Category Archives: Dad’s Corner

It’s a Keeper

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An expression Grandad would use of something he valued was, “It’s a Keeper.”  In this day of everything being considered disposable, to have something that is valued enough to keep is rare. Even though “a Keeper” was normally something material, relationships would fall under this topic as well. Relationships are also considered disposable these days and in particular marriage. What a heartbreak when a marriage is torn apart. People think it will be so much easier with someone else. 

If you are struggling, brother, fix it in a way God would honor. 

“Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously” (Malachi 2:14-16).

Did you catch that? GOD HATES DIVORCE! If nothing else, let fear of God be the motivator to fix it. A good marriage is to be treasured because it is of a gift of God. 

Make it a Keeper!

“So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself” (Ephesians 5:28).

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The lift-off of the Space Shuttle was of great interest for us when we lived in Florida. We could see the smoke trail as it headed into orbit even from across the state. According to NASA the average cost to launch a shuttle was over $400 million for fuel, manpower, and materials.  

The years are counting down until your children are launched in one way or another into life. The value of your investment into the lives of each of your children is beyond measure. The best of the best “fuel” needed in their lives is the Word of God fueling a love for Jesus. “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psalms 119:127-128).

Not only is the Word of God the best “fuel,” it provides the best guidance for the “project.” We haven’t been saved to have our “best life now”, but to love and serve our Lord Jesus Who loves us and redeemed us with His blood.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37).

And counting….

The Cost is Huge

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Last week in the Scripture I used for Seriously, I chose not to include “Psalm 106:34, “They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them.” Sometimes, when I am sharing Christ, the other person tells me they cannot believe in a God Who would wipe out a nation, including men, women, and children. “That is too extreme,” they say. 

I understand their feelings. However, God, in His foreknowledge, knew those nations would corrupt His people, and Israel would soon be following their wicked, evil practices. It would take something as drastic as eliminating the wicked nations from the earth to protect Israel spiritually. Yet, God’s people wouldn’t obey God’s command. I have to wonder how many of you reading this article have made a similar decision not to cut off worldly influences into your family. “In what way?” you ask. Oh my brothers, if you watch TV and movies, isn’t that worldly influence (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life) filling your home, mind, and your family’s minds? If that isn’t mingling among the heathen and learning their works, what is? Not only is it mingling but it is inviting them in to live with you while you spend hours listening to them. That’s just one example of worldly things that are often tolerated in Christian homes without really taking a thought about the influence they exert.

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not” (1 Corinthians 10:23).

Most, hopefully, don’t watch evil things (Psalm 97:10). However, in watching in the name of entertainment or being informed, you are still filling your mind with the idols of our world: pleasure, sensuality, and sports. 

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12).

God is serious about His people being holy (1 Peter 1:16).

Notice Any Similarities?

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God was so merciful in documenting Israel’s spiritual journey for us to learn from. They had such spiritual highs and devastating lows. He was their God, and they were His people. We can learn from the times Israel chose not to follow their God, yielding horrible results. 

“But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. Yea, they sacrificed their sons” (Psalms 106:34b-37).

Oh my brothers, may we learn from Israel’s past as we raise our families. May each not assume all is well, but ask the Lord to reveal areas of compromise. We have been purchased by the blood of the Lamb to be a peculiar, set apart people for Him.

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:13-14).

Fake or Firm?

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Homeschoolers come in lots of different sizes, shapes and colors. They begin homeschooling for many different reasons. I was shocked when Teri said she wanted to begin homeschooling. It made no sense for a woman struggling with depression and three children. 

Looking back 40 years and seeing the good fruit that resulted, I have no doubt in my mind that the Lord Jesus Christ was leading all the way. One such example has been our growth in the Lord Jesus. Yes, I know one benefit expected is spiritual growth for the children, but my greatest praise is of our growing in Christ. 

Dads, I plead with you. This isn’t about being “religious.” It is about relationship with Jesus. I have talked to men who say they love Jesus and pray all the time. However, on questioning, I’m confident it isn’t the Jesus of the Bible they love. Often men think God is just like themselves—that He thinks like they do. “These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes” (Psalms 50:21). To know the God of the Bible, you must read the Bible with the desire to know Him. 

Scripture should be correctly interpreted. The way to do that is in a literal, grammatical, and historical context. A good book to help learn this is: “How to Study the Bible for the Greatest Profit” by R.A. Torrey and Edward D. Andrews. There is an audio version on Audible.com.

God is not the “man upstairs” but a righteous, holy God Who we can know on His terms. It is not our works that save us. It is the blood of Jesus, and once purchased, we are His. Then, daily read His Bible to learn, grow and know how to live for Him. 

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). 

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Where Would We Be?

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All of you are familiar with this account no doubt. “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men”  (Matthew 16:21-23).

Peter loved Jesus and the path they were on. Jesus was the Messiah, and they expected Him to head up the kingdom. They would be His key men. Now they are beginning to learn that it was not going to go well for Jesus in Jerusalem. He would be mistreated and killed. What horribly bad news for Peter and the others. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24-25). 

We haven’t been saved to have a lot of fun, but to be about His business. Whose business are we about?

Biggest Hindrance 

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When engaging people about their souls if they profess to be heaven bound, I ask why they are confident of that. Next, I ask where they worship each week. I have found that answer a good indicator of if they are truly seeking to follow the Lord and Scripture (Heb. 10:25) and if they name a church, possibly an idea of their beliefs. Sometimes their “faith” sounds like a mere belief in the fact that Jesus existed. The devils strongly believe in Jesus too. “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble”(James 2:19).Often they share something like, “I don’t go to church because I can’t stand all the hypocrites there.” They are, of course, referring to all the people who say they believe in Jesus but don’t seem to follow Him. 

Hypocrisy is a real issue. It was the first sin exposed in the church when Ananias and Sapphira pretended to donate all the price of the land they sold, when in fact, they only gave a portion. It continues to be a problem. 

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matthew 6:5).

Spurgeon strongly tied hypocrisy to Christians who don’t share Christ. He wrote, “Every Christian here is either a missionary or an impostor.” (Charles Spurgeon, A Sermon and a Reminiscence, printed in The Sword and the Trowel, March 1863.)

May we not be hypocrites but follow hard after our Lord Jesus. His mission: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

In View

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I love this verse. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalms 19:14).

Quoting it to myself is a constant reminder that what is in the depth of my heart is always in God’s view. The “thoughts” of my heart are before my God all the time. How the mouth and heart go hand in hand. What is in the heart comes out of the mouth. I want to please my Lord with what He sees in the thoughts of my heart and what others hear from my mouth. May what they hear, glorify my God, the most holy, righteous, merciful, loving, only wise and true God in all the universe. 

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1).

Stoke the Fire

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Old-time, steam locomotives could burn around 1,000 pounds of wood per hour (17 pounds per minute). That is a lot of wood. The fire had to be constantly fed wood —no wood, no fire, no movement. I’ve seen something similar in professing believers’ lives. If they aren’t “stoking the fire” of their zeal for Christ, they won’t be active in sharing Christ. Think about it. Why would one share about something that isn’t exciting? No one tells others about a lukewarm experience at a restaurant. “Jesus, yah,” yawn. “Yes I believe in Him.” 

Remember, we are “bought with a price.” Our life is not our own. The flesh demands to be catered too and entertained. Yet the Spirit leads us according to His will. Which will be the driving force in our life —the flesh or the Holy Spirit? 

What we take in drives the desires of our heart and how on fire for the Lord we are. How much time in the Word and in prayer, what we watch/listen to, and the books we read all affect the spiritual temperature of our heart. Will we feed the fire of our spirit with worldly media or God’s Word and edifying Christian books?

A few outstanding evangelism books I’ve found helpful:

Street Smarts, The Story of Reality, and Tactics all by Gregory Koukl

Preparing for Eternity by Mike Gendron (outstanding resource when speaking with Catholics)

Are we “on fire” for Him? “For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). 

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Ephesians 5:1-2).

Ask

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Hopefully you are practicing engaging people in a friendly way while out and seeking the Lord for more passion and action in sharing Christ. If not, why not? Are there people that you carry a heavy burden for their souls —family members, workmates, neighbors, friends? If no one, please seek the Lord, His Word, or perhaps your pastor, as to whether you are saved. Or I suppose it is possible to be saved and be so spiritually cold that there is no concern for others, but that is not good either. That might sound strong, but something has to be badly broken if there is no burden for the lost around you. 

Christ’s servants are here to do His will. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). We are not here to have our “best life now.” We are here to serve and represent the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Praise God for that!

His departing words: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Remember, practice cheerfully greet people and pray for God to do a work in your heart.