARD WORK OF MARRIAGE

THE HARD WORK OF MARRIAGE

Matthew 19:1-3

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

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

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

[end]

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

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A SCARY PRAYER

A SCARY PRAYER

Matthew 18:23-35

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

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

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

[end]

Have a forgiving day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE FREEDOM OF FORGIVENESS

THE FREEDOM OF FORGIVENESS

Matthew 18:21-22

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

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

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

[end]

Have a forgiving day. Love you.

RAMBLINGS -- PRAYING IN GOD'S WILL

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- POWERFUL PRAYER

Matthew 18:18-20

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

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

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

[end]

Have a powerful prayer day.  Love you.

DAD;S RAMBLINGS -- LISTEN UP!

LISTEN UP!

Matthew 18:16-17

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

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

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

[end]

Have a listening day.  Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- CLEARING OFFENSES

CLEARING OFFENSES

Matthew 18:15

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

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

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

[end]

Have a "clear" day.   Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHAT DO YOU THINK?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Matthew 18:12-14

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

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

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

[end]

Have a “thinking” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S UNSEEN AMBASSADORS

UNSEEN AMBASSADORS

Matthew 18:10-11

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

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

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

[end]

Have an “angel” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- AMPUTATION

AMPUTATION

Matthew 18:7-9

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

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

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

[end]

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

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE NURSERY

THE NURSERY

Matthew 18:5-6

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

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

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

[end]

Have a “nurturing” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- TRUE GREATNESS

TRUE GREATNESS

Matthew 18:1

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

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

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

[end]

Have a “great” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- AVOIDING OFFENSE

AVOIDING OFFENSE

Matthew 17:24-27

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

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

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

[end]

Have an "inoffensive" day.   Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- NO SURPRISES

NO SURPRISES

Matthew 17:22-23

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

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

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

[end]

Have a “warned” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- EFFECTIVE PRAYER

EFFECTIVE PRAYER

Matthew 17-19-21

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

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

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

[end}

Have an effective prayer day. Love you.

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

“BRING HIM TO ME”

Matthew 17:14-17

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

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

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

[end]

Have a “bringing” day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SIGNS OF THE TIMES

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Matthew 17:10-13

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

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

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

[end]

Have an understanding day. Love you.