Dad's Ramblings -- Night!

"But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 'Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.' And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught."
 
                                                                                Acts 5:19-21
 
Night-time can be the worst time. When all the hustle and bustle of the day recedes into quietness, the mind is free to ponder the issues that confront, and we end up in the prison of "Why this?" or "Why that?" I can imagine the apostles were questioning why they were in prison when they were just obeying God. Had He forsaken them? But night can also be the time that God can reveal Himself. This was not the last time that God delivered the Apostles from prison at night (Peter, Acts 12:5-8; Paul and Silas, Acts 16:25-26).
God does not forsake us just because we are in "night" situations. He is there to deliver.
 
Today's Thought: God is with us in the dark times of night.
 
Have a God-present day (and night). Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Life's A Piece of Cake?

"Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were all filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison."
 
                                                                            Acts 5:17-18
 
When I think life is tough, I need to remember the lives of the early Christians who were imprisoned – and worse, and those who today are being persecuted for the sake of their faith. Their sufferings make whatever I am going through seem like a piece of cake.
 
Today's Thought: My life, compared to some Christians, is easy.
 
Have a thankful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Shadow

"And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on them."
 
                                                                                Acts 5:14-15
 
Multitudes from the surrounding cities (vs. 16) gathered to the apostles as they met in Solomon's Porch (vs. 12). They were attracted like bees to flowers because of the blessing. Everyone leaves a shadow that touches other peoples' lives. That shadow can be positive or negative – blessing or cursing. That shadow can attract people who want to be near, or repel people who want to avoid it. I want my shadow to be a blessing to others around me that will draw them to Jesus so they will be "added to the Lord."
 
Today's Thought: My shadow will fall on many people today.
 
Have an attractive day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Fearing God

"Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, and carried him out, and buried him....So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things."
 
                                                                    Acts 5:5-6, 11
 
To see immediate judgment for sin would certain get my attention. The average person – pagan or Christian – does not consider that God is holy and does not brook sin. They imagine a grandfather who winks at unrighteousness. They think as long as no one knows, they can get by with hidden sin. But Ananias and Sapphira found out that you can't arrogantly "tempt the Spirit of the Lord" (vs. 9). God is not mocked. He will have the last word. The fear of the Lord will keep a person humble before a holy God.
 
Today's Thought: Being convinced that God does not tolerate sin will produce holiness in people.
 
Have a holy day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Lying To The Holy Spirit

"But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourselves? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.' "
 
                                                                                      Acts 5:3-4
　
What does it mean to "lie to the Holy Spirit?" The issue was not how much of the money they gave, but their plot to deceive. They knew in their heart that what they were planning to do was wrong, but they over-ruled the conviction of the Holy Spirit who "convicts the world of sin" and proceeded with their own plan. Their deception to man was not the problem; it was rejecting the promptings of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, and carrying through with their plot. "He who covers his sin will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13). Trying to hide things from God is futile; He knows everything.
 
Today's Thought: Rejecting God's promptings is foolish.
 
Have a merciful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Rambling -- Keeping Up With The Joneses

"And Joses, who was also named Barnabas...having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain portion of it and laid it at the apostles' feet."
 
                                                                          Acts 4:36-37; 5:1-2
 
Some people feel they have to "keep up with the Joneses." In this case, Ananias was trying to keep up with Joses. Perhaps Ananias heard the people whispering to each other, "Did you see what a wonderful thing Barnabas did?" He couldn't stand to be outdone, so he copied Barnabas. The difference was the heart of the matter. Barnabas was giving out of a pure motive in response to his heart, but Ananias was only trying to make a show, exaggerating his gift to make him look good. It is wrong to copy someone else's ministry if the motivation is wrong.
 
Today's Thought: Motive in ministry is important, whether giving or preaching.
 
Have a pure day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Mi Casa Es Su Casa

"Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common....Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold and laid them at the apostles feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need."
 
                                                               Acts 4:32, 34-35
 
"Mi casa es su casa," says the Spanish adage. "My house is your house." Christians in the 21^st century do not have that mindset – that what we possess is given to us to bless Christ and other people. We live such private lives that we don't have enough interaction to even realize when our fellow-believers are in need, and too much pride to admit when we do have needs. To have "one mind and one soul" is to share our lives – both the good and the bad – so we can carry the burdens together.
 
Today's Thought: Christians are called to share both their blessings and their needs.
 
Have a sharing day. Love you.