A Look at the Book #447

A Look at the Book #447

by Jesse Abel

Daily Devotional – A Look at the Book #447

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

Ever feel as if you have been surrounded by lions, or maybe fallen into a pit? If you are honest this moment you will say yes! But if you are being dishonest, you may be one of the lions or be holding the shovel.

A PLAN FOR THE DAY

Volkswagen Beetles were just gaining popularity in the U.S. as 1960 rolled in. The Captain of the ship brought a new Beetle and he made it a point to park away from the rest of the cars and also did not use his parking spot on the pier since it was too close to the salt water. A few blocks from the ship was an abandoned storage building so the C.O. decided to park next to the loading dock of the building. About a half dozen sailors coming back to the ship from the Enlisted Men’s Club (a nice name for a bar) decided to see if they could pick up the Volkswagen and place it on the dock. After a couple of tries they succeeded, of course when the Captain decided to go home later in the day, he was so surprised that he took away the liberty (time off) for the whole crew of the ship, including his officers until the two things happened. One: The VW was placed harmlessly back from whence it was taken, and Two: That the men who did this dastardly deed owned up to it! Immediately, the car was placed back from where it had been taken, but nearly a week went by before us sailors came forward and as a punishment we were restricted to the ship for the remainder of our stay in port; about 3 weeks. The weight of sin in a person’s life is far heavier that any man made object. When that weight is lifted you will find joy through the Blood of Christ resulting in God’s forgiveness. Psalm 32:1-11

James 3

James 3:6 – Some of us make good investigators; we listen, we search and we walk to and fro. In the midst of this behavior, there is little wrong as there is nothing wrong to investigate, to hear, to search or to walk about. However; when this is done in a motive of ungodliness it is a flame of burning desire from an evil heart. Solomon says that the lips open and the tongue wags and that the best of friends are separated forever. Do not use your tongue to destroy, since it is more destructive than a bullet in the heart. Proverbs 16:27-28.

James 3:7 – As humans we do very well in controlling animals and other beasts of the wild, and yet no one seems interested in controlling the tongue! It never fails too; that whatever I build up with my hands or in conversation, someone always comes from behind with another view and sets it on fire with their tongue. We put out burning buildings at the local fire department and while the blasé is being quenched, you can hear the critical voice of some ignorant firefighter’s tongue. Really, so who is the one who will put out that fire from the evil tongue?

I like what the writer of Hebrews has to say about Christ who was offered to bear the sins of many in Hebrews 9:28. But it is the verse before, which will stop the tongue of those who like to use it as an arsenal of uncontrollable fire. This judgment is coming and no one will escape it. Hebrews 9:27.