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Friday, June 30, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S DEI PROGRAM

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S DEI (DIVERSITY/EQUITY/INCLUSION) PROGRAM

"Then he (Peter) became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' But Peter said, 'Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.' And a voice spoke to him again the second time, 'What God has cleansed you must not call common.' " (Acts 10:10:15)

God was about to teach Peter a lesson, and it had nothing to do with different kinds of food. It had to do with the way God accepts people. Peter showed he understood the meaning of his vision when he said, "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him" (vs. 34).

We live in a mixed up time in America. One of the falsehoods presently being preached is that we can have unity among our people just by recognizing the diversity between people, promoting equity, and being inclusive. It will never work from a worldly perspective. Emphasizing people's differences only drives people apart, and trying to make them all equal by redistributing the wealth only emphasizes the difference between the have and the have-nots. These work against inclusion. Inclusion only works if there are no distinctions between moral and immoral, right and wrong, and truth and error.

God's plan for diversity, equity and inclusion is totally different. He does not emphasize the differences but the commonality of the human race. The world makes distinctions in terms of different nationalities or race and color, socio-economic differences, and gender. In God's eyes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). We are one in the Lord Jesus.

In God's eyes, we are all sinners in need of a Savior, and that is not dependent on race, economics, or gender. We all need to be forgiven for our sins. As the old saying goes, the ground is level at the foot of the Cross. As Christians, we understand that we are one in Christ, not because of our race or economic status, but by our faith in Christ as our Savior. That is God's DEI program,

Love, Dad

Thursday, June 29, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- IT IS GOOD TO BE A CHRISTIAN

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE JOY OF BEING A CHRISTIAN

"Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied." (Acts 9:31)

It must have been a refreshing time for the believers in Israel during that time.

Four things were evident among believers. They had peace. With the conversion of Saul, the threat of persecution was less, and the church multiplied. Peace is not dependent on our outward circumstances. We can have the peace of God that passes all understanding. But it is a blessing to not have persecution from the ungodly.

They were edified. They were being built up in the faith through the encouragement of fellow-believers and studying God's Word.

They were walking in the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord comes from recognizing His awesome presence and authority in the life of the believer. When people acknowledge His Lordship, they want to serve Him and be obedient to His direction.

They walked in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Knowing that Jesus died for our sins and that our sins are forgiven brings great comfort to the soul.

We can have the same experience as the early believers. We can live at peace, with God, with ourselves, and with our world. We are edified – built up in the faith – as we fellowship together in God's Word. We walk in the fear of the Lord as we live in obedience and submission to the Lordship of Jesus. And we have great comfort knowing that all is right between us and God.

It is good to be a Christian.

Love, Dad


Wednesday, June 28, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- INNER STRUGGLES

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- INNER STRUGGLES

"And he said, 'Who are You, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' " (Acts 9:5)

The conversion of Saul of Tarsus to become a follower of the Lord Jesus is one of the great stories of Christianity. A man who vehemently hated these followers of Christ, so much so that he persecuted them with much fervor, putting them in jail and killing some, and then to become a powerful Christian preaching the message he once hated. This stands as a great testimony to the power of the Gospel of Christ to transform a life.

It was a tremendous event that caused his conversion – a bright light from heaven knocking him to the ground and causing blindness. And then there was the voice saying, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."

But from what Jesus said – that he was kicking against the goads – it is apparent that there was an even greater inner struggle. Saul was fighting an inner battle that no one else knew about. He was undoubtedly questioning whether what he was doing was right. His conscience was bothering him and he was fighting against it.

Perhaps his mind kept going back to the time when he stood by while Stephen was being stoned. The testimony of Stephen was probably seared in his mind and Stephen's response to the stoning probably made an impact on him. Still, he was so ingrained in the Jewish agenda to quash this heretical movement that he was motivated to destroy these Christians.

The battle was strong. On the one hand, he felt he was doing God's work to keep the Jewish religion pure, while on the other hand he struggled with the message of the Gospel.

I do not know what struggles of the mind people are going through. I do not know the battles they are fighting. The culture and their flesh pull their minds one way, and on the other hand, the Holy Spirit is convicting them of the truth. It is hard to kick against the prods. There is no peace for them. The only way to have inner peace is to stop kicking against the goads and submit to God. There one finds real peace.

Love, Dad

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- G0D'S GUIDANCE TO THE DESERT

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S GUIDANCE TO THE DESERT

"Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, 'Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' This is desert." (Acts 8:26)

Have you ever experienced the prompting in your spirit to go, or not to go, to a certain place. I have. Often there is no apparent reason, but God knows. Call it intuition, but I believe it is God the Holy Spirit speaking to my own spirit.

Philip had a successful ministry in Samaria with wonderful things happening and a city being impacted with the Gospel. But God knew that there was a solitary person in the desert who needed to know about Jesus.

Perhaps Philip questioned, "Why, Lord, do you want me to go to the desert?" But as he went, he understood why. In the desert, he saw a chariot traveling on the road that was occupied by a man from Ethiopia who was reading the Holy Scriptures in Isaiah 53, the prophecy of Isaiah about the death of the Lord Jesus. So Philip explained what the Scripture meant. Beginning at this Scripture, he preached Jesus to him (vs. 34).

It pays to obey the promptings of the Lord in our spirits even when it does not make sense at the time. God has His purposes.

Sometimes, it may be to not go. I remember times when I planned to travel here or there, but felt that I should not go. Perhaps God kept me from having an automobile accident or some other unforeseen misfortune.

It is still true that, "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). Keeping a sensitive heart to the leading of the Lord will bring great blessing. God can work through us even in the desert.

Love, Dad

Monday, June 26, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- JOY IN THE CITY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GREAT JOY IN THE CITY!

"Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the world. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city." (Acts 8:4-8)

The proclamation of the Gospel brings great joy when Christ is preached and people receive it. The Gospel still changes lives. People are transformed by the  power of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. There may be miraculous deliverances and healings, but the greatest miracle is the changed life.

It may be that we in America do not see miraculous healings and deliverances as other cultures, because God has blessed us with such medical breakthroughs that we give the credit to science rather than to God. But God is the source of all knowledge, and healings by medicines and doctors are a result of God's beneficent hand.

We can still see God's hand at work if we recognize that every good and perfect gift is from Him (James 1:17). So we sing, "To God be the Glory, great things He hath done." It is through His goodness that we enjoy these blessings.

We are filled with joy when people experience healings and other miracles, but the greatest joy is to see someone trust Christ for salvation and eternal life. People who have experienced the life-change of Christ will bless society by their new life, because they will be better citizens. May there be great joy in our city.


Love, Dad

Friday, June 23, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ARE THESE THINGS SO?

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ARE THESE THINGS SO?

"Then the high priest said, 'Are these things so?' And he said, 'Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of Glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran.' " (Acts 7:1-2)

Stephen began his defense by giving the Jewish leaders a refresher course of the history of the Jewish nation.

History is important as one of the foundation stones of our Christian faith. The Old Testament history is the basis for the New Testament. And the New Testament history is the basis for our Christian faith. Stephen understood this and patiently explained to these learned men, whom he called brothers and fathers, what the history meant and the undergirding of the coming of Christ.

But Stephen did not shy away from putting his finger on the problem. The Israelites in the Old Testament had the truth but they rejected it. Jesus had come and fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies, but he was rejected by these very men who were challenging Stephen. They were stiff-necked and uncircumcised in their hearts and ears. They resisted the truth just as previous generations had rejected the truth of the prophets. The prior generations of Jews had killed the prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah -- the Just One! They murdered Jesus, their Messiah, just as they had killed the prophets (vss. 51-54).

The same is true today. The history of the Christian faith is well-documented, but many people choose to ignore or disbelieve it. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are a part of our common history. The history is there, but it is resisted and rejected just as these Jewish leaders, who doubtless knew of Jesus and His ministry, resisted it.

This is illustrated by the fact that some people do not believe that the HoIocaust actually happened. They would rather dismiss it as a fable than to believe that such an unbelievable thing could have actually happened. But the facts don't lie.

People may not want to hear the truth. But the truth is the truth, whether people want to hear it or not. Unbelief will not change the facts of history. Just because society dismisses Jesus as a story does not change the reality.

Love, Dad

Thursday, June 22, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE FACE OF AN ANGEL

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE FACE OF AN ANGEL

"And they (leaders of the Synagogue of the Freedmen) stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him (Stephen), seized him, and brought him to the council. They also set up false witnesses who said, 'This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.' And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel." (Acts 6:12-15)

Inquiring minds want to know. What does the face of an angel look like? I have never seen an angel (except my wife) so I have no frame of reference.

I do know that Stephen was a man full of the Holy Spirit and that certainly means something. People who are full of the Spirit of Christ have a manner about them that is attractive.

Stephen was under a lot of pressure. He was vehemently attacked for his faith and his witness. Yet there seemed to be a calmness that did not lash out at his attackers. That does not mean that he was a pushover. But he spoke with such wisdom and was so full of the Holy Spirit that they were not able to resist him (vs. 10). I believe that He was exhibiting the spirit of the Lord Jesus, who spoke truth but with a spirit that did not disrespect people. Even as he was breathing his last breath while being stoned, Stephen prayed, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin" (vs. 60). That echoed the words of the Lord Jesus on the cross when He prayed, "Father, forgive them."

There must have been a glow about his presence that caused people to stop and ponder. They still rejected his message, yet they saw in him something different.

I doubt that anyone will ever say that I have the face of an angel. But I do want to manifest the spirit of Jesus..

Love, Dad

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

DAD;S RAMBLINGS -- THE CHURCH IS ALIVE

 DAD'S RAMBLINGS --THE CHURCH IS ALIVE


DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE CHURCH IS ALIVE

"When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher o the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them, 'Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men….Now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God.'" (Acts 5:33-35, 38-39)

Gamaliel was a renowned and respected leader and teacher in Israel. His words carried the weight of authority. While the other members of the Sanhedren wanted to kills this Christians, Gamaliel was a voice of moderation. Not only that, he spoke truth. If this Christian movement was not of God, it would die away. But if it was from God, no one could stop it.

The Apostle Paul had been a student of Gamaliel. As a part of his portfolio he listed Gamaliel as his mentor, before his conversion. Paul said, " 'I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel' " (Act 22:3). He must have played hooky the day Gamaliel gave this talk, because Saul tried to stamp out this sect of Christians.

The truth is that no one could stop the spread of the Gospel because Jesus had said that He would build His church. No power of earth or in the spiritual world could have kept the church from growing.

The same is true today. Men try to eliminate the church, but to no avail. The harder they try, the more the church expands. China is a great example. So we need to take heart in America. There are those under the influence of their master, Satan, who would love to get rid of Jesus' Church, but persecution only makes the church grow. Satan must not have all his marbles, or he would have figured this out a long time ago. He is not as smart as people would tend to believe.

God will have a people. Some may have to give their lives in the process, but the old saying is that the blood of the saints is the seed of the church. Jesus will prevail. The Church is alive and well.

Love, Dad

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GREAT JOY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GREAT JOY!

"Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the world. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city." (Acts 8:4-8)

The proclamation of the Gospel brings great joy when Christ is preached and people receive it. The Gospel still changes lives. People are transformed by the power of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. There may be miraculous deliverances and healings, but the greatest miracle is the changed life.

It may be that we in America do not see miraculous healings and deliverances as in other cultures, because God has blessed us with such medical breakthroughs that we give the credit to science rather than to God. But God is the source of all knowledge, and healings by medicines and doctors are a result of God's beneficent hand..

We can still see God's hand at work if we recognize that every good and perfect gift is from Him (James 1:17). So we sing, "To God be the Glory." It is through His goodness that we enjoy these blessings.

We are filled with joy when people experience healings, but the greatest joy is to see someone trust Christ for salvation and eternal life. May there be great joy in our city.


Love, Dad

Monday, June 19, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE EVIDENCE OF LORSHIP

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE EVIDENCE OF LORDSHIP

"Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and of one soul; neither did any one say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common….And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet." (Acts 4:32, 35-37)

One of the evidences of the Lordship of Jesus Christ in the life of the believer is the person's attitude toward money and possessions. Who does the wealth belong to – the believer or God?

These early Christians came to understand early in their walk of faith that they did not own anything. Everything they had belonged to God.

It is so common to put a "my" in front of my possessions – my house, my car, my job, my retirement account – my, my, my. But in reality, nothing is our own. For the believer, everything belongs to God – His, His, His.

It has been said that a person's bank statement shows the priorities of the person. I don't think that is necessarily true. We all have obligations we have to pay for. However, if my attitude is that my money is mine, it will be reflected by what I spend my money on.

Barnabas is a good example of this principle. He was a "Son of Encouragement," and a part of this encouragement was using the resources that God had blessed him with to minister grace and blessing to others.

May God give us that spirit of liberality that frees us from grasping tightly onto the things that God has given us so that we can freely give to the work of Jesus.

Love, Dad



Sunday, June 18, 2023

FATHER'S DAY LETTER

FATHER'S DAY LETTER

2023


A FATHER'S WISH



If I had Aladdin's Lamp and could wish just one thing for my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, what would it be?


Would it be that they be financially prosperous?


Would it be that they be successful in their chosen vocations?


Would it be that their families would be models of perfection?


Would it be that they be recognized by the world for their political savvy?


Would it be that their lives would be happy and pain-free all the time?


Would it be that they be smart, intelligent, and well-educated?


Would it be that they have perfect health?


I think if I had one wish for my family, it would be that they would be wise. It seems to me that wisdom is one of the most important aspects of living because from wisdom flows so much of successful living.


Solomon had it right when he wrote a letter to his son and said, "Incline your ear to wisdom" (Proverbs 2:2). Solomon understood that


"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.

For her proceeds are better than the prophets of silver, and her gain than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her."

(Proverbs 3:13-18)


This is my wish for you, my children, because I have come in my later years to understand that there is no true living without wisdom. And remember that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. So, my beloved family, seek wisdom more than anything else in this world.

Love,


Dad/Grandpa/Greatgrandpa

Friday, June 16, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHAT'S IN A NAME?

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHAT'S IN A NAME?

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36)


There is great significance in this verse. This is the first time in the Sacred Scriptures that the three names and titles of the Savior are used together.

The earthly name, Jesus, was given to Him by the angel when it was announced that Mary would bear a child and would call His name, Jesus – Savior, for "He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31).

The Title of Christ or Messiah was acknowledged by Peter when he said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16).

The designation, Lord, was claimed by Jesus when He quoted Psalm 110:1 – "The LORD said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool." This was a clear connection of Jesus with the Old Testament name for God -- Yahweh Adonai or Lord.

This combination of names and titles was the favorite way that the Apostles referred to Jesus – "The Lord Jesus Christ" or "Jesus Christ our Lord." They used this way or similar ways of referring to Jesus some 188 times in the New Testament. And it still is true today. Jesus is the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is Jesus – the Savior. He came to this earth to die for our sins, and took our punishment for sins so that we might live forever with Him.

He is Lord. A common greeting of early Christians was, "Jesus is Lord." Salvation comes to us as we confess that Jesus is Lord. He is Lord of all and someday, every knee will bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord.

And He is our Messiah, our Redeemer, our Deliverer.

What a beautiful name it is. What a wonderful name it is. What a powerful name it is – the name of Jesus. He is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is MY Lord.

Love, Dad

Thursday, June 15, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH

"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting." (Acts 2:1-2)

It was the sound of wind that came first, then the fiery tongues. Whoosh!!!! This was the birth of the Church of Jesus Christ. It is interesting to me – this sound of wind. Not necessarily that there was a stiff breeze that filled the house, but it was the sound of wind.

The wind is symbolic of the Holy Spirit, and when He came, there was a great sound like a tornado. The word translated "spirit" is ruah in the Hebrew, and in the Greek, it is pneuma. These are corresponding words in Hebrew and Greek and they both mean "wind, breath, or spirit." This has interesting connotations.

In Creation, the Spirit (ruah) of God was hovering or moving over the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2). When Adam was created, God breathed into Him the breath of life (Genesis 2:7), although the Hebrew uses different words for breathe and breath. When Jesus was conceived in Mary, it was by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit (pneuma) (Luke 1:35). After His resurrection, Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit (pneuma)" (John 20:22). Jesus explained the new birth to Nicodemus with an analogy of the spirit and wind. "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit (pneumatos), he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit (pneumatos) is spirit (pneuma). Do not marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again." The wind (pneuma) blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit (pneumatos)' " (John 3:5-8).

The Spirit (the ruah or the pneumatos or pneuma) is associated with beginnings or creation, with birth, with new life. On the Day of Pentecost, God was creating a new thing – the Church. He was breathing life into His Church so that they could live out in the flesh His desired plan. Without the wind or breath of the Holy Spirit, the Church is just a dead organization. But with the breath of the Spirit, it is a living and dynamic organism. Breathe on us afresh, O Holy Spirit.

Love, Dad

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WAITING FOR TOMORROW

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WAITING FOR TOMORROW


"And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which,' He said, you have heard from Me.' " (Acts 1:4-5)

Waiting times can be frustrating. Just ask any married couple. We have all had to wait. After Jesus' resurrection, the disciples had been left floundering, not knowing what the next step was. It can be very discouraging when the roadmap is empty – we don't know which way to go or what road to take.

But now, Jesus gave them explicit instructions: "Stay in Jerusalem." That still was not very clear information, except that now they kind of knew what to look for – the Promise of the Father. But even then, they did not know what that would look like, or how long they would have to wait. They just had the word of Jesus to stay and wait.

In this case, it was only about a 10 day waiting period, since Jesus' ascension was about 40 days after the Passover and the Resurrection, and the Promise of the Father came on Pentecost, which was 50 days after Passover. During that waiting time, the disciples spent their time studying Scripture, to prepare for whatever might happen after the coming of the Holy Spirit.

This is a good format for us to follow while we are waiting for whatever God has in store for us tomorrow. We may not see the plan very well, but we can prepare for it by spending our time studying God's Word.

In God's time, He will make it plain to us what His plan is. Our wait may be days, months, or even years before we see what God has in store. In that waiting period, we can be active in growing in our knowledge of God's Word and our relationship with Jesus.

God has a plan. While we wait for that plan to be fulfilled, we are to occupy the time. Jesus has given us a promise that He is coming again. While we wait, we can use that time productively, or we can squander it. Until then…...


Love, Dad

Friday, June 9, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHAT IS TRUTH?

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – WHAT IS TRUTH?


"Pilate said to Him, 'What is truth?' and when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, 'I find no fault in Him at all.' " (John 18:38)


Pilate was no idiot. He knew what the truth was. He knew what the facts were when he said, "I find no fault in Him." He could see through the scheming of the Jewish leaders, and their desire to get rid of Jesus.


To these Jewish protagonists, truth had no meaning. Even in the sham trial, they called witnesses who did not agree with each other. Their goal was not to have a fair trial, but to get rid of this threat to their position and power, even if it meant sacrificing the truth.


Today, there is a battle for truth. There are those who do not want the truth. They only want what they believe in their own minds if it will advance their agenda. Truth is a casualty of war, in both a worldly sense and in a spiritual sense.


People who discard God's truth for their own truth can bend the facts to conform to their own ideas. We see this especially evident in the political arena, and the news media. Who knows when they are telling the truth? Their truth changes to promote their particular agenda.


There is objective truth that is based in God and His revealed Word. It is not based on what I or anyone else thinks or wants to believe. Truth is the way things really are – not what I wish or proclaim them to be. God's truth stands firm – unchanging despite what the society says.


May we always strive to live in God's truth, regardless of what the surrounding culture says is true or even our personal desires. It is the only solid for society and for personal living. "Whatever things are true ... think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).


Love, Dad

Thursday, June 8, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- CALM IN CHAOS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- CALM IN CHAOS


"Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons." (John 18:3)


CALM IN CHAOS


It was a tumultuous scene. All these soldiers with their weapons. The disciples were not sure what what happening. It was no doubt a riotous event. Yelling and cursing. Fighting between the disciples and the soldiers. In the confusion, Peter drew his sword and lopped off the ear of a servant of the high priest. It was total chaos.


But there in the midst of the chaos stood a Man. He was serene, unruffled by the chaos. He simply said, "Who are you looking for?" knowing full well that He was the target. When they said they had come for Jesus of Nazareth, He simply said, "I am He." In other words, I am the One you are looking for.


Jesus did not run. He did not fight back or resist capture. He did not evade the search warrant. He was not flustered. There was a calmness about His response to this hectic scene.


It is so easy for me to respond to chaos with my own chaos, and to act the part of Peter by lashing out against those who oppose me. But I don't think Jesus ever gets flustered or out of control. He is the calm in the chaos.


When I am surrounded by tumult, I can know that Jesus is not drawn into the confusion. He is the calm in the eye of the hurricane, and I can rest in Him.


This is not easy because my flesh wants to be like Peter. May I learn to trust the One who is in control of the situation and rest in Him. I can face with peace whatever comes because He is peace.


Love, Dad

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- JESUS PRAYED FOR ME

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- JESUS PRAYED FOR ME


" 'I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word.' " (John 17:20)


Jesus was meeting with His disciples for the Passover meal just before He went to the cross. As a part of this final time of instruction, He prayed for His disciples. He prayed for all those who would believe in Him in the future, and that includes me.


What did He pray for His followers?


That they would be kept from the evil one – Satan -- through His name (vs. 11, 15).

That they would be one (vs. 11: 21-22), unified in spirit just as the Father and Son are one..

That they would experience the joy of Jesus in themselves (vs. 13).

That they would be sanctified – set apart and made holy (vs. 17).

That they would go to heaven to be with Him (vs. 24).


Jesus prayed for us. And we still have Jesus as an intercessor. He is our mediator, and He is beseeching the Father for us – for you and for me. He is still pleading for us. And we know that His prayers are effective and powerful.


Fear not. Take heart. Jesus prayed – and is praying – for you.


Love, Dad

Friday, June 2, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- AMAZING LOVE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- AMAZING LOVE


" 'I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled: "He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me." Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He.' " (John 13:18-19).


This is an amazing thing and hard to comprehend. Jesus said that he chose Judas as one of His disciples, knowing full well that Judas would betray Him. The purpose was to provide proof to His disciples that He was indeed the Messiah, the Savior. And not just the Savior, but the very God of God – the "I Am"Yahweh of the Old Testament Scripture. Note that in the translations, the last word in our focus verse is italicized, indicating that it is not in the original Greek manuscripts but is added by the translators to make the sentence flow. So the translation is: that "you may believe that I am" -- the same Greek Ego Emi that is used in other places to validate His divinity as the God who was revealed to Moses in the burning bush as the "I Am" (as in John 8:58).


What amazes me is that Jesus would choose Judas, knowing full well that this man would be His betrayer. But Jesus treated Him in the same way that He treated the rest of the disciples. There is no hint in the Gospels that Jesus ever treated him differently than the other disciples. He never disparaged Judas or indicated that he was less than worthy to be His disciples. That is not a natural thing. It could only be a God-thing. Only God could show such grace and love to someone who would do such evil to Himself. I believe Jesus loved Judas as much as he did the other 11 disciples.


It was all a part of God's plan for our redemption. The fact is that the betrayal by Judas did not catch Jesus by surprise. Nothing catches God by surprise. He knows it all from beginning to end. In Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost, he declared that Jesus was "delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God...(to be) crucified and put to death" (Acts 2:23).


Oh, the amazing love of Jesus that would put up with us. Even when He knows we will fail and betray Him, He still loves us. That is amazing love.


Love, Dad

Thursday, June 1, 2023

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LIFTED UP

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LIFTED UP

" 'And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.' "  (John 12:32)

Many times this verse is quoted with the meaning in the Gospel sense of magnifying or proclaiming Jesus as the Savior.  But the Jews who heard this saying heard something entirely different.  They understood that Jesus was talking about His coming crucifixion.  Being lifted up meant to be hung on a cross.

John explained it in verse 33:  "This He said, signifying by what death He would die."

In another place, Jesus used this picture to foretell His coming crucifixion.  He said, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:14-15).  This is referring back to the time when God sent serpents to punish the Israelites in the wilderness because they rebelled against God and against Moses.  God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and put  it on a pole.  Anyone who looked at this bronze serpent on a pole would be healed (Numbers 21:8-9).  

Here is the picture.  The serpent represented the sin and judgment of the Israelites.   Jesus was lifted up and put on the cross as the bearer of our sin and the judgment on sin – which is death.  Anyone who looks to Him as their substitute Who took their sins will be healed or saved.  

Without the cross, there would be no salvation possible.  God said that anyone that would be hung on a tree would be cursed (Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13).  Jesus took the curse of the law and of sin and death in His own body when He died on the cross, and through our faith in His sacrifice, we are saved.

Hallelujah for the Cross!!!  Through that humiliating, excruciatingly painful, cursed death, and resurrection, we have eternal life. He was lifted up on the cross for me.   Again, I say, Hallelujah for the Cross.

Love, Dad