The Devotional - A Look at the Book #580

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #580

by Jesse Abel

Papa J's rules for Livin #4

If you really want to live by my rules; then you are too be a person most pitied. I know nothing about life, yet do not fear there is God who knows life as He created us in His image; HEAR HIM! Our failure is in our own image that we seek to live. Genesis 5:1-5

The Devotional

Over the years I have considered this section of the devotional as informational to life and the effects that God has on us as we live it out. I have used examples of my life (since I know it best) to describe events that only God could put together. The stories are real events and I have sought to be as correct as my memory would allow. If these devotionals are to have a future, it will be because God continues to keep the door open. I would like to use some stories from you the reader. God works in our lives daily and not just once every so often, so I know you have an event or story to share. If you send your story to me I will consider that you approve of me sharing it and I will write about it in these devotionals. Send you story by email to: abelj-r@yahoo.com. Our God is awesome and He is glorified when we share His work in our lives with others as a testimony of His faithfulness to us as He encourages our faith to grow. Hebrews 12:1-2

2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – Have you ever gotten so focused on the worm that your day of fishing came up empty? I think that many times in our study of scripture we focus on the wrong object. In this passage we see the words, “thorn in the flesh” and we lose the intended message by trying to figure out what the thorn was. It is sort of mysterious since the thorn is further described as a messenger of Satan. And to add to this confusion is the thought that this was given to Paul because he had a revelation and that God did not what him to be exalted beyond his ability to handle the event spiritually.

While all of the above has some relevance, even paralleling the event in Job’s life with the affliction of boils all over his body. Job 2:5-9, this passage teaches us that God is interested in the lives of His Saints to sanctify them in sufficient grace. If you involve your self with God and His Word; if you seek to walk as close to the LORD as possible as many of us do. You will find that you are physically, spiritually and mentally challenged daily; even being buffeted about by the world which is controlled by the devil. Ephesians 6:10-20.

The grace provided to us by Jesus Christ is sufficient; Jesus is the Master Spiritual Builder. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Too many times we react to (the battle is the LORD’s) with physical and mental efforts of the flesh rather than relying on the sufficiency of the grace that God supplies. We should not take sinful pleasure in our infirmities as some might conclude here; but we should look at our infirmities of the flesh, the mind and the spirit as those weaknesses that bring about needs, persecutions and distresses that Jesus provides strength to overcome by His excellent power at work in these weak earthen vessels.