It is O'Reilly, not O'Reily.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE NO-SPIN ZONE
THE NO-SPIN ZONE
II Corinthians 11:3
"But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
Satan is a deceiver. He is the original spin artist. He can take a truth and change it into a lie. He did it with Eve, causing her to question whether what God said was true. I am not immune from his craftiness. He can twist God's word and make it mean something totally different. His tactic is to make me question whether God's word is true. May I never move away from the simple truth of the Gospel – Christ died for my sins. Faith is not complicated. It is just believing what God said. As O'Reily says, "You are entering the no-spin zone."
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: There is a deceiver – Satan – who corrupts God's truth, and we need to resist him.
[end]
Have a simple day. Love you.
II Corinthians 11:3
"But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
Satan is a deceiver. He is the original spin artist. He can take a truth and change it into a lie. He did it with Eve, causing her to question whether what God said was true. I am not immune from his craftiness. He can twist God's word and make it mean something totally different. His tactic is to make me question whether God's word is true. May I never move away from the simple truth of the Gospel – Christ died for my sins. Faith is not complicated. It is just believing what God said. As O'Reily says, "You are entering the no-spin zone."
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: There is a deceiver – Satan – who corrupts God's truth, and we need to resist him.
[end]
Have a simple day. Love you.
Monday, September 29, 2014
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE CHASTE VIRGIN
GODLY JEALOUSY
II Corinthians 11:1-2
"Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly – and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."
When God gave the ten commandments to Israel, He said forbade them to worship other gods because "I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God" (Exodus 20:5). Paul had this kind of godly jealousy for the Corinthians. As a missionary evangelist, he was a matchmaker (ala Fiddler On The Roof) bringing people to Christ. He was concerned that their love, adoration, and devotion would remain strong, and that they would not be drawn away by other teachings and philosophies. When two people are engaged to be married, the each commit themselves to be faithful and to keep themselves pure for each other until they are married. Even in the betrothal period, they forsake all other lovers. I am looking forward to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb when I am finally united with Jesus. Until that day, I want to keep myself only for Him.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: A Christian is betrothed to Christ and commits all his love, adoration, and devotion to the Lord Jesus.
[end]
Have a chaste day. Love you.
II Corinthians 11:1-2
"Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly – and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."
When God gave the ten commandments to Israel, He said forbade them to worship other gods because "I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God" (Exodus 20:5). Paul had this kind of godly jealousy for the Corinthians. As a missionary evangelist, he was a matchmaker (ala Fiddler On The Roof) bringing people to Christ. He was concerned that their love, adoration, and devotion would remain strong, and that they would not be drawn away by other teachings and philosophies. When two people are engaged to be married, the each commit themselves to be faithful and to keep themselves pure for each other until they are married. Even in the betrothal period, they forsake all other lovers. I am looking forward to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb when I am finally united with Jesus. Until that day, I want to keep myself only for Him.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: A Christian is betrothed to Christ and commits all his love, adoration, and devotion to the Lord Jesus.
[end]
Have a chaste day. Love you.
Friday, September 26, 2014
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- TAKING THE CREDIT
TAKING THE CREDIT
II Corinthians 10:16-18
"...to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's sphere of accomplishments. But 'he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.' For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends."
Most of us have had occasions when someone else got the credit for our work. It is a common practice – a professor who steals a student's thesis; a scientist who uses a subordinate's research. I remember when I sold vacuum cleaners. I clinched a deal with a bank to buy a commercial model and my trainer took the credit – and the profit – for the sale I made. Let it not be in God's work. No matter what successes I may have, God deserves the glory. As Paul wrote in another letter, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase" (I Corinthians 3:6-7). The reaper has nothing to boast about for a good harvest; let him glory in the Lord's provision of sunshine. I may not get much recognition for my efforts in this world, but heaven will reveal the truth. Better to be commended by the Lord Jesus than by the world.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The approval of the Lord Jesus is more important than the praise of people.
[end]
Have an approved day. Love you.
II Corinthians 10:16-18
"...to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's sphere of accomplishments. But 'he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.' For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends."
Most of us have had occasions when someone else got the credit for our work. It is a common practice – a professor who steals a student's thesis; a scientist who uses a subordinate's research. I remember when I sold vacuum cleaners. I clinched a deal with a bank to buy a commercial model and my trainer took the credit – and the profit – for the sale I made. Let it not be in God's work. No matter what successes I may have, God deserves the glory. As Paul wrote in another letter, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase" (I Corinthians 3:6-7). The reaper has nothing to boast about for a good harvest; let him glory in the Lord's provision of sunshine. I may not get much recognition for my efforts in this world, but heaven will reveal the truth. Better to be commended by the Lord Jesus than by the world.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The approval of the Lord Jesus is more important than the praise of people.
[end]
Have an approved day. Love you.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- BUSYBODIES
BUSYBODIES
II Corinthians 10:14-15
"For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men's labors, but having hope, that as you faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere...."
There are limits to my sphere of authority (see vs. 13). It is tempting to butt into other people's business when I have no authority. Even when I see them make mistakes, it is not my place to correct them when I have no authority to do so. For example, when my children were young, I had God-given authority and responsibility for them. But now that they are adults, I have no authority to tell them what to do. When I was pastoring, I had a measure of authority over the flock. But that is history. To stick my nose into other people's business would make me a busybody, and we don't need any more busybodies in this world. This is liberating, because just as I cannot boast in their successes, I am not responsible for their failures. At this point in my life, I have authority over only one person – myself, and that is a full-time job. Lord, help me to not be a busybody.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The wise person does not exceed his or her sphere of authority.
[end]
Have a liberated day. Love you.
II Corinthians 10:14-15
"For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men's labors, but having hope, that as you faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere...."
There are limits to my sphere of authority (see vs. 13). It is tempting to butt into other people's business when I have no authority. Even when I see them make mistakes, it is not my place to correct them when I have no authority to do so. For example, when my children were young, I had God-given authority and responsibility for them. But now that they are adults, I have no authority to tell them what to do. When I was pastoring, I had a measure of authority over the flock. But that is history. To stick my nose into other people's business would make me a busybody, and we don't need any more busybodies in this world. This is liberating, because just as I cannot boast in their successes, I am not responsible for their failures. At this point in my life, I have authority over only one person – myself, and that is a full-time job. Lord, help me to not be a busybody.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The wise person does not exceed his or her sphere of authority.
[end]
Have a liberated day. Love you.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MY SPHERE
MY SPHERE
II Corinthians 10:13
"We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God has appointed us – a sphere which includes you."
It is called a "sphere of influence" – the circle of relationships around me. It includes anyone I come in contact with – family, friends, work associates, church family, even casual contacts like a grocery checkout clerk. I have an impact on everyone my life touches, either positive or negative, depending on my demeanor and attitudes. I need to understand that my sphere is God-ordained and every person within the limits of my sphere is God-appointed. He has placed me here to be a messenger of His love and grace. My sphere includes you.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God places us in a sphere of relationships to express His message.
[end]
Have a positive day. Love you.
II Corinthians 10:13
"We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God has appointed us – a sphere which includes you."
It is called a "sphere of influence" – the circle of relationships around me. It includes anyone I come in contact with – family, friends, work associates, church family, even casual contacts like a grocery checkout clerk. I have an impact on everyone my life touches, either positive or negative, depending on my demeanor and attitudes. I need to understand that my sphere is God-ordained and every person within the limits of my sphere is God-appointed. He has placed me here to be a messenger of His love and grace. My sphere includes you.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God places us in a sphere of relationships to express His message.
[end]
Have a positive day. Love you.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE MEASURE OF A MAN
THE MEASURE OF A MAN
II Corinthians 10:12
"For we dare not class ourselves or commend ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
It is a common trap – comparing myself to some else. The trap springs both ways. If I compare myself with someone I feel is inferior to me, then I will be filled with pride. If I compare myself with someone who seems smarter, more gifted, or can communicate better, then I will be discouraged with who I am. Either way is not wise. I may not do things as well as someone else. But my identity is not based on how I compare to someone else. I am who I am because that is the way God has made me, and I need to accept myself as God accepts me. I am His, and I am content and secure with who I am in Christ.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The wise person does not compare himself with others, but is content with who he is.
[end]
Have a secure day. Love you.
II Corinthians 10:12
"For we dare not class ourselves or commend ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
It is a common trap – comparing myself to some else. The trap springs both ways. If I compare myself with someone I feel is inferior to me, then I will be filled with pride. If I compare myself with someone who seems smarter, more gifted, or can communicate better, then I will be discouraged with who I am. Either way is not wise. I may not do things as well as someone else. But my identity is not based on how I compare to someone else. I am who I am because that is the way God has made me, and I need to accept myself as God accepts me. I am His, and I am content and secure with who I am in Christ.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The wise person does not compare himself with others, but is content with who he is.
[end]
Have a secure day. Love you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)