A Look at ther Book #484

A Look at the Book #484

by Jesse Abel

Daily Devotional – A Look at the Book #484

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

Godliness and manliness are two exercises of faith, both promise profit; but only one will be profitable for all things, including the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:6-10

A DAY IN THE PAST, THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE

One of the songs we sang recently in our group was “Shenandoah” and most likely it is a song that you have heard at some time in your past. It is a tough song to sing and it has many versions; if you care to look it up on line you will find that the song can be connected to the very core of this Homeland. Today, when I think of this Land; tears form in my eyes and roll down the cheek. A rolling river of home sickness for a nation that has lost the thoughts of; “I love your daughter!” and the beauty associated with the Shenandoah River Valley in Virginia. Do you love the homeland as this song projects; thousands of American folks who put their own words to this song testify of the sufferings and victories that they personally experienced. These were slaves, sailors, traders and travelers as they made their way westward to the “wide Missouri River” and beyond. People bound away; never to see those sights again but with a new hope of reaching a new haven of rest like Shenandoah, Iowa. These settlers and travelers from all across this land; millions of them with their version in the making of this one great land of liberty had one thing in common; they loved the land that God gave them. It is difficult for me to look out over our homeland these days. There is no endurance to hardship and there is much disobedience to parents and they have forgotten God who gave them this land. In my mind; “Oh Shenandoah; I hear you calling” but faintly! Romans 1:16-17

1 Peter

1 Peter 3:13-17 – Do you not feel the heart beat of these verses of scripture everyday? In fact; I hope you do since this is an ongoing condition in the world around us. The question; “who is he or she that would harm you for doing well”? A question that does not look for an answer but one that demands thought. Everyone around us has the potential to do you and me harm for doing a good thing, so let us not fret over the potential. Do what the apostle says, do not be afraid of threats and do not be troubled; but

Set apart; in other words… stand aside of your selfish fearful will and place Christ in the position of LORD in your heart. Oh, there is another step here. Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you and give this answer with meekness and fear; not toward the person who ask the question, but in the meekness and fear of the LORD; or we could say… in the power of the Spirit.

The apostle Paul puts this together for us in the book of Acts when he stands before Felix and states that he strives to have a clear conscience to speak the gospel of God without offending. Why? Because he must maintain clear communication with God and with man, Acts 10-21. Also the apostle John explains this thought to us in 1 John 4:17-19. God calls us to love, not to fear. People in ministry learn this quickly and if you are praying for God to use you in ministry; these are important sections of scripture to exercise your soul in.