A Devotional Look at the Book #531

A Devotional Look at the Book #531

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

Having not a thought about a thought for yesterday is thoughtless; so I hope you are giving this some thought! After all this is serious consideration for both days; don’t you think!

A DAY IN THE PAST, THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE

Should I have something to say about hurricanes and earthquakes? Have you heard the term… cleanness of teeth? Through the prophet Amos, in Amos 4:6 God uses this term to call Israel’s attention to famine. What about the blight of mildew; yes here in the same chapter, Amos 4:9 God allows Amos to use the words, “I have blasted you with mildew” also God reminds us that even the locust have a God ordained purpose because the people of God refuse to return to Him. Throughout this chapter; illustration after illustration is provided to cause or bring attention to the truth that God will be the Destroyer until all that is left of a wayward nation is that which is found in Amos 3:9… two legs and a piece of an ear. Lest we have forgotten and I believe we have! For behold, He who forms mountains is still forming mountains (have you thought about this?) and He who creates the wind (He still creates the wind). Who declares to man His thoughts (Does He not speak to us daily?) Read Psalm 19:1-14. He who changes weather patterns making it dark when it should be light (has He stopped doing this?) Has He not walked on the waters of the earth and will He not continue to march through the heavens? Of course you know the answer. He will never sleep or slumber over His creation; the LORD of hosts is His Name. Amos 4:13. If you go to a ceremony there is usually a host who has taken care of everything; even prepared for the worst. God the host prepares all these wonderful works in order for us to continually know that He alone is God and there is none else. Now! I am excited, full of joy and fully prepared… How about you?

2 Corinthians

About 60AD and from Philippi the apostle is burdened to write to the Corinthians another letter. Some have said that the apostle Paul wrote three letters to the Corinthians and that one is missing and if this is true then it should mean little to us saints. If the LORD wanted us to have that third epistle… we would! This Second Epistle will help us see the apostle in physical weakness, in pain and weariness. Have you in ministry felt this way? Yes of course; if you know the LORD, then you know this kind of suffering.

You know it is somewhat foolish for us to feel that any ministry of Jesus Christ should be contemporary to the times we live in today. Why should God change and abide by our way of living? Hebrew 13:8 states clearly to me that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever; so if there is any “religious direction” it should favor following Christ who does not change. So as we begin this simple walk through of Second Corinthians let us continually remind our self of the importance of living by the grace of God as the apostle will teach us, and to avoid the pitfalls of legalism and doctrines of demons.

What awaits us as we prepare for this epistle? The answer is: Comfort while we suffer and deliverance through the suffering. Secondly; only God forgives sin and when He does we must be willing as a church family to forgive the sinner. Thirdly; triumph in Christ as we conform to Him. Much more then; in the glory of the New Covenant wherein we stand in defense of the gospel as we become faithful ambassadors and reconcilers of God through Christ our LORD… we are living epistles of Christ.