DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD IS ABLE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – GOD IS ABLE

"For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell....and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah...and delivered righteous Lot...the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment..." (II Peter 2:4-8)

God delivers His people. To make his argument about God's ability to deliver the godly out of temptations or trials and the unrighteous to punishment, Peter used several historical illustrations.

First was a negative example – the rebellious angels who followed Lucifer, the Devil, in his rebellion against God who were delivered for judgment. Satan wanted to be a God, and in his pride led a third of the angels who were cast out of heaven (see Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 12:7-9; Luke 10:18). God is God over all his creation, even the evil ones, and he will judge them. The unjust are under the sentence of punishment.

The second illustration is righteous Noah whom God delivered from an evil world (see Genesis 6:5-8).

Then there was Lot whose soul was vexed (King James Version) by the ungodliness of the culture around him, but whom God delivered Lot before bringing judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah.

There are many other demonstrations of God's ability to deliver His people out of their problems, such as David's deliverance from King Saul, and the three Hebrews who were consigned to death in the fiery furnace but said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "God whom we serve I able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace" (Daniel 3:17). And God did deliver them.

Then there is us, you and me, whom God is able to deliver. It may be by a miraculous deliverance, or it may be by death, but God knows how to deliver us. We can trust His wisdom. Remember "the others" of Hebrews 11. God is able to deliver the those who trust Him out of their trials. As the old Gospel song says, "He is able to deliver thee. He is able to deliver thee. Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest, Our God is able to deliver thee." We serve a great God.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH

"Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." (II Peter 1:1-3)

Do you understand how precious your faith is? It is the same faith that Peter had – that Jesus died and rose again. The Gospel has not changed through the centuries. There have been attempts to change it, to water it down, to dismiss it as a fable. But it remains the same faith that we read about in the Bible and that the Apostles preached.

Sometimes we who have put our faith in the Lord Jesus for salvation forget just how precious that faith is. The word "precious" has several connotations. Something that is precious is of great value, something to be honored and cherished. Let's think for a moment of just how precious and valuable our faith is.

Because of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus, I am accepted by God. I cannot earn His acceptance. It cannot be bought, and is only received as a gift. And what a precious gift it is!

Our Salvation brings cleansing from sin. Because of His gracious forgiveness, we are clean before our holy God. It's for sure, I cannot claim my own righteousness. But I can receive the righteousness that He offers. To be in right standing with God is more valuable than money can buy.

Our salvation brings peace with God and a clear conscience because we know that our sins are forgiven. A clear conscience is of great value.

Through faith, we can know God. This is more than intellectual knowledge. It is experiential knowledge that comes by personal relationship with God.

We have hope of life after death in heaven. Peter wrote about this in his first letter – "a living hope through the resurrection of Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" (I Peter 1:4). That is worth more than anything in this world.

We are truly blessed. Let us rejoice in our precious faith.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- INNER BEAUTY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – INNER BEAUTY

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (I Peter 3:3-4)

Our society is so very concerned with appearances. Merchants' ads in magazines or on television usually show beautiful people. Often our concept of beauty is superficial. A person can be outwardly beautiful but ugly on the inside.

Peter was writing expressly in regard to women, but I think what is good for the goose is good for the gander. What applies to women would be good counsel for men also.

Outward appearances are important. We do want to make a good impression on people we come in contact with. But Peter was referring to an inordinate amount of attention to the arranging of the hair, wearing fancy jewelry, and expensive clothes, as though the outward appearance is what makes the man.

More important than these is the inner beauty that shines out of our lives. What is on the inside is more important than what the outward appearance. Things like a gentle and quiet spirit make a more lasting impression that do outward appearances. People will forget what we wear, but they will remember our spirit. They will be more apt to remember whether we are harsh or gentle, whether we are boisterous or quiet, whether we care or don't give a hoot, than whether we wear expensive clothes or our hair-do is perfect.

May God help me to show forth the Spirit of Christ, and be more concerned about my inner beauty than my outer beauty. I do want my life to show the beauty of Christ.

Love, Dad

THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING

"But you are a chose generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of His who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but now are the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." (I Peter 2:9-10)

On this Thanksgiving Day, we have so very much to be thankful for. Most of us have a roof over our head, sufficient food, and a network of loved ones to support us.

But above all of the blessings we enjoy in this world that we are thankful for, there is one blessing that rises above all the rest. It is that we have been called out of darkness into God's marvelous light, and have received God's mercy through our faith in Christ.

Before we received Christ as Savior, we walked in darkness, with no knowledge of God and His goodness. We were outside of God mercy. But the light of the glorious gospel has shined into our lives, showing us the love of God for us and His plan for us to live forever with Him.

Now, through faith in the Lord Jesus, we can see clearly the mercy that God has extended toward us, forgiving our sins, cleansing us, and giving the assurance that we will enjoy His presence for eternity.

What a joyous day we celebrate today and every day because we belong to Jesus. We are His own special people who can proclaim His praises.

Love, Dad

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DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE RESERVATION

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE RESERVATION

"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, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (I Peter 1:3-5)

When we travel, we make reservations ahead of time for our airline flights and our motels. That is wisdom. I want to know where I am going, and not leave it to chance.

We have a reservation awaiting us in Heaven. The reservation is secure because Jesus said, "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2). I can be sure the reservation is secure because of His promise.

But it is more than just a place to stay. There are other amenities included in this reservation. There is an incorruptible inheritance reserved for me that will not fade away nor diminish. In this life, the treasures laid up for the future can be destroyed by moths, or be stolen by thieves. But throughout eternity, the treasures laid up for me will never lose their value or luster.

My reservation is not dependent on my ability to preserve it. The security of my reservation is based in the fact that I am kept by the power of God for salvation through my faith in the Lord Jesus, who died for my sins, who rose again, and has ascended into Heaven. This is my living hope.

I have my reservation. It is secure, and I am ready for the trip.

Love, Dad

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DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- IN JJOY AND IN PAIN

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – IN JOY AND IN PAIN

"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:13-14)

Whenever we meet together as the Body of Christ, there are as many different personal needs as there are people. Some come with heavy burdens – financial problems, health issues, family conflicts, and a host of other things that weigh on their hearts. On the other hand, there are those for whom things are going well. Their hearts are light and they are rejoicing.

As we meet together we need understand that not everyone is in the same spiritual space, and we need to be sensitive to each person's need. This works both ways. The person who is suffering needs to be aware that not everyone is suffering like he or she is, and the person who is rejoicing needs to be sensitive to the person who is hurting.

God knows our individual needs. But Scripture tells us to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). This is the Body of Christ in action.

It is easy for the person for whom life is going well to express his joy. It is not so easy for the person who is suffering to share his pain with others. Often, people silently bear their burdens alone but put on a happy face. But how is the rest of the Body to know those pains unless we are tell someone? James tells us that if we are sick, we should call for the elders to pray for us. That means that we have to be honest about what we are enduring so other people can pray for us. We are to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 5:2). But our brothers and sisters in Christ cannot help carry those needs unless we tell them.

We don't have to tell everyone about our struggles in order to get sympathy, but it is a part of community that we share things together. Whatever our personal situation is – whether joy or pain – let us be sensitive to other people and rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Love, Dad

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DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE CAUSE OF CONFLICT

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE CAUSE OF CONFLICT

"Where do wars and fight come from among you? Do they not come from your desires of pleasure that war in our members?" (James 4:1)

Conflicts. They are inevitable as personalities clash. We are all made differently and have our own desires. People want what they want and will fight to get it. It's called greed.

On an international level, wars are caused by one nation (or a dictator) being greedy for more territory to rule. So that nation attacks another nation in order to conquer that land, and the other nation fights back to keep their own land.

On a cultural level, we are sue-hungry. We want what we feel is our right and what is ours and it sometimes involves fighting it out in court.

On a marriage level, a husband and wife have conflicts because each one has different needs and perspectives, and they fight for their personal desires.

On a family level, children and siblings fight because they want what they want.

On a church level, people fight because they want to control what happens in the church, whether it is the color of the carpet or who teaches or leads a ministry.

So where does that leave us? We need to carefully evaluate whether our fights are for truth or for personal preference. If it is for truth, then we need to stand and fight for what is right and true. But it if it for a personal preference, then we need to do our best to avoid the conflict. As the scriptures say, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12 :18). That may require me to relinquish some of my personal rights or desires in order to keep the peace.

We serve the Prince of Peace who gave up His own rights to come to this world to save us. He put us ahead of his own desires. Now we get to sacrifice our own preferences for the sake of keeping the peace. May God help me to be a person of peace.

Love, Dad

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