The Devotional - #031

A Thought for the Day – 031

Ever notice that young sapling as it beings to grow, if not cared for it will bend with the wind or be crippled by the foot of some uncaring person or animal. Place a rod of correction near the young plant and hold it secure with a tether or two and watch it grow straight and healthy. – Proverbs 29:15

Comments and challenges

Four twelve East Brandise Street, Louisville, Kentucky; Eight Hundred Fetter Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky these are the addresses of my grandparents, some things just do not wash out of your mind. I once knew an elderly lady who could not talk; she lived in the senior housing units that I managed. Whenever she communicated with people she would write a short note. We could respond with verbal communication, but she would have to write.

What is unique about this lady was her desire to sing and on occasion the whole complex would get together for birthdays, or Christmas and other holidays and we would sing songs. She knew the words of most of the songs and she sang clearly and there was no confusion in her mind or her words. As time passed, we encouraged her to sing more. This was a release for her and always brightened her day.

For this lady, her whole life with her husband was abusive. He would not let her talk and he threatened her continually, he suppressed every desire in her, but he could not erase from her, her love for singing and her ability to write and some may think; well at least she had this release, but then again it is all she had since all the rest was destroyed. Her husband broke her spirit to communicate; even after his death she still remained silent.

I get personally angry when I think of the suppression this person suffered. I believe that I am glad that I never met the man responsible for this person’s stressful life. Then I hear the LORD say “Jesse would you say that you have the right to be angry? Or could I find similar traits in your life where you have added stress in the lives of those who love you simply because of pride and selfish ambitions?” “Aw; yes LORD you would find selfishness and pride in me and stress in others”.

How quick we are to judge one another; even Jonah was abusive to the captain of the ship and the ship’s mariners. He was abusive to people of Nineveh and he was abusive to God as well. The events in the life of Jonah are contained in four chapters, eventually Jonah went to his grave being abusive and yet from all of this he was delivered. Take a few moments today are read this little book.

All sad stories have an ending, some turn out happy while many remain open and without closure. If you look to this world to solve those unclosed endings you will fail and you will take this failure to your grave. Don’t be a fool! Stop seeking to solve your stressful problems in life by human reasoning and notice maybe for the first time – Jesus Christ who gives true rest for the stressed out soul. Matthew 11:25-30.

For scripture references please CTRL+ click on the following website: http://www.biblos.com

The Devotional - #030

A Thought for the Day – 030

What is all the chatter we hear, seriously now what is all the chatter we normally hear? The fool, the lazy person, the indifferent one, the meddler, the madman, the liar, the contentious, the wicked and the hater; all have this one thing in common. Their tongue is like the backhoe digging pits for others to fall in and then they roll crushing stones on those who are overcome by their dissipation – Proverbs 26:1-28

Comments and challenges

“Well Ollie, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!!”

If you are above sixty you remember these two comedians’ and yes looking back can be a solid reminder of things in a simpler way of life. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were good at what they did, the English born Stan and the American born Oliver were comedians before teaming up, but they were merely mediocre. Once they got together these men became some of the most popular actors of the early American theater.

Teaming up with the right people is important in life and I truly believe that this is biblically sound, “that God has placed in the heart of all of us “right people” to team up with to impact life liberty and the pursuit of happiness; of which has an effect on others around us. If we feel out of touch with this kinship of another it is usually because we have ignored God in His will to provide and meet all of our needs.

I am not talking specifically about a husband and wife relationship, (even though our spouse can be our best friend). In all relationships God has ordained and that is the key; ordained by God “NOT MAN, ALL OTHER relationships are WRONG. There is no argument in today’s immoral climate that qualifies in bending or twisting this TRUTH. Currently there is a WORLDWIDE attack on children to become immorally minded. We cannot afford to let our children slide into the abyss of immorality.

Back to my original comments and challenges, if you care to look at scripture (you will need a concordance); there are Moses and Aaron, (brothers) Moses and Joshua (national patriarchs), David and Jonathan (close friends), Elijah and Elisha (spiritual leaders), Jesus, His Father and the Holy Spirit (God) and Jesus and John the Baptizer (cousins) and many others. There is a common thread that all of these men shared; it is called FAITH; faith in God, faith in their self and faith in each other.

Take a moment and read Hebrews 11:1 through Hebrews 12:1-2. Faith is “God ordained” it is true in worldly teams too like Laurel and Hardy as well as today’s popular radio hosts “Dennis and Callahan” who seldom refer to God in any positive way, yet even these teams serve God’s purpose by demonstrating faith in their relationships and challenges to be good at what they do. Proverbs 16:1-4

Hebrews 9:28 - so Christ was offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for Him shall He appear a second time without sin unto salvation.  Jesse <><

The Devotional - #029

A Thought for the Day – 029

The U.S. Navy has a slogan “lose lips, sink ships”! One thought that strikes me is that in my neighborhood I think I know my neighbors. Yet if I willing tell someone outside the neighborhood about the guy next door it can turn into shame and be a reputation destroyer. That would be your reputation; the neighbor will survive your gossip. Proverbs 25:9-10

Comments and challenges

We still have those two finches “Fatso and Skinny” and not much has changed for them. They eat and bathe, then they drink the bath water. Yuk! But it seems to keep them happy and singing all the day long. With the birds in the other room I seldom get the chance to think of them or even see them. It is not that I ignore the birds, but then again, I do ignore the birds; this must be true with many things in life.

The problem, and there is one; is that this sometimes happens to people. Daily they are around, but daily they are ignored. It is so common for me to be at work that just I time in, I went through the whole building looking for a mop to mop up a cup of coffee I spilled. Finally I found a large rag in the detailers bay and used it. No one saw the whole event that took well over five minutes and I was cleaning an area in front of two people.

So I thought to myself that this is the way of the world when it comes to recognizing the existence of God. Now I am not comparing myself to God in that sense, but I am seeking to understand why it is that in the heart of man (another storage room) seeks to ignore Him and be filled with other works of the world.

We ignore God with every sensory He has given us, we ignore Him with our life and we ignore with our family and with our friends. We even ignore God in God’s house; the pastors of our local churches ignore Him by espousing religious do’s and don’ts. God is ignored. If you read in the Exodus, you find two main people; Moses and the Pharaoh of Egypt.

At first Moses seeks to ignore God, but comes around and follows God. Pharaoh on the other hand ignores God to the death and after ten efforts of God to get Pharaoh to respond to Him, God wipes out the entire army of Egypt. If you do not know of this event, STOP ignoring God and get a grip on your life. You can read this for yourself in Exodus 1 through Exodus 14.

The day is coming when God will hold you accountable and the very first account He will go over with you is “ignorance” How do I know this – Revelation 20:11-15 speaks to those ignorant of God. The first thing God does is remove all distractions from that moment. Notice verse eleven and twelve “heaven and earth fled away” that only you and God will be face to face. That is a big problem if you do not know Him to begin with.

It means that those people who stand at this judgment do not know Jesus, do not know the Cross, do not know His Death or His Resurrection. They will voice a complaint and say yes, I know of Jesus just look at my works! Well folks while you still have the opportunity, go ahead and look at your works in Matthew 25:31-46. You will say no doubt, I see no difference in the goat or the sheep, both did the WORKS, but the goat only knew of the name Jesus, but did not know in the person of Jesus. John 14:1-11.

For scripture references please CTRL+ click on the following website: http://www.biblos.com

The Devotional - #028

A Thought for the Day – 028

One of the challenges the people of God face every day is the co-mingling that naturally happens in the work place. Just being careful around those that are evil is not enough. Through envy and desire a godly person can suffer spiritual defeat, when the heart and lips take over we will be just as vile and troubled. Proverbs 24:1-2

Comments and challenges

Li'l Abner is an American comic strip that appeared in many newspapers in the United States, Canada and Europe, featuring a fictional clan of hillbillies in the impoverished mountain village of Dogpatch, Kentucky. Written and drawn by Al Capp (1909–1979), the strip ran for 43 years, from August 13, 1934 through November 13, 1977. It was distributed by United Feature Syndicate. Comic strips typically dealt with northern urban experiences before Capp introduced the first strip based in the South. Although Capp was from Connecticut, he spent 43 years teaching the world about Dogpatch, reaching 60 million readers in over 900 American newspapers and 100 foreign papers in 28 countries. Inge says Capp, "had a profound influence on the way the world viewed the American South." (Wikipedia)

If you are under the age of thirty five you will have trouble knowing the characters of Dogpatch, Kentucky but of course if you come from Kentucky as I do; to visit with the Yokums from time to time is like taking a short trip back home. I miss Kentucky and I miss the way things used to be in the broader balance of our homeland.

Religions and politics, death and taxes… these four subjects were as I recall “fighten words” as we grew up; and now, just look at today. If those four subjects were sitting together at the evening meal they would be father, mother, sister and brother similar to what the apostle Paul says about the Corinthian Church; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. Truth is that religion, politics, death and taxes are merely diversions or distractions to America’s real problem.

Just as Dogpatch, Kentucky is fictional but laced with Southern hospitality, love, war and peace so are the four pillars of our homeland diversions in the sense that while Dogpatch is full of fiction the truths as religion belongs to Satan and politics belongs to mankind. Death belongs to Satan and taxes belong to mankind; and yet you will find; hospitality, love, war and peace in both.

Should we be alarmed at this or just go about life as if nothing matters? If you believe that God exists as most Americans do, then why do you disbelieve that Satan exists as most do? If good and evil can co-exist in fiction and in truth (and it does) why then are we so blinded? God answers that question throughout His Holy Bible, have you read it? If not start with 2 Corinthians 10:1-6 and 2 Corinthians 11:5-15.

 For scripture references please CTRL+ click on the following website: http://www.biblos.com

The Devotional - #27

A Thought for the Day – 027

Woes, sorrows, contentions, complaints and wounds, and do not forget the redness of eyes. The vehicle that drives these circumstances is said to be wine, but it is the absence of faith in God in one’s heart; this is the root cause, Proverbs 23:26-35

Comments and challenges

I believe that the LORD has covered our land with a cloud of His anger. The beauty of our land of the free is covered with a dire and dreary fog because we have failed to remember that He is God. Like the cloudy pillar that prevented Egypt from seeing a nation following His Light to the promised land, so too our nation is cast down in His wrath.

Our strong military (yes it is still strong) is limited because our national production is on furlough and we are brought down to our knees; not for prayer, but for lack of people. Lost are our children, they are lost to the violence of corrupted laws, they are lost to choice of unprincipled men and women who now control their future. Satan has attacked our young and is succeeding in his effort to destroy them.

How does all of this happen? God who stands against us like an enemy (but is not) has bent His bow of judgment and released His arrows of discipline and one by one our pillars of justice and righteousness in the land are failing. Our constitutional way of the past is crumbling like old and unprotected cement and there is a steady increase in public mourning and lamentation. Lamentations 2:1-5

I see as I read in the Book of Lamentations a pattern of discipline that parallels our land which Israel faced when that nation failed to obey God. This is a Book in the Holy Bible that we do not like to read, I think that we do not like to read it because it shows to us that God requires obedience and accountability in order to live life under His care. Political correctness removes God from society; therefore it is not politically correct to use words like obedience and accountability so in the place of these words we have “conformity and tolerance”

Who is Joe Btfsplk? Well if you remember Lil Abner Yokum, you will remember the world's worst jinx, he had a perpetually dark rain cloud over his head. Instantaneous bad luck befell anyone unfortunate enough to be in his vicinity. Though well-meaning and friendly, his reputation inevitably precedes him — so Joe is a very lonely little man. He has an apparently unpronounceable name, but creator Al Capp "pronounced" Btfsplk by simply blowing a "raspberry," Joe's personal storm cloud became one of the most iconic images in the strip.

Men and women the days of ignoring our moment in time is gone. We are well behind the “raspberry junction” of life. It is time for us to return to God. His sanctuary is not abandon of people, people go to church. Preachers have abandoned the Bible and the Word of God is no longer spoken. Churches today are saturated with messages to make us feel good about ourselves. There is nothing in anyone of us to feel good about, while Al Capp’s family of Yokums are loveable and funny, we as a nation are nothing more than a pitiful bunch of btfsplks. Too bad we have not grown up!

For scripture references please CTRL+ click on the following website: http://www.biblos.com

The Devotional - #026

A Thought for the Day – 026

A private becomes a chancellor, a lawyer becomes a president. The man who is prompt in his work will not stand among the “unknown” but he will stand out with the “king”. Umm! Excellence in the land of the living has given way to the land of the slothful and the obscure. Proverbs 22:29

Comments and challenges

There is nothing in this world of ours that compares to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the older that I become the more pleased I am that the death of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son of God is the one event in history that is not only verified by men and women living during that event; 2 Peter 1:16-21 and 1 John 1:1-4 but it is also the one event in the kingdom of God that is pleasing to God. Revelation 5:1-14. Is God speaking to your ear about this GOOD NEWS?

Have you noticed the news? The local, national and world news report these days is not good news; in fact the news today is not even bad news. The events of our current world are so horrid and chilling that for the sake of seeking to understand what is going on we become shackled by the event. What I mean is this; take for example the senseless slaying of children and their teachers a few months back.

We are bound to this event in such nonsense about guns and mentally sick people that our leadership and many well-wishers have missed the entire problem. Now do not get me wrong, I am not God and I do not have the SOLID answer, but neither do those who think they do. But I do remember a man who once did a Barney Phyfe impersonation. The man is a popular motivational speaker; Dennis Swanberg.

The impersonation went something like this: As a young boy of ten, one morning in church he was sitting with his friends in the back of the church. The preacher was preaching and kept repeating. What shall we do with sin? The preacher was on his fifth or six time; “What shall we…” and Dennis in his best Barney Phyfe voice ever said. “I say nip it! Nip it! Yes that’s what you do with sin! Nip in the BUD!

Dennis went on to say that by the nape of his neck he made it from the rear of the church to the seat next to his dad as fast as Satan was shot out of heaven. Luke 10:18. Well I am not looking for any Barney Phyfes or Dennis Swanbergs this morning, but I am looking for a few people, including myself to pray for our national struggles with SIN. We are a nation who is in the cycles of discipline that God has promised to all nations who turn their back on Him and replace Him with idolatry. Exodus 20:4-6 and Leviticus 26.

You say; “who has committed idolatry? Where does this nonsense come from? Domestic violence and battles on the city streets. Adultery, fornication, abortion, homosexuality and disobedience to parents; don’t these things come from within the selfish desires of our own hearts? Now don’t say no, just because I did not include lying in the list. If you did, you included it not me. All acts of selfishness are the sin of idolatry.

We are not born yesterday are we? If we were we might have a slim excuse, but no doubt you are like me, just cross me and see how fair or humble minded I can be! The only block that bars you and me from these selfish struggles is the grace that God provides in life. It is the Light of the Gospel and the suppression that God provides through the earthly ministry of God the Holy Spirit. If you do not know the Gospel or the earthly ministry of God the Holy Spirit, the block that separates me from you is missing, but between you and your neighbor, who thinks like you; beware! For scripture references please CTRL+ click on the following website: http://www.biblos.com

The Devotional - #025

A Thought for the Day – 025

Have you given much thought about the plans that race daily through the counsel of your mind? No doubt the time that we give thought to these things is much less than the time that we do. Nevertheless it is the LORD’s counsel that remains resident. What? You don’t know the LORD and now you are old? What a pity! Proverbs 19:20-21

Comments and challenges

While praying this morning for the day ahead I began thinking about the miracle of salvation and how this wonderful truth is lost in many of today’s churches. During the ministry of the Christ, that would be His public ministry of three years; there are seven miracles recorded by John the apostle in His gospel. There are thirty other miracles recorded by the other gospel writers and this information was gathered from the Thompson Change Reference Bible.

In the gospel of John, these are the recorded miracles: John 2:9 – water changed to wine; 4:6 – nobleman’s son healed; 5:5 – impotent man healed; 6:5 – feeding of the five thousand; 9:1 – the blind man regains sight; John 11 – Lazarus raised from the dead and 21:6 – the large catch of fish. There is another miracle, (his resurrection from physical death and His ascension to the kingdom of God) one that is referred to by Jesus Himself in John 2:19 and 10:18. So there are seven recorded by John and one referenced or documented being eight in all.

Luke as you may know was a medical doctor and records the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ in full. Beginning in Luke 24:1-53 and ending with Acts 1:1-9; Luke records the forty day period of time that Jesus walked about on this earth in His Resurrected body and speaking with His disciples and the women of that small group of the kingdom of God – Acts 1:3

I was not feeling well when I returned home last night so I lit the wood stove, just to warm up the house, it was way past the evening meal before I began feeling better. After the house warmed we let the stove die off and went to bed for the evening. This morning as we were praying and thinking about the miracle of salvation a little sparkle of burning ambers appeared in the wood stove and I thought, “Ah LORD God your grace and blessing overwhelms me”. It only takes a spark to get a fire going.

Men and women! For the moment, consider Jesus, His resurrection and ascension. By the way; this is not the greatest story ever told! His resurrection and ascension is simply a historical TRUTH. He had you in mind when He died to sin and death and He had you in mind when He rose from that death and returned to the kingdom of God. Today He has you in mind as well, how do I know that? His truth reveals it: John 3:16 and 2 Peter 3:9.

For scripture references please CTRL+ click on the following website: http://www.biblos.com

The Devotional - #024

A Thought for the Day – 024

There are 890 verses of scripture in the Book of Proverbs; if you study these words of wisdom, will you be wise? Will you have understanding? Will you be a pillar of light to the world? Will you know that God loves you? The answer to these questions and a thousand others like these are… NO! The relationship of God and mankind, must first be PERSONAL; not academic, Proverbs 18:10

Comments and challenges

The other day a couple of us played over nine holes of golf with a young man who hit his ball from the “pro” tee box while we hit from the “white” tees (that just sounds better than) the hacker tee box. The pro tees were normally fifty yards from the white tees and this young man normally hit his ball fifty yards past our drives. This means that he clearly drove his ball over three hundred yards consistently, and in the fairway too. He was a good golfer as well as he birdied a few of the holes as we played.

Here is the rub! We strive to be good at what we do; it is the nature of mankind to be, as the Army slogan goes to; “be all that you can be”. This is not an exception to the rule of life and here is the reason why. Genesis 1:27-28 – “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.””

These are not hopeful whims of God. These are commands, commands that are not obeyed today because all have sinned and have fallen short of the Glory (image) of God. Romans 3:23 as mankind we now sport a different image. All children born to Adam and Eve were born to them after their fall from the Glory of God’s image. Genesis 5:3 – And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years (after the fall, Genesis 5:1-2), and he begot a son in his own likeness, after his image and named him Seth.

Now this is important so don’t miss it: Cain and Abel were born to Adam and Eve under the curse of God, God did not remove His command to subdue the earth, but the curse added conflict to life in every degree, and the curse did not remove man’s ability be good at what he does. Notice and you will have to read on your own since this is a bit lengthy. The family of Cain was protected and respected by God throughout their generation, which is still going on today.

Unbelieving people are simply ignorant of the glory of God because they fall short of His Glory, these folks live in sin and are not ignorant of the glory of their earthly father; another long passage, Romans 5:12-21, please take a moment and read it. God expects that His created world will produce, multiply and subdue and like the golfer I mentioned earlier who had his wife along. He unknowingly is fulfilling the command of Genesis 1:27-28. He is good at what he does, he is married and his wife is pregnant. Isn’t that simple and I question you AMERICA; “why are you fallen?” Because as a nation we have rejected to multiply, to subdue and to have dominion; We live in a nation that has rejected God, the God of Creation; Thee God of Genesis 1.

For scripture references please CTRL+ click on the following website: http://www.biblos.com

 

The Devotional - #023

A Thought for the Day – 023

If you are a professional boxer, you expect to be knocked around and if you are a fool, being knocked around is a way of life that never changes. For the wise man a simple reproof will be effective; boxing gloves will not be needed. Proverbs 17:10, if you are not a fighter you might have to think about that one!

Comments and challenges

We were at a very deep depth, ordered there by our CO because of a confrontation with a Russian attack submarine several hours before. Having escaped the clutches of the attack sub and being on one of America’s finest Fleet Ballistic Missile subs at that time, a part of the escape plan was to stay submerged at our depth for a full twenty four hours. Soon our time would be up and we would be going to a depth to send a message to our fleet submarine commander.

The Chief Radioman was summons to the control room of the ship, he did not respond. It became apparent that he was nowhere to be found, so we began searching for the man. About a half hour later he was found in what we had used for the Chief of the Boat as an office in port, but it was not normally a place where anyone hung out while at sea. The chief was having a total melt down. He could not even tell us how long he had been in the room.

Certainly at the depth we were at and the length of time we were down and on top of the tension from hiding from the Russian boat, the fears of many was tense but as far as I know this chief was the only one who completely fell apart. Since I was the ship’s Protestant lay leader, after locating him he asked for me to come in and pray for him and the crew.

Now I must take us back to the moments shortly after the incident happened. “Torpedo in the water, emergency deep!” the words that every submariner does not what to hear. Then you know this is not a drill when you hear the four evasion devices being released from the ship; noise makers to confuse the torpedo. Now there are several other things in this incident that took place, but there is one thing that I did. I prayed; LORD, deliver this ship and crew to safety and please do it now.

As far as I can recall I had not read this Psalm before this moment in time and if I did, the Psalm had no specific purpose like it did at this moment. The Psalm clearly popped into my head, I can still see it this very day; Psalm 124. So when I was summons to pray for the crew and this chief, God had already provided His answer and deliverance from harm, to me; I had also provided this information to the other believers on board. After praying, I read the Psalm to the chief and those nearby, then the chief got up and went about his duty as the CO commanded.

“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side” let Israel now say – “if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, when their wrath was kindled against us; Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul. Blessed be the LORD, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth, our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers, the snare is broken and we have escaped. Our help is in the Name of the LORD who created the heavens and the earth. Psalm 124:1-8.

For scripture references please CTRL+ click on the following website: http://www.biblos.com

The Devotional - #022

A Thought for the Day – 022

How important is wisdom to the average person? Silver and gold, now that is the goal! Okay, so here is a dollar, go and spend it wisely and later tell me of your success. Without wisdom we will never have a good report; without understanding our effort is in vain. Proverbs 16:16 and Matthew 25:25

Comments and challenges

I was just looking at one of the pictures of the Chief’s quarters on the last submarine I was stationed on. Surely it is typical of most of the quarters of other ships, even the surface ships of our United States Navy or other navies. Having been aboard some of the British boats, these too resemble a commonality, the only noticeable item these quarters have that ours do not (in those days) the seating were kegs of beer with cushions on the top.

In the picture that is on my desk there are six of us chiefs, we are listening to the Executive Officer who is briefing us on the patrol we are engaged with and some other subjects that are of interest. What is unique about the picture (nothing) it is typical, six men who just before the XO showed up were playing cribbage, drinking coffee, smoking and just hanging around. We were in the North Atlantic heading for the North Pole Region.

If you are not a chief then you are not a member of the chief’s quarters, thus everyone who comes into the quarters must knock and request permission to come in. this includes all of the crew and the officers. Reminding me of the section of scripture in Luke 11:5-8; truly the Executive Officer of the ship has access to all of the ship and can enter any space without permission, but out of respect for his chiefs will knock and wait for the call to enter.

He can come at any time including midnight; time on any military platform is never an issue; however vigilance is. Now there is a slight difference in the XO’s arrival and a friend in need but both do have a mission to complete. The friend in these verses is looking for subsistence in material things while our XO is looking for subsistence in leadership.

Now the thoughts of us chiefs may well have been negative at the knock on the door and it would be foolish to say that there were not negative comments under the earshot of the XO, but his persistent knocking would have eventually turned into just opening the door and walking in. Enter! Comes the response of the Chief of the Boat and in walks a familiar face and friend. Needs are spoken, challenges given and the mission is completed to that point.

Is your mission in life unfulfilled? Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed with life and your relationship with God? Does your religion seem empty? If any of these or other questions in your life about God and His Son Jesus is bouncing around in your mind, it may be your very mind that is failing to hear, that God is still knocking at the door, for you to let Him in; that is if you go to church at all? The church may be lukewarm, causing you to be lukewarm as well. Notice Revelation 3:14-22; especially verses 20-22.

For scripture references please CTRL+ click on the following website: http://www.biblos.com

The Devotional - #021

A Thought for the Day – 021

The mouth of mankind is like a shovel, we use it to dig ditches in another person’s soul, we also use it to cover over that hole of heartache and call it counsel. We use the tongue wrongly, we use the tongue rightly; we use our mouth to communicate to God and we use the mouth to blaspheme Him too. Proverbs 15:1-33 and James 3:1-18.

Comments and challenges

During my career in the Navy and before I went to submarines I was a “Master-at-Arms” aboard one of the destroyers. The master-at-arms is like a cop who maintains a sense of security among the men who on occasion rub someone else the wrong way, causing a fight. Yet this is not the only responsibility, there are a few more and this little story is about one of the few more.

One sailor had stolen a pair of pants from another and when he was identified the man began to run. We were at sea, so he could not run far but he was effective in evading his chasers. There are usually (in those days) three to five men who are assigned master-at-arm duties (volunteers). Yet I understand that this is a billet or professional rating in today’s Navy.

All five of us assigned to this duty were on the lookout for the man who stole the pants and so were much of the crew. He was nowhere to be found! Around midnight the Chief Master-at-Arms woke me and asked if I would go with him to the fantail of the ship (rear part of the main deck) where the man who we were looking for was taking his clothes off piece by piece and throwing the clothing overboard.

When we got there, the man was down to one sock and his shorts. “What are you doing”, my chief asked the man? “Leave me alone” said the man and off came his last sock. We moved closer, there was a wet mist in the air and I thought to myself, grabbing this guy is going to be hard, he will be slippery. My chief said quietly, “if I miss you do the same”.

The chef tossed his nightstick forcefully at the man and hit him in the small of the back causing the man to bend backwards, off balance we grabbed him and pulled him away from the railing. It turns out that both men were involved in a “lovers spat” both were court martialed and given “UNDESIRABLE” discharges.

As I look back at that moment in time, I am reminded of our nation’s current moment in time. This is a day when men and women suppress the truth of the Living God and burn in their lust doing what is shameful. I also know that the wrath of God is AVAILABLE to all who practice such. Romans 1:18-32 is God’s NIGHTSTICK and like the man on the ship, if you are participating in this bondage you will not see His crippling judgment coming.

From scripture references please CTRL+ click on the following website: http://www.biblos.com

The Devotional - #020

A Thought for the Day – 020

My thought this morning is that someone reading out there is worried about something; we seem to worry about almost everything known to man? My guess is that this fact alone is a multi-billion dollar blessing for legal drugs and a multi-billion dollar curse for the nation, thus becoming an abomination to God who provides the answer to mankind’s depression. His answer is simple; HIS Good Word. Proverbs 12:25.

Comments and challenges

One time many years ago when it was popular and even mandatory for the military to walk about in the uniform of the United States Military; you remember those days MEN, do you not? Well if you are above the age of fifty five you do, for the rest I reckon you are excused. Anyway, I was walking along not far from my home when three younger men; maybe five years younger than me began singing.

“He’s Popeye the sailor man, he lives in the garbage can” and so on. This was the mid-sixties, I said; “boys, my intension is to cross the street and brush your teeth with my knuckles”. They managed a laugh, but they did run off. I was glad they did, as my nice white uniform would have no doubt failed the next inspection.

It seems that we are always seeking to overcome some obstacle in life, just one more hurdle of trouble or detour ahead. Some are visible at a distance and can be planed for; while others seem to pop up at unusual times. This is because we live in a world that is unprepared to face tomorrow, or as I have said in the past; we live in a counterfeit kingdom where things look right, but are false.

Now this is important… so read on: God lives in a kingdom that is perfect, there is nothing unusual in the His realm of Authority. No surprises and no knuckle sandwiches, His white uniforms are perfect therefore there is no need of an inspection. Notice if you will what God has to say through Isaiah about, MEN being men. Isaiah 46:8-12. Of course you will need to read this for yourself; otherwise there will be no room for the challenge.

So now, look with me at Isaiah 46:13, God says; “I will bring my Righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger (delay) and I will place my salvation in Zion, for Israel My glory”. God’s kingdom is planned from eternity, it has not failed nor will it. Jesus Christ is this planned salvation. Psalm 19 written about 1,000 years before the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus describes in detail the events of the cross.

Is this important or relevant for people today? It most certainly is; Hebrews 1:1-4 explains clearly that God’s plan is supreme over the world’s false plan. Then in Hebrews 12:1-2 we see why the plan was perfect in that Jesus Christ is raised from the dead and is alive. Consider Jesus who planned and perfectly endured the abuse of mankind. Do not become weary or discouraged in your soul over the love that God revealed through His Son. He did not resist the shedding of His blood for you and me. Romans 5:6-11 and Romans 10:5-11.

From scripture references please CTRL+ click on the following website: http://www.biblos.com

The Devotional - #019

A Thought for the Day – 019

I am not sure we give much thought to this, but have you noticed that we citizens of the United States of America live in a system of deceptive balances, while the weight scales are in perfect balance we are consumed in evil. The justice of God is perfect, also a just weight is HIS delight; as a nation we are far from delighting God Proverbs 11:1

Comments and challenges

Having heard from a friend and brother in the LORD yesterday that it was fifty years ago that the USS Thresher (SSN-593) sank in over 8,000 feet of water in the North Atlantic about 220 miles from Boston I began to reflect on what I was doing that day. I was reporting aboard the USS Forrest Sherman (DD-931) at the time the Sherman was in a short period of overhaul at the Boston Naval Shipyard in Charlestown. I witnessed the sadden hearts of men and their tears as some were friends of those shipmates. The distance from Portsmouth, NH to Boston, MA is only 57 miles. And now the distance between the USS Forrest Sherman and the USS Thresher was impossible now to travel.

The USS Thresher (SSN-593) was the lead boat of her class of nuclear-powered attack submarines in the United States Navy. Her loss at sea in the North Atlantic during deep-diving tests approximately 220 miles east of Boston, Massachusetts, on April 10, 1963 was a watershed event for the U.S. Navy, leading to the implementation of a rigorous submarine safety program known as USBSAFE. Measured by lives lost, historic context and significance, the sinking of Thresher was then, and remains today, the world's worst submarine disaster. As the first nuclear submarine lost at sea, its disappearance generated international shock and sympathy. (From Wikipedia)

The events of history will always include two elements and if you are a thinking person you should already know what those elements are; if not then let me explain. The elements are LIFE and DEATH. Look up any historical event or period of time. All things more than 125 years old contain the birth and death of those individuals who participated in the event. IS THIS IMPORTANT enough to comment or to make a challenging case?

Today; you and I are involved in history, but more importantly we are involved in eternity too. We are involved in history because we were born into time, history is time, when we die we will be transferred in death to life eternal. Someday, maybe fifty years later if the “church of Jesus Christ” has not been “translated” into heaven to be with Christ, (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) someone might just read a historical article about you or me, regarding an event on April 11, 2013.

There is an event in history that records the death of One Man and I am reminded of a verse of scripture, “for as in Adam, all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” 1 Corinthians 15:22. This is the greatest event in history and the reason is that out of all of the life and death events in time, if you are in the history of Adam… you die!

Since Jesus Christ rose from ‘DEATH’ to life again. Verse 23 of this same chapter says that Jesus Christ is the FIRST FRUIT of this historical event. If you are in that historical event (John 11:23-26) we in our own order of time who believe in Jesus Christ, (His death for SIN and His resurrection for LIFE), we will follow Him.

While at the moment we may not follow those of the Thresher, we can at this moment follow Jesus Christ. What a soul filling JOY. The history of mankind ends in the death of all people in time. The history of Life in Christ is the destruction of mankind’s last enemy. Do you know what that enemy is; it is DEATH. 1 Corinthians 15:20-28.

From scripture references please CTRL+ click on the following website: http://www.biblos.com

The Devotional - #018

A Thought for the Day – 018

Do not be a slave to your children but be a servant. Why encourage your child to be foolish and bring grief to his or her mother. Fathers are to be the spiritual leader of the family. Therefore God has called you to be wise. There is a treasury of wickedness in all of us that leads to death. Be wise and chose the righteousness found only in Christ the LORD and live. Proverbs 10:1-2

Comments and challenges

There are some hymns that are so unworthy to sing, these hymns play on our emotions rather than assist us in drawing close to God. The irony of this thought and of the song in mind is the hymn; “Just a closer walk with Thee” I will say that it is a popular hymn among celebrities to sing it when they are having a religious moment during one of their performances. The hymn is so off the mark that even the writer does not identify his or her self.

Partial excerpt from Wikipedia: The author of "A Closer Walk" is unknown. Circumstantial evidence strongly suggests it dates back to southern churches of the 2nd half of the 19th century, possibly even earlier. The song became better known nationally in the 1930s when these churches held huge musical conventions. Then in the 1940s, a boom of recordings developed, ranging from Southern gospel, brass bands and jazz and this is one of those songs that survived by ending up is some church hymnals.

The desire to have a closer walk with Jesus comes from our flesh and not from the Spirit whom we have if we are God’s children. If we are children of God then we are at peace with Him, we are also filled with the Holy Spirit. Of course there is the possibility of sin in our life and then there is “no peace” but if that being the case, we know how to regain the peace of God by agreeing with God that we have sinned, 1 John 1:5-10.

The apostle Paul reminds us of his effort to overcome a thorn in the flesh. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 and how the LORD Jesus used this weakness in Paul to enhance Paul’s awareness of God’s grace. As far as we know, Jesus did not remove the weakness from Paul but did give him the sufficient grace to endure his infirmity. The power of Christ resting on Paul is much different than the message of the hymn in that the infirmity does not drive Jesus to Paul to help with his physical problem, but that the grace of God sustains Paul in Christ.

Thus the apostle can say with confidence that he takes pleasure in life’s weaknesses knowing that in reproaches, needs, persecutions and distresses comfort is ongoing and constantly available from abiding in Christ and not from begging. So, maybe some of us are thinking, “On the scale of one to ten with ten being the strongest intensity, where does all this make a difference in our relationship with Jesus Christ?”

Responsibility, yes I said; RESPONSIBILITY. As a saint of God, or as some might be more comfortable with; as a child of God we are accountable to abide in Christ and in this you and I cannot get any closer to Him. Thus we will not be ashamed at His coming (which is soon). Notice 1 John 2:24-29 and 1 John 3:1-3. We are commanded to practice righteousness. Think on these things and our God; Thee God of all grace will perfect you in Christ through your infirmities by grace.

From scripture references please CTRL+ click on the following website: http://www.biblos.com

The Devotional - #017

A Thought for the Day – 017

No one I know wants to be labeled as ignorant or stupid. However if what you know is not founded upon the solid rock of faith, your wisdom foundation is missing a pillar or two. Proverbs 9:1; Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:9-10; Ephesians 2:20-22 and 1 Peter 2:5.

Comments and challenges

Once again I am experiencing internet and email problems; there are at least two objects that need clearing up before things get back to normal. ONE: Yahoo mail keeps dumping me out of the system and TWO: I need to resolve the issue of having verses of scripture pop up. Please bear with me while I work with these obstacles. Thank You.

As I have said, many times; I love the Living Word of God. For me the Word of God is Alive; is a Word Picture Book, a Word Story Book, a Word Text Book and a Powerful Work Book. I suppose one could add a few more synonyms, but this enough for us to get the drift of what is on my mind about my love for God’s Word.  Let’s not forget also that the Word of God is Jesus Christ. John 1:1-18 and 1 John 1:1-4.

So, could you be wondering like I did about those seven pillars of wisdom in Proverbs 9:1, as to what these might be? As said by Solomon; “Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars” some would want to argue that wisdom is the preparation of the banquet table of slaughtered meat, mixed wine, breads and maid servants. This is only part of what Solomon intends for us to know from his exhortation.

Wisdom can only bring us so far in life which is the academics of wisdom. This wisdom must be taken two steps further; one: practical and two: faith. Notice Proverbs 9:10-12. Yet some will scoff and reject FAITH as in; the FEAR of God is the beginning of wisdom.

We have learned from good Pastors and teachers of the Holy Word of God that this “FEAR” is not the outward fear of the coward before a mighty person, but the respect and awe that we give to someone who deserves reverence. Such reverence we find in the prayer that Jesus teaches His disciples to model after in Matthew 6:9-13.

Determining that there is a natural ability for mankind to gain wisdom and concluding that this wisdom alone is insufficient to keep us from being ignorant in some areas of life and downright stupid in other areas we can now take a look at those seven pillars that wisdom includes and of which God has provided. Notice if you will in 2 Peter 1:2-11. Grace and peace to you in your knowledge of God and His Son Jesus Christ; this is awe and reverence of His divine power, as to life and godliness through the knowledge of HIM; (FEAR).

So for the very reason of reverence for God we are to grow with wisdom and faith. Adding to this building a pillar of (1) Virtue; (2) knowledge; (3) self-control; (4) patience; (5) godliness; (6) brotherly kindness and (7) love and as the apostle brings this to light, he adds that; if these attributes are in us and growing that we will not be unfruitful by expressing ignorance or acting stupidly. Spirituality is not relative it is absolute, notice also in closing this morning, Isaiah 11:2.

For Bible Reference: http://www.biblos.com (Temporary fix)

The devotional - #016

A Thought for the Day – 016

Someone has said, “I know that I should not be emotional over objects or circumstances that I have no control over, but I know of no other way to react!” Here is the pathway that works for everyone who will heed it. Proverbs 8:12-14 the opposite of emotion is prudence. So go ahead and be a prude!

Comments and challenges

Being somewhat interested in Naval History, I like stories and pictures of events and battles that have taken place over time on the seas around the world. I would suppose that this interest is founded on the fact that I spent nearly thirty years traversing those seas with the millions of men and women who have this experience too. There are far less of us though who can claim the following, yet the number is still large… thousands upon thousands.

The history of the sailor often involves a flight from one port to another; for example in my day in the Navy we submariners flew from a home base in the states to a home port in Spain or Scotland to our ship. We had the added element of riding that ship back to the states once in a while for major overhaul. So here is the rub if there is one in this. So I have crossed the ocean on the surface, under the surface and over the surface.

Stories of life events need elements that are like stories of the past, but in order for a story or historical event to be interesting enough to search it out, the story must have an element that engages the mind to search it out the facts. For this in biblical matters of Truth, we turn to Deuteronomy 29:29. The secret things belong to the LORD, our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

I want for us to see that God made a covenant with Israel in the land of Moab while Israel wandered through the wilderness for forty years. In verse 1 we see that God had made another covenant earlier in their journey to the promise land in the land of Horeb; this covenant was the giving of the Law. The people of the nation Israel had seen a Great Light to lead them by night and a pillar of white (a cloud) to lead them by day. To condense this down a bit, Moses says in verse two of Deuteronomy 29; “You have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land… for the remaining detail you could read the remaining twenty-ninth chapter.

The Great Light of the Holy Bible is God, His message is clear; it is also a secret worth searching out. For those of us who have; we have by the grace and mercy of God seen the LIGHT and we are witnesses of our covenant keeping God who is the LIGHT. This then is the element that the world does not experience but remains a secret to those who ignore HIM.

Now is that LIGHT visible to the world today? Most certainly! Notice if you will; this experience that Israel saw first and now is revealed to the rest of the world. John 1:6-13; 1 John 1:5-7 and of course we cannot forget what God said in Genesis 1:3.

Have a great and godly day, for what good is a great day if God is not in it?