The Devotional
What does Papa “J” Say?
When you are young words and conversations about wisdom and understanding seem archaic. Then by the time you see wisdom as the principle thing in life, you find that understanding is slipping into eternity as the well spring of life dries up! Proverbs 4:20-23.
Briefly we have talked about our nation and the slippery slope we seem to be on. We have touched on the subjects that currently affect our life, liberty and happiness. We have addressed moral and economic national decay. We cannot keep rehashing the same issues, so what should we do? Elijah had a great victory over evil on Mount Carmel. His opening address to the people was, “I alone am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.” 1 Kings 18:22 Most of us know this event, many sermons and Sunday School lessons have come and gone about this wonderful Prophet of God. Let me just say this: It is not Elijah or any other person who is capable of changing the course of a nation's decline. But it is men like Elijah, Ezra and Nehemiah who prayed for their nation. Confessed the sin of their nation and waited on God to use THEM to restore the nation. The point, Elijah was as not alone as he thought. In 1 Kings 19:18 God tells Elijah that He has reserved seven thousand men in Israel who have not bent the knee to Baal. We can overcome evil with good, just as God promises. The LORD of the armies will help! Amos 5:14-15. Also, we must realize that it is not God's will for us to throw our resources at a problem before we know how to fix it. Proverbs 24:27.
The Gospel of John
John 13:31-35 The commandment of God to Love Him with our whole heart and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:34-40) are not words of Jesus to just pass the time of day in idle conversation. You know what I mean don't you? Sitting in a congregation listening to a sermon or bible study on loving God and your neighbor. We come away from those moments and before we can gather our wits, out pops a thought about God or a person that sounds like it came from the pit of hell. No, not so! It comes from our heart. Matthew 15:1-20
And of course, we do not what to think about this as being true since it would be much easier on our mind to just dismiss this evil with words like; “Well I am a sinner you know, saved by grace” and other such nonsensical expressions. Romans 6:1-2. Come on, look up these verses, be accountable and lets stop kidding ourselves that we are practicing righteousness in the light of God's Word.
Notice here in our passage that Jesus states clearly that God and Jesus are One in plan and purpose. Why? Because the command to love God and one another is an ever present ongoing law of God. So in the simplicity of that thought, should it be any different for those of us whom He calls His children. We say that we love God and that is a good thing, but if we were to measure our love for God, where would you find the scale or measurement? It is found in the way we love our neighbor, don't you think?
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