Dad's Ramblings -- God Is Not Mocked

GOD IS NOT MOCKED
 
Daniel 5:3-5
 
"Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone. In the same hour the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote opposite the lamp stand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace...."
 
People have the idea that they can misuse and abuse God's holy things with impunity. They profane his holy name, treat as nothing His holy commandments, and worship other gods, all the while thinking there are no consequences. But God is not mocked and they will reap what they sow (Galatians 6:7). God will have the final word.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The holy cannot be profaned without consequences.
 
Have a God-conscious day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Respect For The Holy

RESPECT FOR THE HOLY
 
Daniel 5:1-2
 
"Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand. While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave a command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them."
 
Belshazzar made a tragic mistake. He took that which was holy – separated for God's use – and used it for common activity. It seems to me that in our culture there is little regard for the holy.
Marriage is a holy union, but it is often defiled. One day of the week is to be set apart for God, but we treat every day the same. God's word is holy, but it is treated as just another book. As Christians, our bodies are holy, but we misuse them horribly. Life is sacred, but abortion/murder of babies is considered okay. The list could go on. As God's people, we should set an example of revering the holy, and "distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean" (Leviticus 10:10).
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: It is dangerous to treat God's holy things as common.
 
Have a holy day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Journey To Faith

THE JOURNEY TO FAITH
 
Daniel 3:28-29; 4:2, 34
 
"Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, 'Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego .... There is no other god who can deliver like this .... I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me .... At the end of the time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever...' "
 
Nebuchadnezzar was on a journey to faith. He started as a pagan with no understanding of the true God, then progressed to acknowledging the God of the Hebrews, then to understanding that God was involved in his affairs, and finally came to personal faith in the Most High God. His journey had its ups and downs. It began with a dream that was interpreted by Daniel, and he recognized that Daniel's God was the God of gods (2:46). But since God was not his God, he erected the golden statue to be worshiped. When the Hebrews were delivered from the furnace, he again saw by that sign that their God was the true God. But it was not until he was restored from seven years of insanity that he finally came to full personal faith (see 4:28-33). God is so gracious and faithful. Even in the ups and downs of our journey, he is still ready to reveal Himself. For some people, it takes awhile before they humble themselves to confess Him as the true God – and some never do. But that does not stop God from revealing Himself over and over again.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The journey to faith has its ups and downs, but God keeps revealing Himself.
 
Have a revelation day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Smelling Like A Rose

SMELLING LIKE ROSE
 
Daniel 3:26-27
 
Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, 'Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, come out and come here.' Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire .... the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them."
 
The Hebrews came through their fiery trial smelling like a rose. I confess that trials can cause me to have a stinking attitude. The reason the Hebrews came through smelling so good was because they had been with Jesus.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The secret of a sweet smell is being with Jesus.
 
Have a rosy day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Jesus Walks With Us In The Fire

JESUS WALKS WITH US IN THE FIRE
 
Daniel 3:20, 24-25
 
"And [Nebuchadnezzar] commanded certain might men of valor who were in the army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them in the burning fiery furnace .... Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke to his counselors, 'Did we not cast three men into the midst of the fire? .... Look,' he answered, 'I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.' "
 
This story is a Sunday School favorite, but it still contains a dynamic truth: Jesus walks with us through the fiery times. No matter how hot it gets, He is there. Praise His glorious Name!
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Jesus walks with His people through the fiery trials of life.
 
Have a "walking with Jesus" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The "IF NOTS" In Life

THE "IF NOTS" OF LIFE
 
Daniel 3:17-18
 
" 'If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.' "
 
What a statement of faith! They declared their belief that God was able and would deliver them. But they also allowed God to be God. Whether God delivered them from the furnace alive, or delivered them by death, they would serve Him. "If Not...." Some people question their faith in God when things don't go the way they think they should. God does not always do what I ask or want, but He is still God and I will serve Him. A Met Life commercial says that they are there "For the 'if' in life." God is God in the "If Nots" of life.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: God is still God even when life does not happen according to my plan.
 
Have a "faith" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Choice

THE CHOICE
 
Daniel 3:15-16
 
[King Nebuchadnezzar said,] " 'Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the ...music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good. But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?' Shadrach, Mechach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.' "
 
Everyone is confronted with the choice of whether to serve the true God or some other god. Nebuchadnezzar had a revelation of God through Daniel's interpretation of his dream, but chose not to bow to that God. It continues to amaze me that people can see the works of God and still not worship Him. The Apostle Paul wrote of these people when he said, "What may be known of God is manifest in (margin: among) them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made....[they] changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man...." (See Romans 1:18-23). The three Hebrews also had a choice – to bow to the world's image or to serve the true God. To them it was a no-brainer. "We don't need to even think about our answer." They knew the true God and were rock-solid in their faith.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Everyone has the opportunity to choose to worship the true God or another god.
 
Have a worshiping day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Gold Image

THE GOLD IMAGE
 
Daniel 3:1, 4-6
 
"King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold .... He set it up on the plane of Dura...in the province of Babylon .... Then a herald cried aloud, 'To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the...music, that you shall fall down and worship the gold image that Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.' "
 
The world system demands that we bow at its gold image when the music is played. There are consequences if we refuse. The culmination of this is the beast who demands that people worship an image of himself or be killed (Revelation 13:14-15). In our present culture, there is pressure to conform and bow to the image it has constructed. The consequence of resisting is not death, but it is the burning furnace of ostracization, ridicule, and being considered a religious nut or a bigot. It is a strong person who refuses to bow to the world's golden image.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The world-system demands that we bow to its golden image or suffer the consequences.
 
Have a "non-worship" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Blessing Others

BLESSING OTHERS
 
Daniel 2:48-49
 
"Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshack, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the gate of the king."
 
Daniel did not hog the prosperity God had given him. He did not hog the blessings. He used his God-given success to bless his fellow-Jews. Any success – whether financial or status – is entrusted to me so that I can bless others, especially fellow believers.
 
Today's Thought: God gives blessings so we can bless others.
 
Have a "blessing" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- True Believers

TRUE BELIEVERS
 
Daniel 2:46-47
 
Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face prostrate before Daniel... The king answered Daniel, and said, 'Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.' "
 
How do you identify a true believer? It sounds like Nebuchadnezzar was converted and became a follower of the Most High God. People can talk a good talk and sound like true people of faith. But the evidence of faith is not in what people say but in what they do. In the next chapter, Nebuchadnezzar made a statue and commanded everyone to "fall down and worship" (3:6). It is apparent that the king did not really believe that Daniel's God was "God of gods and Lord of lords."
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The proof of true faith is demonstrated by action.
 
Have a "faith" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Kingdom Of The Rock

THE KINGDOM OF THE ROCK
 
Daniel 4:44-45
 
" 'And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Inasmuch as you saw the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces [the statue] – the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is
sure.' "
 
God gave to Daniel the dream and its interpretation. It is not the purpose of Dad's Ramblings to do an exposition of the dream, but history has shown its veracity. There are some salient points that are seen in this Scripture. 1) God knows the future. 2) God is involved in the affairs of men. 3) God's plan includes a future kingdom here on earth. 4) That kingdom will supercede and destroy all other kingdoms and will last forever. God's kingdom actually began when Jesus came and declared that His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). He is the Stone that was cut out of the mountain without hands. " 'Whoever falls on this stone shall be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder' " (Matthew 21:44). It is better to fall on the Rock and be broken by God than to be crushed by Him.
 
Today's Thought: The kingdom of the Rock will last forever.
 
Have a Kingdom day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Revelation

REVELATION
 
Daniel 2:29-30
 
" 'As for you, O king, thoughts came into your mind while on your bed, about what would come to pass after this; and He who reveals secrets has made known unto you what will be. But as for me, the secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who have made known the interpretation to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.' "
 
Daniel was not puffed up in his own wisdom. He realized that he had knowledge only by God's revelation. Some people are proud in their spirituality, and consider others without their knowledge to be inferior. I have known Pentecostals who consider non-pentecostals to be less spiritual. And I have known non-pentecostals who think people who speak in tongues are immature. It is not a matter of being more or less spiritual. It has to do with revelation. I am not better than someone else just because I have spiritual insights, but am humbled that God would reveal them to me.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Spiritual insights should not be a cause for pride.
 
Have a "revelation" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- There Is A God In Heaven

THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN
 
Daniel 2:25-28a
 
"Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king .... The king answered and said to Daniel ... 'Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?' Daniel answered in the presence of the king and said, 'The secret which the king has demanded the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets ....' "
 
There are problems that face us as a nation and as individuals that seem to have no solutions (like the national debt). We end up seeking answers in all the wrong places. The wise men of our age do not understand the questions, much less how to solve them. But there is a God in heaven who does have the answers, if we would but seek Him.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: There is a God in heaven who knows the answers to our problems.
 
Have a "God's answer" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- OUR GOD REIGNS

OUR GOD REIGNS
 
Daniel 2:21-22
 
"And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him."
 
In Daniel's paean of praise, he acknowledges that there is nothing that is outside of God's control. Time and weather are subject to Him. He rules earth's political systems. He is the author of all wisdom and knowledge, and nothing is hidden from His light. And to think that this God cares about mankind enough to answer his prayers (vs. 23) is truly an awesome thing. What a wonderful God we serve.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Nothing is beyond God's reign.
 
Have a praise and worship day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Excitement of Answered Prayer

THE EXCITEMENT OF ANSWERED PRAYER
 
Daniel 2:19-20
 
"The secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said: 'Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.' "
 
God answered Daniel's prayer concerning Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Daniel's life was on the line and he needed for God to intervene, so this was not a ho-hum moment for Daniel. He was so excited about God's answer that he erupted in praise to the God of heaven. May my spirit never become so hard that God's answers to prayer become blase and I fail to give God the glory. It's testimony time!
Let praise flow out of my mouth for God's goodness!
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Answered prayer should produce an excited and praising spirit.
 
Have an excited day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Seeking God

SEEKING GOD
 
Daniel 2:17-18
 
"Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon."
 
Daniel knew that unless God gave him answers, he was doomed. Life is filled with perplexing "mysteries" – questions and problems that are beyond my own ability to comprehend. God has given me a brain and he expects me to use it. But it is so easy to "lean on my own understanding" instead of seeking the God of heaven for His understanding.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The God of heaven has the answers to life's perplexing problems.
 
Have a "seeking God" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Take Time

TAKE TIME
 
Daniel 2:12-13, 16
 
"For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree went out, and they began killing the wise men; and they sought Daniel and his companions to kill them .... So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation."
 
The king, in his anger, lost his patience. He wanted an answer NOW!!! Sometimes we are under pressure to give an immediate answer. But it is wise to take time to cogitate. My children got frustrated at times because when they me for something, I would often say, "I need to think about it." Quick answers are often unwise, and I have regretted many spur-of-the-moment decisions. It pays to take time to seek God's mind, as Daniel did.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Since quick answers are often unwise, it pays to take the time to seek God.
 
Have a "take time" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Spiritual Angst

SPIRITUAL ANGST
 
Daniel 2:4-5
 
"Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, 'O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.' The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, 'My decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap.' "
 
King Nebuchadnezzar was troubled by the God-given dream and he wanted to understand why. To calm his anxiety, he went to his worldly counselors. But they did not have the answer (see vss. 10-11). I believe that God places a spiritual angst in everyone.  It has been called a "God-shaped hole." They know something is lacking in their spirit, and it causes them to be troubled, so they seek answers in the wrong places. They investigate various religions or go to spiritual gurus. They join social groups or try to gain understanding through psychology or other intellectual pursuits. When these things don't give them peace, they try to drown their angst with activities, pleasure, or alcohol. None of these attempts will give lasting peace to the disquieted heart. Jesus promised to give us His peace. He said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27) As the song says, "Only Jesus can satisfy the soul." Jesus is the answer to the angst of life.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Only Jesus can calm the spiritually troubled heart.
 
Have a peace-filled day in Jesus. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Troubling Dreams

TROUBLING DREAMS
 
Daniel 2:1-3
 
"Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him. Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams .... And the king said to them, 'I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know [understand] the dream.' "
 
This is not a Martin Luther King speech, "I have a dream." Nor were King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams caused by drinking too much coffee. They were God-sent, and they caused him to be troubled and anxious in his spirit. Even though he consulted the wrong people to have the dreams explained, the fact is that God got his attention. God can visit even ungodly people in the night and trouble their spirits – even President Obama – when it suits His purposes. May God trouble our leaders in the midnight hours, and cause them to seek godly counsel.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: God can get the attention of ungodly people through puzzling dreams.
 
Have a dreamy day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Godly Wisdom

GODLY WISDOM

Daniel 1:17, 20

"As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom .... In all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm."

The person with God-given wisdom will stand out above the crowd.  Godly wisdom is 10 times better than the wisdom of this world.  That's why God says to seek wisdom.

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  Godly wisdom is like a beacon in a dark world.

Seek God's wisdom today.   Love you.

Dad's Ramblings -- A TEN-DAY CHALLENGE

A TEN-DAY CHALLENGE

Daniel 1:12, 14-15

" 'Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. ' .... So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.  And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies."

Daniel and his friends knew the value of self-discipline.  Could I live without the junk food of this world -- both physical food and cultural food?  Would I be better off?  Would people see any difference in my life?  This prompts my heart to  to be more intentionally disciplined in the new year -- 2012. 

TODAY'S THOUGHT:   Self-discipline can improve our appearance -- both physically and spiritually.

Have a challenged day.  Love you.