A Devotional Look at the Book #500

A Devotional Look at the Book #500

by Jesse Abel

A Devotional Look at the Book #500

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

Papa J’s rules for Livin #8: Think about it! Failure is learning what to do before success happens… so don’t give up!

A DAY IN THE PAST, THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE

The military has a language of its own and in using the Navy as an example; let’s look at a few words that are common to these men and women who wear these uniforms with pride. Bulkhead this is not a door outside leading to the basement; but a wall within the structure of the ship. Overhead this is not that bird flying over head, but it is the ceiling over your head. One last one: bight this is not the curve of land in the coast, as you stand on the beach for a view, but in naval jargon it is a loop in the mooring line. When ships dock; deck hands (sailors) will use the mooring lines to bring the ship to a safe docking position at the side of pier. To do this the mooring line is fastened to bollard on the pier and the cleat on the ship. (Whoops, two more words) The bight in naval language is when the rope is laying on deck and is looped in a circle. Someone standing in the circle is said to be standing in the bight, a very dangerous place to stand when a sudden movement of the ship will cause the rope to tighten. If someone is standing in the bight; life and limb is threatened. The stories of peg-legged sailors are not as glamorous as fighting with man eating whales and sharks, but more like a sailor ignoring the warning of standing with one foot in the bight and losing his leg up to the knee. Here is the rub: Satan disguises himself as an angel of light; 2 Corinthians 11:4-15. There is the light of the world; the light of religion and the Light of Christ; as we study this upcoming section of Second Peter, let us be prepared and alert for Satan is a roaring lion who uses deception to take a bight (bite if you will) out of your walk with the LORD.

2 Peter

2 Peter 1:5 – So now; for this very reason the apostle Peter encourages us to give diligence to our faith. Not diligent faith in a building or a favorite chair within the building. Nor is it a faith in one pastor of a church or four or five according to the numbers of need and ministries assigned within the church. This faith is not as common or collective as that. This faith that the apostle is referring to is; “personal faith” your faith and mine; or the “like precious faith” that is he refers to in 1 Peter 1:7. A faith that will be realized in praise, in honor and in glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ when He returns or when we go to be with Him in eternity.

2 Peter 1:5-7 – The attributes or characteristics of this faith are not the tangible things like the silver and gold ornaments found in religious paintings, statues, candelabras, chalices and other outward appearances of piety. No; not one of these artificial attributes or characteristics will make it through the trial of fire. The foundation of faith is already laid; which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11. You and I are responsible along with church leaders to build on this foundation; a faith that is rewarded. 1 Corinthians 3:12-17, but be careful of what you build.

Virtue; God’s standard of trust in His Spirit. Knowledge; God’s standard of knowing Him. Self-control; God’s standard of waiting on Him. Perseverance; God’s standard of enduring through trial and temptation. Godliness, brotherly kindness and love; God’s standard of peace with Him and peace with mankind; an expression of agape love. The daily work of every believer in Jesus Christ is to build his or her faith in these attributes, if we do this the Living Word of God clearly says that we will not be unfruitful or barren (useless) in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:8.