DAD'S RAMBLINGS --

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE

"Paul, a bondservant of God an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and according to the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior...." (Titus 1:1-3)

The Apostle Paul gave his life to this one purpose: to preach the truth which God promised – eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus. And what a hope that is! When I look at our world, there is not much hope.

When I was in seminary, one of the classes required me to compose a tract. The subject of the tract was up to me, and I chose the subject of hope. The title was "Is There Any Hope?" In light of all the turmoil that plagues our planet such as terrorism, climate change, moral disintegration, wars, shortages, and the drug epidemic, is there any hope?

Is there any hope for our personal lives that are confronted with marriage and relationship problems, addictions and unhealthy habits, economic uncertainty, and a thousand other issues?

Is there any hope for life after death? Can we know for certain that we will go to heaven when we die?

If our trust and hope are based in the government, in society, in religion, or in ourselves, there is not much basis for hope.

But the focus verses assure us that the faith of God's elect is true because it is based in God's promises which were settle before time began. We can be assured of eternal life where everything will be made right. There is nothing else that can be the ground of hope that will carry us through life and past death.  Have faith in God.

"For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in His shall not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Now that is our hope!  

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PLAYING BY THE RULES

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – PLAYING BY THE RULES

"And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." (II Timothy 2:5)

Can you imagine an athletic contest without rules? Every game has rules that must be observed or there are penalties. People constantly try to get past the rules by cheating. Not long ago, there was a marathon in which one of the runners decided flaunt the rules by taking a shortcut to get ahead of the rest of the crowd. And I recently heard of a world-class chess player who was caught cheating. He was banished from competing. Cheating at chess? Who woulda thunk? I have watched rugby games and it seems to me that there are no rules – anything goes. But the players know the rules and so do the refs. You can't ignore the rules and cheat without consequences.

There are rules in Christ's kingdom. Even getting into the Kingdom requires following some rules. Jesus said. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber" (John 10:1). Jesus said that no one comes to the Father except by trusting Him as The Way. That is the rule. Anyone who tries to get into Heaven by another way is violating God's rule.

Life is filled with rules to live by, whether it is taking a test, paying my taxes, being faithful in marriage, or any other scenario. Not observing the rules by cheating is a form of robbery. I am stealing something from someone else of what is lawfully due. We can't cheat God by playing by our own rules.

Following God's rules will ensure that a person is acting lawfully. Trying to cut corners or make up my own rules will only end in disqualification. Anyone who thinks they can pull the wool over God's eyes will be dismayed when they stand before the Great Judge. He knows all of the tricks we may try to play. It is better to abide by the rules than to try to fool Him.

Knowing the rules helps me play the game better. God has given us a handbook of rules for regulation play. We do well to study the rule-book so that we know what God expects. We will not receive the winner's crown – the crown of life – unless we play by God's rules.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FEAR NOT

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – FEAR NOT

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord..." (II Timothy 1:7-8a)

I have seen people wearing a t-shirt with the saying printed on their chest: No Fear. I think that would be a good motto for Believers.

Sometimes I am reluctant to share the Gospel with people because of fear. I know that this is not from God, because He has not given us the spirit of fear. Still, I fear offending the person, or I fear not saying everything right, or I fear doing it at the wrong time, or I fear closing future opportunities to witness to my faith, or I fear that my life does not demonstrate my faith.

I wish I could have boldness of Daniel, or Peter, or Paul. But I do confess that I struggle with these emotions that keep me from boldly proclaiming God's truth. I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation. My problem is not the message but my own inabilities and weaknesses. I know that I can trust God. I just don't trust myself.

But I am not alone. Apparently Timothy had some a similar problem, so Paul encourages him to not back away from proclaiming the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The solution is for me to trust God instead of myself. The Holy Spirit is faithful to do His ministry if I do mine.

One of the most common statements in Scripture is "Fear not." I can trust God because He is faithful. I need His power, His love, and a sound mind to share the Gospel of Christ.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- IN HIS TIME

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – IN HIS TIME

"I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of Kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen." (I Timothy 6:13-16)

What a beautiful description of the Lord Jesus who shall appear in His time.

God has a time for everything in His great plan. When God sent His Son the first time into this world to be born of a virgin, it was in the fullness of time (Galatians 4:4). Jesus was crucified on God's timetable on Passover. He rose from the dead after three days – in God's time. And He will come again in God's perfect time.

I am reminded of King Solomon's observation in Ecclesiastes that in this world there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to harvest; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. We live by the calendar.

God also has a timetable, and everything in His purpose happens at the right time. It is not my time but His. I don't know my time to die, but He does. And I don't know when Jesus will return, but God does.

The song says it well: "In His time, In His time, He makes all things beautiful in His time. Lord, please show me every day as You're teaching me Your way, that You do just what You say, in Your time." Or as the David confessed in his song, "But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your hand" (Psalm 31:14-15a). While I wait for His time for my home-going – whether by the upper-taker or the under-taker, I my desire is to live blameless and without spot before Him.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBINGS -- EQUITABLE JUSTICE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – EQUITABLE JUSTICE

"Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality." (I Timothy 5:19-21)

If I have heard it once, I have heard it a hundred times in the past few years. It is that "no one is above the law." There are those who attain a position of influence and power, and they think that the rules do not apply to them. It happens in the secular world and it happens in the church.

Position sometimes deludes people into believing that they can violate the rules with impunity. They think that they are above being charged with misconduct. But everyone needs to be accountable, regardless of their position. There should be no prejudice nor partiality in the observance of standards of conduct demanded of those in places of leadership.

But Paul recognizes the other side of the coin. People in places of power and leadership are also prime targets for false accusations of misconduct. It only takes one person to destroy the reputation of a godly leader. It is absolutely imperative to not entertain an accusation unless it is from multiple witnesses.

It is very difficult to defend oneself against false or anonymous accusations. Even if the accusation is unjust, the reputation of the person who is accused is impugned. And once a reputation is smeared, it is impossible to fully restore it.

It is a two-sided coin. The person who is guilty of violating God's law needs to be held accountable. But we need to be careful to not just accept any accusation at face value as true without solid proof.

The church – Christ's body – is too valuable to let sin be tolerated, no matter what the position of the sinner is. But it is also too valuable to allow it to be tainted by unfounded accusations that ruin the reputation of the assembly.

Whatever the case, equitable justice needs to be the goal without prejudice or partiality.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- BEING AN EXAMPLE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – BEING AN EXAMPLE

"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (I Timothy 4:12)

This letter was written by the Apostle Paul to a younger minister, Timothy, whom Paul considered as a son in the faith (I Timothy 1:2, 18; II Timothy 1:2). It is a letter of instruction and encouragement concerning his ministry.

In our focus verse, Paul encourages Timothy to not be discouraged because some people thought he was not qualified to be an elder because of his youth. It is a fact that some of the older generations look down on younger ministers who don't seem to be wet behind the ears as though they could surely not be used by God. They certainly could not have the wisdom of experience or the ability to adequately understand the depths of God's word to say anything that would be of benefit to older Christians.

But Paul encourages Timothy to disregard the naysayers and just live as an example by his speech, his conduct, his love, his spirit, his faith, and his purity.

If God was to write to us of the older generation, He might write something similar but from the other point of view. "Let no one despise your advanced age, but be an example to the younger believers by your speech, your conduct, your love, your spirit, your faith, and your purity."

It is easy for young people to look down on us old duffers as out of touch with reality and having nothing to say to the younger generations. But I think we do. Even if they think we are old-fashioned, senile, out of date, and make fun of at our stories about the past, we can still be examples to them. Perhaps when they grow up, they will appreciate our steadfast faithfulness to the Lord God.

I can't keep up with all the millennials, the x'ers, the y'ers, or whatever they are called. But as an elderly baby boomer, I accept this as a challenge to be an example, even if younger people despise my age. I believe God can use us even in our advanced years to show the other generations what it means to be a Christian by out speech, our conduct, our love, our spirit, our faith, and our purity

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A FAITHFUL SAYING

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A FAITHFUL SAYING

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the word to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (I Timothy 1:15)

This saying was probably a part of the confession of faith of the early church in the 1^st century. It capsulizes the mission of the Lord Jesus of coming to this earth for one purpose – to save sinners.  Jesus Himself said that this was His mission:  "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).

Paul was perhaps one of the greatest Christians who ever lived. But his confession was that he was the worst sinner of all. It is important to note that He does not say, "I was a bad sinner," but, "I am the chief of sinners."

If we ever loose that perspective – that we are sinners in need of a Savior – we will not continually look to Jesus as our Savior. It is true that Jesus died once and for all for our sins, and that as we live in faith, He continually cleanses us from our sins. However, I must keep in mind that I am still a mortal human with a fallen nature that still sins – misses the mark, as the Greek word for sin has it.

I am a sinner. I recognize that I do not always live up to God's glory. I continually need His forgiveness. He has forgiven me, He is forgiving me, and He will continue to forgive me as I keep my faith in this truth: Jesus Christ came to save sinner, of whom I am chief.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- KEEP ON KEEPING ON

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – KEEP ON KEEPING ON

"But as for You, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good." (II Thessalonians 3:13)

Have you ever grown tired of doing what is good and right? I venture that most of us have. It would be so much easier to just give in and go with the flow. But God has not called us to float through life. He places challenges in our path to let us know that the battle is not over. He still has victories to accomplish through us.

We get a further insight into this admonition in the letter Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia. He encouraged them with these words using the metaphor of a farmer: "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Galatians 6:9).

We need to keep the long view. When we grow weary, we need to be like a farmer who looks past the toil of the work involved to the joy of the harvest. Suppose that the farmer lost heart and quit in the middle of the season. He would miss the fruit of his labor.

When we get tired of praying, of studying God's Word, of going to church, of living the righteous life, let us remember that there is reward for those who keep on keeping on.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLING -- ROADBLOCKS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – ROADBLOCKS

"Therefore we wanted to come to you-- even I, Paul, time and again – but Satan hindered us." (I Thessalonians 2:18)

Paul recognized Satan as the source of the roadblocks that hindered him from visiting the Believers at Thessalonica. Satan is an enemy of Christ and His kingdom and his purpose is to disrupt the advance of Christ's kingdom.

We do not have particulars about how Satan hindered Paul. This is not the first time that Paul was hindered from what he had in his heart to do. In his letter to the Romans, he wrote that he had planned to come to them in order to encourage them, but he was hindered (Romans 1:13). In fact, he was "much hindered" (Romans 15:22).

The enemy of the Christ's Kingdom will do whatever he can to put up roadblocks to hinder the work of the Kingdom. He will use any means necessary to keep the Gospel from being proclaimed, whether a government that forbids the preaching of Christ, or a moral failure of a Christian leader, or heretical doctrine.

Sometimes it is difficult to discern whether it is God who is redirecting our path or Satan who has put up roadblocks to keep us from fulfilling God's plan. Paul, in our focus verse, explicitly said that it was Satan who hindered him. But in another instance, he was forbidden by the Holy Spirit to go to a particular area (Acts 16:6).

In any event, it takes discernment to know whether it is Satan or the Holy Spirit who is causing the delay, but we can be sure that God is sovereign and He will direct our paths. God can even use Satan's attempt to hinder God's plan to advance the Kingdom of God. An example is China where the government tried to stop the Gospel from going forth, but millions have come to Christ, even in persecution.

We can be sure that Christ will build His Church. I just don't want to be a hindrance to the spread of the Gospel by what I do, what I say, or where I go.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE TESTIMONY OF A CHURCH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE TESTIMONY OF A CHURCH

"For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." (I Thessalonians 1:8-10)

The reputation of the Believers at Thessalonica had spread far and wide, how they had forsaken their idols to serve the true and living God. They had received the Gospel – how Jesus came from heaven to die on the cross, to be raised from the dead, and provides salvation from the wrath to come – and they embraced it.

Every church has a reputation. In some instances, a church has the reputation for being a divided, fighting church. The community knows about the churches that have split into separate congregations. In other instances, a church may be known as an evangelistic church with a desire to spread the Gospel. Some are known as a social gospel church. Some churches are known for their emphasis on education and discipleship, as Bible-centered fellowships. Many, thankfully, are known as loving people.

We need to be very careful about how people perceive our fellowship. It may mean the difference between them accepting Christ as Savior or rejecting the Gospel because of what they perceive as the character of the church.

Paul recognized the church at Thessalonica as a fellowship that demonstrated their work of faith, their labor of love, their patience or endurance, and their hope in the Lord Jesus Christ (vs. 3).

We are representatives of the Lord Jesus, not just as individuals, but also as corporate assemblies. May we always bring honor and glory to the Lord.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- TAKE HEED

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – TAKE HEED

"And say to Archippus, 'Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.' " (Colossians 4:17)

It is interesting to me that the Apostle Paul ends this letter with a special word to a solitary person, Archippus. We don't know much about this individual except that he is singled out again in Paul's letter to Philemon as a "fellow soldier" who was a part of the house church that met in Philemon's home.

This is not the first time we have talked about the ministries that God has placed in the church. Whatever gift Archippus had received, he needed encouragement to continue to do that ministry. We might say, "Pay attention and be diligent to the ministry God has given you."

We all need this kind of encouragement to fulfill the ministry which we have received in the Lord. It is so easy to get lazy and slough off when it comes to doing what God has called us to do. We get involved in so many things that may be good but do not actually fulfill the task that God has designed for us as individuals. Paul's admonition is to take seriously and faithfully the particular purpose God has for each life to bless the kingdom.

Each of needs to pay attention, be diligent to fulfill the purpose God has for our lives. The work of the Kingdom of God depends on it. As the song says, "Take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord, to thee. Take my hands, and let the move at the impulse of Thy love, at the impulse of Thy love."

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SING!

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A SONG TO SING

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16)

Christians have a song to sing. It is the song of grace. Even if a person cannot carry a tune in a basket, he still has a song in his heart to the Lord. Music is a powerful way to build our faith as we sing in our hearts and as we join in worship, singing together.

Martin Luther understood the power of music in the fledging Reformation. "So strong were his beliefs about music and worship that he wrote these fiery words: 'Next to the word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. It controls our hearts, minds and spirits. A person who does not regard music as a marvelous creation of God does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be permitted to hear nothing but the braying of asses and the grunting of hogs!' Luther created new music for church choirs, organ, and other instruments during. (The Center for Church Music)

John Wesley and Charles Wesley, founders of Methodism, also understood also understood the value of music in transmitting spiritual truths to believers. John Wesley wrote over 6,000 hymns (Wikipaedia).

God loves to hear His people sing. It is no wonder that the longest book in the Bible is the Book of Psalms. It is filled with exhortations to sing to the Lord. I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me (Psalm 13:6). Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation (Psalm 95:1). Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. (Psalm 96:1 -2) I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being (Psalm 104:33). Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God, (Psalm 147:7). Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints. (Psalm 149:1)

We have a great treasury of music in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs or choruses.

So let us sing in our hearts to the Lord, both in the shower and in the church.

Love, Dad​

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PRINCIPLES OF THE WORLD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – PRINCIPLES OF THEWORLD

"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)

The Apostle Paul uses the phrase, "principles of the world," two times in this chapter, in verses 8 and 20. This echoes what he wrote in his letter to the Galatians, where he said that as children, we were under the "elements" of the world (Galatians 4:3) using the same Greek word.

So what are the elemental or rudimentary principles of the world? The basic principles of the world are the foundational philosophies from which all other ideas emanate. When it comes to living our lives, I think there is one principle that is the fountainhead from which everything else flows. It is embodied in the phrase that the professor taught his students in the film, "The Poet," – "seize the day." That is, you only live once and there is nothing after this life, so get all you can get out of life today. It is self-centered living. Anything I get depends on me. The purpose of life is to enjoy it – live it with gusto.

In opposition to the world's principle, a rudimentary principle of Christ's kingdom is that there is life after death, and what we do here impacts eternity.

We live for heaven.

In Colossians 4:20, the Holy Spirit through Paul says that we have died to the principles of this world. We no longer live for ourselves, but for Him Who gave His life for us. If we live, we live to the Lord (Romans 14:8). We live according to His principles.

We are constantly bombarded with the world's principles. The natural philosophies are at odds with God's principles. The world-view of the unbeliever is based on human thinking. That is why it is so important that we, as believers, be students of what God says in His word, so that our world-view is in sync with God's view.

God says, "Be not conformed to this world (that is, to its philosophies) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE MOST VALUABLE THING IN THE WORLD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE MOST VALUABLE THING IN THE WORLD

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him,not having my own righteousness, which is from he law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:7-11)

What is the most valuable thing in my life? Is it a good home? Is is a secure income? Is it status? Is is it recognition and praise by other people of how good I am?

For the Apostle, there was one thing that was more valuable than anything else in this world. It was his relationship with Jesus. He considered everything else as garbage in comparison to knowing Christ.

To know Christ should be the most important thing in every believer's life. It is more important than anything else one could imagine. Whatever I may gain in this life as far as living the good life pales in comparison to my relationship with Christ. That is the only thing that will last into eternity. Even good things will seem as trash in light of the glories of heaven.

Jesus said to lay up treasures in heaven. Surely, the greatest treasure is knowing Christ.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LIGHTS IN THE DARKNESS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – LIGHTS IN THE DARKNESS

"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." (Philippians 2:14-15)

Do you like to be around complainers? Nothing is ever good enough. They believe that their way is always best. They are never satisfied.

This is not a good testimony to our faith in the Lord Jesus. If we really believe that God is sovereign and in control, and that all things work together for good to those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose, then we shouldn't be complainers. When we complain, we are saying that we don't trust God, and that our way is better than His.

This is not the same as seeing how things could be better, and working to improve them. This complaining is just a continual harping on the way we think things should be but not doing anything to improve them. This constant complaining is not a good testimony to our faith in God's omniscience, omnipotence, and omnisapience or wisdom.

In spite of all the troubles the Apostle Paul went through, he could say that in every circumstance he found himself, he had learned to be content (Philippians 4:11). God calls us to contentment, as we read in Hebrews 13:5: "Be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you." The presence of Jesus in our lives satisfies our greatest longing.

God has called us to be lights in a dark world. As the old saying goes, we can either curse the darkness or light a candle. Complaining about the darkness does not solve the problem. The solution to darkness is to turn on the light. May my life be a glimmer of light in a dark world. Trusting God to help us work solve the problem leads to contentment and eliminates complaining, and that is a light to others who are in darkness.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- AVOIDING MUDHOLES

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – AVOIDING MUDHOLES

"Therefore, do not be unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:17)

The goal of the Christian is to live according to the will of the Lord. God has revealed in His Word how we ought to live.

As has been mentioned before, the word "therefore" is important because it tells us what the verse is there for. Here it relates back to verse 15 which says, "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools by as wise." The fool does not care how he lives his life, as long as he pleases himself. The wise person lives according to God's will and design.

The phrase, "walk circumspectly," in the Greek, basically means to live diligently. The English word combines two words – circum – around, and spect – to look or see. So the wise person is diligently watching, looking around, to make sure that he or she is walking on the right path, careful not to stumble over rocks or fall into holes. That requires keeping our eyes alert to our circumstances. As one of my students put it, the wise person steps around mudholes so he doesn't get his clothes dirty.

God calls us to be vigilant and diligent in our journey with God to walk according to His will. The wise person understands what pleases God and orders his or her life to conform to God's will.

It is the fool who walks blithely through life with no concern about where their steps lead.

So, watch where you walk lest you step into a mudhole.

Love, Dad