A Look at the Book #424

A Look at the Book #424


by Jesse Abel

Daily Devotional – A Look at the Book #424

A Though for today by Papa “J”

"Sinner! Did you just call me a SINNER?” “Yes I did!” Ever told a lie, ever stole a nickel? Ever had an abortion, or maybe performed one? All this begins with disobedience to parents. Plain and simple there is no other word that describes our daily activities. Romans 1:18-32 (see verse 30 if you do not want to read the whole section).

MORE THOUGHTS

Once on a short term missionary trip to Ukraine the LORD allowed me to meet a pastor who served in the Russian Navy on submarines during the cold war. Is not God Awesome? He could not speak English, but his son Alexander could and as Pastor Sergei and I spoke it became apparent the he and I had served in the same waters of the North Atlantic at the same times. We spoke of national encounters with each other and the things we would do to avoid detection and other war games that kept the submarines and sailors busy during those encounters. In defense of our countries our paths crossed and in the defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ our paths came together. Just thinking about this causes my heart to be overwhelmed with the joy of the LORD that HE would allow the two of us to meet and exchange war stories and to know that our labors of life in those days were not totally in vain. We went to Ukraine to help the church finalize their building project. Putting up ceilings and other finishing touches, we were even there for their first service in the new church. What I am saying here is simply this. That if you call upon the LORD, He will show you great and mighty things that only He knows. Jeremiah 33:3, so my challenge to you is this. Don’t imprison yourself to the routine of life. Let God lead you to opportunities that overwhelm your heart. Jeremiah 33:1-3.

The Epistle of James

I am reminded of another experience some thirty years ago. I was talking with a friend about John the Baptizer and was making a comment from the gospel of John 1:19-28. Both of us having been born again about the same time, but my friend did not know that John the Baptizer and John the apostle were two different people. I did not handle the moment well and my friend became embarrassed and critical at my lack of showing love, so what he lacked in biblical knowledge, I lacked in spiritual application.

Faith without works is DEAD! I am certain that the man James had a lot of opportunity to learn this truth. We certainly are right to think that James did not come up with this truth until after he became saved by the grace of God. But since he was a Jew who was brought up by a godly father and mother he like his brothers and sisters had plenty of opportunity to work the work of a faithful Jew in those days.

These siblings had a strange brother within their mist who they could not understand. Their religion blocked them from fully knowing Him. Notice John 7:1-9. The brothers of Jesus were named James and Jude and here in the gospel of John they show their critical disbelief and lack of discernment. But do not allow yourself to stop at this point. James and Jude have epistles of truth about their half-Brother Jesus. We will study the epistle of James. Of the New Testament writings, James is the earliest. Faith does not override works, faith produces works that are worthy of reward.