A Devotional Look at the Book #547

A Devotional Look at the Book #547

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

Personal and National Sin: Psalm 119:86 All of the challenges of life are experienced and explained in the Living Word of God. The Holy Bible is this Living Word; containing Commandments, precepts, judgments, laws, testimonies, statutes and the Fear of the LORD; even His Promises that fail not.

A DAY IN THE PAST, THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE

In my early days as a sailor I was stationed in Newport, Rhode Island. The ship I was on was moored to one of the two piers there. A forecast of a hurricane heading toward New England caused all the ships docked in Newport to leave port and find anchorage in the Narragansett Bay. By the time we reached our assigned area the winds had become strong. I was assigned to one of the whale boats and my duty was called; “Bow Hook” this meant that I would take a long pole with a hook on the end of it and reach out to grab hold of the anchor buoy and then hold the buoy to the boat while others jumped from the boat to the buoy. The task was nearly impossible and having no experience at doing this made impossible... non-existent. Sort of like; “Big Buoy” vs. “Little Hook” of course the big bully (I mean buoy) was winning the battle. One sailor broke his arm trying to get onto the buoy; all of us had bumps and bruises from being banged up each time the buoy pulled away from the boat and then slammed back into it. Eventually, we were able to too secure the ship to the buoy. When we returned to the ship our bumps and bruises were tended too and each of us was given a shot of brandy. For a full day we rode out the storm. This was my very first exposure to the dangers of ocean and bay weather and my very first taste of brandy to quench fear that things could get out of control and life could end. In those days the Navy gave a shot of brandy to sailors who survived troubling experiences at sea. Every detail of life is covered in the Holy Bible; please note Proverbs 31:6-7

2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 4:13-15 – It is interesting to look around at all the churches in the United States; have you noticed the “different faiths”? Some believe in the literal lifting up (rapture) of all saints before the seven year Tribulation; some believe in a mid-rapture and some believe in a rapture at the end of the tribulation and many churches are looking to usher in the new heavens and earth without a rapture at all. Then there is faith in a man like a pope; faith in a denomination like a Baptist or Methodist. Faith in the Law and works; faith in grace, faith in losing your salvation and just plain faith. Are you confused yet? I am! There are not many faiths and one message; there is only one faith and one message!

Shall we forget so quickly? We have this excellent power in these earthen vessels which really tells me that it is not the power of any of these man made faiths that get us anywhere. The truth is that all religious faiths do not have enough power to make a light breeze that blows in the direction of eternity. Notice what the apostle Paul says here in verse 13 according to that which is written; we have all received the same spirit of faith, just as he has said in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and Ephesians 4:1-4.

What is this faith? It is common to all of us who believe; in that this faith rests in excellent power that rose up the LORD Jesus from the grave. We then can rest in this excellent power of God; in that He who raised Jesus up, will also raise us up with Jesus and we will all be present with Him in eternity. Notice too that it is the grace of God that accomplishes this in order that God who deserves the glory; receives the glory since it is not any work ethic developed or believed on by the religious efforts man. Hebrews 3 and 4 detail this faith/rest ministry.