DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- COMMUNION

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE LORD'S SUPPER

"Now in giving these instructions, I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it." (I Corinthians 11:17)

In this portion of Holy Scripture, the Apostle Paul addresses another problem in the Corinthian church: their observance of the Lord's Supper, sometimes called Communion, the Lord's Table, or the Eucharist.

It seems that they were misusing the Lord's Supper by turning it into a pot-luck feast. The Apostle Jude called this a "love feast" and said some were serving only themselves (Jude 12). This seems to be what Paul was referring to because the more wealthy were bringing their own food and beverage, and eating it, while not sharing with those who could not afford to bring food. They ate their own food while others went hungry. Some were even drunk (vs 21). He wrote, "Do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing?" (vs. 22). Paul recognized that their motivation was not to celebrate the Lord's Supper but to satisfy their own fleshly desires (vs 19). It had become an occasion of division rather than communion or fellowship between believers.

The Lord's Supper is a holy time and is intended to be a remembrance of the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus. But they had turned it into an orgy. He pins them to the wall by saying that they were partaking of the Lord's Supper unworthily by not discerning the true meaning of the Communion, and he called them to judge themselves.

The Lord's Supper or Communion is a very special time of fellowship with the Lord Jesus as we remember His sacrifice on the cross, the shedding of His blood and His broken body. It also celebrates the communion and unity we have as His Body – the Church – around that wonderful truth. We need to be very careful not to approach the Lord's Table in an unworthy manner. If we come with any pride in our own spirituality or treat others Believers as less worthy, then we dishonor the Lord Jesus. We are all equal in our salvation. As it is said, "The ground is level at the foot of the Cross."

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PICTURES OF SUBMISSION

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – PICTURES OF AUTHORITY

"But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and head of Christ is God." (I Corinthians 11:2)

This portion of Scripture about headship is about authority and our submission to authority. We can understand the need for a chain of command. When no one is in the place of leadership, the result is confusion and chaos. Anarchy reigns because everyone is their own boss and does their own thing. This principle applies to a nation, to a business, to a family, and to the church.

The Lord Jesus set the example of submission. God the Father is the head of all things. Even though the Father and Son are equal, yet Jesus voluntary submitted to the Father to come to earth to purchase our salvation.

This same paradigm applies to the church and the family. Christ is the head of the Church (Colossians 1:18), and He has appointed leaders in the church. God's order for the family follows the same principle. The man is the head of the family even as Christ is the head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23). Without these lines of authority, the result is chaos. Without someone in charge and responsible for what the institution does, there is anarchy.

In this chapter, Paul gives illustrations of this principle in action. One example is creation itself. God created Adam first, and Eve came from Adam. Adam has the position of being first-born, and Eve came from man. That does not make one more important than the other. They are dependent on each other. As Paul wrote in verses 11 and 12, woman came from the man and man comes through the woman. They both have their individual positions in God's order.

Another example of submission Paul gave has caused much controversy through the history of the Church. That is the covering of the head. Paul wrote that the man should not cover his head, but the woman should cover her head as a symbol of submission. The covering Paul referenced is specifically the woman's hair. Some traditions take a literal approach and require the woman to her head covered with long hair or with a hat or a scarf. Others interpret this as a metaphor of a woman's submission. Paul ends his comments with the statement, "But if anyone seems to be contentious (regarding a woman's long hair), we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God" (vs. 16). In other words, this should not be something that causes division in the church.

Regardless, the need for order and authority remains in the church, in the family, and in the nation. Each of us needs to consider our God-given position in the chain of authority and to accept that position gracefully and prayerfully.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE PREACHER'S SALARY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE PREACHER'S SALARY

"Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!"

(I Corinthians 9:14-16)

Apparently, there were some in the church at Corinth who were complaining that the preach was being paid too much. A common complaint and source of contention among church-going people is that the preacher makes too much money. Many people think that ministers are overpaid for the seemingly little they do – preaching once or twice on Sunday, maybe a Bible study. People don't realize the hours it takes to prepare for expounding God's Word, not to mention the hours of counseling and visitation and the care for the flock.

The prayer of one parishioner might reflect the thoughts of many people: "Lord, you keep the preacher humble and we'll keep him poor."

Paul gives several metaphors of the principle that the preacher should be paid well. For example, the ox that treads the wheat should eat of the wheat. The farmer should be allowed to eat of the produce of his field and flocks. And from the Old Testament, the priests ate of the offerings brought for sacrifice at the temple.

But Paul said he was free of any insinuation that he had abused his position as an Apostle by being paid. Indeed, the Book of Acts records that when Paul came to Corinth on his missionary journey, he worked as a tent-maker with Aquila and Priscilla as a vocational missionary (Acts 18:3). He supported himself so that he would not be a burden on the church. As he wrote in this letter, he had every right as an Apostle to be supported by the church, but chose not use that right lest he gospel of Christ be hindered (vs 12). He disciplined himself lest, after preaching to others, his ministry would be disqualified (vs. 27).

So, the next time someone complains about the preacher's salary, take them to I Corinthians Chapter 9. As Paul wrote in another place, "The laborer is worthy of his wages" (I Timothy 5:18). We honor God's gift of a Pastor to us when we treat him well.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS

"Now concerning things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him." I Corinthians 8:1-3)

The problem that the Apostle is addressing in the church at Corinth was the matter of eating certain foods. Some in the congregation would not eat meat that had been offered to idols. Meats that had been offered for idol worship were sold in the market-place and anyone could buy them. To some in the fellowship, these were tainted because they were used in idol worship and they could not with good conscience eat these meats. To others in the fellowship, it was not an issue. They could eat these meats without any problem.

The problem really was not whether the meats were acceptable food, but the attitudes of the believers. Those who did not eat them were offended by those who could, and those who could eat were proud because of their freedom. They were judging each other.

Paul pinpointed the issue by writing that we don't always know another person's heart, and we should not sit in judgment but leave the judging to God. Each person belongs to God and He knows their hearts.

In the 21^st century, we do not have the issue of eating meats offered to idols. But this is a true maxim: None of us knows everything. Some people are proud because they know it all, and they look down on others who perhaps do not have the same knowledge. This is true in areas of doctrine. Some people think they have it all figured out – whether regarding election and predestination or the book of Revelation – and they look down on others who have a different understanding and question their relationship with God.

Paul's solution for the problem: make space for other peoples' faith. Instead of judging others because they don't see it the same was as I do, I need to be careful to not violate their conscience. As Paul wrote, "If food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother to stumble" (vs. 13). That is love in action – considering another person's faith.

We are all growing in our faith. Some are farther along than others. The more mature person will be strong in what they believe without condemning others who are still growing in grace. Love edifies; it does not tear down another person's faith but builds it. We are in the construction business – building other people's faith.

Love, Dad

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DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PICTURES OF AUTHORITY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – PICTURES OF AUTHORITY

"But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and head of Christ is God." (I Corinthians 11:2)

This portion of Scripture about headship is about authority and our submission to authority. We can understand the need for a chain of command. When no one is in the place of leadership, the result is confusion and chaos. Anarchy reigns because everyone is their own boss and does their own thing. This principle applies to a nation, to a business, to a family, and to the church. The Lord Jesus set the example of submission. God the Father is the head of all things. Even though the Father and Son are equal, yet Jesus voluntary submitted to the Father to come to earth to purchase our salvation.

This same paradigm applies to the church and the family. Christ is the head of the Church (Colossians 1:18), and He has appointed leaders in the church. God's order for the family follows the same principle. The man is the head of the family even as Christ is the head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23). Without these lines of authority, the result is chaos. Without someone in charge and responsible for what the institution does, there is anarchy.

In this chapter, Paul gave illustrations of this principle in action. One example is creation itself. God created Adam first, and Eve came from Adam. Adam has the position of being first-born, and Eve came from man. That does not make one more important than the other. They are dependent on each other. As Paul wrote in verses 11 and 12, woman came from the man and man comes through the woman. They both have their individual positions in God's order.

Another example of submission Paul gave has caused much controversy through the history of the Church. That is the covering of the head. Paul wrote that the man should not cover his head, but the woman should cover her head as a symbol of submission. The covering Paul referenced is specifically the woman's hair. Some traditions take a literal approach and require the woman to her head covered with long hair or with a hat or a scarf. Others interpret this as a metaphor of a woman's submission. Paul ends his comments with the statement, "But if anyone seems to be contentious [regarding a woman's long hair], we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God" (vs. 16). In other words, this should not be something that causes division in the church.

Regardless, the need for order and authority in the church remains, in the family, and in the nation. Each of us need to consider our God-given position in the chain of authority and to accept that position gracefully and prayerfully.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- JUST GROW UP!

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – JUST GROW UP!

"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ." (I Corinthians 3:1).

Even though the church at Corinth was a church blessed with great spiritual gifts, they were still living according to the natural mind – the carnal, fleshly mind. That was evidenced because, as Paul wrote in vs. 3, "where there are envy, strife, and division among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" We saw the divisions in the church in chapter 1, and they are highlighted here in verse 4, where Paul wrote, "When one says, 'I am of Paul, ' and another, 'I am of Apollos,' are you not carnal?" Their fleshly attitudes were proof of their spiritual immaturity – that they were still babes in Christ and had not yet become mature.

When I think of people whom I consider to be mature, they are usually people person who demonstrate the fruit of the spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, dependability, gentleness, and self-control – that is, they are controlled by their spirit rather than by their flesh.

When I was a younger, I hated to hear someone tell me, "O John, grow up!" I still hate to hear that. It means that I am still acting like a baby. I like to think that I am really a mature Christians until something rubs me the wrong way and I respond in the natural, carnal, fleshly way, causing envy, strife, and division. When that happens, I am showing my immaturity.

May God help me to grow up to be spiritually mature instead of living in the flesh.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- UNITY IN THE CHURCH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – UNITY AMONG BELIEVERS

"Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you all be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you." (I Corinthians 1:10-11)

Today, we start our gleanings in the first letter of the Apostle Paul to the church at Corinth. The church at Corinth was a very gifted church. In fact, Scripture says that they "came short in no gift" (vs 7). That is, there was nothing lacking regarding spiritual gifts and no church exceeded their spiritual blessings. But even though they were greatly blessed with spiritual gifts, it was a church that had an abundance of problems that needed correction.

They are identified as saints and were sanctified in Christ Jesus (vs. 2). Indeed, all believers are sanctified saints in Christ. But there were a lot of fleshly, unspiritual attitudes and actions that were going on in Corinth. They needed to mature in their understanding of what it means to be a Christian, and God was faithful to use Paul to help them grow in their Christian walk. As verse 9 says, "God is faithful." He will take us where we are a mold us into His purpose.

The first problem Paul tackles in this letter is their pride that caused the church to be split with contentions (vs. 11). Jesus had prayed that the church would be one (John 17:21). The church at Corinth was anything but united. There were various factions in Corinth that were separated from each other because they followed various leaders. Some said that they were of Paul, others that they followed Apollos, still others claimed Peter as their patriarch, and the really holy ones said, "I am of Christ" (vs. 13). You can almost hear the haughtiness in their voices as they declared their allegiances. But Paul brought them back to Jesus, Christ crucified (vs. 23; 2:2). That is the only thing that binds us together as believers. It was Jesus who died for us – not some teacher or prophet or church.

Some of the disciples of Jesus came to Him one day and wanted to call down fire from heaven on a person who was doing miracles, but who was not a part of their crowd. Jesus said, " 'Do not forbid him...For he who is not against us is on our side' " (Mark 9:39-40).

I think we need to be very careful about our attitudes toward Christians in other denominations who are preaching the true Gospel, but may not be a part of our particular group. Christ is the head of the Church, and we find our fellowship in Him. Jesus Christ crucified is what brings believers together.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- IN PRAISE OF GODLY WOMEN

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – IN PRAISE OF GODLY WOMEN

"Greet one another with a holy kiss." (Romans 16:16)

As the Apostle Paul comes to the end of his letter to the Romans, he gives recognition and greetings to the believers who are in Rome. It is quite a list. While it is mostly men mentioned in this salutation, it is noteworthy the number of women who are also listed.

There is Phoebe, a servant of the church who was a great helper. The word for servant is the Greek word "diakonon" which is usually translated as a minister or servant, and sometimes as the office of a deacon. Whether or not she was recognized as filling the office of the deacon, she certainly was doing the ministry of a deacon.

Then there is Priscilla. Paul worked with Priscilla and her husband Aquilla in their tent-making business while was in Corinth (Acts 18:2), and they were used to mentor the preacher Apollos in his understanding of the Gospel. So Paul had a special relationship with her.

There was Mary, about whom we know nothing except that she worked hard in the church (vs. 6). There was Junia, probably the wife of Andronicus. They were early believers before Paul was saved, and also suffered in prison like Paul (vs. 7). Paul wrote of Tryphyena and Tryphosa, two women who worked for Jesus (vs. 12), and the mother of Rufus, whom Paul considered as his own mother (vs. 13). There were also others, like Julia, and the sister of Nereus (vs. 15).

I, for one, am grateful for all the ministry and labor of women in the work of the Gospel. Many churches would have closed their doors if it had not been for the faithfulness of the women who carried on the ministry when the men were lax in their devotion and service to Christ.

So this is in thankful praise to the ladies who do so much labor in the church. May God bless them abundantly. They may not get their names written in the Holy Scriptures, but God keeps good records and will reward them for their faithful service.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- STRIVING IN PRAYER

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – STRIVING IN PRAYER

"Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me." (Romans 15:30)

In this focus verse, the Apostle Paul begged – pleaded – with the believers in Rome to pray for him.

Sometimes I neglect to pray for my spiritual leaders – my pastor and elders. Do they really need my prayers? After all, they are godly men.

One would think that a person who was such a spiritual giant as the Apostle Paul would not need the prayers of other saints. But he doesn't just ask for their prayers – he begged for them. He must have understood his desperate need for God's strength and guidance and protection. His plea for prayer was specific – that he would be spared from the attacks of the unbelievers in Judea, that the believers would accept him in Jerusalem, and that he would be able to come to Rome to minister to them.

The word "strive" is important. This is more than just offering a fleeting 15 second prayer. It is intense and earnest prayer. It is the intense form of the Greek word agonidzomai, which is to struggle as in a fight, to contend with strenuous zeal. We get the word "agony" from this word. This kind of prayer involves deep commitment of heavy labor.

We all need other people's prayers. But spiritual leaders need prayer in an intense form because they are leading the church, they under greater attacks from the enemy of the Gospel than most of us. As a former pastor, I can identify with Paul's earnest plea for prayer.

So in our next prayer session, let us commit to striving together in prayer for those whom God has given to us as spiritual leaders. They desperately need our prayer support.

Love, Dad

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DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE DEBT OF LOVE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE DEBT OF LOVE

"Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, 'You shall no commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder, 'You shall not steal, 'You shall not bear false witness, 'You shall not covet; and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, 'You shall love our neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:8-10)

It has been rightly observed that the first four commandments of the 10 given to Moses were focused on loving God, and the other 6 focus on loving others (Exodus 21). Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God, and the second is like it – loving our neighbor as ourselves.

There is no greater law than the law of love because all of the rest of what we do flows from that fountain head. We can do all of the right things but if we don't love, it sounds like clanging cymbals (I Corinthians 13:1). Even our worship is just a bunch of noise if it does not have love for God as its source.

Israel had this problem in the Old Testament. They could keep the law with all of its sacrifices, but they didn't always love God. So God gave them the commandment --- to "love the LORD your God, and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 13:7). It is noteworthy that serving God comes after love – not the other way around. Serving God is an expression of love for Him.

The same is true with loving others. Serving others must have its source in love or it is just a bunch of noise. Love will fulfill the law. If I love, I will keep the commandments to not commit adultery, not murder, not steal, not lie, and not covet or anything else that will bring harm to another person. Love is exemplified when I do not do anything to harm my neighbor.

We really don't owe anyone anything except to love them. And if we love them, everything else will fall into place.

Love, Dad

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DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A Measure of Faith

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A MEASURE OF FAITH

"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3)

Everything we have is a gift from God. Even faith is a gift. He has given each of us a measure of faith to serve Him with the abilities He has given to each of us. To think that we do not have anything to offer as ministry to Jesus is a fallacy. It does not agree with God's word.

To say, "I really don't have anything to offer," is false humility. It is really an expression of pride. There is a zone between pride and false humility. False humility is really pride in disguise, because it is fishing for compliments. True humility is accepting the gifts that God has given and using those gifts for God's work while giving Him the glory.

Some people do not know how to handle compliments. They think that if they are praised, that it is somehow wrong – that it is prideful to acknowledge their gifts. But Paul shows the balance. Don't think more of yourself than you should, but don't denigrate the abilities that God has granted to you. God has given each of us gifts to use for His glory. If we use them for our own glory, then we think more highly than we ought. But if we put ourselves down with false humility, then we are casting a shadow on God who gave us the gift in the beginning.

True humility is acknowledging that everything we have – including our gifts and abilities – are from God and that He wants us to use them to bring Him glory. "Let your lights so shine before men that they may see your good works and glory the Father in heaven." "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

So let's humbly use the abilities God has given us for His glory and honor

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S GREAT PLAN

DAD'S RAMBLING – GOD'S GREAT PLAN

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33)

In his contemplation about God's plan to have a people that included not only the Jews but also the Gentiles, his heart overflowed. That God would make a way for all peoples – both Jews and Gentiles – to be saved is truly beyond comprehension. The Apostle Paul had a Hallelujah explosion, and he broke out in this great chorus of praise to God.

"Who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?" (vs. 34). This is not something that man thought up or human machinations. It was not a spur of the moment idea on God's part, nor was it an afterthought. God did not say, "Oh my, Oh my – what am I going to do with these humans?" Indeed, it was God's plan even before the creation of the universe. In God's infinite wisdom and knowledge, our salvation through Christ was an eternal plan. He "was foreordained before the foundation of the world" (I Peter 1:20). Revelation 13:8 tells us that Christ was "slain from the foundation of the world." God "chose us in Him (Christ) before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4).

God's plan for our salvation began before Creation, came through the first Adam to Abraham and through the Jewish nation to a young maiden named Mary, who had a son named Jesus. God was the author of it all and made sure that it all happened according to His counsel.

That is why we can rest in the fact that it is all of God's workings – not ours. Paul ends his exuberant praise with these words, "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen" (vs. 30). As the song says, "All the glory belongs to Jesus, all the praise belongs to Him. All that I am or ever hope to be, All the glory belongs to Him."

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLING -- GRAFTED IN

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – GRAFTED IN

"And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you." (Romans 11:17-18)

You probably remember the television miniseries in the 1980s – "Roots" by Alex Haley. His search for his history was the motivation for the book. Our scripture for today is about our roots as Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul uses a striking metaphor to explain our position in the great plan of God. The picture of the tree that God planted – starting with Abraham and the Jewish nation of Israel, of having some of the branches broken off, and then other wild branches grafted in to the root – is the picture of the unbelieving Jews being broken off and the Gentiles becoming a part of the tree. We are Judeo-Christians. Christianity is not a stand-alone religion. It did not just appear out of nowhere. It comes out of the Jewish stock – the root that began with Abraham. The nation of Israel was God's chosen people. But because they rejected Him as their Messiah, some lost their position as a part of the tree, and the Gentiles were grafted in. They were broken off because of their unbelief (vs. 20).

The fact that God has grafted us into the root is not something we can boast about. God, the master gardener, did this as He purposed, not because we merited anything. We do not support the tree – the tree supports us. Our faith gets its very life from the tree – the Old Covenant Root.

We cannot look down our nose at the beginnings of our faith in the Old Testament. Our Messiah – Jesus – was revealed in the Old Testament and came out of Jewish stock as the son of Mary. So we need to honor our Abrahamic and Mosaic heritage. We owe a lot to the Jewish faith, even though they as a nation have rejected their Messiah. We are fortunate to have such a legacy.

I am very grateful for the Old Testament revelation because our New Testament faith springs from that tree. I am a Christian whose roots go clear back to Abraham. As the Apostle wrote, we are sons of Abraham (Galatians 3:7). What a heritage we have.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- HOT FOR GOD

DAD'S RAMBLING – HOT FOR GOD

"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge." (Romans 10:1-2)

I believe the Apostle Paul was speaking from his own experience. In his past before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), he was very zealous for God as he understood the Jewish religion. In fact, his own testimony was that, because of his zeal for the Mosaic Covenant prior to his conversion, he was persecuting the Christians believers (Philippians 3:6). There is no question that he was very zealous to keep the Jewish religion and the letter of the law. But he was without knowledge. He was ignorant concerning Jesus, the Jewish Messiah.

So when Paul was writing to the church at Rome, he was addressing those who were zealous for keeping the Jewish law. But he knew that they did not fully understand the Gospel – that salvation is by grace alone, not by keeping the law.

I know people who are very zealous for their religion, but they are ignorant of the truth of the Gospel. They think that by keeping the Sabbath, or faithfully going door to door to talk about to talk about their religion, or by going to church regularly, or by praying six times a day toward Mecca, that they will be saved. The Scripture is clear: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5).

I do not condemn them for their zeal. Oh, that we who are truly born again by the Spirit into God's salvation had as much zeal for the Gospel of Christ. But I pray for them – that they would come to understand the Gospel of Jesus – that we are saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, not by our works, but by His grace. This is the heart of God. As it is written in I Timothy 2:4 – "who desires all men to come to the knowledge of the truth."

May God fan the flame of zeal in my life so that I would be red-hot for Jesus and for the Gospel.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE WINNING SIDE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE WINNING SIDE

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

God is rooting for us. I watched the Phoenix Suns the other night playing the Milwaukee Bucks in the race for the NBA championship. There were thousands of people rooting for the Suns and there were thousands rooting for the Bucks.

We have the God of heaven and all the hosts of heaven rooting for us. He is on our side. He wants us to succeed. Jesus died on the cross for our salvation and rose again for our justification. He sent the Holy Spirit to be our helper. And even now He is at the right hand of God making intercession for us (vs. 34). Nothing can separate us from His love.

We have an adversary.  Satan is not on our side. He will do everything he can to defeat us. His goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. But we have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The story is that Abraham Lincoln was asked during the Civil War whether God was on the side of the Union or the Confederacy. As the story goes, Lincoln responded, "The question is not whether God is on our side, but whether we are on God's side."

God is on our side. I want to be on His side because that is the winning side.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- EAGERLY WAITING

DAD'S RAMBLINGSS – EAGERLY WAITING

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God." (Romans 8:18-19)

It is a maxim that anything that is worthwhile is worth waiting for. We as Americans are programmed to the immediate – instant potatoes, microwave speed, fast cars, high-speed internet. We don't like to wait for anything – at the traffic light, at the grocery store, or for our spouse.

But things that are really good are slow-cooked. Any creative project takes time to develop, whether a novel or a musical symphony or building a house.

Life is full of waiting, and the Scriptures are filled with examples. Abraham and Sarah waited years for the birth if Isaac. Jacob waited 7 years for his bride Rebeccah. David waited years to become king of Israel. After the resurrection of Jesus, His disciples thought that Jesus would set up His kingdom immediately, but Jesus told them to go to Jerusalem and wait. And we are still waiting, eagerly expecting Jesus to return and the revealing of the sons of God. In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son. His timing is always right.

May we not be so focused on the immediate that we miss the long-range. The real life that we have is out of this world. I don't want to miss it. The revealing of the sons of God will be awesome.

So we sing, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall walk and not be weary, they shall walk and not wait. Teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait."

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE CONFLICT

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE CONFLICT

"For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice but what I hate, that I do. If then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, that I practice." (Romans 7:14-18)

Perhaps you have not had this struggle, but I have this conflict between my flesh and my spirit. But I suspect that is a common problem. This has been a conundrum that has plagued me personally all my Christian life. I know what is right, but my flesh wants to do what is wrong. And I end up doing what the flesh wants. I know that I am not a slave to sin because I am a bond-servant to Jesus. Still, the struggle wages.

This I know: that the flesh is enmity with God (Romans 8:7). Even though I am a Believer and the Spirit of God dwells in me, still the flesh keeps rearing its ugly head. I find myself doing or thinking things that I know are not God's ways and thoughts. In my flesh dwells nothing that is good.

What was Paul's answer? First was the power of the Lord Jesus in his life. "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! " (vs. 24). Our victory is in Jesus.

Another part of the answer lies in chapter 8. Remember that chapter division were inserted by humans, and were not a part of the original letter. So chapter 8 continues the thought of chapter 7. The Apostle goes on to say that "there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (8:1). Our position in Christ insures that we are not living in condemnation because we live positionally in Christ and in His righteousness even though at times we fail.

Another part of the answer is that "those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit" (8:5). In our focus verses, Paul had a desire to live righteously. Setting my mind on righteous living leads to righteous living. It is where my heart is pointed, just like the set of the sails on a ship that is set on a certain course. My desire is to live according to the spirit rather than according to the flesh, and God knows my heart.

I may not be completely successful but I have set the direction of my heart to live according to God's righteousness. There is no condemnation when I purpose to walk according to the spirit. God knows the direction of my heart, and I live in His freedom.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SLAVES

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – SLAVES

"But how having been set free from sin , and having become slaves of God, you have our fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life." (Romans 6:22)

The Apostle Paul sets a contrast here in this chapter. We are under bondage – either as slaves of sin, or slaves of righteousness, or as the Apostles put it – bondservants of Christ. We think we are free, but no one is truly free.

The sinner is not free to not sin. If a person has not come under the Lordship of Christ, he is under the lordship of Satan. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves to obey, whether of sin leading to death, or obedience leading to righteousness?" (vs. 16).

Christ has set us free from the bondage of sin. We do not have to sin. If we sin, we do it by choice. In the first part of this chapter, Paul asks the question, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue to live in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer under it?" (vss. 1-2). But "having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness" (vs. 18).

The believer has the choice that the unbeliever does not have. Paul urges the believer, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under law but under grace" (vss. 12-14). Implicit in this admonition is the choice that we have to sin or not to sin.

The choice is mine. I make the decision whether to submit myself to God's righteousness or to the temptation to sin. This is a no-brainer because I know that "the wages of sin is death" (vs. 23). Why would I want to live under that condemnation instead of the freedom of Christ? There might be some enjoyment, satisfaction or reward for sin, but it does not compare to the freedom to be found in Jesus Christ and the gift of eternal life.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SLAVES

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – SLAVES

"But how having been set free from sin , and having become slaves of God, you have our fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life." (Romans 6:22)

The Apostle Paul sets a contrast here in this chapter. We are under bondage – either as slaves of sin, or slaves of righteousness, or as the Apostles put it – bondservants of Christ. We think we are free, but no one is truly free.

The sinner is not free to not sin. If a person has not come under the Lordship of Christ, he is under the lordship of Satan. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves to obey, whether of sin leading to death, or obedience leading to righteousness?" (vs. 16).

Christ has set us free from the bondage of sin. We do not have to sin. If we sin, we do it by choice. In the first part of this chapter, Paul asks the question, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue to live in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer under it?" (vss. 1-2). But "having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness" (vs. 18).

The believer has the choice that the unbeliever does not have. Paul urges the believer, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under law but under grace" (vss. 12-14). Implicit in this admonition is the choice that we have to sin or not to sin.

The choice is mine. I make the decision whether to submit myself to God's righteousness or to the temptation to sin. This is a no-brainer because I know that "the wages of sin is death" (vs. 23). Why would I want to live under that condemnation instead of the freedom of Christ? There might be some enjoyment, satisfaction or reward for sin, but it does not compare to the freedom to be found in Jesus Christ and the gift of eternal life.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE LOVE OF GOD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE LOVE OF GOD

"For when we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8)

My heart is arrested again when I read these words of the Holy Scriptures. We quote so easily John 3:16 – "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son..." But when I stop and really think about the meaning of these words, it causes me to fall in worship before the Savior. To think that the God of the universe would love His creation – us sinful, unholy human beings – so much that He would come to die for us is truly a soul-shaking thought. The part of His creation that He put so much of Himself into – that were even created in His image – but who have turned their back on Him, even blasphemed Him – that He would still love us so much that He would leave heaven to die for us is too much for my mind to grasp.

It would be one thing if I was good and righteous that He would love me so much. But to think that He would love the ungodly that He would lay down His life for us. Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou my God would die for me.

I don't think that I will ever understand the magnitude of the love of God for me. It is too far beyond my ability to imagine. But, as the Apostle John wrote in the other 3:16 verse, "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us" (I John 3:16). As our focus verse says, "When we were without strength, Christ died for the ungodly." We had no strength or ability to save ourselves. He had to do it if there was any hope of salvation. It's like a drowning person who has no strength or ability to save himself. He must depend totally on someone else to carry him to safety. But just imagine the drowning man struggling against the one who is rescuing him. That life-guard is laying down his own safety to save the one who fights him. That would take a lot of dedication.

I was that one who was drowning in my sin, but God so loved me that He came to rescue me from it. Oh, what love.

Love, Dad