Dad's Ramblings -- The One We Serve

" 'Therefore being at the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear... Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.' "

                                                                                             Acts 2:33, 36 KJV

Because of the Resurrection and Ascension, we can have assurance that the One whom we worship is the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is Jesus, the Savior ("thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins -- Matthew 1:21).  He is Lord, the second person of the trinity, the Adonai of the Old Testament (see verse 34).  And He is the Christ, the Messiah, the One anointed to be King (see Psalm 10:16; I John 2:22).  What an awesome One we worship and serve.  

Today's Thought:  We serve the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Have an assured day.  Love you.

Dad's Ramblings -- Why Glossalalia?

"And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying to one another, "Behold, are not all these who speak Galilaens?  And how hear we every man in our own tongue wherein we were born?....We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God."
 
                                                                              Acts 2:7-8, 11b (King James)
 
Some people question the value of speaking in other tongues (glossalalia).  I think this illustrates a primary purpose -- praising God and speaking His wonderful works.  It is just another avenue of worship God empowers His people with to express their devotion, even though they may not understand it.  The Holy Spirit expresses the praise of our spirit to the Father.
 
Today's Thought:  Through unknown tongues, the Holy Spirit exalts God through our spirit.
 
Have a praising day.  Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Private and Public

"And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused because everyone heard them speak in his own language."
 
                                                                                                    Acts 2:5-6
 
The small band of disciples had been meeting in private, behind closed doors. But when the Holy Spirit came, they were thrust into the public arena. God had timed the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost when there were pilgrims from many nations present who witnessed this heavenly visitation. Jesus came in the incarnation in an obscure manner to a relatively small group of people. But the Holy Spirit came to bear witness to the masses. In my spiritual journey, there need to be those times both private times with Jesus, and public expression. Some people want to be very private in their faith; others are very public with no private worship to back them up. But one without the other is incomplete. From the place where the "church" meets together, the Holy Spirit propels us out into the world.
 
Today's Thought: We are prepared in private for our witness in public.
 
Have a private and public day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Taken By Surprise

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."
 
                                                                                        Acts 2:2-4
 
The wind – the fire – the foreign languages — they caught the disciples by surprise. Who would have dreamed that the coming of the Holy Spirit would include such wonders? The creative God does the unexpected. He took the world by surprise when The Savior of the world was born in a dirty, smelly barn. He took Saul of Tarsus by surprise, upsetting his agenda. I imagine Heaven will be filled with surprises. And Jesus will come again when we least expect it. I shouldn't be too surprised by what God may do unexpectedly in my life today.
 
Today's Thought: The God of the Universe is full of surprises.
 
Have a surprising day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Waiting Game

"When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."
 
                                                                                            Acts 2:1
 
Ten days had passed since Ascension, and the disciples were waiting – for what they didn't exactly know. All they knew was that Jesus had commanded them to go to Jerusalem and wait. Knowing human nature, I imagine there may have been some people who said, "I don't have time to waste sitting around. I've got more important things to do." So they left, and missed what God wanted to give them. Churches uses to have "tarrying" services where people would linger around the altar waiting for God to move. Today, we are so impatient we don't have time to waste. And in our impatience, we miss what God wants to do in our midst as we are in one accord in one place. God does not work on our time-table. As the preachers used to say at the end of a service, "The altars are open." Teach me, Lord, to wait."
 
Today's Thought: It pays to wait on God.
 
Have a "waiting" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Position and Ministry

"And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, 'You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell...' And they cast their lots, and the lot feel on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles."
 
                                                                              Acts 1:23-26
 
Both Joseph and Mathias were qualified, having been followers of Jesus all the way from His baptism in water to the resurrection (vs. 22). And although Matthias was chosen, he is not mentioned again in the New Testament. On the other hand, Justus, called Barsabas (who was also called Barnabas, Acts 15:22), had a great ministry in Acts, mentoring Saul after his conversion and doing missionary work. Ministry is not based on position or title. And even though he was passed over for promotion to apostleship, Barnabas did not develop a bad spirit but just kept on serving Jesus, and God gave him a dynamic ministry because he remained faithful.
 
Today's Thought: Position or title does not determine ministry.
 
Have a "ministry" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Indispensable

" 'For it is written in the book of Psalms... "Let another take his office." ' "
 
                                                                      Acts 1:20
 
No one is indispensable. Some people get the big-head and think they are the only ones who can do God's work. They think they are so important that they can do anything they want -- even sin -- with impunity. But anyone can be replaced. Ministry leaders who fall into sin and lose their ministry may leave a big hole, but they can be replaced. God is greater than a person's ministry and He can fill that hole with anyone He wants. After all, it is God's work, not ours.
 
Today's Thought: Anyone, no matter how big a position they fill, can be replaced.
 
Have a humble day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Proof-texts

"And in those days, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples...and said, 'Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus...' "
 
                                                                              Acts 1:15-16
 
As in the days of Jesus' earthly ministry, Peter (which, being interpreted, is "big-mouth) took the floor and became the spokesman for the group. He was blessed with the Gift of Gab. As he tried to understand and make sense of what had happened in the past week or two, he turned to the Psalms (41:9; 69:25; and 109:8). Later on the Day of Pentecost, he would quote Joel (Acts 2:16ff). It could be said that he was proof-texting. (A proof-text without a context is a pre-text.) I am not saying that Peter was wrong. I'm sure He was led by the Holy Spirit to apply these verses to the situation. For us, proof-texting is a common method of trying to understand our circumstances. It is easy to grab a verse and apply it to my personal challenges, and it can be beneficial in bringing light and encouragement to my own life. But I need to be careful how I use God's Word lest I misuse it.
 
Today's Thought: Proof-texting can be beneficial but needs to be done with care.
 
Have a Scriptural day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Outsiders/Insiders

"Then they returned to Jerusalem...And when they had entered, they went into an upper room where they were staying...These all continued in one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers."
 
                                                                               Acts 1:12a, 13a, 14
 
Included in the group returning to Jerusalem from the Ascension were the brothers of Jesus – James, Joses, Simon, and Judas (see Matthew 13:55). During Jesus' earthly ministry, they were "outsiders" (See Matthew 12:46-47). But now they were Insiders. They had witness Jesus' death on the cross and His burial (Mark 15:40, 47). Then they saw Him after His resurrection (Matthew 28:10).  Ultimately, James became a leader in the Church (see Galatians 1:19, 2:9), and Judas wrote a book of the Bible (see Jude 1:1). There is hope for unbelieving family members. Jesus can reveal Himself to them as the risen Christ just as He did to His unbelieving brothers.
 
Today's Thought: Outsiders become insiders when they see Jesus crucified and resurrected.
 
Have a believing day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Looking Back - Looking Forward

"And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.' "
 
                                                                          Acts 1:10-11
 
The disciples were closing one chapter and about ready to start a new chapter in their lives. But as they ended this chapter, they were gazing backward – probably thinking of the past 3 ½ years they had been with Jesus, and all the miracles they had seen Him do. But two angels came to redirect their focus to the future. Most people have the same disease – "pastitus." Old people are guilty of living in the past. "When I was a kid...." Remembering the past is good, but living there is not. Instead of talking so much about the "good old days," when I saw such manifestations of God in healings and deliverances, I need to focus instead on what God wants to do NOW and His future return. God is not done with His plan yet.
 
Today's Thought: The book is not finished; God still has a plan for the future.
 
Have a "forward looking" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Ascension Day

"Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight."
 
                                                                           Acts 1:9
 
Ascension Day. The tradition I have followed all my life has not put much emphasis on celebrating that day. Perhaps we should. Suppose Jesus had not ascended and was still here in His body. He would still be limited to one place, and we would not have received the "gift of the Father." We celebrated the birth, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus and Pentecost Sunday. We need to appreciate Ascension Day more.
 
Today's Thought: The Ascension of Jesus was a vital part of God's plan.
 
Have an "appreciation" day. Love you.
 

Thanksgiving Wishes

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!!!

Dad's Ramblings -- Doing or Being?

" 'But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.' "
 
                                                                              Acts 1:8
 
The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to give us power to "be." We often think in terms of "doing witnessing" instead of "being witnesses." But "doing" follows "being." What we do is a natural outflow of who we "are." Jesus said that out of our heart (our inner being) would flow rivers of living waters. This was referring to the Holy Spirit (see John 7:38-39). What we "do" is a result of who we "are" on the inside.
 
Today's Thought: Power to "be" precedes power to "do."
 
Have a "being" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- In God's Time

"Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, 'Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' And He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.' "
 
                                                                       Acts 1:6-7
 
The disciples were still thinking in the old mode. They didn't comprehend that the Kingdom was in them. The truth is, the Kingdom is already here – in the lives of people who acknowledge Jesus as King. Jesus will return to set up an earthly kingdom, but it is not for us to know when. People who set dates for Jesus' return are chasing their own shadow because the shadow keeps moving ahead of them. But it will happen in God's timing, whether today or a thousand years from now. For now, we live in His Kingdom under His Kingship doing the King's work.
 
Today's Thought: It is God's business, not ours, to know the day of Jesus' return.
 
Have a Kingdom day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Confusion!

" 'For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.' "
      

                                                                    Acts 1:5
 
Why is there so much confusion about the Baptism with or in the Holy Spirit when the Bible gives such clear teaching? The common teaching among non-pentecostal teachers is that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit happens at Salvation when we are born again into God's kingdom. But what does the Bible say? First, the disciples received the Holy Spirit (John 20:22) and then were told to go wait for the Promise of the Father. Clearly, the Spirit Baptism is a separate work of grace from Salvation. Secondly, many believe that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the same as baptism into the Body of Christ which happens at Salvation. But the Bible shows that the various baptisms have different baptizers. Water baptism is by man – "John's Baptism"; baptism into the Body of Christ is by the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12:12-13); but Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit after He went away (John 16:7). Clearly there are different baptizers. Thirdly, we are baptized in water, into the Body of Christ, and in the Holy Spirit. Clearly, there are three different mediums of baptism. So we need not be confused by various teachings about being baptized in the Holy Spirit if we just read the Bible as it is.
 
Today's Thought: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a second gift from God after Salvation.
 
Have an unconfused day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Promise of the Father

"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
 
They had heard about the Promise of the Father on the night before Jesus' crucifixion, when, as His earthly ministry was coming to a close, Jesus met with His disciples for the Passover Meal. At that time, He taught them regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit. He told them that it was necessary for Him to go away so that the Holy Spirit could come (John 16:7). He said that when He returned to Heaven, He would ask the Father to send "another Helper" who would dwell with them forever (John14:16). The Greek word for "another" is allos – one of the same kind as Himself. (The other Greek word for "another" is heteros – one of a different kind.) Having the Holy Spirit is the same as having Jesus present, except that in bodily form, Jesus could only dwell with His followers; the Holy Spirit would dwell in them. This is the Promise of the Father: the Holy Spirit – the third person of the Trinity – who would dwell in God's people. What a promise!
 
Today's Thought: The Promise of the Father is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
 
Have a "promising" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Infallible Proofs

"The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He though the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God."
 
                                                                            Acts 1:1-3
 
The Book of Acts is a sequel to Luke's first "best-seller," the "Gospel According to Luke." Luke was a Gentile convert to Christ, and although he was not physically present during Jesus' ministry, we can be sure his account is accurate because he meticulously interviewed the eye-witnesses to Christ's birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension, and set them in order, so that we may "know the certainty of those things in which you [we] were instructed" (see Luke 1:1-4). There are many "infallible proofs" that these things are true, so we can be confident that the record is true, and what we believe is true.
 
Today's Thought: The life, death, and life of Christ is not a myth, but is a reality as verified by the eye-witnesses.
 
Have a confident day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Not Of This World

"Then the descendants of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain heads of the fathers' households, were set apart by the fathers' households, each of them by name; and they sat down on the first day of the month to examine the matter. On the first day of the month they finished questioning all the men who had taken pagan wives."
 
                                                                              Ezra 10:16-17
 
The nation of Israel was called to be different – separated – from the surrounding pagans. When Israel compromised and became like the people around them, then judgment was required. The elders were called as judge and jury to "examine the matter" by questioning the individuals involved in the transgression. I believe that one reason the Church has lost its effectiveness in our society is that it has become like the society. It no longer stands as a beacon of holy living. Church discipline is messy business, but it is absolutely imperative. In order to uphold God's standard of righteousness in the world, the church needs to confront sin lest it becomes the norm.
 
Today's Thought: The Church needs to judge itself.
 
Have an "examined" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Yes Or No

"Then all the assembly answered and said with a loud voice, 'Yes! As you have said, so we must do.....' Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Johaziah the son of Tkivah opposed this, and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite gave them support."
 
                                                                        Ezra 10:12, 15
 
There will always be those who say "Yes" to God and those who oppose. But there is a larger, perhaps unanswerable, question: Why are there God-followers and God-rejectors, sometimes in the same family? I am reading a book entitled, "Between The Church and A Hard Place." In it the author chronicles his own family. Mom and Dad were atheists and raised their sons to be atheists. But the author's brother became a born-again Evangelical Christian as a teenager in high school, which caused a huge rift in the family. On the other hand, there are many examples of a children rejecting the faith of the families they were raised in. So the answer is not necessarily child-hood training. Some theologies try to reconcile this question by teaching that some people are "elect" or predestined – that God chose some to salvation and others to damnation. A person has no choice whether he will believe or not believe. This seems incompatible with a God who is "not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9). Perhaps it is a person's personality or psychological makeup. Some call it "God-consciousness." But why are some people God-conscious and others not? I don't know the answer, but I am so glad that I heard God's call to repentance and I said "Yes" to Him.
 
Today's Thought: Either we say "Yes" to God we reject Him.
 
Have a "Yes" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Confession and Repentance

"So all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered at Jerusalem within three days....Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, 'You have transgressed and have taken pagan wives, adding to the guilt of Israel. Now therefore, make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, and do His will....' "
 
                                                                   Ezra 10:9-11
 
A convocation of all the men was called by the leaders. When they gathered, Ezra confronted them with their sin and called not only for confession, but also for obedience, i.e., repentance. There is a difference between confession and repentance. Confession is acknowledging my sin; Repentance is forsaking my sin. It is not enough to confess that I am have sinned. Many people are willing to acknowledge that they have sinned, but they are not willing to forsake their sin and do God's will. Confession alone is barren and fruitless. God calls us to turn from our sin and obey Him. As James says, "Be doers of the word and not hearers only" (James 1:22).
 
Today's Thought: Confession without repentance is empty words.
 
Have a "doing" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Yet There Is Hope

"Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping and bowing before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very bitterly. And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, spoke up and said to Ezra, 'We have trespassed against our God, and have taken pagan wives from the people of the land; yet now there is hope in Israel in spite of this.' "
 
                                                                                Ezra 10:1-2
 
There is hope for revival among God's people in spite of how far we have drifted from God standard of holiness. There are people – men, women, and children – who want to see the Church return to righteousness. It began with the earnest prayers, confession, and weeping of one man that moved a nation to repentance. O God, send a spirit of weeping and repentance to Your Church.
 
Today's Thought: There is hope for revival among God's people, but it begins with individuals.
 
Have a hopeful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Astonished By Sin

"So when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and sat down astonished. Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel assembled to me because of the transgression of those who had been carried away captive, and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice."
 
                                                                      Ezra 9:3-4
 
Ezra was "astonished" by the sin among God's people, and he had an amazing response.  The Hebrew word means to be appalled, stunned, desolate. He was so devastated by the sin among God's chosen people that he pulled out his hair.  And there were others who "trembled at the words of God."  It is sad that I get so inured to sin that it does not affect me much. I began to tolerate it instead of being appalled. O sure, I say, "Tsk-Tsk," but to be so emotionally unmoved only demonstrates my own dulled sense of sin. Instead, I need to "tremble" and be moved by His holiness. Oh God, please keep me sensitive to sin in myself and among God's people so I am appalled by it.
 
Today's Thought: The person who trembles at God's word has a violent reaction to sin.
 
Have an "astonished" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The "Ites" Infection

"When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, 'The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with respect to the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites, For they have takes some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass.' "
 
                                                                               Ezra 9:1-2
 
During the Babylonian captivity, the people of Israel were dispersed to other alien lands. In those countries, they were infected with the "ites" disease, which caused them to forsake the law of God and become enmeshed in the surrounding culture of those nations. These were godless cultures and the holy seed was compromised. It still happens today. Many Christians have become "mixed" with the surrounding cultres, marrying themselves to the godless customs of this alien land, compromising their "holy seed." God calls us to "come out and be separate" (II Corinthians 6:17), and to "be not conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2), lest we become victims on the "ites" disease. We must be "in the world" but need not be "of the world."
 
Today's Thought: Marrying ourselves to the surrounding cultures compromises our holiness.
 
Have a separated day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Accountability

"So the priests and Levites received the silver, and the gold and the articles by weight to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our God .... So we came to Jerusalem, and stayed there three days. Now on the fourth day, the silver and the gold and the articles were weighed in the house of our God ...."
 

                                                                       Ezra 8:30, 32-33a
 
The priests who brought the gold and silver to Jerusalem were held accountable for the offerings which were entrusted to them, lest they use these gifts for their own purposes. Accountability is a huge factor in stewardship. A lot of money is given to charities and to "Christian" ministries for which there is little or no accountability. The leaders of these organizations use the money for themselves to receive exorbitant salaries, buy expensive cars, build mansions, and live luxurious lifestyles and otherwise misuse the money. In some cases, less than 50% of the gifts are used for the intended purposes; the rest pads the pockets of the leaders. It is unwise stewardship to give money to any organization that has no process of accountability.
 
Today's Thought: Accountability is a twin brother to Stewardship.
 
Have an accountable day.  Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Faithful Stewards

"And I separated twelve of the leaders of the priests ... and weighed out to them the silver, the gold, and the articles, the offering for the house of our God which the king and his counselors and his princes, and all Israel who were present, had offered. .... And I said to them, .... 'Watch and keep them until you weight them before the leaders of the priests and the Levites' .... So the priests and the Levites received the silver and the gold and the articles by weight, to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our God."
 
                                                                         Ezra 8:24-25, 28-30
 
King Artexerxes had decreed that money from the king's treasury was to be given to build the temple in Jerusalem (see chapter 7). So Ezra gave the responsibility to the priests to take care of these gifts. According to the margin, the current value of these gifts was over $825,000,000. The money did not belong to the priests. They were only stewards or caretakers. In like manner, we have received gifts from God – time, talent, ministry, and money. These do not belong to us; we do not own them. They are only placed in our care by God. We are responsible for how we use the gifts God has entrusted us with. How we use them determines whether we are faithful stewards. "It is required in stewards that one be found faithful" (I Corinthians 4:2).
 
Have a faithful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Hearing and Doing

"Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra ... came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given .... Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel."
 
                                                                           Ezra 7:1, 6, 10
 
Here is a teacher who had prepared his heart to not only know God's Word but to do it. Some people know what the Bible says, but do not live it. Jesus said, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them, I will like to a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matthew 6:24). And James tells us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only, for hearing without doing is like getting up in the morning and looking in a mirror at my messed up hair and then going my way without combing it (James 1:22-24). I need to practice what I preach.
 
Today's Thought: We are called to not only know God's Word but to do it.
 
Have a "doing" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Cleansing Before Worship

"And the descendants of the captivity kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves; all of them were ritually clean."
 
                                                                         Ezra 6:19-20a
 
Before worship comes cleansing. There was a purification process the priests and Levites had to observe before they could enter into spiritual ministry. In fact, there was a bowl situated just in front of the entrance to the Holy Place called the laver, where they would wash themselves before entering. They had the awesome responsibility of purifying themselves. It seems in 2010 we have such a casual approach to worship. We feel we can come to God in any old way we want. A popular Christian song say, "Come, just as you are to worship." But what does God say? Jesus said that the Father is searching for those who worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). He also said that when we bring our gifts to the altar, and we remember that another person has something against us, that we should first be reconciled to our brother, "and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24). Then Paul gave instruction to the person who would partake of the Lord Supper to "examine himself" in order to avoid judgment (I Corinthians 11:27-29). Worship is an awesome thing and we need to approach it with great reverence.
 
Today's Thought: God calls for worshipers to be "cleansed and made holy."
 
Have a worshiping day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- It Takes Time

"Now the temple was finished on the third month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius."
 
                                                                             Ezra 6:15
 
It took time for the temple to be finished. According to historians, Cyrus gave decree to rebuild the temple in 539 B.C. After the laying of the foundation, because of opposition and lack of motivation, the project was not resumed until 515 B.C. and completed and dedicated in 515 B.C. So it took to took almost 25 years, the coming and going of maybe four kings and the urging of the prophets before the temple was finished. In the same way, it has taken a long time for this temple (me) to be built. I have been in construction for 60 years and am still not finished. There have been times when the progress has been slow or non-existent. But then the prophets stirred me and more building was done. I don't expect to be completed until I get to heaven. In the meantime, God is still working on me.
 
Today's Thought: It takes time for our temples to be perfected, but God keeps building us.
 
Have a "building" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Diligent Politicians

"Then Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, Shethar-Boznai, and their companions diligently did according to what King Darius had sent."
 
                                                                                  Ezra 6:13
 
Tattenai was a good public servant.  He was not like the adversaries in Chapter 4.  As governor, he was just doing what he was supposed to do – keeping track of what was happening in the region he was responsible for. He wrote a letter to King Darius asking for clarification of the authority of the Jews to build the temple. In response, Darius told him that they were acting under the authority given by Cyrus. Moreover, he commanded that Tattenai give money to the Jews to finance their project from taxes collected, and that whatever was needed for their worship was to be supplied. So Tattenai "diligently" did his duty. Today is election day. May God grant us political leaders – governors, senators, congressmen – who will diligently do their job instead of using their positions to advance themselves and their personal agendas.
 
Today's Thought: Public officials are to diligently do their jobs without regard for their personal welfare or advancement.
 
Have a diligent day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Leaders and Helpers

"So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadek rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them."
 
                                                                                 Ezra 5:2
 
Praise God for leaders.  Zerubbabel and Jeshua (of Joshua) were the point men (see Ezra 2:2; 3:2; 4:2-3) – the ones with the vision who were able to motivate others to join them in the work.  But praise God for the helpers, also. The leaders would not be able to accomplish the task without those who were willing to assist them. God has put leaders into His Church – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). But He also has given the ministry of "helps" (I Corinthians 12:28).  One is not more important than the other.  Both are necessary in doing Kingdom-work.
 
Today's Thought: Each believer has a place in Kingdom-work, whether a leader or a helper.
 
Bless you as you fill your place of ministry. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Distracted

"Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah, the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them."
 
                                                                                     Ezra 5:1
 
Because of the opposition, the people began to question whether it was really the right time to rebuild the temple (Haggai 1:2). So they turned their attention to other interests, such as building their homes, farming, eating, drinking, and making money. But none of these pursuits were successful (Haggai 1:3-4). God sent Haggai to provoke them to return to their main calling – to build the temple. God said, "Be strong Zerubbable ... be strong Joshua ... be strong all you people of the land ... and work, for I am with you" (Haggai 2:4). The temptation to put God's calling on the back burner when opposition comes is great. But let me not be distracted by the "good life" and lose sight of the task God has given me to do. Be strong!
 
Today's Thought: Satan wants to distract us by the things of this world from doing what God has called us to do.
 
Have a "focused" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Death of a Vision

"In the days of Artaxerses also, Bishlam, Midredath, Tabel, and theset of their companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia....Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by force of arms made them cease. Thus the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia."
 

                                                                            Ezra 4:7, 23-24
 
The kings at Babylon changed.  After Cyrus came Ahasuerus.  The enemies of the Jews complained to Ahasuerus about the work the Jews were doing (Ezra 4:6) but apparently with no success.  When a new king, Artaxerses, ascended to power in Babylon, the enemies of the work of God saw another chance to stop the work. So they appealed to Artaxerses.  The enemies of God do not give up.  Artaxerxes responded with a letter commanding that the rebuilding of the temple be stopped. Religious freedom can be affected by the governmental authorities that are in power (whether presidents, mayors, or judges). Some are more amenable to religious freedom than others. The Jews experienced the death of a vision caused by someone beyond their control. But God was not finished. He changed the governmental authority so that Darius became ruler. It may take time, but when the vision seems dead, God is still in control and can change the situation so that His work will be accomplished.  In the meantime, we remain faithful and pray.  And be sure to vote!
 
Today's Thought: God's work may be hindered by earthly authorities, but His power is greater than government administrations and He can change them.
 
Have a trusting day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Enemies of God's Work

"Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purposes all the days of Cyrus, king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius, king of Persia."
 
                                                                             Ezra 4:4-5
 
There will always be those in the land who conspire to discourage, trouble, and frustrate the work of the Kingdom. In our day, these "enemies of the cross" are the ACLU, People for the American Way, Citizens for the Separation of Church and State, and other such groups dedicated to stopping the work of God. But Jesus said that He would build His church, so it will be built, regardless of the efforts of the opponents. Look Up!!!!
 
Today's Thought: Jesus will build His Church despite those who conspire against it.
 
Have a confident day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Volunteers

"Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD God of Israel, they came to Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the heads of the fathers' houses, and said to them, 'Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarbaddon King of Assyria, who brought us here.' "
 
                                                                               Ezra 4:1-2
　
These who claimed to be worshipers of the God of Israel were not descendants of Abraham. They were alien settlers who were brought in to occupy the land after the Israelites were taken to Babylon. They did not want to see the Israelites to be reformed as a nation with its temple because it would threaten their claim to the land. So they pretended to be supportive but their true intent was to disrupt. It is important to understand that not everyone who claims to be a part of the kingdom work has pure motives. Some are there to destroy the work of the Lord. Jesus Himself said there would be wolves who come in sheep's clothing. We are admonished: "Do not believer every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they be of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). To accept everyone at face value is to invite problems. It is wise when a newcomer presents himself for service to have a time of testing before giving him or her a place of ministry.
 
Today's Thought: Not everyone who claims to be a worshiper of God should be accepted immediately into kingdom work.
 
Have an "alert" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Emotions

"But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of the temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard afar off."
 
                                                                               Ezra 3:12-13
The people got emotional when they saw God's work being accomplished.  Some segments of Christianity have criticized Pentecostals for being too emotional. It's okay to shout and cry at a ball game, but it's a no-no in church. The work of God in our midst will cause people to respond differently. Some will sit quietly; some will fall on their knees in tears; some will stand with hands raised and shout. Although the presence of God will elicit different responses, there will be a response. Religion without emotion is dead. If I touch live electrical wires, I will react – often with a shout. But a dead person does not feel. So whether I weep or shout, I'm glad for emotions. It shows I'm alive.
 
Today's Thought: An emotional response to God indicates spiritual life.
 
Have an emotional day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Crazy Worship!

"And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD: 'For He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel.' Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid."
 
                                                                                  Ezra 3:11
 
The Hebrew word translated "praise" in this verse is halal from which we get "hallelujah." The halal type of praise was loud, boastful, showy, exuberant, to seem like a fool, even to the point of being like a madman. It was "crazy worship" and nobody cared what other people thought. There is a time for dignified and refined praise. But the foundation for God's temple has been laid – Jesus Christ – and His mercy endures forever. Now that's something to get excited and emotional about!  How long has it been since someone has thought I was crazy because of my praise to God?   It's time to set aside my pride and shout praises to the Lord! Hallelujah!!!!
 
                   Shout to the Lord all the earth, let us sing,
                   Power and majesty, praise to the King.

 
Today's Thought: Christians have a right to be loud in their praises to their King.
 
Have a Hallelujah Day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Work and Worship

"Now in the second month of the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, Zerubbabel...Jeshua...and the rest of their brethren and the priests and the Levites, and all those who had come out of the captivity to Jerusalem, began work....When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals to praise the LORD, according to the ordinance of David, king of Israel."
 
                                                                            Ezra 3:8, 10
 
It took over a year for the people to start building the temple. The first part of Chapter 3 tells that the people had already gathered once in Jerusalem for a time of worship before they began work on the temple of the LORD, and they also worshiped while the temple was being built. I must admit that at times I have become so preoccupied with working for the Lord that worship has been relegated to second place. Worship must be primary and working for God must be secondary -- preceding the work and continuing while working.
 
Today's Thought: Working for God can never take the place of worship.
 
Have a worshiping day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- According to Ability

"Some of the heads of the fathers' house, when they came to the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God, to erect it in its place: According to their ability they gave to the treasury for the work 61,000 gold drachmas, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priestly garments."
 
                                                                         Ezra 3:68-69
 
Giving to God's work is always "according to ability." God does not ask me to give beyond my means, or to try to give like someone else. Each person is to set aside and give "as he may prosper" (I Corinthians 16:2). The Church at Macedonia gave freely "according to their ability" (II Corinthians 8:3), but they had such a willing heart that they gave beyond their ability. Nevertheless, Paul gave the principle: "For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has and not according to what he does not have" (II Corinthians 8:12). Our offerings are pleasing to God if they come from a willing heart, regardless of the size.
 
Today's Thought: A willing heart will cause me to give freely.
 
Have a giving day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Listed In The Book

"Now these are the people of the province who came back from the captivity....The whole assembly together was 42,360, besides their male and female servants...and they had 200 men and women singers."
 
                                                                                  Ezra 2:1, 64-65
 
This chapter is a list of the families that returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. There are notable groups such as the Levites, the gatekeepers, and the sons of Asaph and other singers – bring on the choir 328 voices strong! There are the Nethinim and the priests. Sadly, among the sons of the sons of the priests were those who could not prove their lineage (vss. 59-63). They were not registered in the genealogy. They were "preacher's kids" who thought they were okay because they were sons of priests, but who were "defiled" and excluded from the priestly ministry. In any church there are people think they are Christians because they are a part of the group, but there is no heavenly record of being born again into God's Family. How sad it will be on Judgment Day when the books will be opened and whoever is not found written in the Book of Life will be excluded from heaven (see Revelation 3:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19). Jesus will say, "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23). It takes more than being from a "religious" family. One's name has to be found written in the Book of Life.
 
Today's Thought: A requisite for being accepted into Heaven is to be listed in Christ's genealogy.
 
Have a "written in the Book" day. Love you.

 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Importance of Encouragers

"Then the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirit God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. And all those who were around them encouraged them...."
 
                                                                                    Ezra 1:5-6a
 
There are no second-class citizens in God's kingdom-work. There is nothing to indicate that the "goers" were considered more spiritual than the "senders." They were each fulfilling their place as God lead them. Paul and Apollos had different callings " as the Lord gave to each one" (I Corinthians 3:5). They were "God's fellow workers" (I Cor. 3:9). We need to get over the idea that some people are on a higher level in the kingdom just because their ministries get more attention. Encouragers are just as important as the "goers" as they each fulfill their God-given callings.
 
Today's Thought: Encouragers are not second-class but are a vital part of kingdom-work.
 
Have an encouraging day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Goers and Senders

" 'And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.' "
 
                                                                                         Ezra 1:4
 
Some of the Jews returned to Jerusalem to build the House of God. Others stayed in Babylon. Those who stayed were involved in the project by supporting those who went. The same principle is in effect today. There are goers and there are senders. Some are called to build the Temple in other parts of the world. Others are involved by their support of giving financially. Paul understood this paradigm: In order to believe, the unsaved need to hear; to hear they need someone to tell them – like a preacher or missionary; "And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" (Romans 10:14-15) Foremost, they are sent by God, but they are also sent and supported by those who stay. An illustration of this format is found in Acts 13:1, and also the church at Philippi supporting Paul's ministry (Philippians 415-18). I have never been to Africa or Asia or South America, but I get to participate in building God's Temple around the world through my "freewill offerings."
 
Today's Thought: Some go and some stay, but all are involved.
 
Have an "involved" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Building The Temple

[Cyrus said,] " 'Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.' "
 
                                                                                        Ezra 1:3
 
The Jewish captives were commissioned by Cyrus to build the house of the LORD God in Jerusalem. What joy there must have been when they heard this decree. They would finally, after all those long years, be able to have a temple again where God could dwell and they could worship. But what of us? We are God's building (I Corinthians 3:10). We are the temple of God where the Spirit of God dwells (vs. 16), built on the foundation of Jesus Christ (vs. 11). But we have the commission to be careful how we build (vs. 10b). No shoddy workmanship. No mediocre work just to get by inspection. If we are indeed God's house, it calls for intentional care to be a temple that will bring Him honor and glory.
 
Today's Thought: Since we are God's temple and He dwells in us, we need to be the best we can be.
 
Have a "building" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Living In Hope

"Now in the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 'Thus says Cyrus, king of Perisa: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And he has commanded me to build him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.' "
 
                                                                               Ezra 1:1-2
 
Fulfilled prophecy validates the reliability of the Bible. Jeremiah had prophesied that Israel would be released from captivity after 70 years (Jeremiah 29:10), and Isaiah even identified Cyrus by name as the king who God would order the release of the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city (Isaiah 45:13). The Jews in captivity lived in this hope. God revealed Himself to Cyrus, even though Cyrus had not known Him (Is. 45:4), as the only true God besides whom there was no other (vss. 5, 7, 14, 18, 21, 22). God's timing and way of working things out is always right. He can "stir up the spirit" even of those who do not know Him.  He has a plan of me and for the world. It will all happen in His time and His way. I live in that hope.
 
Today's Thought: The God of the universe is in control.
 
Have a hope-filled day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Rejected

The armies of the Philistines were going to war against the Israelites. Joining the group was David and his men because they were aligned with Achish. The other Philistine princes rejected David. They knew his reputation and were afraid he would turn on them in the heat of battle and join forces with the Israelites. So David and his men returned to their home base of Ziklag.
 
                                                                         I Samuel 29 – a summary
 
I don't know what David was thinking when he joined forces with the very enemies of his own people. Thankfully, they rejected him and he was saved from making a terrible mistake. I wonder how many times I have been kept from doing evil simply because I don't fit in with the world. Jesus said to pray, "Deliver us from evil" (or the evil one) (Matthew 6:13). I take seriously the admonition to "be not unequally yoked with unbelievers" (II Corinthians 6:14). There should be no communion between light and darkness. Either I will be rejected by the ungodly or I will compromise my faith in order to be accepted. Being rejected by the world is a good thing because it keeps me from being sucked into their ungodliness. Besides, I have enough inside me to tempt me to sin without adding another external factor.
 
Today's Thought: Being rejected by the enemies of Christ will keep me from doing their evil.
 
Have a "reject" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Finishing the Race Well

"Then Samuel said [to Saul], 'So why do you ask me, seeing the LORD has departed from you and has become your enemy? And the LORD has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David....Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.' "
 
                                                                             I Samuel 28:16-17, 19
 
Saul's final chapter plays out just as Samuel said, with Saul's three sons being killed and Saul himself being wounded and committing suicide (chapter 31). So ended a life that began with such great possibilities. How sorry it is when a life begins with such hope and finishes with such tragedy. Personally, I want my life to end well and victorious in the Lord. It is not the runners who start the race fast but the one who through endurance finishes the race well that receives the prize (I Corinthians 9:24). "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises" (Hebrews 6:11-12).
 
Today's Thought: Ending the race strong is more important than starting fast.
 
Have a strong day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Life After Death

"And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice .... And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground and bowed down."
 
                                                                             I Samuel 28:12a, 14b
 
Some have questioned whether this was truly the spirit of Samuel. Notwithstanding yesterday's Rambling about familiar spirits, the text here indicates that it was indeed the spirit of Samuel in his afterlife. Both the woman and Saul recognized it as Samuel. Except for the appearance of Moses and Elijah on the mount of Jesus' transfiguration, and of course Jesus after His resurrection, this is the only other instance that I'm aware of in Scripture where the spirit of a dead person appears. These are all indications that there is conscious, personal life after death. But since the appearance of departed souls is rare in Scripture, I think it would be rare today, and certainly not something to be sought after. We have all the contact with eternity that we need in this life through the Jesus.
 
Today's Thought: Jesus and the Holy Spirit are our links with the spirit world – not mediums.
 
Have a eternal-life day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Familiar Spirits

"So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went and two men with him; and they came to the woman [medium] by night. And he said, 'Please conduct a seance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name for you.'  .... Then the woman said, 'Whom shall I bring up for you?'  and he said, 'Bring up Samuel for me.' "
 
                                                                         I Samuel 28:8, 11
 
Saul consulted a medium to get a word from Samuel. The word "medium" is translated by the King James Version "consulter with familiar spirits." These "familiar spirits" are demons who are so familiar with the dead person that they can mimic the departed soul. When I was young, I did not understand the dangers of dabbling with the occult. It was mysterious and exciting and enticing. I had an Ouija Board at one point. I thought of it as a toy, but I became convinced that there were evil spirits involved and I destroyed it. God knows the danger. That's why He condemned spiritism -- witchcraft, soothsayers, those who interpret omens, or calls up the dead. They are an abomination to God (see Deuteronomy 18:10-11). That's why we need to be very careful about some of the things surrounding Halloween, with its emphasis on ghosts and witches. Getting candy may be innocent enough, but the spiritism is real and is nothing to play around with.
 
Today's Thought: Occult practices are an abomination to God, and dangerous to engage in.
 
Have an aware day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Hearing God Speak

"Now Samuel had died...And Saul had put the mediums and spiritists out of the land....And when Saul had inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, 'Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.' "
 
                                                                               I Samuel 28:3, 6-7
 
Saul had allowed his sin to break his relationship with God. When God did not answer his prayer, he sought out other sources which were not godly. It is important to keep the channel between myself and God clear so that I can hear His voice lest I turn to other voices for help. There is another thought that comes from this passage. Saul was right to banish the mediums from the land, but he was caught in the same vice that he so harshly condemned. Sometimes the person who speaks the loudest against a particular vice is trying to cover his own personal weakness, and ends up being trapped in that very sin.
 
Today's Thought: It pays to keep an uncluttered relationship with God.
 
Have a "clear-channel" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Living With The Enemy

"Then David arose and went over with 600 men who were with him to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath....Now the time David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was one full year and four months." 
 
                                                                                   I Samuel 27:2, 7
 
This was a dark time in David's history when he fled from his own country and dwelled in the enemy's territory. In order to supply his army with food, he attacked neighboring cities in the area. He would then kill everyone – men and women – so that no one could report to Achish what he had done. When Achish would asked him what he was doing, David would say he was attacking cities in Judah, his own country. So he shed innocent blood, and then lied about it in order to be accepted by Achish. A murderer and a liar. Leaving God's country and dwelling in the enemy's country will cause a person to do bad things just to be accepted.
 
Today's Thought: A person who wants to be accepted by the world will do bad things.
 
Have a godly day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Where Did This Come From?

[David said to Saul]. " 'Now therefore, please, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let Him accept my offering. But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the LORD....' "
 
                                                                     I Samuel 26:19a
 
David was unsure whether Saul's persecution was the will of God or the will of man. He was willing to admit that perhaps it was God's way of dealing with him. It is not always clear to me whether the challenges I face are God's way of working His will in me, or whether they are from other men, the devil, or even perhaps just a part of life. In any case, I can commit them to the Lord, and pray, "Lord, if it is my fault, please accept my offering of repentance. But if it is from another source, I trust You to take care of it."
 
Today's Thought: I can trust God as I face life's challenges, regardless of the source.
 
Have a trusting day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Second Temptation

"Then Saul arose and sent down...to seek David in the Wilderness of Ziph .... Then Abishai said to David, 'God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear ...' But David said, 'Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?' "
 

                                                                                I Samuel 26:2, 8-9
 
Same song, second verse. David had already been through this scenario once before (Chapter 24). Again he was tempted to violate his integrity. Abishai made it sound so spiritual – "God has delivered Saul into your hand." But David would not be fooled into yielding to this temptation. Just because I win a battle does not mean I have won the war. Satan does not give up easily. Even Jesus experienced this. Satan came to Him sounding so spiritual, even quoting Scripture (Luke 4:10). Jesus resisted the temptations, and did not give in to Satan's schemes. But Satan was not a quitter. "Now when Satan had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time" (Luke 4:13). I believe Satan returned to tempt Jesus during His struggle in the garden just before His betrayal. I need to understand that Satan does not quit trying and will attack again even if I am victorious the first time.
 
Today's Thought: The war calls for vigilance against repeated attacks.
 
Have a victorious day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Servant-Bride

"So when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, 'Blessed be the LORD...' And he sent and proposed to Abigail, to take her as his wife....Then she arose, bowed her face to the earth, and said, 'Here is your maidservant, a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.' So Abigail arose in haste ... and became his wife."
 
                                                                            I Samuel 25:39, 41-42
 
What a picture! Abigail was delivered from the clutches of tyrant. No longer was she under Nabal's dominion. When she heard the invitation to become the bride of her savior, she rose in haste – no dilly-dallying – to go to him. I love her spirit. She saw herself as a servant to the other servants. This is a wonderful analogy to becoming a servant-bride to our Savior.
 
Today's Thought: We are freed from the tyranny of Satan to become a servant-bride to the Savior. Hallelujah!
 
Have a rejoicing day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- A Dead Heart

"So it was in the morning, when the wine had gone from Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became like a stone.  Then it happened, after about ten days, that the LORD struck Nabal, and he died."
 
                                                                                          I Samuel 25:37-38
 
When Nabal heard what Abigain had done, something snapped inside.  Perhaps he became became so angry at Abigail that he blew a gasket.  He probably had a stroke or a heart attack  and became paralyzed -- unresponsive like a rock.  What I do know is that Nabal never had a chance to repent or ask forgiveness.  Sometimes life -- and death -- comes at you fast.  It pays to keep the heart right with God.
 
Today's Thought:  It is imperative that we live ready to die.
 
Have a lively day.  Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- No Regrets

[Abigail said to David], " 'And it shall come to pass, when the LORD has done for my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you ruler over Israel, that this will be no grief to you, nor offense of heart ot my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause or that my lord has avenged himself.' "
 
                                                                                          I Samuel 25:30-31
 
It feels good to get revenge at the time, but there is a price to pay later on.  Abigail's plea to save her family was an appeal to David so that he would avoid regrets later on.  The main regrets I have in my old age is the way I treated other people -- whether family, friends, enemies, students, or parishioners.  How we treat people will come back to haunt us later.
 
Today's Thought:  Treating people well now can help us avoid regrets in the future.
 
Have a "no grief" day.   Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Marriage Commitment

"Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel and the man was very rich.  He had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats .... The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of the wife was Abigail.  And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance;  but the man was harsh and evil in his doings...."

                                                                              I Samuel 25:2-3

It seems that this is a picture of a lot of marriages with two people so totally different.  Here is Abigail, the perfect Proverbs 31 wife, hooked up with Nabal -- whose very name means "fool."  He was a bad dude.  Even his servants called him a scoundrel (vs. 17).  It was likely an arranged marriage (ala "Fiddler on the Roof").  I can't imagine a woman of Abigail's character choosing such a loser.  But even in today's practice of marrying for "love," it happens.  That is why it so important for a young person, whether man or woman, to look beyond emotions and physical attraction when choosing a life-mate to avoid a "Nabal" at all costs.  To Abigail's credit, she was committed to her man even in a bad situation.

Today's Thought:  Marriage is for life, so choose carefully.

Have a committed day.   Love you.

Dad's Ramblings -- Tears of Sorrow

"So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, 'Is this your voice, my son, David?'  And Saul lifted up his voice and wept .... 'And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.' "

                                                                                  I Samuel 24:16, 20

Tears of sorrow, but no repentance!   Saul may have sorry at the time, but later he pursued David again to kill him (see Chapter 26).  The Apostle Paul said that godly sorrow produces repentance, but the sorrow of the world produces death (II Corinthians 7:10).  I have seen through the years (and have done it myself) people who come to the altar time and time again with tears, only to return to their sin again and again.  Now I like to see tears because they show the heart was touched.  But it's like the proverbs that Peter quoted, "a dog returns to his own vomit, and a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire" (II Peter 2:22).  It takes more than tears of sorrow to live godly.  It take a commitment to righteousness.

Today's Thought:  Repentance requires more than tears of sorrow.

Have a godly day.  Love you.