A Devotional Look at the Book #503

A Devotional Look at the Book #503

by Jesse Abel

A Devotional Look at the Book #502

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

National profit should be for the good of the nation. Yet today we experience bloodshed at all national levels satiated with dishonest profit. God does not tolerate; nor can our hearts endure much longer. Ezekiel 22:13-16

A DAY IN THE PAST, THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE

God has blessed me with the opportunity to visit many foreign countries. You might say that all of my travel is the result of being in Navy, but in my heart the Navy was just the vehicle that took me to and from these places. I also went to the Ukraine on a temporary missionary trip in July of 2004; seven years ago yesterday, is the day we returned home; having left on July fourth. The one thing I notice most about all of this travel is the desire for peace among the nationals of all these countries. Here is the point! Peace is not passive; in order to have peace nationals must be willing to walk the walk. Among the paths of peace there is only one path that truly works for all nations and that path comes equipped with a pair of shoes. Ephesians 6:15; and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; The real battle that the world faces is the spiritual war we all face daily, soon this current battle will be over when the LORD returns and sets up His millennial Reign, but while we wait for His return we; (His saints) must wear the armor provided. There are two feet to be shod; on one foot is the gospel of peace with God that we all experience when we are born again in accordance with a personal relationship with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The second foot is to be shod with the gospel of the peace of God that we all experience when we as saints walk in the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit who guides us in all truth. John 16:13-15 and 1 John 2:4-11. See also Romans 10:15 and Isaiah 52:7, there are many other passages that exhort us to walk in peace and truth, but I warn you; it is a peace that you must be willing to walk; since your shoes will not wear out. Matthew 16:24-28.

2 Peter

2 Peter 1:16 – Fabricate; to make up for the purpose to deceive, this is a powerful tool used by many. The nearest comparison I believe to this effort today is the pharmaceutical industry which promises a peaceful existence with the potential of committing suicide and a host of things that are worse than simply being depressed. Yes; the gospel of Jesus Christ carries NO deception. The gospel is made known the moment you believe the eye witness accounts of men like the apostle Peter, John and others. 1 John 1:1-4.

2 Peter 1:17-18 – We often talk about the joys of experiencing the power of God unto salvation. By the way it is the same joy that the apostles witnessed at the Mount of Transfiguration Matthew 17:1-13. Here is something to think about! Where does this joy of the saints of God come from? The Father is WELL PLEASED with the Son, thus this joy of the Father spills over into the hearts of all believers even to this day; such a joy we cannot fully comprehend to explain… it then is as the Word of God says! Joy inexpressible full of glory, 1 Peter 1:8

2 Peter 1:19-21 – A word of prophesy is not and never will be based on the doctrines of men who bend and twist the word to satisfy their own personal appetite and I say that many today do that. Only the revealed word of God as interpreted by literal understanding and spiritual guidance will cause the day of the LORD to come alive in your soul, then and only then will the morning star rise in your heart. It is interesting the use of light here in these passages. One light is a reference to a light that reveals pending judgment (light that shines in the darkness) while the other light is like a bright star that rises brighter and brighter as our new life in Christ grows. Such thoughts are too wonderful for me, yet I seek as I hope you do to; to know more about Jesus.