The Devotional - A Look at the Book #803

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

 

If someone is needy for the TRUTH, it only takes a spark to get a fire going. To the young or old, strong or weak; Daniel chapter 2:1-23 is ready and if your spark has strength read to verse 49.

 

GOOD MORNING

I was just looking at one of the pictures I took when we were in Ukraine and was reminded of God’s wonderful grace in creation. For example; there are the trees, landscapes and clouds all looking much the same as the trees and landscapes and skies all around the world.

Greens and browns of various shades to make life pleasant and non-threatening, white clouds and blue skies that make a child’s eye sparkle with wonder and an elder’s face to shine with wisdom. If you have noticed… most of the pictures we take in the privacy of our lives reflect these scenes.

Even when you play out a past event in your mind’s eye it is usually surrounded by pleasantness, even some of the tough memories of times past seem to be submerged or bathed in this grace of God and the beauty of His Creation. I hope that you understand what I am attempting to explain. Simply this: God is not the creator of evil.

Sin, Satan and Death; these are the scorpion, murderer and graveyard of evil. Normally we do not take pictures associated with any of the evils of the world; we leave those pictures to the authorities. So is there scripture to back up these simple thoughts about the marvelous grace of God and His desire to leave us with pleasant thoughts of Himself through creation? Does God provide comforting answers to living life and a future hope?

Israel today faces some tough times ahead and there are pictures of the past lying around their homes too that speaks of better and more peaceful days of time past. Even in the courtyard of their mind, there are memories of good and pleasant days; all of this and the troubles of the past are there as well, but notice what the LORD says through the Prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29:4-14.

The central theme of the Holy Word of God is the death and resurrection of God’s Son the LORD Jesus Christ, yet when viewed in the mind of Jesus Christ and told by David in Psalm 22 there is His suffering revealed, His pending Death recorded and His praise of victory explained with joy knowing His future in the New Jerusalem, the new heavens and the new earth is solidly fixed in Creation and bathed in Grace. Revelation 21:1-8.

There are no greater pictures available to mankind then the Word Pictures revealed to us through the written word of God. Jesus says; “I am the Resurrection and the Life” John 11:25.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #802

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

 

Big bellies and little ties may be a sign of the times, but more likely just a time to start a good diet. The prophet Daniel understood this very well. Daniel 1:1-20

 

GOOD MORNING

The first ship that I was on was as you no doubt know by now was a radar picket ship. It was very fast with a high speed of 11.6 knots and that is equivalent to a whopping 18.5 miles per hour. One of the activities we deck sailors would do to be more daring and push the speed of things to the daredevil level was to ride the rope.

While we were in port there was always a need to paint the ship since the ship was old and liked rust more than it liked a new coat of paint. During breaks and lunch time we would take the ropes used to hang over the side for painting and the Boatswain Chair and without measuring the distance from the main deck to the water; ride the rope to the distance down to see if we could just tap our feet on the water surface and not get the rest of the body wet.

At first many of us got soaked, but after a while we became good at this little game of chance, but our speed downward was much faster than the forward speed of the ship. One day while I was doing this at lunch time the local dry cleaner’s truck was parked on the pier and the driver was watching what we were doing, but he did not have a clue of our game. All he saw was my rapid decent toward the water.

The guys on the deck said that his eyes were as big as his head with fright and that he rushed to the edge of the pier to offer help only to find me beginning my climb back up the rope. We were laughing and carrying on and I can still hear his voice. “That was not funny… I thought you were a goner”!

Frightening things happen in our lives daily and like any moment in time; life is not guaranteed for the next moment. Yet this does not mean that we should fear to live for the next moment. For the saint of God life and death are not subjects of alarming concern. 2 Corinthians 5:8 says that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD”.

This is not all that the verse reads, the full verse reads; “We are confident, yes, well pleased” therefore we have a lively hope of life in Christ and have no hope in the death of the world around us because death no longer has any power; all SIN which is DEATH is rendered powerless, 1 Corinthians 15:56 God has given to us forgiveness of sin and victory through Jesus Christ.

Psalm 16:1-11 is the song of the faithful in Christ, because Jesus is victorious over death. You see death was never a part of God’s Plan and returning to God through faith in Jesus Christ is God’s Way, is God’s Truth and is God’s Life Plan. John 14:6 is all we need to have power over the second death.

Also the speed of this faith in Christ is like in a moment, in the twinkling of the eye we are changed from the corruptible clothing of death to the incorruptible clothing of life in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 and Roman 13:11-14.

But, of course if a person insists on being religious they will be rusty and always need a new coat of paint. Matthew 23:27 Their work will be slow, they will never accomplish anything other than playing games with death and lose, but let us not forget, they will just get better at losing, which is their only hope.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #801

by Jesse Abel

 

A Word from Papa “J”

 

Humanism is much different than rationalism, yet both are developed by a lack of faith. Work and grace are very different too, but both function effectively by faith! Ephesians 2:8-10

 

GOOD MORNING

 

Several years ago the U.S. Navy gave the country of Spain one of our Destroyers. It just so happened that the Destroyer I was on would host and train the Spanish men in the use of the equipment, the ship and navigation. To our surprise, many of these men were ignorant of shipboard life and the sea.

 They seemed more interested in our Navy Exchange and purchasing cameras, clothing and cigarettes.

The lack of concern on the part of these Spanish sailors caused many of us U.S. sailors to lose interest in our main purpose so we began taking advantage of our Spanish brothers. We told them things that were not true about the ship and the ocean. We laughed at their blunders and judged these men as incompetent.

 

Like all of the nations around us the Spanish enjoy a different culture, different eating habits and different methods of effort. One of the things that is culturally different is that Spanish men will walk together holding hands. This was perfectly normal for these men, but it was an opportunity for ridicule and evil for us American sailors.

 

Earlier I mentioned that this took place several years ago and it would be prior to 1965. The world around us promotes the thought that we as inhabitants of the world are getting better. We are getting smarter; technology is rapidly moving us into advances that boggle the mind of people like me. But I need to ask a question. Are we getting better at being human beings?

 

As rapidly as one might think… good is growing in leaps and bounds and so is evil. For every good invention or intention or achievement, evil is there to take a ‘BITE’ out of it and not just a small bite but one that controls the result. Or I could put it this way! Smart phones are smart, no doubt about it. The problem is that all advancements eventually turn to advance evil and not the intended good.

 

The world over is infected with what the Bible calls “good and evil” thus the trail of living life under the sway of good and evil is purposed by God to drive man back to God; the Father of Light in whom there is no shift in the shadow. James 1:12-18

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #800

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

 

A young person approaching their adult years does not have a good definition of the word freedom. Why? To them life has no specific purpose and liberty is bondage which is called unrighteousness by our Creator. Romans 1:18-32

 

GOOD MORNING MY FELLOW AMERICANS

ARTICLE 1 – THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Section 1 – The legislature

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

“Power is nowhere concentrated; it is rather deliberately and of set policy scattered amongst many small chiefs. It is divided up, as it were, into forty-seven signatories, in each of which a Standing Committee is the court-baron and its chairman lord-proprietor.

These petty barons, some of them not a little powerful, but none of them within the reach of the full powers of rule, may at will exercise almost despotic sway within their own shires, and may sometimes threaten to convulse even the realm itself.”

This statement by Woodrow Wilson sums up the control and confusion of the legislative branch of government in the United States, but the system works because it is these checks and balances that for 225 years has survived. The date of adoption of the Constitution was 1787 and the birthday of the United States is 1776.

Today these legally adopted ways of government have survived every attack to subvert our freedom and liberty and the toughest battle has walked into our living room and is now seated in our comfortable chair. (By the way if you are seated with that one, you are on the footstool beneath their feet!).

“Power is nowhere concentrated” I believe this is the necessary call of a free people and I can see the day coming that is attempting to erase this deliberate policy from the United States and the pursuit of freedom. Power that is directed into the hands of one, is not power it is control.

Well it is apparent to me that I do not have the wherewithal to compete with this. I am struggling to stay afloat in this legal stuff. While I consider myself a “Freedom defender” I must give way to those who understand the Laws of the Land. They should speak up NOW!

Therefore, I will devote myself to prayer and fasting since God is comforting and merciful. He heals the broken hearted and a bruised reed He will not harm. In Isaiah 42:1-9 Isaiah encourages the servant of the LORD to refrain from the discouragement that comes from looking at lawlessness.

Why? Because God will establish justice in the earth in accordance with His plan and purpose, thus for you and me the “called out ones” who are called in His Righteousness; His plan is to hold our hand through trouble and for us to be a light to those who have no light. We should be as a messenger of TRUTH, like John the Baptizer. Matthew 11:1-19.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #799

by Jesse Abel

 

A Word from Papa “J”

 

In forty four days the people of the United States of America will be “Called Out” that is they will be summoned to vote for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and nothing more.

 

GOOD MORNING MY FELLOW AMERICANS

 

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Untied of America.

 

How I would like to go through each of the seven articles and twenty seven amendments of the Constitution of the United States of America and relate to it as I might in the Word of the Living God. Since I am not equipped with the wisdom and knowledge of this Masterpiece of Freedom and Liberty I cannot and see a gapping failure. A fault if you will; not only in myself but also in the majority; our countrymen who claim this country as their own native or adopted homeland.

 

Just to understand the Constitution of the United States seems like a momentous task and I am sorry, but I feel too old to tackle it; yet I will begin. But then I think to myself. This is a hopeless task; isn't it already too late. I mean just look around. With tears in my eyes and pain in my heart; like you, I see the selfish, the ignorant, the innocent, the needy and America the unbeautiful.

 

In Romans 13:1-10 the apostle Paul discusses the potential of living peacefully with government and neighbor. Basically he states that God calls us to live with government under the prevailing constitution of that nation because the government is God’s minister for good and not evil. His exhortation does not end with submission to government, but he also exhorts his readers to establish a peaceful relationship with their neighbors and fellow countrymen.

 

Now you know that this is not the end of the chapter, but for now, these ten verses will do until we will pick up the third section at the end of this, say sometime near November 02, 2012 should God allow. So from now until then, I hope to challenge us regarding the matter, or lack of it in our grey matter.

 

I feel that I am a man who has not thought much about liberty and justice, but in these later days I see that both liberty and justice demand a high cost. The cost is FREEDOM. You either have it or you DO NOT! And if you do not have it, then like all of us you have spent your freedom IN IGNORANCE by IGNORING GOD and His Will. 1 Peter 2:13-17.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #798

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

 

There once was a lady from St. Helen who was a noted felon. Her speech was mostly cursing and she needed no rehearsing. Her life path ended. The evidence her tombstone! Her epitaph, the evidence of wrath. Proverbs 10:25

 

Good Morning

 

My early days in the Navy was on surface ships and one of the destroyers I was on spent a few weeks in Naples, Italy. Since we were going to be there for a longer than normal period of time our captain volunteered the crew to renovate a bombed out orphanage. Most of the building was in good shape but there was one section that was off limits to the children and this is where we worked.

 

During World War Two the Germans used the building as a military headquarters and sleeping quarters for some of their high ranking officers. One section of this area was bombed out with partial walls and gaping holes. Other areas were filled with bullet holes and some of the rooms had clothing lockers still filled with German uniforms. The lockers were riddled with bullet holes and the clothing too.

 

I remember that there were many children in this place, they were dirty, skinny and lonely looking. Today, they would be in their late fifties or early sixties. Many of the sailors, who came with me, came for one reason. The promise of free vino (wine), all the wine you could drink while mending the bullet holes, patching cracks in the walls and fixing the roof.

 

When we saw the children our purpose changed, the men in our group seemed to wake up to the reality they were facing. The water that these children were drinking was vino too, because the water the orphanage did receive was used only to wash clothes and then to bathe. It was not potable (drinkable).

 

Water came once a day by a truck; if one of the children tried to drink this water they would be scolded. There were bottles of wine everywhere and most of us sailors feared drinking the wine since there was stuff floating in the bottles and the cap on the top was wadded up newspaper. Yet and without compunction the children drank from these bottles with ease.

 

My thoughts of this event in life are many, for example the fallen dynasty of the Roman Empire, the destruction of Israel in AD 70 and even the woman at the well in John 4:1-26. Water plays a life giving role in our everyday life, without water we physically die and without the Spiritual water that Jesus offers, we spiritually die. Jesus satisfies our need for God by satisfying the thirsty soul who worships Him in Spirit and in Truth.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #797

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #797

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

 

Can a man say that he has no sin? Think about it! It is much the same as a man saying; “I have an empty stomach” One bite of the egg and his stomach is no longer empty! One thought of self and the soul is less bright! 1 John 1:8

 

Good Morning

 

Another submarine story! Did you know that there are some men on submarines that do not have to qualify as submarine sailors? These are the Cooks, Storekeepers, Corpsman and Yeoman. The number is equal to ten percent of the crew or about twelve men. These are exempt from the shipboard qualifications program.

 

Because people are what people are, many of the qualified crew looks down their nose on those who are not required to be qualified and refer to them as “non-quals”. This is not meant as a credit to them, but a put down, so there are many of those who are not required to qualify that become qualified just so they can fit in.

 

Now there is good reason that these men are not required to qualify. Their professions require more hours of preparation and greater responsibilities of financial and fiscal operations within the ship. Also the medical and administrative offices require those individuals to be on call at all times.

 

Complaining or belittling people who have a fundamentally different task in life is the norm is it not. Most of us can deal with these minor rubs against one another, but when these conditions effect the normal operation of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness a small entity or a very large nation will crumble from within. America today is in such a “crumble”.

In this disguise of “chatter” we heard that people who pray in schools should stop and that we should take down any and all words, pictures and icons that represent God. Then came the belittling of public prayer and the National Anthem at sporting events; yes the Anthem is still played but people are so insubordinate during the moment that many of them should be tossed out of the ceremony and sent home, that would be back to their third world homeland.

 

The point! What starts out as something small, or as some would say innocent is never satisfied with being small or innocent. These things I am referring to like to grow and grow they do; growing into monstrous champagnes, ran by dictating men and women who are aggressively capable of turning a small ship or large nation into a crumbled mess, so here is just another warning. If WE THE PEOPLE do not stand up today for FREEDOM and a return to: THUS SAYS THE LORD, we the people will not have a nation tomorrow to stand up for.

 

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. Take a look in Daniel 5:1-30 and notice the fall of the Chaldeans. The fall began with a belittling of God as Belshazzar the king feasted with his officers. Speak ENGLISH America, or speak the language of a third world.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #796

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

 

There once was a man from Trent, who did little and lived in a tent. The tent was dirty and plain and yet, it had weathered the storms and the rain. Inside the tent, it was peaceful and cozy and warm, like being at home, away from the wilderness roam. 2 Corinthians 5:1

 

Good Morning

 

Before I went to submarines in 1975 I was what the Bible calls an, “unbeliever” but this does not mean that I was an atheist; it simply means my religion and focus on life had no meaning or purpose. I was a part of the world system that avoids God and like all who do, do not believe that Jesus Christ is the incarnate (God and man) Creator of the Universe.

 

Unbelieving people go through life on the surface, or we could say that what is in front of their face is believable but that the rest of life involving faith is of no intrinsic value. This being so; unbelievers open the door to believing everything therefore they have no direction, fulfillment of soul is lost, goals of life are destroyed and promises of friends and loved ones become nothing and faith is destroyed. Basically life is not fair and the scales of justice favor others and life is out of balance.

 

I am so thankful to God to be saved now. This is what the Bible calls a, “believer”. This change was not as a result of going from surface ships to submarines, I simply use the radical change from service on surface ships to service on submarines to reveal the radical shift from one type of sailor to another.

Believing in Jesus who bore the sin of the world; past, present and future is a radical, revolutionary and iconoclastic shift in the life of any person. God in His wisdom and mercy helps as in 2 Corinthians 10:1-6.

 

Believing in Jesus is a change that goes against the natural and traditional thinking of mankind. It is a change that God has to guide us to, a change that has permanent and positive eternal results.

 

Jesus puts it this way. “I and my Father are ONE.” John 10:30.This being true, then to have a purpose in life and a direction to follow is found in our need of Jesus, He takes us from just knowing God, to a personal connection with God. John 14:1-6. And like the man from Trent, our tents are tarnished and torn, but with Jesus inside there is peace and joy that cannot be explained; you can only experience this truth by faith. Hebrews 11:6

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #795

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

 

Many people spend their lives window shopping; shopping for that church that suits their pleasure. Little do they consider that this is a life threatening expense that is already paid in full and found only in the Church of Jesus Christ where John 3:16 is taught and believed.

 

Good Morning

 

I was thinking of some of my experiences on submarines and I remember this reoccurring event. Certainly I have mentioned it before but when I rewrite something I have noticed that a few interesting things pop up that were not in the first writing. First let me say that submarines have all of the necessities of life.

 

Fresh water to drink, to cook with, to bathe, to clean and even to wash one’s clothing; also these vessels of the deep have air to breath with just the right oxygen content of eighteen to twenty one percent by volume. There is little pollution to deal with because all of the air is filtered constantly being recycled many times throughout the day.

 

Every man is responsible for keeping his clothing clean and on a weekly basis I would wash, dry and fold all of my soiled clothing. Unlike most I especially liked laundry day, it was a time of about two hours when I could sit quietly and read my bible and pray for the men on board. The moments spent reading and praying was always productive in the cleaning of my clothes.

 

The LORD was faithful too; in the cleansing of the hearts of the men that God would send my way. More people accepted the LORD Jesus during this time on board than at any other time. Of course the sailors would come by to place their name on the availability list, or to slip in if someone had missed their turn. When they saw me reading my Bible the moment was prepared.

 

This was the perfect opportunity, God at work cleansing the hearts of men and me cleaning my clothing for another week. This was a combination of team work with the LORD cleansing the hearts of my shipmates and me cleaning my clothing. Humanly this still baffles my mind today. But this I know; my thoughts are not God thoughts and neither are my ways like His ways as Isaiah relates in Isaiah 55:6-13; John 13:31-35 and John 14:1-31.

 

These moments with the LORD in the laundry room of a submarine are not a religion this is the outworking of a relationship with the Living God through His Holy Spirit who always guides us into all Truth and the moments when this Truth can be most effective to reach the lives of those who need. 2 Timothy 4:1-4

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #794

by Jesse Abel

 

Now hear this: The wisdom of man is not a trustworthy foundation since it is only resting on thirty to fifty million years of time by theory. If you are one to worry over this… STOP IT! God's Wisdom is resting on Eternity and this truth supersedes limited theories of time and is foundational by faith from everlasting to everlasting! 1 Corinthians 2:6-8

 

Good Morning

 

What to be going to places where integrity is flourishing, then stop being unfaithful to God and to those around you Proverbs 11:3. While serving as the Supply Officer for a shore station in New England, one of my collateral duties was inspecting other Naval Stations in the New England area. I could expect to travel at least twice a year to some Naval Station, each was uniquely; New England.

 

One such place was the Naval Security Group Activity Winter Harbor, Maine. This activity closed in 2002 but during the sixty seven years of operation it would become the primary communication center for submarines. Because of the location the station was deemed to be the best in the world. Of course if you are interested, The Radio Reading Room website at http://jproc.ca/radiostor/reading.html can provide interesting reading about the history of the station and the Winter Harbor area.

 

What does it take to be the best? Location helps, climate and the harbor made an ideal radio station, but along with this location there must be a person of integrity. Ensign Alessandro Fabbri the first Naval Officer who began the Otter Cliffs Radio station in 1917 placed the location and his wisdom together. Then with the integrity of one of America’s finest pioneers he was able to communicate with Europe, while other radio stations failed.

 

While I was inspecting this station I was struck with awe, it was explained to me that the listening power of this station was so good that it could detect enemy submarines before those ships had the opportunity to dive in their local waters and could follow them wherever they went. Yet this Radio Station goes much deeper in our history as a nation of Freedom and Liberty.

 

I remember saying in my heart; “who am I that God would allow me to inspect such a wonderful place where so much of the decision and outcome of the First, Second and Cold Wars were adjudicated, since I am the least of those with integrity.” Then I considered the thoughts of Solomon in Ecclesiastes 9:11-12.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #793

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

 

We humans have a helper whom must of us ignore! His Name is Jesus. All of creation abides under Him and His laws of Creation. The exception is you and me; when it comes to following Him, our human character has less integrity than the ant or the locust! Proverbs 30:24-28

 

Good Morning

Serving in the United States Navy was very good for me and when I think about it those twenty-nine years and ten months went by very quickly. I recall my first duty station; it was a shore station in Norfolk, VA. Called PAMI or the Personnel Accounting Machine Installation, today those same billets are called a PSA or Personnel Support Activity.

When I thought about this just a little, I thought it somewhat ironic that my first and last duty stations were the same, only the name was changed, but I am not sure that the name change was to protect the innocent, no one in the Navy is innocent as we shall soon see.

So from PAMI to PSA in a few short years; from a Seaman Apprentice to Senior Chief, the one to take orders as a clerk to the one who gives the orders as the Supply Officer. While stationed in Norfolk my father wanted all of his friends to believe I was on a man-of-war; you know, one of those fighting ships so he told them all that I was on the USS PAMI. Then while on leave his friends began asking me about the ship.

Not wanting to embarrass my dad, I went along with his LIE and as I carried on about the various types of guns and other activities a fighting ship might do, everyone seem intrigued and of course, I was too!

Among his friends was a recently retired sailor who came alongside and quietly said, “How do you get the USS PAMI to stay afloat with all that brick and mortar holding her together these days?” Then with a salty twinkle in his eye, he said; “you did a fine job covering your father there, no doubt you’ll go a long way in the Navy”.

There is coming a day when, at the Judgment Seat of Christ that question of integrity will be raised by the LORD and the cover up will be OVER! One thing we may overlook in chapter three of Ecclesiastes is that there is a time and a season for everything under the sun, but in all of those verses; Ecclesiastes 3:1-10 you will not find a season to lie since Solomon understood judgment, the judgment found in 2 Corinthians 5:8-11 works for believers in Jesus, while the judgment at the Great White Throne works for the unbelieving. Revelation 20:11-15.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #792

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

 

Just passing through the intersection of a busy town can be alarming. The ambulance or fire truck, the elderly crossing in your path or a child on a skateboard and then as if this were not enough your way takes you into the countryside. The deer, the squirrel or the wandering puppy; you have the need to stay alert and remember your only passing through. Luke 21:20-28

 

Good Morning

Ever find yourself in a dangerous, or life threatening moment? No doubt that if you are past the age of twenty four hours you have. When my second child was born I was waiting at that window where the nursing staff brings the newborns for their first public viewing. I was reading a notice addressed to the new fathers and it read. “Fathers when you take your baby home in a few days, remember that last year in the United States 125 babies did not make it home, but died in car crashes. Please! Drive home safely!” That was in 1962.

In any year that is a sad story and along with all of the sadness in this world we are given the opportunity to forgive and to move on. There are many people in this world who… by choice, refuse to forgive and refuse to move on. These folks are bitter minded and they hold positions of authority, drive our school buses, do landscaping, operate machinery, fly planes and are found in our homes and pews at various churches all across this land.

Want I am saying is this… if you are not one of them, then you do rub shoulders with them daily. Bitter people do not have to be someone who suffered the death of a loved one, I simply used the “notice” of the past to kick start my thoughts. Bitterness can happen to people whose marriage has failed or whose son or daughter has gone the way of Balaam or the Nicolaitans as in Revelation 2:12-17.

Bitterness defiles everything and everyone that comes in contact with it. In Hebrews 12:15 the writer warns us that bitterness is a root of corruption that causes people to fall short of the grace of God and if you are bitter you may be saying just now, “Bah” who needs this grace, my gut can handle it. Please take another moment and read the next two verses, 16 and 17. Bitterness leads to sexual immorality, profane conduct and selfish behavior, take a moment… are you there yet?

Bitterness also leads people to a place of no return. At some point a bitter person will realize the waste and seek to inherit that which was destroyed. The Holy Word of God says that there is a point in time when what could have been good and glorious will not be available even when sought for diligently and with tears. Do you ask; “why”? Hebrews 12:1-14 was not taken seriously.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #791

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

 

Today is a good day to plan for the coming year, get a wall calendar, maybe one with pictures of Creation, or one with Children playing. These are small but awesome reminders that in the event of suffering; God is always in absolute and perfect control and the Day of the LORD is at hand. Isaiah 11:6-9

 

Good Morning

Ever go to a class reunion or some other gathering of people whom you’ve not seen for a long period of time? I would hope that you have because the need of a re-gathering of friends and family is most always a nice event.

In Matthew 6:13 and in the conclusion of the LORD’s instruction on prayer He instructs His disciples to reflect on the dominion of Power and Glory that belongs to God who is willing to share this eternal destiny with His children.

We should notice this: the prayer begins with a Praise directed at our Father who is Holy. The prayer also acknowledges the Plan of God’s will; the Provision of God to meet our needs. The Pardon of God available to those who believe in Jesus. The Protection of the LORD to keep us from evil and the coming Purpose that God has for His children.

This prayer does not have to be prayed verbatim, it is simply an outline that when thought of can expand into a full day of prayer, in other words we should always be praising God as we await the coming of the Bridegroom. John 3:29 we should always acknowledge that God is meeting our every need and since He does we should know that the best is yet to come. Hebrews 11:30-40

We should seek to live in the greatness of the gospel of Jesus Christ since there is no other Plan, no other Name and no other pardon or purpose in life that is worthy of our time on this earth. Acts 4:12 so there is coming a day when the Trumpet shall sound and the dead in Christ shall be raised. Then we who are alive will be caught up with them and so we shall be with the LORD forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

James M. Black once wrote this hymn: “When the roll is call up yonder” in the song is a word or two about TIME on earth giving way to an eternal day that never fades away. If you share in the resurrection of the LORD Jesus you will be in the Roll Call of the saints who will gather to their home beyond, the one that Jesus identifies in Matthew 6:13 as His Father’s having Power and Glory forever. If you have been forgiven don’t forget to be a person who forgives since it is crucial.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #790

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

Have you ever purchased a new vehicle? I hope you have, yet there are some today who have never purchased a new pair of shoes. You say “how sad!” well let me say this! At the rate of decline in this nation it is possible that your great grandchildren will be without shoes and other needs. Ecclesiastes 9:11-12

Good Morning

Once as a young sailor the naval ship I was on had a pool, a small basketball court, a movie lounge and a large recreation area for a ping pong table. The ship was the USS Searcher YAGR-4. It was a radar picket ship and part of NORAD, an early warning system back in the early nineteen sixties to warn the U.S. of an enemy attack. There were a dozen or so ships like the Searcher and if you are interested, you can find out more by using your search engine online.

The pool was on the main weather deck near the bow, but no one was allowed to swim except for the Captain of the ship, who I remember; did take a dip in it twice in the three years I was aboard. One drawback was that each time the pool was filled with salt water, us sailors would have to strip off the paint and repaint it because of rust. During the swim time, the captain would have the Chief Master-at-arms stand guard, (his personal body guard) of whom he used on other odd occasions, too.

Yesterday we were looking at the section of scripture that most identify as the LORD’s Prayer which is really an instructional passage that Jesus used to teach His disciples how to pray. So in Matthew 6:12-13 Jesus teaches that we should ask God to pardon us from human failures within our daily activities.

As captain of a ship at sea the officer was completely within His power to restrict the use of the pool to himself, yet there is a debt of responsibility to those around him to justify his action. If he does not choose to justify his action and protect his selfish ways the effect will interfere with other things that he may do, such as; leadership skills that govern the way the crew reacts in more serious matters.

Also the crew in their own response to the captain’s actions will create a debt as they backbite the actions of their leader. This debt is by definition sin, what kind of sin? The sin of guilt; on the part of the captain for not being a man of integrity in the face of his crew and also for the crew because they have spoken among themselves and accused their captain of treating them wrongly. Some people hold on to this guilt for a life time, when all that is needed is to ask God’s forgiveness.

Now there is a progression here. If we fail to forgive others it will lead to further temptation which as the LORD Jesus explains leads to further sin. Only God forgives acts of sin, yet there is responsibility for you and me to clean up our personal actions and to let God shut the door to the presence of evil. James 1:12-18.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #789

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

 

With roughly sixty days left before the Oval Office “rolls over” or “rolls over”; I thought I would remind us to pray before our ancestors “rollover”. I am being serious; our beloved Nation stands of the threshold of collapsing to a third world status, just look at your neighborhood; Proverbs 24:30-34.

 

Good Morning

 

One of the most interesting sections of scripture for me is the LORD’s Prayer. Over the years I have studied it, prayed it and preached it. Recently I heard Dr. David Jeremiah make one comment that has caused me to relook at this awesome prayer. First let me say; if you do not know that Jesus Christ is God, then you like many people on this earth are lost, miserable and blind. John 10:30.

 

So I am thinking… of course you could be right saying to yourself; oh! Oh! Jess is thinking and that can be dangerous, ho! Ho! Listen up, this could be important. Dr. Jeremiah has caused me to think of one word in the prayer that has expanded my entire focus and it is the word. “OUR”

 

Why did Jesus choose that word over the word, “My” Father which would have been more personal? I am sure that if you are like me, you have prayed in the past and said, “My Father in heaven” and you know those are the only two choices we have, it is either “Our” or “My”. Jesus prayed every day to His Father and He used that personal pronoun such as we find in Matthew 26:39. This passage in Matthew 6:9-15 is the only time He uses the word. “Our”.

 

Praying as Jesus teaches and to use the word “Our” expands the prayer to include people around us. The word “Our” enhances the words “Thy will be done, in earth and heaven” which includes both the physical and spiritual world. Yes we have personal struggles in life that are caused by the earthly and spiritual kingdoms, but we are not alone in this struggle. Our neighbors, our little hamlet, our local church and our nation all share in the same struggle.

 

Also “our” enables the prayer to be effective in our local and universal church, the ability to seek the same will of God in the earthly church and the spiritual church in heaven which includes the Old and New Testament saints, Hebrews 9:11-15. Remember that God the Father has said in other passages. He is not a God of the dead but Thee God of the Living. Exodus 3:1-6 and Luke 20:34-38.

 

Of course this is just a little bit of information here, but I intend to cover the prayer more thoroughly over the next few days. I become so awe struck with the Living Word of God and I hope you do too. I just want to say that we miss so much of God if we fail to read and study His Word. His Word is alive beyond comprehension. The Word of God is sweet to the soul, and those who are trained in the disciplines of the Word (Hebrews 12:11) will confess words like those written in, Psalm 19:10.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #059

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #059 - a repeat

by Jesse Abel

The Devotional


What does Papa "J" have to say?

The stove is hot! If you touch it, it will burn you! “Ouch” Now, what is it, that I said? A word of instruction will help the wise, but the fool who listens not... will remain a fool. Proverbs 17:10


During the months of January through April of 1984 the USS Hyman G. Rickover SSN 709 was completing construction at the Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. The first crew of the new submarine was fully manned in January too. I do not remember who that last person was to report for duty, but I do remember that our training was intense. All of us had to be qualified submarine sailors, but in addition, all of us higher ranking sailors had to be qualified to take the Rickover to sea and make her work. To place 375 tons of dead weight under the water for the very first time and then to have it pop back up again safely seemed like an impossible task. Our training went from sunrise to sunrise on some days and as the time neared to go to sea the training would go for days without end. The crew moved on board the Rickover on March 23, 1984 and the cooks prepared our first meal of Rib eye steaks, baked potato and corn on the cob. It was a moment to remember. A total of 110 men, 98 enlisted and 12 officers shared one meal that would last them a life time of memories. For many it was just a tour of duty, but for others it was an adventure in the daily Will of God. We have looked already at some of those adventures, yet if God permits we will be looking at more in the days ahead.

Philippians 1

Philippians 1:29-30 I think it is amazing how the LORD works things out in life. Take these two verses for example. Yesterday it was my hope to include these verses in that days text but that did not happen. So I thought, well maybe there is a reason and there most definitely is. Do we have a passion for living for Jesus Christ? Are we seeking to live each moment to do what is pleasing to Him? At a meeting this past Sunday the question was posed. What do we want out of life? My friend Tom said, “I want for my life to be pleasing to Christ, that is all I want” We've no trouble saying those words, trouble comes from not living up to those words. I know Tom and I know his words are trustworthy.

How does one mature in Christ this way? Well by taking heed to the words of the Living Word that challenges all of us to fulfill the ministry given to us by the LORD Himself. Colossians 4:17 and 2 Timothy 4:5. Ministries have so much of God in them that the more you fulfill them the more you get to know Him and the people He places around you. You learn to trust Him and to trust others. It is the LORD who makes the impossible, possible and it is ministry that proves it. John 21:1-19. Well, what has this to do with our verses today?


For YOU it has been granted on behalf of Christ to suffer with Him. Oh friend, this is not suffering as you might think it to be, it is more than that. This is the Greek word “pascha” notice how close it comes to our English word “passion” meaning here to experience a sensation or impression. To feel passion for; so much so and if need be to suffer through the pain of it because it is worth it. For us who are born again, this is more than just a tour of duty. Life in Christ is daily going beyond the weight limits of the world around us and it is daily experiencing a memorial meal that will last a lifetime and He continually says to us. If you love me, feed my sheep!

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #788

by Jesse Abel

 

A Word from Papa “J”

 

America runs on bond funded highways and most people travel in chattel mortgaged automobiles. Americans live in mortgaged estates and on borrowed time. I also know that there was a day when two dollars and forty cents would by forty eight cups of coffee. Today you will get one cup of coffee for that amount and still owe the state sales tax. 1 Kings 17:8-16 is not far off!

 

Good Morning

 

Just the other day I was playing a golf match to advance to the next tier for the club championship. As we played the first two holes my opponent came to be two up on me, so I shot up a prayer to the LORD. “Lord, I don’t mind losing to this young man, but at least let me lose with dignity” I held my own for the next few holes and at the seventh hole he went three up. I took holes eight and nine so at the turn and starting on hole ten he was only one up.

 

Hole eleven we were even again and stayed that way until hole fourteen where I went one up, then on hole fifteen I went two up and again on hole sixteen I moved to three up and the game was over, with two holes remaining to play, he could not win. What happened? This is what I believe. During the course of play on holes eight and nine, I explained to him that I taught the Bible in the local prison and once in a while held church services in a church in Dighton, Massachusetts.

 

He then explained to me that he was one thesis away from having a Master’s degree in religious science. I said; “so what keeps you from completing that work”. “I am an atheist” he said, “I studied religion to try and figure out why people have to create a god when we don’t need one.” I said; “you make a big mistake, man does not create anything, but God the Creator, created you and me.” “Oh yea!” he said, “then where are all the magical people he created? I said; “you error again God is not a magician!”

After this conversation the man simply fell apart and his golf game too. Maybe he will go home and finish his thesis; then again maybe not! I felt like Elijah the Tishbite. 1 Kings 18: 20-40. I was also thinking that the mindset of most of us is so focused on the realm of human effort, that we lose focus of the spiritual world. This realm is as busy as our human realm. Ephesians 6:12, so in all matters of life and godliness in Christ we need to stand firm.

 

Also I notice that we Americans like to “upsize” everything, maybe this is why the realm of most of humanity in America is obese. The only thing we downsize lately is our personal relationship with Jesus Christ; of course you must first; have a relationship with Him! Acts 16:25-34.

he Devotional - A Look at the Book #787

 

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

If a mushroom had ears, eyes and a nose it would hear, see and smell the conditions around it. God has equipped us humans with these sceneries, in fact; our cup of perception runs over the top and yet we are deaf, blind and ignorant to the noise of socialism, the vision of dictators and the stench of medical practices that euthanize the young and the elderly.

Good Morning

A Picture tells a story to the viewer and if the viewer does not know the circumstance surrounding the picture all sorts of stories could and do develop. I remember a time in Naples, Italy in that several of us sailors visited Mount Vesuvius five and half miles east of Naples. We went there for two reasons; to enjoy an Italian meal at a well-known restaurant and to go to the top of the mountain where the volcano is located.

We had hired a taxi for the hold day so the driver eat with us and it was not long before he was a part and partner to everything we decided to do. As we reached the parking area where automobile travel ended our cab driver indicated that he had never traveled to the top so we took him along too. He was very helpful, using our cameras and taking pictures of us all along the way.

In those days to get to the top a person had to ride an open air two seated chair lift somewhat like the ski-lifts here in New England. The lift was first used in 1953 and was used until 1984 when it was struck by lightning. Our cab driver took a picture of me dangling on one of these chairs as it slowly traveled upward.

I had on a straw hat and under my nose was a mustache. During the years that followed the taking of that picture, my daughter Stephanie was born and as she approached the age of five she somehow found that picture and would not part with it. “That’s my daddy”, she would say; “and he is in a riding chair on the mountain”.

Reflections are important and memories are comforting, now here is the point. Of all the pictures taken of me, this picture is embedded in my mind as if I were looking at it this very moment, but when Stephanie died at the age of five and a half in 1983 that picture was placed in her coffin along with other objects she held close.

We have a remembrance feast in church at least twice a month, other churches may do this more often, but what matters is that we are called of the LORD to remember and reflect on the truth that His body was broken and His blood was spilt because He loved us to the point of death and beyond, why beyond; because He is risen from this sacrificial death and seated now at the right hand of His Father interceding for us daily. Those of us, who believe this truth, will reflect on this event of love. It should be as vivid to you and me as any event in our personal life where the love one meets and touches the love of another. John 15:9-17

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #786

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

 

I was talking about reflections to a couple of friends by email earlier and noticed like Solomon that there are seasons of time for life and these seasons often involve our parents and grandparents. So I say to the young and old; cling to God and obey your parents” then; when those reflections come “Joy and Love” will surface. Luke 2:41-52

 

Good Morning

 

Someone I was listening to recently explained how God has wiped away the sin of the world. Now I find this is important so tweak in the eyes of your mind and listen. If you were to go on a trip heading north, at some point you would reach the North Pole and as soon you reached 90 degree North latitude (there are no longitudinal lines at the poles) and continued on your journey you would now be heading south. Likewise when you reached the South Pole you would reach the 90 degree South latitude and if you continued travel you would now be heading north again.

 

So this is what I am saying; by going north you will reach a destination; the North Pole and going north will eventually end. When you continue traveling you will automatically start going in south again; so North and South meet one another at the Poles and have limits.

 

In Psalm 103:12 the psalmist writes these words. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He (God) removed our transgressions from us.” Now here is what the psalmist is saying as he is moved by the Holy Spirit. Traveling east as one might travel you will never reach a point on the earth where EAST meets WEST and thus you will always be traveling east.

For me the abundance of this thought is so overwhelming; as far as the east is from the west God, has removed our sin. Sometimes we find ourselves chasing sin, we become tired, unfulfilled and spiritually spent; you will never catch up or totally apprehend a permanent relationship with sin; God has removed it. Isaiah 55:6-7.

 

Now here is another thought; why is all sin temporal and the Righteousness of Christ eternal? Sin when acquired is not faith in “sin” as in Genesis 4:1-15. Sin takes only a matter of time to complete and when it is gone leaves only suffering and unfaithful long term circumstances. Yet when Righteousness is believed on; faith is apprehended and takes a permanent victory stand, Romans 10:6-13. This is the faith that overcomes the temporal sin of the world. 1 John 5:1-5

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #785

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #785

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

Do we really know the Living Word of God? Some prospectors are satisfied with striking it rich, while others keep searching for the deeper reward. These search over those same areas daily where those satisfied ones have fled; but the reward, ahh! the reward is greater still. 2 Timothy 2:15

Good Morning

I was in the basement recently looking for something that is stored there. Have you ever had this opportunity? You find the box that you believe is holding the item you’re looking for and you begin to go through the items, soon you see an object of interest and for me it was the half used cup of shaving soap that I used to use on submarines before we could use aerosol cans. This caused me to search for the brush. Down through the whole box searching for the brush and the other item of my original intent I went.

To my surprise, over an hour was spent; no brush and no item of interest. But I did find some old “boondock” shoe laces, a navy belt and the buckle that had the name of one of the Destroyers I was on. There was another box like the one I just rummaged through and so I set it aside and told myself I would look in it another day. The item I was interested in finding was important and still is. If I could go out and buy one I would but it is not the real thing since it too is memorabilia.

Now here is the point of the matter. Religion is man’s attempt to search for the Living God. He (man) believes he can find ways to gain access to God’s Kingdom. In the attic or basement of his or her mind they will rummage through the boxes of time looking for those trinkets or other items that seemed to give favor or luck to them in past circumstances. Of course these folks never find what they are really looking for since the work of man’s hands is faulty.

No matter how hard man tries, never will he be able to speak his god of rock and have the rock respond. Psalm 115:1-8 is a Psalm that teaches Israel to trust in the LORD God and not in the work of man’s hand. Idols can look nice, these works of men’s hands may have hands, feet and a host of human or animal characteristics but these cannot talk, hear or move about under their own power.
All things belong to God who created it, if you alter a rock that God created to look like a god or something to worship; guess what… IT IS STILL A ROCK WHICH GOD CREATED. In other words the rock will obey it’s MASTER and not the stone mason.

My very first Study Bible was a Scofield Reference Bible, I have the Bible on my desk and the neat thing about this Bible is that Stephanie used to carry it around with her before she went home with the LORD. Pages 9 through 12 are missing, I thought I might find them in that box in the basement.