DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- BUSYBODIES

BUSYBODIES
I Peter 4:15-17
 
"But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?"
 
At first glance, it seems strange to include being a busybody in the list of other horrible sins – like murder, stealing, and doing evil. After all, meddling in someone else's life can't be that bad, can it? The idea behind the Greek word for "busybody" seems to apply to people who try to correct other people's faults while ignoring their own. That's why Peter says that judgment needs to begin in the Church among Christians. Before trying to take the speck out of someone else's eye, I need to remove the log in my own (Matthew 7:3-5). God calls me to judge myself so that I will not be judged (I Corinthians 11:31). By judging myself, I take away the basis for other people to judge me. If my heart and my life are pure, then I remove the legitimacy of the accusations. If I suffer for my failures, I should be ashamed because I deserve it. But if I suffer innocently, then I need not be ashamed and God is glorified. In the end, sinners will answer to God for their own evil deeds.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Christian who judge themselves and live pure lives need not be ashamed when persecuted for their faith.
 
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Have a "self-judging" day. Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE JOY OF SUFFERING

 THE JOY OF SUFFERING
I Peter 4:12-14
 
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing has happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you also may be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the spirit of the glory of God rests upon you."
 
Any suffering I endure pales in comparison when I compare it to the afflictions of many Believers around the world who are being tortured and killed for the name of Christ. The most I suffer is some reproach from the ungodly culture. Suffering for Christ is not strange or astonishing when I consider that the Lord Jesus suffered at the hand of ungodly sinners. He endured the cross and counted the shame as nothing because He understood the future joy that awaited Him when His suffering was finished (Hebrews 12:2). So I should not be astonished when I encounter opposition. In fact, the Greek word translated "shame" also has the meaning of receiving and entertaining a guest with hospitality, I think in the sense of an unexpected visitor who just drops by. Persecution – whether physical or social – can be considered a blessing and a cause for joy when viewed as an opportunity to share in Christ's sufferings. That's why Jesus could say, "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven..." (Matthew 5:11-12). And James could write, "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials" (James 1:2). There is hope of glory when the trials of this life are ended. "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus. Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ."
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Persecution and suffering for the sake of the Gospel is not strange or abnormal.
 
 
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Have a "normal" day. Love you

DAD'S RAMBINGS -- WHO SPEAKS FOR GOD?

 WHO SPEAKS FOR GOD?
I Peter 4:11
 
"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
 
Chuck Colson wrote a book entitled, "Who Speaks For God?" The short answer is "the preacher." Ministers used to be held in high esteem and were honored by the parishioners and the community. Not so anymore. That position has been diminished, partly because many preachers have departed from speaking God's Word and instead have dabbled in  politics, psychology, and personal opinions. My heart longs to hear Jesus proclaimed, God exalted, His Word expounded, and my spirit expecting to hear a word from God.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The calling of the preacher is to speak for God and expound His Word.
 
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Have a listening day. Love you.
 
P.S.:  Thanks to all of you who sent me birthday greetings.  I had a wonderful birthday.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MANIFOLD BLESSIINGS

 MANIFOLD BLESSINGS
I Peter 4:10
 
"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
 
The common attitude among Christians is that God blesses us for our own person benefit. Scripture is clear that the gifts God gives us are intended to be a blessing to others – to the Church (see I Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:13). Peter does not list these gifts as the Apostle Paul does. He only says they are "manifold" or of various sorts, and grace is an unearned gift. These could be spiritual gifts, financial prosperity, good looks, intelligence, an outgoing personality, good health, or a hundred others. The point is that I am only a steward of these blessings that God has intended to bless others by (forget the good looks and intelligence). To only heap these blessings on myself is to misuse God's gifts. Just as an exhaust "manifold" on a car is a channel to disperse the fumes from the various pistons away from the engine, so I also am a only channel to disperse God's manifold blessing to other people.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The blessings God bestows on His children are given to bless His other children.
 
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Have a blessed blessing day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- HOSPITALITY

 HOSPITALITY
I Peter 4:9
 
"Be hospitable to one another without grumbling."
 
It seems to me that hospitality may be on its way to join the dinosaurs – headed for extinction. In past times, people would feel free to just drop by for a visit on the spur of the moment. And the host would say, "Why don't you stay for dinner?" In the present society, you must phone to make an appointment. And if there is a meal, it is at a restaurant. I almost feel like I am imposing on people if I just stop to visit. I can almost hear the grumbling and complaining because people feel forced to let me in their house as an obligation. Hospitality does not depend on a clean house or a well-cooked meal. It come from an open heart that makes others feel welcome in my life.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's people should be hospitable to others with an open heart.
 
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Have a hospitable day. Love you.
 
P.S.: Sorry I missed yesterday. I had a house emergency that took about 9 hours to fix.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- STRETCHED-OUT LOVE

 STRETCHED-OUT LOVE
I Peter 4:8

"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.' "

The Greek word Peter used which is translated "fervent" (ektenes) primarily means to be "stretched out." When I feel violated by other people, it stretches my love to the limit. Fervent love does not carry grudges for offenses.  It buries them with forgiveness..  However, tepid love does not stretch a cover over transgressions, but is quick to uncover them so that everyone knows I have been offended. They do not lie buried, but float on the surface of my memory. The love of Jesus is "stretched out" love. I'm so glad that Jesus does not continually throw my transgressions in my face but He forgives them, covers them with His blood, and remembers them no more (Hebrews 8:12; 11:17-18; I John 1:7-9). Lord Jesus, help me to love fervently – stretched out.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The test of my love is how much it can stretch to cover offenses.
 
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Have a "stretched out" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SERIOUS PRAYER

SERIOUS PRAYER
I Peter 4:7
 
"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers."
 
None of us knows how much time we have left in this world. We think life will go on forever. So we procrastinate and put thing into the future. Manana! Tomorrow I will get serious about my prayer life. When I retire, I'll have more time for devotions. But, as the old saying goes, tomorrow never comes. I need to be serious about my walk with God today, because I may not have tomorrow.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Today is the only day we have to serve the Lord.
 
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Have a "serious" today. Love you.