The Devotional - A Look at the Book #811

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

 

Ever have something to say but convicted to not say it? Of course we have; and when we speak and the words roll out of the mouth it is like spilling a can of marbles. Try to pick them all up and we always miss a few. The problem is not that we lose a marble, the problem is that someone will step on the marble, BAREFOOT! And the pain; oh the pain! Proverbs 25:1-25

 

Good Morning

Recently I had a brief conversation with a young man about my faith in God and after my opening statement he said, “Then you will like this story” and yes my ears already large with age, crept up another size. My encounter with the man was forced since I had to deliver a car and he was sequestered to be my ride back to the dealership. How about that big word! It means; set apart or called out.

Before this young man became a salesman, he installed satellite television systems all over New England in private homes. One day after arriving late to an address the customer was outside waiting for him and said; “Hi Walter! Your vehicle broke down didn’t it?” Of course; Walter was taken aback; how did this man know his name and how did he know that; yes indeed the vehicle did break down.

Well there are a number of ways this could happen. The man contacted the satellite company; or the man had input to the local repair shop in the small town, or any other connecting moment of a secular nature that causes one to have foreknowledge. However, the man claimed that he had received a message from God. As a result of this comeback story, everything I intended to say was now made neutral since faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1-2

Now we do live in a world where principalities and powers of the rulers of darkness prevail and if you fail to be fully prepared for an attack you will lose the battle that goes on to keep the unsaved person in the dark. I sought to explain that sight can be of some help, that is to see God at work in the lives of people; but that faith is more important, however I did not do a good work.

The end result is that this young man said, “well I started going back to church; I go at least once a month now, it was a Catholic church but it is turning into a Muslim Mosque so I think I will stop going” I thought to myself… “America, you are upside down in all that you do, is it any wonder that our oil and wine is out of reach” The cost of oil for the lamp exceeds the cost of the lamp and even the local drunk ceases to stagger in the streets as the pocket-change in his or her pocket or purse no longer covers the cost of the wine.