DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- EXTERNAL VERSUS INTERNAL

EXTERNAL VERSUS INTERNAL
II Corinthians 15:16-17
 
"Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we regard Him thus no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all thing have become new."
 
What you see is what you get. Right? Not necessarily. I have seen houses that were plain, nondescript, even ugly and unappealing. Yet when I walked inside, I saw the inside was beautiful, well appointed, with tasteful decorations and furniture. People are more than the flesh and blood we see. They are also spiritual. Just as Jesus was real flesh and blood, He was more, and we know His spiritual dimension. When I look at people, I need to look beyond the external expression of their lives to see the spiritual. This is especially true of people who have experienced the renovation of the new creation of their spirits. Externally, they may not be much to look at, but inside they may be beautiful.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: People need to be seen not merely by their external manifestation, but by their spirits.
 
[end]
 
Have an "inside view" day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LIVING FOR JESUS

LIVING FOR JESUS
II Corinthians 5:15
 
"And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."
 
Living for Jesus is the goal of my life. The song writer expressed it well:
 
     Living for Jesus a life that is true,
     Striving to please Him in all that I do,
     Swearing allegiance glad hearted and free,
     This is the pathway of service for me.

     O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
     For Thou in Thine atonement dids't give Thyself for me.
     I own no other master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
     My life, my love, my heart I give, O Christ, to thee alone.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: We live for Him who died for us.
 
[end]
 
Have a "living" day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLIGS -- CRAZY FOR JESUS

CRAZY FOR JESUS
II Corinthians 5:13-14
 
"For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died."
 
To some it seemed that Paul was beside himself – crazy – out of his mind. I don't want to be thought of as a religious nut. I want to appear intelligent and reasonable. But Paul didn't care if people thought he was crazy. He had met Jesus and it changed his life. When he appeared before the court of King Agrippa and Festus to defend himself and share the Gospel, Festus said, "Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad." To which Paul replied," I am not mad, but I speak the word of truth and reason" (Acts 26:24-25). Paul didn't mind being called a fanatic for Jesus. He knew who he was. He had experienced the love of Christ, and it caused him to be zealous.  Jesus loved him, and he loved Jesus because Jesus died for him. Love will make us act crazy. Oh, that I would be a fanatic like Paul.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The love of Christ will make us seem crazy to the unbeliever, but believers will understand our passion.
 
[end]
 
Have a "crazy" day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- JUDGING BY APPEARANCES

JUDGING BY APPEARANCES
II Corinthians 5:12
 
"For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have a answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart."
 
Some scholars think that Paul was short in stature and was not a commanding presence. He himself admitted that he was weak and fearful and his speaking abilities were not very good (I Corinthians 2:1-5). In other words, his external appearances were not very convincing. He did not have outward appearances to brag about. What attracted people was his heart and spirit. I find it so easy to judge people who preach well or sing with professional quality and give them praise, rather than discerning the heart and spirit of their ministries. A charismatic speaker or a good singer may attract people, but they may be proud in their spirits. A poor preacher or an out of tune singer may not appeal aesthetically, but are humbly doing their best to minister. Lord Jesus, help me to look beyond the external appearances to the heart like you do, and praise people who are trying their best to serve you.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: External appearances are not as good a criteria for praise as is the person's heart to serve God.
 
[end]
 
Have a discerning day. Love you
 
www.wordpress.com

WELL KNOWN TO GOD

WELL KNOWN TO GOD
II Corinthians 5:11
 
"Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences."
 
I am well-known to God. The Greek word translated "well known" is phaneroo – "to become known and thoroughly understood who and what one is." God knows me intimately – my good side and my bad, my strengths and weaknesses, my successes and failures, my hope and my dreams.  And yet He loves me with an everlasting love.  And I truly love Him. Still, knowing the terror of the Lord and His hatred of sin is a strong motivation to live pleasing to Him (vs. 9).
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God knows well those who belong to Him.
 
[end]
 
Have a "loved" day.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ETERNAL REWARDS

ETERNAL REWARD
II Corinthians 5:10
 
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."
 
This judgment is called the Bema Judgment, because the Greek word translated "judgment" is bema. This not a judgment for sin, because sin has already been judged when Jesus died on the cross. Rather, I believe is a judgment of motive for what I have done. Do I do things to receive praise from others? Or do I do things to please Jesus (vs. 9)? Jesus taught that if I do things to receive praise from other people, then I have already received my reward; but if I do them in secret without fanfare, then I will receive God's reward (Matthew 6:1-6). What I do may be good but if it is done only to receive praise from others, it has no value in God's eyes. Praise from other people is fleeting, but God's reward is eternal.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Eternal reward for things done on earth will be judged in heaven according to motive.
 
[end]
 
Have a rewarding day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THEREAND HERE

THERE AND HERE
II Corinthians 5:8-9
 
"We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore, we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him."
 
I have two goals in life. One is to go to heaven when I am finished with this life. The other is to live pleasing to Him while I am here.  There or here, no matter what else happens, these are my priorities.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: If Heaven is my goal, then the aim of living here is to please God.
 
[end]
 
Have a there and here day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE DOWN PAYMENT

THE DOWN PAYMENT
II Corinthians 5:5-7
 
"Now He who has prepared us for this very thing [a new body in heaven] is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee [margin: down payment]. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith and not by sight."
 
When I buy a new home, a down payment of earnest money is made to guarantee that the house will be mine when I am ready to take possession of it. There is a home in heaven waiting for me.   Even though this is a statement of faith, I can be assured that it is true. Jesus has purchased my salvation with His own blood  when He died on the cross, and the Holy Spirit is His guarantee that my new home will be ready when I am ready to take possession of it. Paul used the same illustration when he wrote to the believers at Ephesus, that we are "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee until the redemption of the purchased possession" (Ephesians 1:13-14). Even though I walk by faith, I am confident that it is true because Jesus said that He has gone to prepare a dwelling-place for me, and He will receive me so that where He is, I will be also (John 14:2-3). And He has given the Holy Spirit as the guarantee that He will keep His word.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The believer has assurance that there is a place in heaven waiting for him.
 
[end]
 
Have a confident day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- NEW CLOTHES

NEW CLOTHES
II Corinthians 5:2-4
 
"For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life."
 
This is a glorious thing. When I get to heaven, I will not be running around naked, but God will give me new clothes. Here's the deal. I will not lose the personhood of my human existence. I will still be John Schiewek. It is not like I will lose any of my God-given characteristics or personality. The difference will be that I will be glorified by adding a new dimension – immortality. The Lord Jesus did this in reverse when He left the glory of heaven to be clothed in human flesh (Philippians 2:7). He did not lose any of his divinity. It did not change the essential being of who He was. He merely added a new dimension – the limitations of humanity, including death. I will never become God, but I will shed the limitations that I have as a mortal being. Now I groan under the weight of my humanity, being burdened with the clothes of all my weaknesses and failings. In heaven, I will be freed to be all that God intended me to be – clothed with real life. What a day that will be!!!
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: In heaven, we will still be who we were on earth, but with the added dimension of eternal life.
 
[end]
 
Have a heavenly day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A NEW HOUSE

A NEW HOUSE
II Corinthians 5:1
 
"For if we know that our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens."
 
It would seem to me that living in this world  without hope of eternal life would be an empty existence. Jesus has already prepared a place for me in heaven (John 14:2). It has my name on the mailbox and it is waiting for me. Some day, this fragile tent will lie in tatters and I will make my final move to the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6). Maranatha!!!
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: This body is only a temporary dwelling place that I live in until I have a new house made by God in heaven.
 
[end]
 
Have a maranatha day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A MATTER OF FOCUS

A MATTER OF FOCUS
II Corinthians 4:16:b-18
 
"Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working us a far exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
 
I am made up of two parts: a body and a spirit. One is outward – the other is inward. One is visible – the other is invisible. One is temporary – the other is eternal. One is earthly – the other is heavenly. I spend a lot of time and energy on the body, making it look good, making it feel good, and feeding it well to keep it healthy. And for what? It is perishing and will end up a pile of dust in the ground. If I spent as much time and attention keeping the spirit – which will live forever – renewed, it would be much healthier. It is a day by day process, and it's a matter of focus.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The spirit – which will live forever – needs as much daily time and attention as the body – which is perishing.
 
[end]
 
Have a focused day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ENCOURGEMENT IN MINISTRY

ENCOURAGEMENT IN MINISTRY
II Corinthians 4:15-16a
 
"For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart."
 
It is discouraging to a farmer to plant a crop and not see it grow. But when the seed sprouts and bears fruit, he is encourage to continue his labor. Paul had sacrificed his life to spread the grace of the gospel. What kept him from being discouraged and giving up was the fruit of his labor he saw in other people. That made all his sacrifices worthwhile, filling him with thanksgiving and giving him encouragement to not lose heart.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The heart of ministry is seeing God at work in people, and seeing God glorified.
 
[end]
 
Have an encouraged day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SAYING WHAT I BELIEVE

SAYING WHAT I BELIEVE
II Corinthians 4:13-14
 
"And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed and therefore I spoke,' we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you."
 
This is a strange verse. Paul seems to be using a proof text – quoting a scripture out of context to support his own argument. The scripture he quoted is from Psalm 116:10-11. The Psalmist said that he spoke what he believed – that "all men are liars." But he "spoke in haste," perhaps realizing on reflection that it was not necessarily true. What he said was based on his own feelings and perceptions at the time. I have the same problem. I often speak what I believe to be true, but it is colored by my emotions and perceptions at the moment, and it is not necessarily true. Paul's belief in the resurrection was founded in Scripture. I need to be sure that what I believe and what I speak has a Scriptural basis. Otherwise, it may not be true. My belief may be wrong if it is not grounded on God's Word.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: What I believe may not be true if it is not based on God's Word.
 
[end]
 
Have a "true belief" day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE FRUITFUL LIFE

THE FRUITFUL LIFE
II Corinthians 4:11-12
 
"For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you."
 
It is a law of nature, both in the world and in the spirit: Life come out of death. Jesus gave the illustration in referring to His own impending death: "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces more grain" (John 12:24). And Paul uses the same picture regarding our bodily resurrection: "What you sow is not made alive unless it dies" (I Corinthians 15:36). Sowing my life into others requires death. Death is not easy, but the fruit that comes from it is worth it. If I want to produce life and fruit in others, I must die to my own selfish desires and ambitions.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Life comes out of death.
 
[end]
 
Have a fruitful day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

FAITH IN ADVERSITY

FAITH IN ADVERSITY
II Corinthians 4:8-10
 
"We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed – always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus Christ, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body."
 
Every life has its challenges. Nobody is exempt from problems; into every life rain must fall. Faith in Christ does not eliminate the pain, but it does give hope because Jesus is with us, and we are not crushed, in despair, forsaken, or destroyed. God has a plan and a purpose. How a person handles adversity can be a powerful testimony of the power of Christ. When disaster strikes – as a tornado or hurricane, the reporters interview people. Some dissolve in tears because they have lost everything, while others give thanks to God, and vow to rebuild. My own heart is encouraged when I see people go through trials demonstrating faith in God. Lord Jesus, help me to be that kind of witness.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Adversity gives opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in us.
 
[end]
 
Have a faith day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- VESSELS

VESSELS
II Corinthians 4:7
 
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us."
 
What an amazing thing, that the God of the universe would entrust His Gospel into such weak and imperfect vessels. He could have used angels or even created a super-human species to demonstrate His glory. But on the other hand, what better way to show the excellency of His power? The greater our weakness, the more glory abounds to Him. He deserves the glory and the honor for any good thing that can be seen in me.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God uses the weakness and failings of humans to demonstrate His power and glory.
 
[end]
 
Have a powerful day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- BLINDED

BLINDED
II Corinthians 4:3-4
 
"But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them."
 
The god of this age – Satan, the liar and deceiver – has done a good job of blinding people to the reality of sin and our need for a Savior. He causes people to believe that a lie is the truth and that the truth is unreasonable. The legalization of recreational marijuana in Washington state is an example. People have been convinced that the way to solve the drug problem is to control it by making it legal. This makes no logical sense, but the majority of voters in Washington believe it. Denying the reality of a problem or making it legal does not cure the problem. Only Jesus is the answer for the problem of sin. May the light of the gospel shine.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Putting on a blindfold does not make a problem go away.
 
[end]
 
Have an "unblinded" day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MOTIVES IN MINISTRY

MOTIVES IN MINISTRY
II Corinthians 4:1-2
 
"Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."
 
Paul could commend himself to every man's conscience because he knew that his own motives were pure, and that he was ministering with integrity. When a person shares God's truth and is rejected and abused like Paul was, it is tempting to give up and lose heart. It is then that the question has to be answered, "Why am I dong this – for God or for myself?" If it is for God, it doesn't matter whether others respond positively or not. If the motive is for personal gain or acclaim, the preacher may put on a good front, but God knows the craftiness and deception of the heart. Integrity is at the heart of ministry.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Ministry is for God, and not for personal gratification.
 
[end]
 
Have a good-motive day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

LET FREEDOM RING!

LET FREEDOM RING
II Corinthians 3:14-17
 
"But their minds were blinded. For until this day, the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
 
Paul was writing about people who lived in bondage to a system of rules and regulations.  Today we celebrate Freedom Day – the Fourth of July. Even as we are blessed by the liberties of our nation, we enjoy even more the liberty we have in Christ. But many are blinded to this truth. They think they are free because they read the liberties accorded by the Constitution and Bill of Rights, but they are blind to the freedoms they could have through faith in Jesus. So even though they have freedom in civil matters, a veil lies on their hearts, and they remain in bondage to sin. True freedom is not a physical liberty, but is a matter of the spirit. Freedom is not antinomianism; we are not free to do whatever we want. We are still under God's law. But there is freedom of spirit in Christ.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: True liberty is not found in a system, but in Jesus Christ.
 
[end]
 
Have a "freedom" day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL

THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL
II Corinthians 3:7-9
 
"But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory."
 
Both the Law given to Moses and the Gospel of Jesus have their glory, but the glory of the Gospel is more glorious. The difference? The Law can only condemn me and tell me how I fail to live up to God's standard of righteousness. If does not give the power to live a holy life. It only brings death. But the Gospel brings life because the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in me  through my faith in Jesus Christ. Paul explained this concept in his letter to the Romans. "The law of the Spirit of life has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak in the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:2-4). I can struggle in my flesh to live a holy life to please God, or I can live in the freedom that faith in Christ brings. We are so very fortunate to have the glorious Gospel of Christ and the Holy Spirit who gives life.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Living according to the rules of the Law brings condemnation and death; living in faith in Christ brings freedom and life.
 
[end]
 
Have a glorious day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SELF-SUFFICIENT

SELF-SUFFICIENT
II Corinthians 3:4-6
 
"Now we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
 
Paul had much training and experience to do the ministry God had given him, but he relied on the Holy Spirit to give his efforts life. It is so easy to become self-sufficient, and think, "I can do this without any help from God. I've had enough training and experience for this task (whatever it is), and I can do it myself." I'm like the little kid who says, "I can do it," when his dad tries to help him. I believe that God has indeed given us knowledge and experiences to help us do whatever task faces us. But we need to recognize that, even though we are prepared for the job, we still trust God to make our efforts successful.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The Christian does what he can with the knowledge and experience God has given him, and then He trusts God.
 
[end]
 
Have a "God-sufficient" day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A Letter

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A LETTER
II Corinthians 3:2-3
 
"You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the Living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart."
 
The old saying goes, "I can read you like a book." My life is like a letter that everyone around me reads. Is it a mystery? Is it a soap opera? Is it fiction or is it true? Is it world-centered or God-centered? I really desire that when people read my life, it would express God's message of love and grace that He has written on my heart.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Every Believer is a letter written by the Spirit of God to the world to express His love and grace.
 
[end]
 
Have a "letter-perfect" day. Love you.
 
www.wordpress.com