The Devotional - A Look at the Book #906

by Jesse Abel

Thoughts from Papa “J”

 

Legislators in D.C. are scrambling over $85 billion in cuts in the rate of growth in spending, only $44 billion of which will be implemented this year. Under the "sequester," instead of increasing spending by $1.7 trillion over the next ten years, spending will increase by $1.6 trillion. This one tenth of a trillion dollars is less than what the U.S. borrows from other countries every month. Proverbs 1:7

 

Good Morning

 

2 Corinthians 12:1-6 – The apostle says that it is necessary to explain to us about his vision of the third heaven, but not for profit or boasting. As his thoughts increase regarding his experience there are two things that will entertain us in his experience that he is willing to share. One: Visions and Two: Revelations. These words for some of us are untouchable; these confuse and alarm our thinking and we avoid all paths in that direction. Yet for others these words provide avenues of excitement and intrigue; thus these words will challenge them to go after the experience.

 

Some will subdue the Spirit of God and reject an invitation to the third heaven, while others are eager for the experience. In both cases these are open doors for demonic activity to develop and this activity is only too happy to destroy the glory of God. So what do we do is there any truth to these visions and revelations? Are we less than servants of the LORD and reject all the joys of being at the Throne of God? Or, are we superior servants of the LORD and accept all the joys of being at the Throne of God? It is not what we do, but how this experience is expressed.

 

These are not easily answered questions, especially when one could be branded a heretic for opposing a church dogma. While we should not expect visions and revelations as a common everyday occurrence as this would certainly be false; we should expect that when we are in prayer and our standing before God is in the Righteousness of Christ and in the Power of the Holy Spirit that there will be a real sense of communication with our Father.

 

Also, we must understand that these moments with our Father are tender and precious. When we sit with our earthly father and intimately communicate with him, we do not normally run to the next door neighbor and brag over the experience; however years later when a circumstance develops, we may use our earthly experience with our father to enlighten another person with those earthly moments and revelations with dad. The apostle says in verse two; “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago… was caught up to the third heaven”.

 

When praying and seeking a moment or two with Father/God, we should seek to be in the Righteousness of Christ since our righteousness is not good enough to stand in the third heaven and speak to God. For me this is a conscious exercise to put on the LORD Jesus Christ daily. Cleaning up my heart and mind is necessary. By the way; I am not the only one on earth with a dirty heart, we all have this heart condition. (John 13:1-11) I use Romans 13:11-14, others may use Ephesians 6:10-18, one could also use 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 or Galatians 5:16-18. The point is that we must use the Living Word of God for real; to really be with our Father who looks down from heaven. Psalm 14:2-3. Psalm 19:1-14, I also like Psalm 66:1-20. Awesome!

 

There are times to share with another brother or sister; or even a group of men and women a Spiritual moment with God the Father, but let God Himself lead you to speak. In doing so you will avoid boasting, which is an expression of the flesh? We may have the desire to boast, but our flesh does not have the capacity to express the joy, nor does it communicate the Glory of God. Yet, when God opens your mouth you will be speaking in the Power of the Holy Spirit of His Glory and not your own. 2 Corinthians 12:4-6 don’t be foolish, speak in truth and no one will brand you a heretic.