DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- JUST AN ORDINARY MAN

DAD'S RAMBLING – JUST AN ORDIANRY MAN

"Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, 'Sir, we wish to see Jesus.' " (John 12:20-21)

My curiosity is piqued. Why did these Greeks approach Philip, seeking to see Jesus? Why not Peter, James, or John – the three disciples who were closest to Jesus? One would think that they would have a better chance of talking with Jesus if they went to someone with some clout. But no, they went to Philip, who in turn went to Andrew with the request.

First off, they were Greeks, not Jews. As Greeks, or Gentiles, they had heard of the works and teachings of Jesus. As outsiders, perhaps they felt that they had no business of wanting an audience with Jesus. Realize that Philip was not on the top tier of the hierarchy around Jesus. So maybe they felt a little more comfortable with Philip than with, say, Peter.

Both the account in John 1 and this account in Acts 12 make a point of saying that Philip was from Bethsaida of Galilee, the city where Peter and Andrew were from. The name Bethsaida means "fishing-house" or "house of fish." Coming from a backwater fishing village, he may not have had all the sophistication of someone from Jerusalem, nor did he speak the best Hebrew. But he had found Jesus and that changed his life.

Here's what we know about Philip. He had a reputation of bringing people to Jesus. In the beginning of Jesus' ministry, Philip was one of the first people Jesus called to follow Him. Immediately, Philip went to Nathanael and told him that he had found the One whom Moses and the prophets had spoken of. Then he said to Nathanael, "Come and see" (John 1:43-46). It was also Philip who introduced the Ethiopian eunuch to Jesus in Acts chapter 3. And Philip was the first disciple to follow Jesus' command to go first to Samaria (Acts 1:8; Acts 8) – to the people the Jews considered outcast.

The point is that Philip was not a high-falutin' guy. He was a common, ordinary Joe who had come to know Jesus. God often uses people like that to bring other people Jesus. People are sometimes put off by the clergy and can better relate to us common people.

As a common, ordinary man, I want to be available to help people who are seeking Jesus.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD HAS HELPED US

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – GOD HAS HELPED US

" 'Thus far the Lord has helped us.'" (I Samuel 7:12b)

It is hard to believe, but we are beginning our third year of "Gleanings." As we celebrate this anniversary, it would be well to remember the basic premises that were laid out in the first broadcast in May of 2020.

The name, "Handsful of Purpose," comes from the King James Translation of the story of Ruth. Ruth was sent out to glean in the fields and she just happened (one of God's divine coincidences) to harvest in the field of Boaz. Boaz took note of her and told his servants, "Let fall also some of the handsful of purpose for her and leave them, that she may glean them" (Ruth 2:16, KJV).

These meditations are just a daily gleaning after the harvest. They are just a few handsful of grain-- some delicious nuggets from God's Word to chew on. They are not meant to replace your personal Bible study where you dig into God's Word for the veins of gold hidden deep below the surface. They are simply words to encourage us in our walk with Jesus.

Just to remind us of the format used in the Gleanings.

1. The daily readings from which the meditations come are based on a Through the Bible In a Year program of the Bible Gateway website (biblegateway.com) which includes both Old Testament and New Testament readings. We purpose is to spend time in both the O.T. and N.T. to give a balanced diet of the Scriptures.

2. The version used is the New King James Version of the Bible.

3. These thoughts come out of my own devotions, so I take all the blame. As the caveat is often heard: "The thoughts expressed are the sole responsibility of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the ideas of the management."

I hope that you have enjoyed and been blessed by these Gleanings from God's Word as much as I have for the past two years. They have enriched my own personal walk with Jesus. They are like grains that fall from the head of the wheat, but there is more – so much more – to be harvested from God's Word. I trust that God has spoken to your heart through these Gleanings and has whetted your appetite for more. As God has helped us in the past, may He continue to help us in the future.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE GOOD SHEPHERD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My sheep, and am known by My own." (John 10:11-14)

Do you ever feel like you are being taken advantage of? People sometimes use and abuse you? You are their friends as long as you are useful to them. But as soon as you are no longer useful, they abandon you.

Hirelings are those who use and misuse. You are only in their flock if you benefit or advance their agenda. Unfortunately, even spiritual leaders can fall into this trap, who love the sheep only as long as they advance their career or ministry.

Jesus is not like that. He does not use you and then abandon you. The opposite is true – He laid down His life for you.

I wonder if Jesus might have had in mind the prophecy of Ezekiel 34. Ezekiel was writing about shepherds of Israel – the priests and leaders who were responsible for the care of the people. Instead, they fed themselves but not the flock (vss. 2-3). They did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick, nor bind up the broken, nor seek those who strayed. They did not protect the flock from the beasts. They pushed them around, butted all the with their horns and scattered them (vs. 21). In that scenario, God said, "I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them – My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd" (Ezekiel 34:23).

Jesus is that good shepherd. He feeds, He strengthens, he binds up the broken, and protects them from the savage beasts. He is no hireling. He laid down His life for His sheep.

What a privilege to be a sheep in Jesus' flock. He is not a hireling. He does love and care for His sheep.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ONE THING I KNOW

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – ONE THING I KNOW

"He answered, 'Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.' " (John 9:25)

Try to imagine what it was like for this man whom Jesus had just healed. He had been blind from birth. He had never seen the beauty of a sunset. He had never seen a smile. He had never seen the glory of a rose. He had never seen the face of his father or mother. He had never seen a majestic mountain. He knew nothing of the splendor of God's creation. All he had ever seen was darkness.

But Jesus miraculously healed him by spitting on the ground to make clay out of the dust and saliva, and then putting the mud on his eyes, and healed him. It was something only God could do. People could not believe that this was the same man that had sat by the side of the street begging, until he said, "Yes, it is really I."

What a change in the life of this man. No longer did he have to beg. No longer did he spend his days sitting on the street. No longer would he wonder what it would be like to see. This man's life was transformed.

At one time, we were all blind – blind to the glorious Gospel. That is, until Jesus touched our eyes so we could see. Our lives were transformed. No longer are we blind to God's grace. No longer do we grope in the darkness of sin. No longer do we stumble through life with no purpose for living. Our eyes have been opened to God's marvelous plan of salvation.

I'm not the smartest cookie in the world. But one thing I know. It was a glorious day when the scales were removed from my eyes and I could really see God's truth. I am no longer a blind beggar. I can see! Praise the Lord, I can see!

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GLORIFYING GOD THROUGH SICKNESS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – GLORIFYING GOD THROUGH SICKNESS

"Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.' " (John 9:1-3)

There are some who are like the disciples They would blame all sickness on sin. To be sure, we live in a fallen world, and the sin of Adam has tainted everything with the mark of the Fall. In that sense, all maladies are caused by sin. And it is no doubt that some ailments are cause by human folly – eating wrong or failing to observe wise practices. But to blame all sickness or handicaps on personal sin is too simplistic in my estimation.

As I have mentioned before, our daughter was born with a physical condition that caused the muscles in her neck to atrophy. As an infant, she could not turn her head without pain, and one side of her face did not grow as it should have.

Now, I can ask, "What caused my daughter's handicap?" It certainly wasn't her sin because she, as an infant, was incapable of sinning. Was it her parents' fault? The truth is that she was born breach and the doctors said the abnormal pressure on her head caused the infirmity. Sin was not the cause; it was a natural event.

Jesus said that some infirmities are allowed by God so that He can be glorified. It may be a healing that brings glory to God, as it was with our daughter. It may be a life that lives the Christ-life as demonstration of God's grace through suffering. I don't have all the answers. What I do know is that God is God, and He has a plan for every life – even a handicapped life.

Joni Eareckson Tada prayed for healing after she became a quadriplegic. There were those who said that she did not have enough faith to be healed. I can't answer for Joni, but I do know that her life of being handicapped has brought great glory to God as she has manifested His grace in and through her suffering.

I think we need to be careful how we judge people who are suffering from physical ailments. To say that every infirmity is a result of sin or lack of faith places a burden on faithful people who do not need an extra burden.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE PROOF OF DISCIPLESHIP

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE PROOF OF DISCIPLESHIP

"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed." (John 8:31)

How do we know a true disciple of Jesus? There is a way – if that person "abides" in the words of Jesus – that is, if he or she lives according to Jesus' teaching.

There are many who claim to be followers of Jesus, but their lives belie the fact that they are not really one of His disciples. As Jesus Himself said, " 'Why do you call Me "Lord, Lord" and do not do the things which I say?' " (Luke 6:46). Being a disciple is more than just mouthing some words. Discipleship demands following the words of the Master.

Jesus said, " 'Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?" And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you practice lawlessness." ' " (Matthew 7:21-23)

Writing many years later, the Apostle John wrote, "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him" (I John 2:3-4).

One of Jesus' commandments is to "Go … and make disciples" (Matthew 28:19). It is difficult to make disciples if I myself am not a disciple. A true disciple endeavors and purposes in his heart to follow his teacher. That is the mark or evidence of a disciple.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE FINGER OF GOD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE FINGER OF GOD

"This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear." (John 8:6)

The Scribes and Pharisees had brought to Jesus a woman who had been caught in adultery. In the Mosaic Law, the penalty for anyone who committed adultery was death – both the man and the woman (Leviticus 20:10). God was very explicit: "If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then both of them shall die – the man that lay with the woman, and the woman; so you shall put away the evil from Israel" (Deuteronomy 22:22). So we have to ask, "Where was the man?" These hypocrites were not interested in justice. They just wanted to catch Jesus in a trap.  How would Jesus answer?

Well, He didn't. Instead, he stooped to the ground and wrote something with His finger in the dust. The normal question is: What did He write? Whatever words He wrote brought conviction to the hearts of these "righteous" men. When Jesus said, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first" (vs. 7), they all, beginning with the oldest and down to the youngest, turned and left. It was apparent that none of them were without sin.

Another question remains: What words brought such conviction that they all backed away? Scripture does not say, but it has been suggested that he wrote the Ten Commandments, or at least some of them. This seems plausible because God's Word does convict us of sin. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "I would not have known sin, except through the law" (Romans 7:7b). God's law brings us to the knowledge of sin and brings conviction.

So perhaps Jesus wrote, "You shall not covet," and some of them would have to admit they had broken that law. Or if Jesus wrote, "You shall not steal," some of the men remembered shoplifting in the market place. Of, if Jesus wrote, "You shall not bear false witness," they remembered the many times they had lied.

Jesus wrote on the ground with His finger, and it is noteworthy that the Law of Moses had been written with "the finger of God" (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:10), and Jesus was God. God puts His finger on our sin and convicts us of our failures. Some will turn away without repenting as the Scribes and Pharisees did. Others will receive the words of Jesus, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more" (vs. 11).

Love. Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FOLLOWING JESUS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – FOLLOWING JESUS

"Therefore, many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, 'This is a hard saying; who can understand it?'......From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more." (John 6:60, 66)

It was a troubling teaching from Jesus – a hard saying. He had just finished saying, " 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him' " (John 6:53-56). It was a difficult thing for the listeners to understand. They questioned, " 'How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?' " (vs. 52). It sounded like cannibalism, and many quit following Him.

All of Jesus' teachings are necessary food, but not all of Jesus' teachings are easy to swallow (pardon the pun). When He says to take up our cross and follow Him, we say, "Who wants a cross?" When he says that we will suffer for His name sake, we recoil because we don't want to suffer. When He says to forsake family to follow Him, that does not sound appealing.

But they are a part and parcel of what it means to follow Christ. He never promised us a rose garden. He did not offer us an easy life. His word says to endure hardship as good soldiers (II Timothy 2:3). Does that sound like positive thinking?

Many people become disillusioned with the Christian life because they have been given wrong expectations. Some evangelists say, "Accept Jesus and He will solve all your problems." We need to remember the words of Peter when Jesus asked if the disciples would also turn away. His response was, "To whom else shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (vss. 67-69). The promise of eternal life outweighs any material blessing or suffering we may experience in this life. That is the proper perspective that will keep us faithful through difficult times. Only Jesus will get us to heaven. His promise is that He will be with us the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). That is enough.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- RICE CHRISTIANS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – RICE CHRISTIANS

"Jesus answered them and said, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.' " (John 6:26)

Do you remember the movie, "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness," the true story of a missionary to China, Gladys Aylward? The film was released in 1958 and starred Ingrid Bergman. One of the problems that the missionaries encountered was people who became Christian converts only because of the rice they received from the missionaries. Hence, they were called Rice Christians. As trouble and persecution arose when the Japanese invaded China, these "converts" abandoned their Christianity.

Jesus encountered the same kind of followers in His earthly ministry. These people had been present when He miraculously fed the multitude with the barley loaves and five fish. What a deal!! Follow Jesus and get free meals! So they followed Him from Tiberius to Capernaum, expecting more food (vs. 24).

That is a concern that has plagued evangelism through the years since. Why do people follow Jesus? Is it just to get a free meal or something else that they want? Rice Christians are only followers because of the material benefits that they might receive. It is not because they have truly repented of their sins and received God's gracious gift of salvation, so they quickly fall away.

This is one of the concerns of the social gospel. If we only meet the physical needs of people without them encountering the true Gospel of Christ, the efforts of the evangelism are in vain. Helping people to have a good life in this world without helping them to find life in the world to come is a dead-end.

I do not discount the value of benevolence, helping people who are in need. People have been brought to true faith in Christ through caring Christians who are concerned about physical or material welfare. But the goal must never be to just help people have a better life here in this world. It must always be to lead them to faith in Christ and the benefit of eternal life. It must go beyond this physical world to the spiritual. We must be careful not to present Jesus as the answer to all of life's problems, because sometimes following Jesus leads to hard places. If people only follow Jesus because of this-world perks, they may fall away in the hard times. Rice Christians will not stand when the rice is gone.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ENLIIGHTENED UNDERSTANDING

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – ENLIGHTENED UNDERSTANDING

"But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:38-39)

Is it really possible to have a great understanding of the Bible and still miss God's message? How is this possible? The Pharisees did.

In the case of the Jews of Jesus' day, they had the knowledge of God's revelation through the Old Testament. God had spoken through Moses, through the prophets, and through the psalmists. The Jews memorized these Old Testament scriptures. They searched the Scriptures, and they all testified about the Lord Jesus. Yet they did not recognize Him or believe in Him when He came.

It is possible to have great knowledge of the Bible and still not have saving faith in the Lord Jesus. People may even know the Gospel in the New Testament, and still miss it. Why is that?

Jesus answers that question in verse 46: "If you believed Moses, you would believe me." The simple answer is that they did not believe the Scriptures. For whatever reason, they did not believe them even though they studied them.

The Apostle Paul approached this when he wrote that there was a covering over the eyes of their understanding. "Their minds were blinded. For until this day, the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away."

Even in the 21^st century, people can read the Bible and miss the truth because they don't believe what it says. God promised through the Prophet Jeremiah that "you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). May, as the Apostle prayed, the eyes of our understanding be enlightened, that we may know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe – who turn to Him and seek Him with all their heart (Ephesians 1:18-19).

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ANONYMOUS ACTS OF KINDNESS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – ANONYMOUS ACTS OF KINDNESS

"Then they asked him,' Who is the Man who said to you, "Take up your bed and walk?" ' But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place." (John 5:12-13)

We sometimes call them "random acts of kindness." These are acts of charity that are often anonymous. They are done without any expectation of praise or reward. They just flow out of the goodness of our heart.

Jesus did one of these anonymous acts of kindness. He saw this man who had been sick for thirty-eight years. He was among many others who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed waiting for the water in the Pool of Bethesda to be troubled so they could be the first one to enter the water and be healed.

There is no explanation in the biblical text why Jesus chose this one man to heal. But as he stepped through the crowd of people gathered around the pool, His attention was arrested by this one man. He simply healed him and then went on his way with no great fanfare. The man did not even know who Jesus was.

It was not until later than Jesus revealed Himself to the man as the healer. After that, the man went about witnessing that it was Jesus who had made him well.

The fact is that God does things all the time without great fanfare, and we often don't recognize that it was He who did it nor do we give Him thanks or praise. It may be as simple as providing the air we breathe, or it may be as great as saving us from an accident. It is not until we understand that all good things come from God that we give Him the credit.

Whether it is a believer or a pagan, God is doing good things for us. It does rain on the just and the unjust. Rain is a blessing and we need it. Often it is not until the drought comes that we look back and can see how God provided the blessing of rain. We don't give Him enough praise for His quiet acts of kindness.

God is a giving and beneficent God. Hopefully, we as His people recognize His provision and handiwork, even when unbelievers don't. Let us be thankful for His anonymous blessings.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- HE MUST INCREASE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – HE MUST INCREASE

"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)

The followers of John the Baptist were having a problem. There was this guy called Jesus who was baptizing people. John was losing his following and his disciples were concerned that Jesus would steal all of John's adherents.

John understood that Jesus was the anointed one – the Messiah – and that his role in the story was only to be the one to introduce Jesus. He had told the people that he was not the Christ,  but was only the forerunner. But apparently, that message had not sunk in to some of John's disciples.

So John told them plainly, "He must increase, and I must decrease." John's ministry was bound to diminish as Jesus' ministry increased. John understood that and made no attempts to hold on to his position or his followers.

As we give testimony to the Lord Jesus, this is the model we must follow. Jesus must increase in the eyes of people and we must decrease. If people follow me instead of Jesus, I have betrayed my calling.

This might have been the problem of the church at Corinth. There were those who said, " 'I am of Paul,' or 'I am of Apollos,' or 'I am of Cephas,' or 'I am of Christ' " (I Corinthians 1:12). These believers had their eyes on men or on a denomination rather than on the Lord Jesus, and it was causing division and contention in the Church. They were like the disciples of John the Baptist who were protective of their own association and saw the others as a threat.

There are many good preachers and denominations. But if we get our eyes on them instead of the Lord Jesus, we will miss God's great plan. They must decrease and Christ must increase.

May Jesus be magnified in the eyes of people. "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together" (Psalm 34:3).

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL TRUTH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL TRUTH

" 'Most assuredly, I say to you, we speak what we know and testify what we have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?' " (John 3:11-12)

Nicodemus was having trouble understanding the teaching of Jesus. It just did not make sense to him when Jesus said, "You must be born again." Nicodemus asked, "How can I, as an old man, enter into my mother's womb and be born a second time?" (John 3:4).

Of course, we understand that Jesus was using a natural illustration to convey a spiritual truth. Just as Nicodemus was born the first time in natural birth, so he needed to be born a second time spiritually. But Nicodemus was not thinking spiritually so he did not comprehend what Jesus was saying.

As we are born naturally and enter into our worldly family by our parents, so we must be born spiritually into God's family by the Holy Spirit. In the first chapter, John wrote that through our faith in the Lord Jesus, we have the right to become children of God by being born of God (John 1:12-13).

To understand spiritual truth, we must be born again spiritually by the Spirit of God. God says, "The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (I Corinthians 2:14). Being born again opens our own spirits to understand spiritual things.

I think there is a parallel in the Old Testament. God, through the prophet Ezekiel, tells of the time when Israel will be returned to the land as a nation during the Millennium. Here is the promise of God to Israel: "I will cleanse you from all your filthiness....I will give you a new heart....I will put My Spirit within you …. I will deliver you from all your uncleanness....I will multiply the fruit of your trees" (Ezekiel 36:25-30). As God will do for the rebirth of the Nation of Israel, so He does for us as individuals through the New Birth of the Holy Spirit.

I am so glad for the cleansing, the new heart, and God's Spirit Who lives within.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- JUST DO IT!

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – JUST DO IT!

"His mother said to the servants, 'Whatever He says to you, do it.' " (John 2:5)

Jesus, his family, and his disciples were invited to a wedding. They were no doubt having a wonderful celebration, when Mary, his mother, became aware of the fact that the host had run out of wine.

Mary passed along the information to Jesus. Jesus responded, "What does your concern have to do with Me? My hour is not yet come" (vs. 4).

Mary ignored Jesus' answer and told the servants to do whatever Jesus might tell them to do. They had no clue what was going to happen.

Jesus saw six stone waterpots that were used for cleansing. The Jewish tradition provided for washing of feet after traveling on the dusty roads, and also for washing of their hands before eating. Each pot contained twenty to thirty gallons.

Imagine the perplexity of the servants when Jesus told them to fill these pots with water. That made no rational sense. What good would it do to fill these pot with water, when the real issue was lack of wine? This is stupid. This is ridiculous.

But being good servants, they did what they were told. And, lo and behold, the water became wine. What a surprise when the master of the feast was served this "water" and discovered that it was really wine – good wine!

How often I respond to God's voice the same way the servants might have. Often, it makes no sense. God says, "Give and it shall be given to you." God says, "You have to die to really live." God says, "He who loses his life will for my sake will find it." These things do not make sense to the natural mind. But they are God's way to true living.

I must submit my natural thinking to God's way to thinking, even when it seems illogical to the natural mind. As Mary said to the servants, "Just do it," and then see what Jesus will do.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A PURE HEART

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A PURE HEART

"Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, 'Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is not deceit!' Nathanael said to him, 'How did You know me?' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.' " (John 1:47-48)

Nathanael was a man without deceit. Nathanael had a pure heart. There was no guile or craftiness. There was no double meaning to his words. He was honest enough to say what he thought. When Philip found Nathanael and told him about the Jesus, Nathanael said, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46). He did not mince words. He was not one to brownie up to someone to gain their approval.

Jesus was drawn to Nathanael, even in spite of his skepticism, and called Nathanael to follow Him.

There is a place for restraining our lips from saying what we really think when it comes to our relationships with people. But we need to be honest enough to be open with God.

I think Jesus would rather have us to be honest, than to cover up what we really think. After all, He knows us, just as he knew Nathanael. He sees us as we are. It's no use trying to be crafty with God. As the Psalmist wrote: "O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off,,,,There is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether" (Psalm 139:1-2, 4)

God knows my doubts and skepticisms. He knows when my faith lags. He knows my anger, my sorrow, my discouragement. So I may as well be honest with Him. That is a pure heart in which is no deceit or guile.

And the good thing is that He loves and accepts me anyway and says, "Follow Me." He knows what I will become because I am honest enough to face my weakness.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). He can so His work with people who are honest in their hearts with Him.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- OUR ETERNAL SAVIOR

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – OUR ETERNAL SAVIOR

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God." (John 1:1-2)

As John began his Gospel, he wanted to make sure that the reader would under- stand that the One he would be writing about was not just a man; He was and is God. The word translated "was" is in the Greek an imperfect tense. That means something that was in the past but continues into the future. He is still God.

This thought is also found in John's Revelation of Jesus, where he wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, "Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come" (Revelation 1:4b). Jesus himself revealed Himself as "the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end" (Revelation 1:8).

"In the beginning" raises the question: Which beginning? It was not the beginning of the Godhead, since God had no beginning. God always existed. I think that John makes it clear that he is writing in terms of the beginning of Creation for several reasons.

The first consideration is that the phrase "in the beginning" strikingly uses the same phrase as Genesis 1:1 – "In the beginning, God...." The second consideration is that, just as in Genesis 1:1, John immediately identified his subject as the Creator– "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made" (vs. 3).

Jesus did have a time of beginning as a human here on earth, as John wrote in verse 14, "The Word became flesh." The word translated "became" is in the Greek aorist tense which indicates something that happened at a point in time. He took upon Himself human form as an event but is ever alive because of the Resurrection. We serve a Savior who had no beginning, is alive today, and always will be in the future. All glory to Him, our eternal Redeemer.

"I serve a living Savior, He's in the world today. I know that He is living whatever men may say." The Word – the Lord Jesus Christ – is God and ever shall be. All praise to His holy Name.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE INHERITANCE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE INHERITANCE

"And it came to pass after these things that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in Jereel, next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, 'Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near, next to my house; and for it I will give you a vineyard better than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its worth in money.' But Naboth said to Ahab, 'The LORD forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!' " (I Kings 21:1-3)

What a guy, this King Ahab. He had the whole kingdom, but he was not satisfied. He wanted more. He wanted this piece of land that was next to his house. This land had a vineyard that had been established for years and that would produce from year to year. Ahab wanted to tear out the vineyard and plant vegetables, which would only produce for one season.

This plot of land had been passed down through the generations. It was, to use Naboth's words, "the inheritance of my fathers." It was more than just a piece of land to Naboth. It was his connection to his past. It was a part of the family heritage. It had spiritual meaning. It meant nothing to Ahab, but it meant everything to Naboth. Ahab could not comprehend how this piece of land could be worth more than a better piece of land or money. He was oblivious to the deep conviction of Naboth. Naboth stood his ground against the king, and ended up being murdered for it.

So, I ask myself, what enticement of the world would be worth giving up my inheritance of faith for? The world cannot understand the depth of meaning of my faith in Christ. Ephesians 1:11 says that I have obtained an inheritance. I think I understand "what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance" (Ephesians 1:19). The world would offer me something that from outward appearances would be better than my spiritual inheritance but would not last. What I have in Christ is worth more than anything the world has to offer. So why would I give up my inheritance for something else, even if it looks better?

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I'd rather be His than have riches untold. I'd rather have Jesus than houses and land. I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand, than to be the king of a vast domain, and be held in sin's dread sway. I'd rather have Jesus that anything this world affords today.

I want the strength of character of Naboth that will not sacrifice my inheritance for something else, no matter how attractive, even if it means giving up my life.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- DEPRESSION

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – DEPRESSION

"And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, 'So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.' And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he (Elijah) went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, 'It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!" (I Kings 19:1-4)

Have you ever suffered from depression? I have and it is no fun. It is worse than just being depressed, which we probably all experience from time to time. It is a prolonged state of profound state of hopelessness and despair. It often includes withdrawal and self-isolation, fatigue, feelings of helplessness, apathy, and suicidal thoughts.

Elijah was suffering from big-time depression after the great victory at Mt. Carmel when God demonstrated His mighty power. He was exhibiting the symptoms. He withdrew by going into the wilderness and later into a cave. He wanted to die. He slept under a broom tree. His depression lasted for an extended time as he went 40 nights to Horeb, the mountain of God (vs. 9).

Depression can have many causes. It may be caused by a physical, chemical or nutritional imbalance in our system. It may be from an emotional upheaval. It may be from burnout. It may be not enough sunshine. It may be a drop in our adrenaline level after a big event. It may be a spiritual low, as it was with Elijah.

God kept asking Elijah, "What are you doing here?" (vss. 9, 13). Elijah's answer was the same each time: "I have been zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life" (vss. 10, 14). Listen to the self-pity. Hear his grief over Israel's ungodliness. He feels alone and rejected. He feels his work is in vain. But God is not done with Elijah. He still has a work to do. God gives Elijah a glimpse of His purpose for his life.

God does not desert us in our times of despair. Even though it may seem that we are forsaken, God still has a work for us to do. Healing from depression may take time, but a restored vision for our future is a part of that healing.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- UNDERCOVER AGENTS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – UNDERCOVER AGENTS

"And Ahab had called Obadiah, who was in charge of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly." (I Kings 18:3)

Much of this part of the book of I Kings is devoted to the story of Elijah. He was a great man, wonderfully used by God to speak truth to an ungodly people.

But today, I want to focus on another man, Obadiah, who was also used by God but in a different way. Elijah was an "in your face" kind of guy, while Obadiah operated behind the scenes.

Obadiah was trusted part of King Ahab's government. He was in charge of King Ahab's house. But unlike wicked Ahab, Obadiah was a God-fearing man. He was an undercover agent for God in Satan's territory.

Ahab's wife, Jezebel, who was as ungodly as Ahab or maybe even more so, wanted to get rid of God's prophets – to cleanse the land from godly influence. But Obadiah, at his own peril and expense, hid 100 prophets in a cave and supplied food and water for them. Right under Ahab's nose.

God has always had godly people in places of influence, whether it was Joseph or Daniel, or people like Nehemiah – the kings cup-bearer (Nehemiah 2:1), or Joanna, the wife of King Herod's steward, who supported Jesus' ministry (Luke 8:3), or the Christians who were a part of Caesar's household (Philippians 4:22). They did not necessarily make a big splash, in their commitment to God but they were serving the Lord in places of influence.

Thank God that He has people in our governmental structure who are quietly serving God. They may be teachers. They may be legislators. They may be school board members. They may be judges. They may be governors. They do not necessarily wear their Christian faith on the shirt-sleeves. But they are god-fearing people who are in positions of influence. God uses people like that.

This is not to say that we should not boldly declare our faith in the Lord Jesus. It is only to say that God can use secret agents to do His work. If anything, we need more Obadiahs who are willing to do what is right in the face of tremendous pressure to conform to ungodly worldviews. May God bless them.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

" "In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king over Judah...Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did his father David." (I Kings 15:9, 11)

This is a very encouraging word for me, today. I believe the words of Daniel, that "God removes kings and raises up kings" (Daniel 2:21). He places rulers for His own purposes and designs.

As we have seen, Rehoboam, king of Judah, was not a godly king. Under his reign, "Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD" (I Kings 14:22). When he died, his son, Abijam, ascended to the throne. But he was like his father, Rehoboam. "He walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David" (I Kings 15:3).

After two ungodly kings, it is like a breath of fresh air to read about Asa, who did what was right. He banished the perverted people from the land. This shows how far Judah had gone from serving God. The Hebrew word for "perverted people" is qedeshim. They practiced sodomy and prostitution in their religious rituals. Asa cleansed the nation from them. He also removed all the, idols his father, Abijam, had erected. He even removed his grandmother, Maachah, from being queen mother, because she had made an obscene image of Asherah, a Canaanite goddess, and he destroyed the image. How low can a nation go?

But God, in His mercy, allowed Asa to be king and he cleansed the land. Asa may not have done everything right, but he had a good heart.

Asa is an encouragement for me because our beloved nation has slid so far into the abyss that it sometimes seems that there is no hope. But God is God and if He desires, He can give us godly leaders that will bring us back to righteousness. I pray that this will happen.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SERVANT LEADERSHIP

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – SERVANT LEADERSHIP

"Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and said, 'How so you advise me to answer these people?' And they spoke to him, saying, 'If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.' But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him." (I Kings 12:6-7)

Solomon had died, and his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. But there was another man in the picture, Jeroboam. Jeroboam was a servant of Solomon (I Kings 11:26), the son of Nebat of the tribe of Ephraim. He had rebelled against King Solomon. When Solomon learned of this, he sought to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled for his life to Egypt. When Jeroboam heard that Solomon had died, he returned to Israel, and led a revolt of the people against Rehoboam.

Rehoboam had not acted wisely to get the Israelites to submit to his kingship. He sought the advice of the older men who had served under King Solomon, and they advised him to serve the nation, to speak good to them, and lighten the burden that Solomon had imposed. This was good advice. But then Rehoboam talked to the younger men he had grown up with, and they advised him to be a tough ruler who would make life harder for his subjects. Unfortunately, he listened to the younger men, and 10 tribes of the nation rejected him as king and followed Jeroboam. It really came to a head when Rehoboam sent his IRS agent, Adoram, to collect taxes from the northern tribes. They stoned him, and Rehoboam retreated to Jerusalem. The northern tribes of Israel proclaimed Jeroboam as their king. That left Rehoboam with only two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, under his dominion, and there was war between Jeroboam and Rehoboam all of their days (I Kings 14:30).

Leaders could take a lesson from this. If they want people to follow them, they need to be servants instead of despots. They need to speak good and lighten their burdens instead of lording it over them. Too often, leaders let their position go to their heads. Power does corrupt, and even those who start out with humility end up being tyrants.

Jesus is our king. He took the role of a servant, and He speaks good things to us and lightens our load. Satan is a tyrant and demands submission. It doesn't take a genius to figure which would be easiest to follow.

Love, Dad