DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD IS ABLE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – GOD IS ABLE

"For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell....and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah...and delivered righteous Lot...the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment..." (II Peter 2:4-8)

God delivers His people. To make his argument about God's ability to deliver the godly out of temptations or trials and the unrighteous to punishment, Peter used several historical illustrations.

First was a negative example – the rebellious angels who followed Lucifer, the Devil, in his rebellion against God who were delivered for judgment. Satan wanted to be a God, and in his pride led a third of the angels who were cast out of heaven (see Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 12:7-9; Luke 10:18). God is God over all his creation, even the evil ones, and he will judge them. The unjust are under the sentence of punishment.

The second illustration is righteous Noah whom God delivered from an evil world (see Genesis 6:5-8).

Then there was Lot whose soul was vexed (King James Version) by the ungodliness of the culture around him, but whom God delivered Lot before bringing judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah.

There are many other demonstrations of God's ability to deliver His people out of their problems, such as David's deliverance from King Saul, and the three Hebrews who were consigned to death in the fiery furnace but said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "God whom we serve I able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace" (Daniel 3:17). And God did deliver them.

Then there is us, you and me, whom God is able to deliver. It may be by a miraculous deliverance, or it may be by death, but God knows how to deliver us. We can trust His wisdom. Remember "the others" of Hebrews 11. God is able to deliver the those who trust Him out of their trials. As the old Gospel song says, "He is able to deliver thee. He is able to deliver thee. Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest, Our God is able to deliver thee." We serve a great God.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH

"Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." (II Peter 1:1-3)

Do you understand how precious your faith is? It is the same faith that Peter had – that Jesus died and rose again. The Gospel has not changed through the centuries. There have been attempts to change it, to water it down, to dismiss it as a fable. But it remains the same faith that we read about in the Bible and that the Apostles preached.

Sometimes we who have put our faith in the Lord Jesus for salvation forget just how precious that faith is. The word "precious" has several connotations. Something that is precious is of great value, something to be honored and cherished. Let's think for a moment of just how precious and valuable our faith is.

Because of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus, I am accepted by God. I cannot earn His acceptance. It cannot be bought, and is only received as a gift. And what a precious gift it is!

Our Salvation brings cleansing from sin. Because of His gracious forgiveness, we are clean before our holy God. It's for sure, I cannot claim my own righteousness. But I can receive the righteousness that He offers. To be in right standing with God is more valuable than money can buy.

Our salvation brings peace with God and a clear conscience because we know that our sins are forgiven. A clear conscience is of great value.

Through faith, we can know God. This is more than intellectual knowledge. It is experiential knowledge that comes by personal relationship with God.

We have hope of life after death in heaven. Peter wrote about this in his first letter – "a living hope through the resurrection of Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" (I Peter 1:4). That is worth more than anything in this world.

We are truly blessed. Let us rejoice in our precious faith.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- INNER BEAUTY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – INNER BEAUTY

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (I Peter 3:3-4)

Our society is so very concerned with appearances. Merchants' ads in magazines or on television usually show beautiful people. Often our concept of beauty is superficial. A person can be outwardly beautiful but ugly on the inside.

Peter was writing expressly in regard to women, but I think what is good for the goose is good for the gander. What applies to women would be good counsel for men also.

Outward appearances are important. We do want to make a good impression on people we come in contact with. But Peter was referring to an inordinate amount of attention to the arranging of the hair, wearing fancy jewelry, and expensive clothes, as though the outward appearance is what makes the man.

More important than these is the inner beauty that shines out of our lives. What is on the inside is more important than what the outward appearance. Things like a gentle and quiet spirit make a more lasting impression that do outward appearances. People will forget what we wear, but they will remember our spirit. They will be more apt to remember whether we are harsh or gentle, whether we are boisterous or quiet, whether we care or don't give a hoot, than whether we wear expensive clothes or our hair-do is perfect.

May God help me to show forth the Spirit of Christ, and be more concerned about my inner beauty than my outer beauty. I do want my life to show the beauty of Christ.

Love, Dad

THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING

"But you are a chose generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of His who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but now are the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." (I Peter 2:9-10)

On this Thanksgiving Day, we have so very much to be thankful for. Most of us have a roof over our head, sufficient food, and a network of loved ones to support us.

But above all of the blessings we enjoy in this world that we are thankful for, there is one blessing that rises above all the rest. It is that we have been called out of darkness into God's marvelous light, and have received God's mercy through our faith in Christ.

Before we received Christ as Savior, we walked in darkness, with no knowledge of God and His goodness. We were outside of God mercy. But the light of the glorious gospel has shined into our lives, showing us the love of God for us and His plan for us to live forever with Him.

Now, through faith in the Lord Jesus, we can see clearly the mercy that God has extended toward us, forgiving our sins, cleansing us, and giving the assurance that we will enjoy His presence for eternity.

What a joyous day we celebrate today and every day because we belong to Jesus. We are His own special people who can proclaim His praises.

Love, Dad

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DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE RESERVATION

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE RESERVATION

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (I Peter 1:3-5)

When we travel, we make reservations ahead of time for our airline flights and our motels. That is wisdom. I want to know where I am going, and not leave it to chance.

We have a reservation awaiting us in Heaven. The reservation is secure because Jesus said, "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2). I can be sure the reservation is secure because of His promise.

But it is more than just a place to stay. There are other amenities included in this reservation. There is an incorruptible inheritance reserved for me that will not fade away nor diminish. In this life, the treasures laid up for the future can be destroyed by moths, or be stolen by thieves. But throughout eternity, the treasures laid up for me will never lose their value or luster.

My reservation is not dependent on my ability to preserve it. The security of my reservation is based in the fact that I am kept by the power of God for salvation through my faith in the Lord Jesus, who died for my sins, who rose again, and has ascended into Heaven. This is my living hope.

I have my reservation. It is secure, and I am ready for the trip.

Love, Dad

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DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- IN JJOY AND IN PAIN

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – IN JOY AND IN PAIN

"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:13-14)

Whenever we meet together as the Body of Christ, there are as many different personal needs as there are people. Some come with heavy burdens – financial problems, health issues, family conflicts, and a host of other things that weigh on their hearts. On the other hand, there are those for whom things are going well. Their hearts are light and they are rejoicing.

As we meet together we need understand that not everyone is in the same spiritual space, and we need to be sensitive to each person's need. This works both ways. The person who is suffering needs to be aware that not everyone is suffering like he or she is, and the person who is rejoicing needs to be sensitive to the person who is hurting.

God knows our individual needs. But Scripture tells us to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). This is the Body of Christ in action.

It is easy for the person for whom life is going well to express his joy. It is not so easy for the person who is suffering to share his pain with others. Often, people silently bear their burdens alone but put on a happy face. But how is the rest of the Body to know those pains unless we are tell someone? James tells us that if we are sick, we should call for the elders to pray for us. That means that we have to be honest about what we are enduring so other people can pray for us. We are to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 5:2). But our brothers and sisters in Christ cannot help carry those needs unless we tell them.

We don't have to tell everyone about our struggles in order to get sympathy, but it is a part of community that we share things together. Whatever our personal situation is – whether joy or pain – let us be sensitive to other people and rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Love, Dad

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DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE CAUSE OF CONFLICT

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE CAUSE OF CONFLICT

"Where do wars and fight come from among you? Do they not come from your desires of pleasure that war in our members?" (James 4:1)

Conflicts. They are inevitable as personalities clash. We are all made differently and have our own desires. People want what they want and will fight to get it. It's called greed.

On an international level, wars are caused by one nation (or a dictator) being greedy for more territory to rule. So that nation attacks another nation in order to conquer that land, and the other nation fights back to keep their own land.

On a cultural level, we are sue-hungry. We want what we feel is our right and what is ours and it sometimes involves fighting it out in court.

On a marriage level, a husband and wife have conflicts because each one has different needs and perspectives, and they fight for their personal desires.

On a family level, children and siblings fight because they want what they want.

On a church level, people fight because they want to control what happens in the church, whether it is the color of the carpet or who teaches or leads a ministry.

So where does that leave us? We need to carefully evaluate whether our fights are for truth or for personal preference. If it is for truth, then we need to stand and fight for what is right and true. But it if it for a personal preference, then we need to do our best to avoid the conflict. As the scriptures say, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12 :18). That may require me to relinquish some of my personal rights or desires in order to keep the peace.

We serve the Prince of Peace who gave up His own rights to come to this world to save us. He put us ahead of his own desires. Now we get to sacrifice our own preferences for the sake of keeping the peace. May God help me to be a person of peace.

Love, Dad

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DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- EXALTATION AND HUMILATION

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – EXALTATION AND HUMILIATION

"Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away." (James 1:9-10)

We put so much emphasis on eternal appearances. We tend to place the poor in one group and the rich in another, and we esteem those who seem to have material wealth. In chapter two, James warns against showing partiality to those who are rich and dishonoring the poor.

But how can a poor person glory in his exaltation? And how can the rich glory in his humiliation? Good question. The words of Peter resonate here. "All of you be submissive to one another, but be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" (I Peter 5:5-6).

The exaltation may not happen in this time-frame. It may be in eternity. But the fact is that wealth does not exclude a person from humility. There are many people who are wealthy, but have remained humble in their financial blessing.

The poor person understands that he may not be exalted in this life, but because of his faith in Christ and his faithfulness to Christ, he will glory in his lowly position. And the rich person must understand that his wealth is only in this world and will pass away along with himself. His faith will be what he takes to heaven. Death has a way of leveling the playing field.

But back to the question about glorying in our exaltation and humility. Whatever our financial status, God calls us to humility, and when we get to heaven, we can all – both rich and poor – glory in God's grace and mercy. What a time that will be. Oh, that will be glory for me.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLING -- SACRIFICES

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICES

"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." (Hebrews 13:15-16)

The Old Covenant had its sacrifices. There were the animals which were offered as sacrifices, and their blood was brought into the sanctuary by the high priest, but the bodies of the animals were burned outside of the camp (vs. 11). In the New Covenant, the Lord Jesus sanctified the people with His own blood, and also suffered outside the gate on Golgotha (vs. 12).

We are not called to make these kinds of sacrifices for sin, but we are given the calling to offer the sacrifices of praise and good works. These please God.

As we go outside the camp (vs. 11) – into the world around us, may our lives be marked by these sacrifices. Giving continual praise, even while bearing reproach for His name's sake, is a powerful testimony to the work of God in our lives.

But the sacrifices are not limited to the verbal. Another powerful witness to God's grace is doing good. As we have received God's grace, so we give it. Freely we have received, freely we give.

And we remember the words of Romans12:1 – "I beseech you, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE SHAKING PROCESS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE SHAKING PROCESS

"Now this, 'Yet once more,' indicates the removal of those things which cannot be shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." (Hebrews 12:27-28)

Shaking has the effect of sifting out the junk that is extraneous to the essential material. I used to watch my Mom sift the flour to bake bread. What was left after the sifting was the good flour that was suitable for baking.

The writer to the Hebrews says that there is coming time of shaking of the heavens and earth – the entire universe – that will remove all things that are made and only that which cannot be shaken will endure. Only God His kingdom will remain.

We sometimes go through the sifting process in our lives. The purpose is to eliminate the nonessentials and leave only those things that are truly important – God and spiritual things.

The shaking and sifting can be painful as we are tossed about and ground through the sieve. But it has the effect of bringing us back to the reality of what is truly important. When only God and His kingdom are left, and that is all we have to turn to, we learn to trust Him more. God and God alone.

When we have lost our precious possessions and only God is left, we can find that He is enough. When we have our material things to lean on, we don't need God so much. But take them away, and He is all that is left. Then we truly find the grace to live acceptably, with reverence and godly fear.

It may be that God is allowing the United States to be shaken and sifted, to help people see what is truly important in this world. Whatever the case, may our eyes be focused on what cannot be shaken so that we can find grace to live acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- AND OTHERS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – AND OTHERS

"Still others had trials of mockings and scourgings; yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented – of whom the world was not worthy." (Hebrews 11: 36-38a

Does it ever give you pause to stop and wonder why some Christians suffer so much while others seem to live an easy life? I sometimes wonder why I have such a life of leisure while there are many, many Christians around the world who are languishing in prison, suffering torture and privation, and their families are going through much misery for the name of Jesus. Not that I am complaining. I do not have a desire for suffering.

The writer of the Book of Hebrews lists the great champions of faith who saw such great victories – Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel. These all had their challenges but they saw demonstrations of God deliverance.

Then the writer shifts gears and says, "Still others." Only God knows why, in His great plan, some see great victories, and others such dreadful hardships.

This is the testimony of Scripture: "all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith" (vs. 39). Regardless of how my life turns, I want to have a good testimony of faith or faithfulness.

I wish that all of Christian life was a bowl of peaches and cream. But the biblical record does not promise that. What it does promise is God's presence and that everything works together for good to those who love God and are the called according to His purposes. Some of the greatest testimonies to God's grace come from people who have endured the greatest hardship.

Regardless, may His name be praised in all things.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LIVING IN TENTS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – LIVING IN TENTS

"By faith, he [Abraham] dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise, for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:9-10)

Abraham was called by God out of Ur of the Chaldeans and then out of Haran to go to Canaan, a land that he had not seen. So he came to Canaan, the land that God would designate as a land of promise to him and his descendants. But it was not yet a fulfilled promise. The land was not yet his property and he lived in tents while he waited for the fulfillment of the promise. He was like an alien. Eventually, his descendants would inhabit the land, including Jerusalem, the City of God.

The point is that he was in transition. So he did not put down roots and build a city because he was waiting for the city that he knew God had promised to him. He and Isaac and Jacob lived in the land loosely.

We also live in the promise of a city whose builder and maker is God. We live as strangers and foreigners in this world while we wait for the Eternal City. We would do well to heed the advice of Peter who admonished the first century believers, "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" (I Peter 2:11). If I am not careful, I can get so entwined with the things of this present world that the desires of the things of this world which war against the spiritual would ensnare me. I need to live lightly in this world because I am not a citizen here. As the Scripture says, "Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). I need to keep from putting my roots down too deeply. As Abraham, I need to metaphorically "live in tents" that are loosely staked to this world while I wait for the promised City.

This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through,

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.

The angels beckon me from heaven's golden shore,

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Love,  Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- CHRIST BORE OUR SINS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – CHRIST BORE OUR SINS

"For as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many." (Hebrews 9:27-28a)

The doctrine of the substitutionary atonement has been attacked by those who cannot understand how the death of one could pay the redemption price for all humans. But the Scriptural record clearly states, as in today's focus verse, "Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many."

Both Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures affirm this precious doctrine. Isaiah 53 says that "the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." I John 2:2 says, "He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world."

Because of Jesus we do not have to pay the penalty for our own sins because He has paid the price. And if it were possible for me to pay that penalty, then there would have been no reason for Jesus to come and die for me. What freedom there is to know that all the debt of my sins have been paid.

It is like a ledger book of debits and credits. I keep adding to the debit side with my sin and try to do some good to try to balance the books on the credit side. But I never seem to catch up and the interest on the unpaid balance keeps growing. My account is always in arrears. But then I come to Jesus and He blots out all the debit side with His cleansing blood. He paid the debt completely.

Just before Jesus went to the cross, He met with His disciples to observe the Passover. During that meal, He took the cup and said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you" (Luke 22:20). Hebrews 9:22 says that without the shedding of blood there is no remission. Remission is the cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty. Because Jesus shed His blood, the debt of my sin is canceled. He paid the price that should have been mine.

This is the crux of the better promises of the New Covenant. The Old Covenant could not take care of the sin question. Only in the New Covenant through the atoning sacrifice of Christ who took the penalty for my sins can we be sure that the debt of our sins is paid for. This the glorious Gospel: "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3).

Oh, what a wonderful Savior.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- BETTER PROMISES

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – BETTER PROMISES

"But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." (Hebrews 8:6)

Promises, promises, promises. We get them all the time. Our politicians are great at making promises, but often don't follow through. I am very leery when I shop for cars because the salesmen make great promises, but they aren't always as good as they sound. I can't trust that what they say is true.

In yesterday's gleanings, we saw some of the comparisons of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Now in Chapter 8, the writer to the Hebrews says that if the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for the second (vs. 7). In the establishment of a new covenant, the old has grown obsolete (vs. 13), because the New Covenant has better promises.

The better promises of the New Covenant are grounded in the fact that Jesus is the guarantee of this better covenant. The promises are true. The fact that He came, He lived, He died as a sacrifice for sin, He rose again, and He returned to the Father is the proof that the promises are secure. "He is able save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25). This is a better promise that was never found in the Old Covenant.

When I buy something, I don't just accept the word of the salesman regarding the promise of the warranty. Salesmen can tell you anything just the sell the product. I want to know what is backing up that guarantee. I want it written in black and white. I want to know who is making the guarantee. God Himself backs up the guarantee of the promises of the New Covenant with His written word, and he is faithful to His promises. And Jesus is alive as proof that the promises are true. They are true and can be trusted.

Love, Dad

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DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ON THE OTHER HAND

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – ON THE OTHER HAND

"For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God." (Hebrews 7:18-19)

"On the other hand" is a phrase of comparison. When we go to purchase something, we make a list of the positives and the negatives to determine which is best. "On the one hand" I like the color. On the other hand, I like the reliability. On the one hand, I like the price. On the other hand, I like the guarantee. Using these comparisons, we determine which is the better choice.

The writer to the Hebrews compares the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. On the one hand, the Old Covenant was weak and unprofitable (vs. 18) because nothing was made perfect under the Old Covenant (vs. 19). Sacrifices and offerings under the Old Covenant had to be made continually (vs.27). The Old Covenant priests were men who had their own weakness who had to offer sacrifices for their own sin (vs. 28), and they did not serve forever because they eventually died (vs. 23). As our focus verse says, "The law made nothing perfect."

On the other hand, we have a new covenant in the Lord Jesus. He has an unchangeable priest hood because He lives forever and He ever lives to make intercession for us (vs. 24-25). Unlike the weakness of the priests under the Old Covenant who were weak and sinful themselves, He is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners (vs 26). He does not need daily to offer up sacrifices as did the Old Covenant priests because He offered Himself as the sacrifice once and for all (vs. 27). By His sacrifice, we are, by faith, made perfectly righteous before a righteous God.

This is not to say that the Old Covenant was bad. It was given by God for a certain time, and every gift of God is good. The value of the Old Covenant law is that it helps us understand the greatness of sin (Romans 7:7). As it is recorded in Galatians 3:24, "the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ." Without the knowledge of sin, we would not know we needed a Savior. But that is insufficient. Just knowing we are sinners is not enough. We need a Savior to take care of the sin question. "If the first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second" (Hebrews 8:7). I am so glad for the New Covenant because it provides a better hope through which we draw near to God.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RA,MBLINGS -- LAZY CHRISTIANS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – LAZY CHRISTIANS

"For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Hebrews 6:10-12)

The marginal reading for the word "sluggish" is "lazy." I don't know about you but I don't like lazy people. I have worked with them during my tenure in the work force, and I find them to be half-hearted in what they do. They do only the minimum that is required to keep their job. They are commonly called "slackers."

Sometimes Christians fall into that trap. They do just enough to get by without any real passion.

Living the Christian life is a labor of love, not a begrudging obligation to serve the Lord. Our love for the Lord Jesus and what He has done for us is the motivation for serving the Lord. If I truly understand His sacrifice, then I will serve Him with everything that is in me.

The author of Hebrews exhorts the readers to be diligent in their Christian walk. Being a Christian is an intentional walk, not a lazy, half-hearted one. Let us imitate those faithful believers who have walked this journey before us, and who, through faith and patience, have inherited the promises. And when it seems the journey gets difficult, we remember that God does not forget our work and "labor of love".

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- VICTORY IN JESUS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – VICTORY IN JESUS

"Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Hebrews 2:14-15)

It was Woody Allen who said, "I'm not afraid of dying. I just don't want to be there when it happens." Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Allen, but you will be. It is appointed unto man once to die. The mortality rate is 100%. Most people don't want to die. That's why people go to great lengths to stay alive. It is an instinctual part of nature to survive. So we do everything we can to avoid death.

The non-Christian fears death because of the unknown. They face a dark hole and they don't know what lies beyond the pale. But the Christian knows what lies beyond death, and it is glorious, because of Christ's resurrection.

The Lord Jesus shared our flesh and blood, which included death, to prove that He had victory over death. Through His death, He destroyed the devil and released us from the fear of death that we were in bondage to. The devil has no power or authority because Jesus was victorious over death in His resurrection. As the Apostle wrote to the Corinthians, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 15:54-57).

Although there is sadness and mourning for our loss of a loved one, there is also a sense of victory because he or she has attained victory over death through faith in the Lord Jesus. We live in confidence, not in fear, because of Jesus' victory. Oh, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever. As the advertisement is paraphrased, "You're in good hand with Jesus."

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- OUR GOD REIGNS FOREVER

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – OUR GOD REIGNS FOREVER

"But to the Son, He says: Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom." (Hebrews 1:7)

This verse is a quotation from Psalm 45:6. God the Father says to His Son, the Lord Jesus, that His throne will last forever.

There have been many kings and kingdoms through human history, and they have all come and gone. None of them have lasted forever. But our King will be King for eternity.

There are some who do not think Jesus is God. But this verse declares that Jesus is God, and God is eternal. He will never cease to be, nor lose His position as the eternal King.

The Book of Revelation declares that "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever" (Revelations 11:15). George Fredrick Handle used this as the theme for his magnificent Hallelujah Chorus in the oratorio, The Messiah. When we hear the Hallelujah Chorus, our spirits are lifted higher and higher as the music soars. The Sopranos start the refrain, "King of Kings and Lord of Lords," and the rest of the choir responds antiphonally, "Forever and Ever, Hallelujah, Hallelujah." The Sopranos go up one step, and sing again, "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" and again the Choir answers, "Forever and Ever, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!"

We sing the song, "Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon the throne." But we don't have to wait until we get to heaven. We get to crown Him king of our lives right now. We serve a living king, and His kingdom will last forever.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE APPEAL

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE APPEAL

"Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you – being such a one as Paul, the aged and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ – I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me." (Philemon 8-11)

In the military, there is a saying "to pull rank." It means to use one's high position to order someone to do something or to get special treatment or privileges. Paul could have "pulled rank" on Philemon and ordered him to do what Paul wanted. After all, Paul had the status as an apostle and he had the age advantage. But he did not want to command Philemon to accept Onesimus back into his household. Philemon had every right to refuse Paul's request. After all, Onesimus had apparently misused his position in Philemon's household, and had run away.

There is a principle here that is worthy of consideration. To be sure, there are times when a person in authority needs to take direct action and order other people to obey. But often, it leaves a bad taste in a person's mouth. It is often better to appeal to someone to do what is right than to command them.

Paul used the word – "appeal" two times in this short letter, as if to reinforce the fact that he was trusting Philemon to make the right decision.

There are inherent dangers in this approach. Sometimes the person rejects the appeal and continues doing what they want to do. I remember a time when the neighbor's son would practice his drums on a Sunday afternoon. That was rest time in our family – Sunday naps. I appealed to him to change his practice to another time, but he refused and kept on banging his drums. That is the possibility.

Yet it seems that appeal is the better course to take, especially if I want to keep good relationship with the other person. Even if they reject my appeal, I have not damaged the relationship as I would have by demanding them that they do what I want.

Don't you sometimes wish you could command people to become Christians? It would be much easier. But that is not the case. Listen to Paul's heart in II Corinthians 5:20: "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were leading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." God is not some big bully in the sky coercing us to straighten up and do what is right. The Holy Spirit is pleading with us – appealing to us. There is always the fact that we may reject His pleading. And yet, He pleads. He will not pull rank, even though He is God of the universe.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SPEAKING THE TRUTH WITH HUMILITY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – SPEAKING THE TRUTH WITH HUMILITY

"Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable gentle, showing all humility to all men." (Titus 3:1-2)

All right, Paul, you've stepped over the boundaries. You've quit teaching and gone to meddling. Actually, this is a very convicting word to me personally.

Remember the culture that Paul and Titus were in. The Roman emperors were dictators and demanded allegiance. They did a lot of evil things. Yet, in spite of this, Paul urges Titus to tell his congregations to be subject and obedient to them. Not only that, they were advise against speaking evil of them.

That is a difficult assignment in the culture we live in today. It is so easy to bad-mouth those in authority, whether the President or Vice President, the Speaker of the House and Senate, local government officials, or even church leaders.

It is as though Paul was reinforcing his words when he wrote, "speak evil of no one showing all humility to all men." He doesn't give much wiggle room. This includes those with whom I disagree)

I am not convinced that this means that we should be mealy mouthed, just accepting whatever people do in their ungodly ways. I think there is a difference between speaking out against unrighteousness, and badmouthing people. In the mudhole of our culture, we can be clean and stand strong for what is right and true without throwing mud at other people. The person who throws mud inevitably gets dirty himself.

I think we need to be careful about how we speak about those who are in authority over us. For sure, we need to stand for what is right and true, but we don't need to bad-mouth them by calling them names and assassinating their character. May God help us to speak the truth with humility without castigating those we disagree with.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A GOOD ROLE MODEL

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A GOOD ROLE MODEL

"Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you" (Titus 2:6-8)

The apostle Paul was writing to Titus as a pastor or elder. He considered Titus to be a "true son in our common faith" (1:4). Titus had responsibilities far beyond his local assembly, since he had the assignment of organizing the churches in his area by appointing elders.

This letter contains very practical advice on to be an effective leader Christian leader, as he sought to train other men to be godly leaders. It seems that there are three very important things to consider.

First, Paul exhorts Titus to be a good example (vs. 7) It is a poor leader who will say, "Don't do as I do; do as I say." Paul told Titus to be a pattern that other people could emulate. If experience is the best teacher, the second best teacher is a good role model. Jesus taught the disciples to be servants, and then He showed them how by washing their feet.

The second is to have sound doctrine (vs. 7b) – not just some catchy phrases that would tickle people's ears. That doctrine was to be backed up by Titus' integrity (that is, with pure motives), reverence (that is, understanding the awesome privilege of teaching the Scriptures and the responsibility of doing it correctly), and incorruptness (that is, keeping the doctrine untainted and not letting it degenerate into profane means of personal gain).

And thirdly, Paul advised him to watch his speech that might give his adversaries the opportunity to criticize and denigrate him and his doctrine (vs. 8).

It seems that even as senior citizens, we would do well to pay close attention to these things: integrity, reverence, sound doctrine, and speech becoming out status as children of God. We desperately need good role models in our culture that has so few of them.

Love, Dad