A Look at the Book #482

Daily Devotional – A Look at the Book #482

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

Time and eternity are two separate entities. For us who are alive we can only comprehend the existence of time and have faith that eternity is. For those who have gone into eternity… just the opposite is true! Luke 16:19-31

A DAY IN THE PAST, THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE

Many years ago on a destroyer we were transiting to Norfolk, VA. As we neared the Bermuda Triangle the water became unusually rough and the old destroyer; the USS Gearing DD 710 labored in the choppy waves. The waves seemed to have no direction or current; just a resemblance of boiling water. Every sailor on board feared that the ship would sink and after what seemed an eternity the water began to calm and we made our way to port. The ship suffered moderate damage in that the superstructure was cracked at the stern of the ship and the starboard ladder on the main deck was missing. The bow was partially submerged a couple of feet below the water line as three forward compartments of the ship were completely flooded. These were tense moments for all the men on board, closing hatches and water tight doors to keep the water from flooding more compartments was the hardest thing to do. Shutting these openings was hard enough; but the forcing of one’s mind to overcome the fear of going to the danger and doing battle with a force much stronger was even greater. Military men and women face these dangers daily on the battlefield and not one of them claims to get use to it. The point: The spiritual struggles of the saint are a far greater battle and if we were allowed to see this opposing threat; none of us would go to the fight. This is why we are commanded by the LORD to put on Christ and make no provision for the flesh. Do not be a victim; victory is in Jesus Christ. Romans 13:11-14 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

1 Peter

1 Peter 3:8-12 – A friend signs off his emails; “God bless and be a blessing!” I feel that he takes to heart what the apostle Peter is saying to his readers here. Under the power and conviction of God the Holy Spirit, Peter says that all of us need to be of ONE mind. That mind is to be laced up with the comfortable fit of compassion, love, tenderness and courtesy (humbleness). Is this your mindset? Well for a fact; God knows your mind today and every day.

Do you return evil for evil? This is a weak area for many, especially when driving. We do not revile much at least openly, but the thoughts do race through our mind; thoughts of revenge overtake the spiritual need for restitution and revelation. With this struggle going on in our minds; now don’t be foolish… I think your mind works much like mine. No one likes to be taken for a chump! How then do we overcome this and be a blessing and receive a reward?

Try this on for size. You were called to be a blessing, period! If you are failing the call; then you will not inherit the blessing that God has prepared for you. There is an eternal blessing for compassion, love, tender heartedness and humility that will not fade away, but we do have the responsibility to keep the blessing pure. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and His ears are open to our prayers. This is a good thing is it not? But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil. This is not a good thing; would you not agree? Then in the power of the Spirit of God; strive to be holy as He is Holy. 1 Peter 1:16.