DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- RETURNING TO THE PIGPEN

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – RETURNING TO THE PIGPEN

"For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: 'A dog returns to his own vomit,' and, 'a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.'" (II Peter 2:21-22)

It is amazing to me how a person who has experienced the goodness of Christ and the blessings of the truth of the Gospel, can turn from following Him. Yet it happens.

Peter gives two graphic pictures of people who turn from their faith – a dog returing to his vomit, and a pig going back to the pigpen.

But lest I be too harsh, I have to recognize that it can happen to anyone who gets their eyes off of the Savior. They become disillusioned with the challenges of life and think that returning to the former life would be better. They have a short memory of what they were delivered from.

It is like the Children of Israel, who were on their way to the Promised Land. They ran into some problems and wanted to return to Egypt. They forgot the harshness of the beatings and stringent living under the Pharoah. All they could think of was the fish, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic (Numbers 11:5). The truth was, Egypt was not as pleasant as they imagined in their minds.

So I guess I can understand how people can get into situations where they are tempted to turn back to Egypt with all its pain and suffering.

We have to guard against the wiles and deceit of Satan who would want to deceive us into thinking that living for him was better than living for Jesus. It just ain't so. The pundit said, "On my worst day, living for Jesus is better than the best day I had living for the devil." No matter how Satan tries to paint the picture, returning to the old like without Jesus is returning to the pigpen. UGH!

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ADDING FRUIT

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – ADDING FRUIT

"For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (II Peter 1:8)

I would imagine that every sincere believer in the Lord Jesus wants to be a fruitful Christian. No one wants to be barren in their walk with Jesus.

But how do we do it? Of course, being connected to the Vine so that the Holy Spirit is coursing through our various members is important (John 15). But Peter gives us some practical pointers.

First comes faith in the Lord Jesus as our Savior. Without that beginning point, it is like putting ornaments on a dead brown Christmas tree where the needles are falling off. Living faith in Christ must be the basis for any fruit in our lives..

To our faith in Christ, we add virtue, or moral excellence. This is not just sexual purity, but extends to all of our moral fabric – honesty, integrity, pure thoughts, and a host of other moral considerations. Virtue is first on the list which is an indication of its importance.

Next is the knowledge of Christ. Knowing Him – how He lived and died, His person and His nature – is an important part of our Christian walk. But this is more than intellectual knowledge. It is a personal, relationship knowledge which we acquire from spending time in His presence and in His Word. This is a growing relationship with Jesus as we get to know Him better.

Next is self-control. Lack of self-control will inhibit fruit from developing properly, like worms eating at an apple.

Next is perseverance – endurance and faithfulness that extends over time. Fruit does not develop in a day or a week. It takes time for it to mature.

Next is godliness. This is reverence, respect, and piety toward God. It is being committed to living as He wants, not as I want.

Next is brotherly kindness – treating other people with gentleness. Gentleness is a wonderful fruit in any person's life.

Next us love – the kind of love that will sacrifice personal desires for the welfare of another person.

So there is my job description. It is a life-time career to develop these things. Remember, fruit does not grow in a day. This does not mean that I have to have perfect fruit before I add the next one. But it does mean that if there is a fruit that is not developing right, I need to nurture that fruit to maturity, just like the fruit trees in my back yard. Peter said to be diligent in our spiritual development. It takes diligence of heart to add these things to our lives, but the fruit is sweet at the harvest.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBINGS -- RESISTING THE DEVIL

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – RESISTING THE DEVIL

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." (I Peter 5:8-9)

We Americans know nothing about the suffering of persecution. Our brothers, our fellow-believers around the world are suffering right now. The believers to whom Peter wrote understood suffering and persecution. They were a part of the Dispersion of Christians who were driven into various parts of the world – to Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia – because of persecution.

Our adversary, the devil, would love to try to eat us alive. He looks for any opportunity to devour us. We must be vigilant --- keeping a sharp eye out for his attacks. Sometimes it is overt attack, as with persecution. Sometimes it is more subtle. We must resist his efforts to destroy our faith. But in the end, it is love for Jesus that will keep us faithful. Keeping our focus on Jesus is more important than looking around every bush to see if the devil is lurking there, ready to pounce.

In chapter one, Peter noted that they were rejoicing in their faith in Christ, even though, as he wrote, "for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (vss 6-7).

Jesus had become so precious to them that they were willing to endure great suffering. What is it that will keep people faithful in times of trials and distress? It is the reality of Jesus Christ in their lives. It is more than religion. It is more than cultural acceptance. It is that deep love for Christ who gave Himself for our Salvation.

In this letter, the word "precious" is used to describe our faith that is more valuable than anything else in this world (1:7), It is the precious blood of Jesus (1:19), and the precious stone – the Lord Jesus Himself (2:4). The preciousness of the Lord Jesus will keep us faithful when Satan attacks. To those who believe, He is precious (2:7).

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- TURKEY OR DESSERT?

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – TURKEY OR DESSERT?

"As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." (I Peter 2:2-3)

Yesterday, many of us enjoyed a sumptous thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings – turkey or ham with cranberry sauce, candied sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, olives, jello fruit salad, bread rolls and jelly, and of course, dessert such as pumpkin pie. I have tasted, and the Thanksgiving meal is good.

However, I must confess that even though I enjoy all of the meal, the dessert table is my favorite.

Some of us have tasted of the things that the world has to offer, and though they may be sweet for a season, the good taste does not last. They are like the dessert table. It tastes delicious, but has add no lasting value. In fact, sometimes it turns to bitterness.

Not so with feasting at the Lord's table. I have tasted of the good things of the Lord, and I would not trade it for anything the world has to offer, no matter how temptingly delicious it looks.

But I have to ask myself, how much do I desire the pure milk of the Word? God's word is perfect, pure right, pure, clean, true and righteous. "More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much find gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb" (Psalm 19:10). Am I content with just eating delicious morsels of the dessert table – some tasty tidbit that is laden with sweetness but has no nutritional value?

Eating at the table of the Lord is more than just eating dessert. The real value is the nutrition we get by drinking the "pure milk of the word." That is what will give us what we need to grow properly.

So, pass me the Word of God. In it I find what I need to grow by, plus the deliciousness of the Lord Jesus.

Love, Dad

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2022

"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." (I Peter 1:3-4)

On this Thanksgiving Day, we have so very much to be thankful for. We have many material blessings we enjoy – a place to live, food, friendship, a country where we can worship God, and an abundance of other blessings.

But the best of our blessings are spiritual. In this letter that Peter wrote to "pilgrims" – like you and me – and he lists some of these blessings.

vs. 3 – we have a living hope – hope of eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

vs. 4 -- we have an inheritance reserved in heaven for us.

vs. 5 and 9 – we have assurance of salvation.

vs. 8 – we have joy and rejoicing in Christ.

vs. 18 – we have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus.

vs. 23 – we have been born again through the word of God.

As Christians, our thanksgiving is so much deeper than the unbelievers, who may only be thankful for their material blessings. We are truly blessed. All thanks and praise to the Giver of good gifts.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS

"Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (James 5:7-8)

My brother-in-law was a farmer. He raised grass seed, such as is used on golf courses. He had to be a patient man who waited until the seed was ripe before he harvested it. I probably would not make a good farmer, because I am impatient and would want to send out the combines before the seed was ready. Even today, I have a difficult time waiting for a cantaloupe to ripen properly before I cut into it for my fruit salad.

James says that, in light of the coming of the Lord, we need to be patient and make sure that our hearts are established – strong and firm in the faith. As we wait for His return, it would be easy to let our faith become unsettled and become lax in my devotion to Christ.

Something that is established is set fast and firm. When we consider an enterprise to do business with, we look for one that has been in business for a long time. A firm that was established in, say, 1950, shows that it is not going to go out of business soon. We have confidence in stores or businesses that have been around for a while because they would not stay in business if they did not do good work.

May our hearts be established – firm and settled – in our faith in the Lord Jesus and in His Word. He is dependable. He will do what He says He will do. He has promised to come again, and He will do it. We can trust Him and our faith can be secure. We just need to be patient. I purpose for my heart to be established the in the Lord Jesus.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A FRIEND OF GOD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A FRIEND OF GOD

"Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a find of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, 'The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?' " ​ (James 4:4-5)

When James calls them adulterers and adulteresses, it is unclear whether he is speaking to them as literal fornicators or in a figurative sense. In the Old Testament, God often calls the nation of Israel adulterers and prostitutes because they went after other gods instead of true worship of the only true God. So it may be in the sense that James is writing to people who have hooked up with the world. They may be going through the religious motions but are not worshiping in spirit and in truth.

The Holy Spirit who lives in us is jealous. He does not want us flirting with the world. An illustration might be a wife or a husband who is jealous because his or her spouse is having an affair with another person or being polygamous. The jealousy is a pure jealousy because the relationship is being violated.

God is jealous for us. In the ten commandments, God calls us to be devoted only to Him with no other gods because, He said, "I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God" (Exodus 20:5). In fact, one of His names is Jealous. In Exodus 34:14, God says, "you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." He will not tolerate adultery or harlotry. We cannot have it both ways. Jesus said that we cannot love God and mammon at the same time (Matthew 6:24). We cannot have it both ways. Either we are a friend of the world or we love God.

Friendship calls for a common commitment between two people for the relationship to be close. God is committed to us, and He calls for us to be committed to Him. Friendship with the world destroys that commitment. God is jealous for our friendship, and considers us an enemy if we violate our covenant with Him.

"A friend of Jesus, O what bliss, that one so weak as I should ever have friend like this to lead me to the sky." God is a faithful friend to us. I want to a faithful friend to God.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- STUMBLING OVER MY TONGUE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – STUMBLING OVER MY TONGUE

"For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." (James 3:1).

James is exactly right. I stumble in a lot of things. And many of the reasons I stumble is because of my tongue. I say things that I should not say.

How often do I fulfill the adage, "He put his mouth in motion before his brain was in gear." Things slip out of my mouth that I didn't intend to say, or if I had thought about it more, would not have said it. But words are like toothpaste. It is impossible to squeeze them back into the tube.

James says that the person who is perfect – or as the marginal reading says, mature – does not say everything that crosses his mind. I think a lot of things do not need to be said, especially negative or critical words.

James gives a lot of illustrations. The tongue can build up or it can destroy. It can spread poison or it can bring health. It can cause a raging fire or it can put out fires. It can be a fountain of pure, refreshing water or it can spread brackish salt water of bitterness. It can steer into evil or into godliness. It can be a source of blessing or cursing.

When James says that no one can tame the tongue, it is true. There is a difference between taming something and controlling it. A lion in a circus may be controlled, but it is not tamed. There is within it the wild nature that can turn on the lion trainer without notice. The best we can do is to cage it or put a leash on it. Only as we submit our tongues to the Holy Spirit can we control it. As the Psalmist wrote, "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psalm141:3).

The person who is able to control his tongue is a mature person. He asks himself the question, "Do I really need to say this?" Anything that is not edifying, he puts back into the cage.

Taking control of what I say will go a long way towards keeping me from stumbling. It is better to be thought a fool than to prove it by what I say.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE POTTER'S WHEEL

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE POTTER'S WHEEL

"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever." (Hebrews 13:20-21)

As the Great Shepherd, God is at work in our lives, making us into what is well-pleasing in His sight.

To use another metaphor, the potter is at work, and we sit on the potter's wheel while He loving molds the clay into the image that He, the artist, desires. Each creation of the potter is unique. They are not all the same. He presses the clay here there to form it into a beautiful form and shape to fulfill His purposes. The pottery is to do the will of the Potter. Some may be for honor and some for dishonor (Romans 9:21).

And then, of course, there is the firing of the clay to harden it. Sitting on the potter's wheel and the firing may be uncomfortable at times. But the finished product brings glory to the Potter.

I was reading recently in the book of Jeremiah concerning Israel. "The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: 'Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear My words..' Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 'O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?' says the LORD. 'Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!' " (Jeremiah 18: 1-6)

Sometimes, I feel like Israel. I am on the potter's wheel but I become marred. But the Potter does not throw the clay away. He just starts again to form me into what He desires. I'm so glad that He does not give up on me. I am still on the wheel, and He is still forming me to be pleasing to Him. Thank God for His patience, His mercy, His love, and His grace.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE ANTIDOTE TO DISCOURAGEMENT

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE ANTIDOTE FOR DISCOURAGEMENT

"For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin." (Hebrews 12:3-4)

When times of discouragement and weariness come, it is well to remember Jesus, who endured such hostility from sinners that He was brutally crucified. We have not yet suffered bloodshed, striving against sin. Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, endured the cross and despised the shame for the joy that was set before Him (vs. 2).

I can understand how a person can get tired of striving against sin. It can be discouraging when we live a godly life that is in conflict with the sin around us. But is in these times that we need to cast again our eyes on the cross of Christ.

God says that those "who desire to live godly in Christ will suffer persecution" (II Timothy 3:12). Why would we think that the god of this world, Satan, would not bring bad things into the lives of those who don't obey him?

But there also the aspect of God's chastening that Paul speaks of in the rest of this chapter. Paul also acknowledges that God has purposes when He chastens His children. He desires to mature us and produce greater fruit in us – the fruit of righteousness (vs. 11). As the proverb says, "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction; for whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights" (Proverbs 3:11-12).

Life can be difficult. But when we are assured that there is a God in Heaven who is in control, we can rest in that truth and be comforted in our souls. There is joy in the midst of the turmoil of life that is set before us as we continue to live by faith in Him. Jesus endured the pain and the shame because of the joy that awaited him after the cross. The Joy of Heaven is the antidote to discouragement. God is God in all things – both the good and the bad, and we can rejoice in Him.

Listen to the words of the song: "Sometimes the day seems long, our trials hard to bear. We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair. But Christ will soon appear to catch his bride away! All tears forever over in God's eternal day! It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ. One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase. So, bravely run the race till we see Christ."

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FAITH IN SUFFERING

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – FAITH IN SUFFERING

"Still other had trial 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. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us." (Hebrews 11:36-40)

I love the song we sing, "Victory In Jesus." We certainly do live in victory, but that does not mean that we do not have challenges and problems. There are some who teach that if we go through suffering, it is because we are lacking in faith. To them, I say that enduring hard times while keeping faith is a greater sign of faith than living without problems.

Even those who were honored for their faith – Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Joshua, Rahab, Gideon, David, Samuel and the prophets – had their times of suffering. It is true that their great accomplishments are encouragement for our faith. But It was not all "glory-land way."

It seems to me that are those who endured great suffering and were not delivered from their trials are also examples of great faith. In the midst of great suffering they remained true to their faith in God's promises.

It is not always the answers to prayer that are proof of faith, but it is also remaining faithful in spite of unanswered prayer.

God is great and He does bring great victories. But He is still great even if He chooses in His sovereignty and wisdom to not deliver us from our challenges. He has greater purposes. Those who suffer greatly have a good testimony through faith, even though they may not receive the promise in this life. God uses them as an example of faith in hardship for the benefit of our faith. We can take comfort in our own challenges that God is God because of the example of their endurance of faith in face of suffering.

In all things – in great victories or great suffering – may God be glorified.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A BETTER COUNTRY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A BETTER COUNTRY

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11:13-16)

I am a stranger and pilgrim, an alien traveling through this foreign country. Like Pilgrim in Pilgrim's progress, I am on a journey to that place. I am assured of the heavenly country and I embrace it. Our focus verse says that God has prepared a city for us. I have the promise of the Lord Jesus. He said, "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2-3). And I know that God will welcome me there because He is not ashamed to be called my God.

The Old Testament heroes of faith listed here in the Hall of Faith had received the promises, but only saw them afar off. On the New Testament side of history, we have a clearer view of the heavenly country. Truly, heaven is still some distance away, but we can see the lights of that glorious place where we will be in God's presence in reality, where there will be no sin, no suffering, no tears, no arthritis, no blindness, no pain of broken relationships, no dementia, no need for doctors, nothing that will cause us distress.

I don't know about you, but I am longing for heaven. The closer I get, the more attractive and beautiful it is. If I had the opportunity to choose between Heaven and this world, I would want to choose heaven. As the Apostle Paul confessed, "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (II Corinthians 5:8).

The song says, "How beautiful heaven must be. Sweet home of the happy and free. Fair haven of rest for the weary, How beautiful Heaven must be." I'm ready to go. I've passed the point of no return. There is no turning back.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- AN INVITATION FROM THE KING

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – AN INVITATION FROM THE KING

"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in the assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:19-22)

God's great plan and desire has always been for us to dwell with Him in His presence. But sin has separated us from our holy God. Satan was cast out of Heaven – from God's presence – because of his sin. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they and were driven from the Garden, from the very holy presence of God. And we, because of our sin, are separated from His presence. The soul that sins shall surely die, that is, be separated from God.

There is a way – a new and living way – for us to come into God's presence. Jesus, through the veil of His flesh that was rent and torn asunder, just as the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was rent from top to bottom when Jesus died, opened the way to be in the presence of God. We have the assurance of faith that we are clean enough to be in the presence of the Holy One because our hearts are sprinkled and our bodies are washed with pure water – the blood of Jesus.

I am reminded of the story of Queen Esther. Mordecai told her to appeal to King Ahasuerus for the deliverance of the Jews from death. But the law was such that she – even as the Queen – could not come into the throne room and approach the king unless he bade her come by holding out the golden scepter. She could not just barge into the presence of the King without His invitation, or she would be killed.

Our Great God – the King of the universe – holds out the golden scepter to us because of our faith in Jesus. He invites us into His presence. Because we have a Great High Priest, we can "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). That is His great invitation. The Holy, awesome, eternal God desires our company.

So, let us come into the very presence of the eternal God. He wants us to come.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- EAGER WAITING

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – EAGER WAITING

"And 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. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." (Hebrews 9:27-28)

The year was 1946. I was 4 years old at the time, and it was my father's birthday.

Now you have to understand that my father was a leap year baby. He was born on February 29, 1918, which meant that he technically had a birthday only every four years. So in 1946, he was celebrating his 7^thbirthday at age 28.

My mother had arranged for a surprise birthday party. I was entrusted with the inside information that the guests would arrive at 7:00 that evening, but I was explicitly told that I was not to breathe a word of this to my father.

The afternoon and evening dragged by. When Dad arrived home from the sawmill that evening, and we ate our supper, I was very careful not to say anything about his birthday.

But as the evening wore on, I became more and more excited. I had been taught how to tell time, and I was watching the hands of the grandfather clock move slowly toward the appoint hour. I was eagerly waiting with great anticipation for the guests to come. In my excitement, I blurted out, "Only ten minutes until they come." Dad was sitting nearby reading the newspaper. He heard me and said, "Who's coming?" The cat was out of the bag. I was so embarrassed. I had blown the cover. I had failed the trust that Mom had placed in me by including me in the surprise.

Oh, that I could be that excited about the return of the Lord Jesus, eagerly waiting for Him to appear the second time. The time is set on God's timetable. But unlike my father's birthday, I don't have to keep it a secret. A part of my eagerness is sharing the news. The more excited I become, the more I will talk about it.

We don't know the appointed hour, but we do know that Jesus is coming again. May we be eagerly awaiting His coming.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A BETTER HOPE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A BETTER HOPE

"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)

The Book of Hebrews highlights the better covenant instituted by the Lord Jesus when He said, "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28). The Old Covenant had its purpose but it was weak and unprofitable because could never make a person perfect. Only the sacrifice of the spotless Lamb could provide cleansing from sin.

The Old Covenant was a foreshadow of the New Covenant. It included many types and shadows that prefigured and pointed the way to the New Covenant. The shedding of the blood of Sacrifice for sin was perhaps the main one, because it pointed to the sacrifice of the perfect Lamb – the Lord Jesus – who not only covered sin but cleansed it.

That gives us a better hope – that we can draw near to God and be in His presence. God is holy and righteous and no one can come into His presence with the stain of sin. As the Psalmist wrote, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart ..." (Psalm 24:3-4a). In the Old Covenant, the only one who could come into the Holy of Holies – the place where God's presence was on this earth – was the high priest, and that only once a year. Everyone else was excluded from entering into God's presence. None of us is good enough to come into His presence. But because of Christ, we can draw near to God. We, by faith, come to God in the holiness of Christ. This hope is not only in this life, but the hope of eternal life where we will be in God's presence forever.

Without this hope, life would be miserable. As believers in the Lord Jesus, we have something to look forward to when this life is over. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable" (I Corinthians 15:19). Our true hope is heaven in God's presence for eternity.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A BETTER HOPE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A BETTER HOPE

"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)

The Book of Hebrews highlights the better covenant instituted by the Lord Jesus when He said, "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28). The Old Covenant had its purpose but it was weak and unprofitable because could never make a person perfect. Only the sacrifice of the spotless Lamb could provide cleansing from sin.

The Old Covenant was a foreshadow of the New Covenant. It included many types and shadows that prefigured and pointed the way to the New Covenant. The shedding of the blood of Sacrifice for sin was perhaps the main one, because it pointed to the sacrifice of the perfect Lamb – the Lord Jesus – who not only covered sin but cleansed it.

That gives us a better hope – that we can draw near to God and be in His presence. God is holy and righteous and no one can come into His presence with the stain of sin. As the Psalmist wrote, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart ..." (Psalm 24:3-4a). In the Old Covenant, the only one who could come into the Holy of Holies – the place where God's presence was on this earth – was the high priest, and that only once a year. Everyone else was excluded from entering into God's presence. None of us is good enough to come into His presence. But because of Christ, we can draw near to God. We, by faith, come to God in the holiness of Christ. This hope is not only in this life, but the hope of eternal life where we will be in God's presence forever.

Without this hope, life would be miserable. As believers in the Lord Jesus, we have something to look forward to when this life is over. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable" (I Corinthians 15:19). Our true hope is heaven in God's presence for eternity.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THINGS THAT ACCOMPANY SALVATION

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THINGS THAT ACCOMPANY SALVATION

"But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner." (Hebrews 6:9)

When I think of accompaniment, I think of a musician who performs on his instrument of choice, whether it is choral music, a violin or clarinet, or a musical saw. The focus is the main performer, whether as a soloist or as a group. The star may be able to stand alone and perform, but often there is an accompanying instrument, such as a piano or an orchestra. The focus of the audience is on the main performer. The accompanist may be a very good musician in his own right, but he is not the star. He only enhances the performance of the main attraction.

Our salvation from sin and from the wrath of God on sin is the most important part of the Gospel. It is the main attraction. We are good at putting emphasis on a lot of other things that have nothing to do with our salvation, such as having beautiful sanctuaries, good music programs, good publicity, comfortable seating and air conditioning, social outlets for fellowship, and a host of other things. None of these are bad, but they are not the main thing.

When we get down to the bare basics, eternal salvation stands alone. It does not depend on any of the other things we might think are important. They only beautify, accompany, or go along with, salvation and enhance it.

So what are some things that accompany salvation – that are included in the package but are not the main things? Holy living is one. It enhances the Gospel. It makes the message of the Gospel more attractive. The fruit of the spirit – love, joy, peace and the rest of the fruit – should accompany salvation. A spirit of praise and worship are beautiful accompaniments. The list could go on and on --- a spirit of kindness, humility, forgiveness, compassion and gentleness – these all support and enhance the beauty of the Gospel of Christ. They are not the main attraction – salvation – but they certainly add to the work of salvation.

Although things that accompany salvation are not the main attractions and salvation can stand alone in its preeminence, still these accompaniments compliment the song of salvation. Let the main thing be the main thing and let everything else be the accompaniment.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- CLEAN OUT THE WAX

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – CLEAN OUT THE WAX

"...of Whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing." (Hebrews 5:11)

Yesterday, we mused about the fact that so often we hear God's Word and it has no effect on our lives. We can sit through sermon after sermon, hearing God's Word taught, but it flows off of us like water off a duck's back. We have a hard time recalling what the message from God was last Sunday.

The writer to the Hebrews zeros in on this again in our focus verse. The writer had so much to say, but because they were dull of hearing, they could not understand all that God wanted them to know. The word "dull" means to be slow, sluggish, indolent, or lazy.

This verse harkens back to the words of Jesus. He said, "Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them" (Matthew 13:14-15).

People can approach God's Word in various ways. They may be actively involved in God's word, listening attentively and anticipating what God wants to say to them. Or they can be lazy – putting their mind in free-wheel. When I think dull, I think of a dull knife, or a boring speaker. But the issue here is not the knife or the speaker. It is me. God's word is sharper than a two-edged sword, and it will cut to the quick. But if I am a sluggard when it comes to listening to God's Word, I will not sense what the Holy Spirit wants to say to me.

The King James Version of Matthew 13:15 is translated like this: "The people's heart is waxed gross and they are dull of hearing." Have you ever had wax buildup in your ears until it became hard and you lost some of your hearing? I have. The otologist had to clean them out so I could hear. Perhaps God is saying, we need to clean out our ears so we can hear what He is saying to us.

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE WORD MIXED WITH FAITH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE WORD MIXED WITH FAITH

"Therefore, since a promise remains of entering into His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them, but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." (Hebrews 4:1-2)

Why is it that when God's word is preached, some people are profited by it and it changes their lives, but for some people, it seems to just go over their heads? It flies by them without impacting their lives. I think we get a hint in this focus verse. Some hear the gospel, but it is not received by faith, so it doesn't bear much fruit.

Remember that the "therefore" is there for a purpose, relating the Scripture to a previous thought. The writer had been referring to the nation of Israel being denied entryinto the Promised Land – into God's Rest – because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:19). They had heard God's promise to Moses that they would inherit the land, but they did not believe it. Their lack of faith caused them to wander in the Wilderness for 40 years, and kept the older generations from receiving God's promise.

When I bake a cake from scratch, the recipe calls for various ingredients. One of the most important ingredients is baking powder. If I don't mix the baking power into the dough, the cake will fall flat. I remember baking a cake one time and accidentally left out the baking power. The cake did not rise. It was as flat as a pancake. That is what happens when we don't receive God's Word with faith. All the hearing in the world will have no effect until we hear it with faith.

We know that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The point is that we must believe God's Word when we hear it or read it. When there is true faith, there will be action that follows, because faith without works is dead. That is the proof that we have heard the word of God mixed with faith – when it affects the way we live.

How many of us hear God's word preached Sunday after Sunday but walk out of the Church unchanged. The reason is that we don't receive it mixed with faith. Faith will make God's Word alive in our lives. We must not be just hearers of the Word but also faithful doers.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD REMAINS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – GOD REMAINS

"You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail." (Hebrews 1:11-12)

We live in a throw-away culture. We even have a name for it – planned obsolescence. They don't make stove, refrigerators, washers and dryers to last like they used to. The phone makers count on the fact that people will buy the latest model of I-phone, even though the old one works well enough. Clothes wear out, and cars end up in the auto wrecker's crusher.

Is there anything that we can count on to last? Even the heavens and the earth will perish – as Peter wrote, that the heavens will pass away with a great noise Both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. The heavens will be dissolved and will melt with fervent heat (II Peter 3:10,12). Now that's what I call climate change.

The fact is that nothing of a material nature will last forever. It will all change. Even our bodies are constantly changing until the time when they will return to dust, or they will be changed when we are caught up to meet Jesus.

There is only one thing that will not change. That is God and His Word. He will remain, whatever else happens in or to this world. Our world and our lives change, but He remains. And His Word remains. The Psalmist declared this truth when he wrote, "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89). And Jesus said, " 'Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away' " (Matthew 24:35).

So when things around us are in a state of flux and nothing seems secure, we can be confident in our God who never changes. Governments may change. Relationships may change. Our economic status may change. But when everything around us changes, God remains.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- TRUE GRACE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – TRUE GRACE

"But if he (Onesimus) has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account." (Philemon 18)

The Apostle Paul wrote this personal letter to Philemon. Philemon was a leader in the church at Colossae who allowed the believers to meet in his house. He was apparently a rather wealthy man who owned slaves.

One of his slaves, named Onesimus, ran away from Philemon's estate and found his way to Rome where he came under the ministry of the Apostle Paul and he found new life in Christ. As a part of his obedience to clear his past, Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon to make things right.

It may be that when Onesimus ran away, he stole some of Philemon's property, and owed restoration money to Philemon. As an act of grace, Paul offered to pay whatever Onesimus owed. This is grace in action – paying the debt of someone else out of one's own resources without expectation of being repaid.

This is a beautiful picture of the grace of the Lord Jesus. Because we had violated God's standard of holiness, we had a debt we owed, but Jesus paid that debt when He took our sins in His own body on the cross. It reminds me of that great Messianic prophecy in the Book of Isaiah where the prophet said, "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:4-6). Jesus took all the punishment for sin that should have been mine. That is pure grace – unmerited favor. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23b).

I am so glad for people like Paul in my life who have supplied grace when I could not provide for myself. But most of all, I am glad for the grace of Jesus that provided payment for my great debt of sin which I could not pay.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- REMEMBER

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – REMEMBER

"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, gently, showing all humility to all men." (Titus 3:1-2)

The Apostle Paul was encouraging Titus to remind his congregation concerning things that should accompany a godly life and the truth of the Gospel. We all need frequent reminding of these things.

Have you ever sat through a sermon thinking, "I've heard this all before. The preacher is saying nothing new." And so you zone out until the sermon is over.

There is value in hearing the same message repeated again and again. That is the way we learn. It often takes repetition for the truth to be implanted in our brains. It also works the other way. Ungodly people know that if you repeat a lie enough times, people will believe it.

The Apostle Peter understood this truth. He wrote, "Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior" (II Peter 3:1). One letter was not sufficient. He needed to write to them again to remind them of the truth.

This is a gentle reminder: When God sends you a reminder, pay attention. He knows we all need to be reminded of the truth of the Gospel. As the song says, "Roll back the curtains of memory now and then. Show me of where you brought me from, and where I might have been. Remember I'm human and humans forget. So remind me, remind me, dear Lord."

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SOUND DOCTRINE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – SOUND DOCTRINE

"But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine... Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you." (Titus 2:1, 15)

Doctrine gets a bad rap. I have heard people say, "I don't want to go to a church that preaches doctrine." That is a false premise, because the basic meaning of doctrine is teaching or instruction. Every church will teach something. The question is not whether they will have doctrine, but whether that doctrine is sound doctrine.

When a person is considering attending a church, the first thing that should be considered is what the church believes and teaches. Too often, the choice of a church is based on whether it has a good preacher, or whether the congregation is loving and accepting, or whether there are programs in the church to meet personal needs, or whether the ambiance of the sanctuary is warm and inviting. Those things are important, but the most important is whether the fundamental beliefs of the church are based on God's word.

The Bible – God's Word – is the only source of spiritual truth. So any doctrine must be accord with what God's says. That is why II Timothy 3:16 is such an important verse: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine....." Any teaching or belief that is not founded on God's Word is not sound doctrine.

An analogy of the word "sound" would be when we speak of a person in "sound mind or sound health." That is, there are no weaknesses, infirmities, or illnesses that would compromise the health of the mind or body. Sound doctrine is sure and strong when it is based on God's Word. The health of the church depends on it. And as Peter wrote, "We have the prophetic word confirmed (or as the KJV phrases it – a more sure word of prophecy), which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (II Peter 1:19).

We would all do well to make sure that what we teach and believe is sound doctrine.

Love, Dad