The Devotional - A Look at the Book #915

 

by Jesse Abel

 

Thoughts from Papa “J”

 

Perversion and here is that word again despise, only this time we add the “s”. Perversion is an ongoing action in the heart of many religious icons. Perversion is found in all religion and is always covered up with pomp and circumstance, even a smoke screen; darkness loves itself. However the one who walks in righteousness, this is the one who fears the LORD. Proverbs 14:2

 

Good Morning

 

As we move through these verses in 1 Peter I am reminded of my early days as a believer in Jesus Christ. When I first understood the gospel I was in awe. How could God love me, I thought? So I began searching out the Word of God. Where I was staying (living) was an old barn. On the fourth floor of the barn was and still is a class room. In those days over thirty years ago, sailors like me who lived in the barn used the class room for study and writing letters.

 

Also in those days the barn was a chapel, a living quarters (a large bunk room) and a dining facility for sailors who lived off base but wanted to be close to the LORD. Some had grown up with godly parents, some had recently accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and LORD and some did not know the LORD but wanted see if Christianity was true. Also there were sailors who had families in the area and they too came to this very joyful barn. They cooked meals for the sailors and we had a lot in common, entertainment was playing volley ball, soft ball and other outside or inside activities as well; as well as Bible studies and hymn sings.

 

There is much to say about the barn that is now a church, yet I am not at liberty to give much more history. Someday the story will be told and it is a true story of how God moved a young couple to settle in Connecticut to begin an Outreach to service men and women, to raise a family and be a witness to the surrounding community of God’s Grace in action.

 

Now why did I say all of this? 1 Peter 1:6-12 – years have come and gone and so have many who labored, wept, suffered and died, who are now with their LORD. The study room is now a Sunday school room and the Bible searching sailor or two is missing. But in those early days, my search for the answer of; “how could God love me” was answered and explained in the simple words of a hymn. “While He was on the cross, I was on His mind” I just cannot get over that thought! It brings tears of joy to my mind every time I consider this. That even when I was dead in trespasses and sin, Christ died for me. Romans 5:8

 

I found as I searched the scripture in that room; that, it is not about me, but that it is all about my LORD and my God who provides faith to everyone who will come to know Him through His first step of love to us. 1 John 4:7-11. I love God because His love pursued me; found me and rescued me.

Yes I have been bragging on the church where my wife and I fellowship. We are not a perfect church, but we have a perfect Savior and He testified before hand the sufferings and the glory to follow and we have the Holy Spirit who always sends up a sweet aroma of life. And we have His Word.; Matthew 5:17-18, Matthew 16:13-19 and 2 Corinthians 2:12-17.