DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WORDS OF COMFORT

 WORDS OF COMFORT
Hosea 2:13-14
 
" 'I will punish her for the days of the Baals to which she burned incense. She decked herself with her earrings and jewelry, and went after her lovers; but she forgot Me. Therefore, behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her.' "
 
Through Hosea, God told Israel the consequences of forgetting God. He would withhold His blessing; He would take away their material prosperity (grain, wine, wool, linen, grapes and figs) and also their joy (verses 9-12). He would take her into the wilderness where the would be more prone to hear His words of comfort to her. When I am in the wilderness – the dry, barren, painful places, where there is no joy, it is time to check to see if I have left God behind in my pursuit of other things. It is in the wilderness where all the other distractions have been removed that I am more attentive to listen to God's voice speaking words of comfort.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God takes His people into the wilderness, where they lose His blessings and their joy, so that they will listen to God's voice speaking words of comfort.
 
[end]
 
Have a listening day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S BLESSINGS

 GOD'S BLESSINGS
Hosea 2:7-8
 
" 'She will chase her lovers, but not overtake them; yes, she will seek them but not find them. Then she will say, "I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better for me than now." For she did not know that I gave her grain, new wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold – which they prepared for Baal.' "
 
Israel was like many people. She forgot how many blessings she had received from God, and instead chased after other gods, thinking that life would be better. But the emptiness, pain, and bondage that she found prompted her to return to God. We are like that. We look at the things of the world and think that living for our own selfish desires would be so much better than serving the Lord – the greener grass syndrome. We chase after those things, and use the talents and treasures that God has given us to serve other gods, instead of using them to bless Him. But when we find that living to fulfill our own desires is not as good as we thought it would be, maybe we will return to Him. I need to appreciate all of God's blessings and remember that "every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17). I am just a steward of God's gifts and I need to use His blessing wisely instead of squandering them on my own selfish pursuits.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God blesses us with good gifts that we should use to serve Him instead of squandering them
on our own lusts.
 
[end]
 
Have a "blessed" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PAIN RELIEF

 PAIN RELIEF
Hosea 2:6-7
 
" 'Therefore, behold, I will hedge up your way with thorns, and wall her in so that she cannot
find her path. She will chase her lovers, but not overtake them; yes, she will seek them but not find them. Then she will say, "I will go and return to my first husband, for then it was better for me than now." ' "
 
Pain is a great motivator. It causes me to avoid certain behaviors – like touching a hot stove, or makes me want to seek relief – like going to a doctor. Pass me the Tylenol!! God puts a hedge of thorns along my path to cause pain that will keep me on the straight and narrow, and return to Him for help. Saul experience that pain when we was rebelling against God and persecuting Christians. When Jesus appeared to him, He said, "It is hard for you to kick against the goad" (Acts 9:5b). The pain that comes from an unhealthy lifestyle or a hurting conscience is a blessing from the Lord. It causes me to look for the cause of the pain and find a remedy. Instead of enduring the pain of rebellion, I can return to Jesus and find rest and peace. He does not just cover the pain as aspirin does; He brings real pain relief when I come to Him in repentance.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Jesus brings relief to people with a hurting conscience when they turn to Him.
 
[end]
 
Have a pain-free day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE CHILDREN

 THE CHILDREN
Hosea 2:4-5
 
[God said.] " 'I will not have mercy on her children, for they are the children of harlotry. For their mother has played the harlot; she who conceived them has behaved shamefully. For she said, "I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water, my wool and my linen, my oil and my drink." ' "

Sadly, people who forsake faith in God – who go after other lovers rather than God to find fulfillment and satisfaction in life – are not the only ones who suffer. Their children also pay a price. Certainly, there are children of godly parents who go astray, and there are children of ungodly parents who come to faith and serve God. But as a general rule, children will follow the faith of their parents. Children who see their parents turn away from their faith in God are negatively affected. Children who are raised in a home where God is not honored will themselves not honor God. I believe that parents who forsake their faith and cause their offspring to walk in unbelief will be held accountable before God for not leading their children in righteousness, and will receive a harsh judgment. If they truly loved their children, they would lead them to faith.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Parents have a profound affect on their children – for good or for evil.
 
[end]
 
Bless you for setting the example of godliness before your children. Love you.

CHRISTMAS MEDITATION

 CHRISTMAS MEDITATION
They Call Him "Lord"
 
A baby nestled in the womb of a young maiden named Mary.
When she came to visit her Aunt Elizabeth, Elizabeth greeted her with the question,
"Why has the mother of my Lord come to me?" 1
Elizabeth called Him Lord, and so He was.
 
When that baby was born in Bethlehem and lay in a manger,
an angel announced to some shepherds tending their sheep in the field,
"Unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord." 2
The Angel called Him Lord, and so He was.
 
That baby grew into adulthood and was baptized by a man who said his mission was to "prepare the way of the Lord." 3
John the Baptist called Him Lord, and so He was.
 
As Jesus traveled about doing His ministry, He had followers who accepted Him as Lord. 4
His disciples called Him Lord, and so He was.
 
The sick were healed and possessed were delivered by Jesus, and they worshiped Him as Lord. 5
The people called Him Lord, and so He was.
 
After He was resurrected from the dead, people recognized Him as Lord. 6
Even an unbelieving Thomas confessed Him as Lord.
They called Him Lord, and so He was.
 
Saul of Tarsus met Him on the road to Damascus, and cried out, "Who are You, Lord?" 7
Saul (Paul) called Him Lord, and so He was.
 
Everyone who believes in their heart and confesses with their mouth that Jesus is Lord
will be saved. 8
Believers call Him Lord, and so He is.
 
Someday this same Jesus will come again as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is  Lord. 9
Everyone shall call Him Lord, and so He is forever and ever.

I call Him my Lord, for so He is.

 

1. Luke 1:43 2. Luke 2:11 3. John 1:23 4. Matthew 14:28-30; John 6:68; John 13:13 5. Matthew 8:2; Matthew 15:25; John 9:38 6. John 20:18, 25, 28 7. Acts 9:5 8. Romans 10:9 9. Revelation 19:16; Philippians 2:11

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE MOTHERLAND

 THE MOTHERLAND
Hosea 2:2-3
 
Bring charges against your mother, bring charges [margin: contend with], for she is not My wife nor am I her husband! Let her put her adulteries from between her breasts; lest I strip her naked, and expose her, as in the day she was born, and make her like a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst."
 
Hosea's life continued as an analogy. The wife he had delivered from her prostitution has returned to her old life, and Hosea divorced her. Her innocent children were urged to plead with their mother to forsake her prostitution and return to her husband, or face dire consequences. The picture is this: God had delivered Abraham from an idolatrous society and formed a new nation – a motherland. But as a nation, they returned to the idolatries they were delivered from. The children, who were innocent, were urged to plead with the motherland to "put her adulteries from between her breasts," and return to their Father (God), or receive dire consequence. In the same way, God urges us to do intervention – to contend and plead with our motherland to return to Him. Will she heed the message?
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: In His love, God calls us to contend with our nation to forsake her adultery and
return to Him.
 
[end]
 
Have a "contending" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THERE IS HOPE

THERE IS HOPE
Hosea 1:10-2:1
 
" 'Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, "You are not My people," there it shall be said to them, "You are sons of the living God." Then the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and appoint for themselves one head; and they shall come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel! Say to your brethren, "My people," and to your sisters, "Mercy is shown." ' "
 
It was a dark picture Hosea had painted for the future of Abraham's nation – scattering, judgment, being disowned. But even though things looked hopeless, God has a future planned for His people. God had made a promise to Abraham that his offspring would be a great nation, numbered as the sands of the sea (Genesis 12:2; 22:17; 32:12). God is faithful to His promises. Instead of being scattered, they would be united; in the place of judgment they would find mercy and salvation; instead of being disowned, they would be called sons of the living God. Things may look dark in the world around us – in our nation, in the culture, in my family, and in the church. But there is hope because God is in control and He has a plan. That is the essence of Christmas: God came down to give reconcilliation, mercy, sonship, and hope. "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God...." (Psalm 42:5).
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Even when the future looks dark, the Believer has hope because God is faithful to His promises.
 
[end]
 
Have a hopeful day. Love you.
 

ABANDONED

 ABANDONED
Hosea 1:8-9
 
"Now when [Gomer] had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived and bore a son. Then God said: 'Call his name Lo-Ammi, for you are not my people and I will not be your God.' "
 
How sad. This is such a tragic story. I don't like to think of being abandoned by God. Israel had known the blessings of Almighty God. But they chose to walk away from those blessings and from the God who gave them. The consequences just keep getting worse. First was Jezreel – scattered. Then was Lo-Ruhamah – not pitied or no mercy. Then came Lo-Ammi, which means "not my people." The nation had abandoned God so God abandoned them, and their future is bleak. I hear sorry stories of children who have been abandoned by their parents. Being abandoned leaves deep scars. But nothing can compare to being abandoned by God. When He says, "You are not my people and I will not be your God," there is a sense of total separation. I am so glad for God's promises to the person who continues to walk in His ways. To that person, God says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). I can rest in the assurance of His faithfulness when I continue to walk in faith in the Lord Jesus, who said, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20b). I am His child and He will never abandon or disown me. Hallelujah!!!  But this serves as a solemn reminder of what can happen when a person walks away from their faith.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: People who abandon their faith will be abandoned by Him and suffer the consequences.
 
[end]
 
Have an accepted and secure day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MERCY ME!

 MERCY ME!
Hosea 1:6-7
 
"And [Gomer] conceived again and bore a daughter. Then God said to him, 'Call her name Lo-Ruhamah, for I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel, but I will utterly take them away. Yet I will have mercy on the house of Judah, will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword or battle, by horses or horsemen.' "
 
This is a difficult teaching: Even though God is gracious and full of compassion, there is a limit to God's mercy. The name Lo-Ruhamah means "not to be pitied." The northern kingdom, Israel, had so departed from the Lord that God removed His hand of mercy from them.  It is possible to become so degenerate that God withdraws His mercy, as with Sodom and Gomorrah or the people of Noah's day who became so wicked that God sent judgment. In the words of Paul, "God gave them over" to their uncleanness, vile passions, and debased minds (Romans 1:24-28).  Even though the southern kingdom of Judah was not guiltless, they had not yet crossed that line, and were still under God's grace.   God had mercy on Lot and Noah and Judah, even though they were not perfect people. And God has mercy on me even though I am not sinless. It is a sobering thought that "God's Spirit will not always strive with men" (Genesis 6:3). It is only because of God's mercy that we are not all consumed (Lamentations 3:22). I am so thankful for God's mercy through the Lord Jesus. But this is why it is so important to guard against harboring sin in my life.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: There is a line that can be crossed where God no longer extends His mercy.
 
[end]
 
Have a merciful day. Love you.

GOD'S WORD IS SURE

 GOD'S WORD IS SURE
Hosea 1:3b-5
 
".... and [Gomer] conceived and bore him a son. Then the LORD said to him: 'Call his name Jezreel, for in a little while I will avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel of the house of Jehu, and bring an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. It shall come to pass in that day that I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.' "
 
There is a play on words in these verses. The story of Jehu is recorded in II Kings 9 and 10. Jehu was anointed king of Israel by Elisha. In his ascension to the throne, he killed Joram (son of Ahab), king of Israel and all of the house of Ahab to avenge the blood of Naboth the Jezreelite. (Remember that Naboth had been killed by Jezebel so that Ahab could have Naboth's vineyard.) In the process, Jezebel was killed, along with Ahaziah king of Judah, and many other people. Just as Jehu had destroyed the house of Ahab, so God would destroy the nation of Israel. The name Jezreel means "scattered," and coupled with the name Gomer (to cease or to end), the fate of the nation of Israel was sealed. As God had promised, Israel, the northern kingdom, was taken into captivity and the people were scattered. It ceased to exist as a nation. God's promises are sure and true. If God said it, it will happen. You can count on it.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's word is sure and will happen as He said.
 
[end]
 
You can trust God today to do as He said. Love, Dad.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- NO MO

 NO MO
Hosea 1:3a
 
"So [Hosea] went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim ....."
 
Names in the Bible are often important identifiers. "Gomer" means "to cease or come to an end." "Diblaim" means "two cakes of figs." Put together, this was prophetic regarding the Jewish people. The Bible often uses a fig tree to picture the Jewish nation. At this time, they were divided into two parts – the northern nation of Israel, and the southern nation of Judah. These two "cakes" would come to an end when they were taken into captivity. I feel sorry for Diblaim. His name is forever associated with his daughter who was a prostitute. Parents who have children that don't turn out well suffer grief. Perhaps Diblaim had other children before Gomer who also brought him sorrow. So when Gomer was born, he may have said to his wife, "That's it. No more children!" My heart goes out to parents who have wayward children. I often think about the parents of sons who are rapists or robbers, or daughters who are featured in beer ads or involved in pornography. They must carry a heavy burden for their kids. It's like the man who had a dozen kids. When the last one was born, he named her "Nomo." When asked why he named her Nomo, he looked at his other children and said to his wife, "No More."  God must have suffered much sorrow over his daughter, Israel, and over his errant children today. 
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Wayward children cause parents much grief.
 
[end]
 
I am blessed to have such great children. Love, Dad.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD SPEAKS

 GOD SPEAKS
Hosea 1:2
 
"When the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: "Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry, for the land has committed great harlotry by departing from the LORD."
 
What a shock that must have been to Hosea. Here he was, just living his life, when out of the blue God "began" to speak to him. The Scripture does not tell how God spoke – whether in an audible voice, or by an inner knowledge -- but  I can imagine that Hosea said to himself, "I must be dreaming. This can't be real – that God would speak to me! Is this God or is it my own brain on overload? God wouldn't tell me to marry a prostitute. Would He?" But God does speak to man, and sometimes it goes against what seems logical to human understanding. It may not fit my idea of what is proper, but God had a purpose. He wanted to give an illustration of how Judah and Israel had gone away from God to serve other gods. I want to be sensitive to listen for God's voice, even if what He says seems illogical.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's Word does not always make sense to human logic, but He has a purpose.

[end]
 
Have a listening day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE PROPHET

THE PROPHET
Hosea 1:1
 
"The word of the LORD that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel."
 
Hosea, whose name is derived from the same Hebrew word as Joshua and Jesus, was a prophet who had a long ministry. The Bible does not say when he began or ended his service as a prophet, only that he lived through four kingships in Judah and a corresponding king in Israel. The four kings of Judah reigned a total of 113 years (see II Chronicles 26-32), while Jeroboam reigned in Israel for 41 years (II Kings 14:23). Uzziah, Jotham, and Hezekiah were good rulers who did what was right in the sight of the LORD. This does not mean that they did everything perfectly, but their hearts were set on serving the LORD Yahweh. But Jeroboam and Ahaz did not serve the LORD. But having godly rulers does not guarantee that a nation will be godly. For example, even though Jotham did what was right in the sight of the LORD, still the people acted corruptly (II Chronicles 27:2). A nation is blessed when there are godly leaders, but it is still up to the citizens to serve the Lord whether the leaders are godly or not. Hosea was God's voice to the people, and his message was, "Return to the LORD" (Hosea 6:1; 14:1). I think that could be God's message to the United States. I praise God for prophets who are faithful over many years. God used Billy Graham as a prophet, who was faithful to his message over many decades, and who advised 10 presidents and preached a message of repentance to the nation. I pray that God will send another prophet who will have a voice to call us to return to the Lord.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God uses faithful prophets to call people to return to Him.
 
[end]
 
Have a godly day. Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GROWTH

 GROWTH
II Peter 3:18
 
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."
 
As Peter closed his letter, he set before his readers a life-goal of growth, first in grace and then in experiential knowledge of the Lord Jesus. I will never in this life fully understand God's grace to me, that saved me even though I am unworthy. Nor will I ever comprehend the love that Jesus had for me that sent Him to the cross to pay for my sins. As Paul wrote: "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" (Romans 11:33), and,"That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in His love may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3:17-19). Growth in an evidence of life. I don't want my faith to become dead formalism where I just go through the rituals of performing the duties expected of me as a Christian. I want my faith to be alive and growing. I want to know Jesus better.  He is worthy of praise both now and forever in Heaven. "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection...." (Philippians 3:10).  Amen!
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The grace and love of Jesus are so vast that they can never be completely comprehended, but knowledge of them can grow.
 
[end]
 
Have a growing day.  Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- TWISTED

 TWISTED
II Peter 3:16-17
 
"... as also in all his [Paul's] epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; ...."
 
Twisting God's Word is as old as the human race. In the Garden of Eden, Satan twisted God's word when he said to Eve, "Has God said?" And he did it again in the wilderness of the Lord Jesus' temptation. It is still one of Satan's favorite tactics today in his war against God – bending Scripture to mean something it was never intended to say. To be sure, some things in the Bible are difficult to understand. We need to stand firm in what is the clear message of the Holy Writ – "The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things." Some people misuse Scripture out of ignorance. (I'm sure I have done this in innocence.) But some twist Scripture to justify their own sin, and lead people down the road to destruction. That's why Peter gave the warning: Beware! The best precaution to avoid being led astray by the wicked ones (as some translations render this) who are tools of Satan is to know the path so well that I can recognize deception. I need to know the
whole Book, and not just a few favorite verses that, out of context, can easily be twisted.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Be alert to the misuse of Scripture, which leads down the path to error.
 
[end]
 
Have a "beware" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE LONGSUFFERING OF GOD

 THE LONGSUFFERING OF GOD
II Peter 3:15
 
"And considering that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation – as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you."
 
Peter's reference to Paul's letter is the epistle to the Romans, where he wrote, "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4). Truly and without doubt, I am saved only because of God's gracious forbearance and longsuffering.  He probably gets tired of putting up with me because I mess up so much. There is nothing I can do to merit salvation.  But praise His name, I am not saved by my goodness, but only because God imputes His righteousness to me because of my faith in the Lord Jesus. He accounts my faith as righteousness (Romans 4:1-9), and I am justified by faith (Romans 5:1).  Thank you Jesus for Your patience!!!! 
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Salvation is only possible because God is patient.
 
[end]
 
Have a grateful day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- DILIGENCE

 DILIGENCE
II Peter 3:14
 
"Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless."
 
Peace with God comes from a clear conscience, knowing that I am spotless and blameless before Him because I am confident that all my sins are forgiven. When Jesus comes for me, whether by death or by the Rapture, I want there to be nothing between us that would strain that relationship. It is like marriage. Sometimes things come between a husband and wife that hinders intimacy. I know when there is something between my wife and I when there is no peace. It takes careful attention to keep the channel clear. This is diligence – "steady, earnest, and energetic application and effort" (Webster's Dictionary). I cannot afford to be sloppy in my attitudes or my living when it comes to eternal salvation. An old Gospel hymn says, "Nothing between my soul and the Savior, so that His blessed face may be seen. Nothing preventing the least of His favor. Keep the way clear, let nothing between." This is my part. It is my responsibility to be diligent, giving steady, earnest, energetic effort to keep my relationship with Jesus unhindered.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Each Christian is charged with being diligent in their relationship with the Lord Jesus.
 
[end]
 
Have a diligent day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHAT A PLACE!!!!!

 WHAT A PLACE!!!
II Peter 3:13
 
"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."
I can barely imagine what it would be like to live in a place of total righteousness – where everything is right, untainted by sin.
    No more devil or temptation to sin.
    No more sickness or death.
    No more getting old with its aches and pains, alzheimers, and wrinkles.
    No more strained relationships.
    No more weeds to pull.
    No more financial pressures.
    No more unwanted fat (goodbye, TOPS).
    No more broken-down cars.
What a wonderful place God has promised. "Eye has not seen nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (I Corinthians 2:9). Bring it on!!!!
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God has promised a wonderful future to His children.
 
[end]
 
Have a "looking forward" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- HOLY LIVING

 HOLY LIVING
II Peter 3:11-12
 
"Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?"
 
So what am I living for – this world which will is destined to be destroyed, or eternity which will last forever?  And what kind of person should I be? The answer is "holy and godly." Holiness is not a popular word from the pulpit, but it is still in the Bible. God gave Ezekiel a vision of a future temple with all its dimensions. Then God said, "This is the basic law of the temple: Holiness" (Ezekiel 43:12 , New Living Bible), because it is to be God's dwelling place on earth (vs. 7).   Paul picked up on this when he wrote, "You are the temple of the living God ... Therefore...let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (II Corinthians 6:16; 17:1). God calls me to holy living because He, the Holy One, lives in me. What an awesome challenge.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's people are to be holy in conduct because the holy God dwells in them.
 
[end]
 
Have a holy day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MISPLACED PRIORITIES

 MISPLACED PRIORITIES
II Peter 3:10
 
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up."
 
There is some merit in the ecological effort to preserve the Earth. I recycle because we are stewards of this world that God has given to us, and we need to take care of it. It is our home; we live in it and should protect it. But ultimately, the green movement, Earth Day, and the rest of the environmental hype are misplaced priorities because they are focused on a material system that will ultimately collapse. It is temporary and will be destroyed, but not by human pollution. The greater priority is eternal – laying up treasures in heaven where there is no corruption or destruction (Matthew 6:19-21). If my focus is to preserve this world and "the works that are in it," my life will surely have been in vain.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The world we live in is a temporary home that will be destroyed.
 
[end]
 
Have a "priority" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S TIMETABLE

 GOD'S TIMETABLE
II Peter 3:8
 
"But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
 
I need this reminder often because I get so impatient when things don't happen when I want them to. Whether it is Christ's return, as Peter was writing about, or answer to prayer, or the salvation of a loved one, God is in control, and His timetable is different than mine. He is not constrained by my calendar because there is no time in heaven as we know it. God does not get in a hurry. The point is that I need to trust Him. He will accomplish His perfect will in His time. "In His time, in His time, He makes all things beautiful in His time. Lord, please show me every day as You're teaching me Your way that You'll do just what You say, in Your time."
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God does things according to His calendar, not mine.
 
[end]
 
Have a patient, trusting day.  Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD

THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD
II Peter 3:4-7
 
".... 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.' For this they willingly forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."
 
The father said to his rebellious son, "Son, I made you and I can take you out!" The God who created the universe by the power of His word can also destroy what He has made by His word. He has the power to create, sustain, and destroy by His word. "By Him all things are created ... and are held together" (Colossians 1:16-17). People think that they can live in rebellion against God because they do not see His wrath. They think that this world will go on forever, just like it has for the millennia since creation (called uniformitarianism). But God is only delaying His judgment – keeping the earth in store and reserving it for His day of judgment. The earth will not be destroyed by climate change or other ecological disaster. It will be destroyed by the power of God's word, just has He has promised. It is His mercy that keeps this destruction from happening. "The Lord not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (vss. 9-10). I thank God for His longsuffering mercy and grace.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The world and ungodly people will be judged by the power of God's word.
 
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Have a grace day. Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MY APPOINTMENT CALENDAR

 MY APPOINTMENT CALENDAR
II Peter 3:1-4a
 
"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first, that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming?' "
 
My calendar is full of reminders of important appointments on my agenda. Peter wrote a "Post-It" note urging us to keep a fresh anticipation of the return of our Savior. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of daily living that this most important appointment gets lost in the shuffle. People may scoff at the notion of Jesus' return, but it is a sure thing. It will happen and I need to keep it "first" on my calendar.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Jesus is coming, even if people scoff at the idea.
 
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Have an anticipating day. Love you.