The Devotional - A Look at the Book #575

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #575

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

Ever see that commercial of the person walking with a twenty degree list to one side. It is said that he forgot his vegetable juice drink; however the LORD explains that our misunderstanding of life causes this tilt. Trusting Him will provide an upright heart and a smooth pathway. Proverbs 3:5-7

Good Morning

Every time I stop writing about submarines I get an email or two asking for more events. Seems like everyone likes to hear about those experiences, yet I think that I have reached the bottom of the barrel. But maybe this is one I missed. We were harbored in Lisbon, Portugal for a week of R and R. I do not recall much about the port except that the small area was occupied by the Portuguese Army, it was a small outpost with very little facilities. We observed some interesting things; their uniforms were shoddy, their weapons were Russian made and they smelled of smoke from wood burning and tobacco. Also, these men were on duty, but they were not standing guard in any manor that would indicate good leadership, pride or good military discipline since most were drunk. At meal time the men did not go to an evening meal at the base mess hall or rotate shifts. They made dough, then with vegetables and some kind of meat they made sort of a pie or pita pocket and placed the food in an oven that was carved out of the rock face of a very large hill about twenty yards from the pier where we tied up. There were several of these make shift ovens all along the rock face. They also drank wine freely all day long. With their rifle or sub-machine gun over their shoulder and a bottle of wine in their drinking hand the men stood duty. On board the sub we held a meeting and decided to set up a sentry of men with weapons also. Our stay was shortened to one day; since they wanted to come on board to visit the ship in their drunken condition. We denied them access to the sub and there was a small conflict but no incident. As the day progressed it was increasingly evident that we were no longer welcome, so we left early in the morning while most of them were sleeping. Proverbs 20:18 and 24:6.

2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians 10:14-18 – What is important to you and me as believers in Jesus Christ? The apostle Paul makes it clear in his epistles that salvation should be the only subject in our heart, mind and soul. The theme of all of his epistles focus on salvation; justification, sanctification and glorification and it is within these limits that he comforts, exhorts and challenges you and me to do the same.

We should not extend ourselves beyond this sphere of God’s wisdom when we are reaching out to the lost. The gospel is the power of God that brings salvation (not our words of wisdom) and when we go beyond this we confuse and distort the truth because we become boastful with what we know. Providing the simple truth of the gospel gives hope to the lost; hope builds faith leading men and women to salvation justification. Romans 5:1-11.

It does not take people very long to know the truth; but it is necessary for each of us to glory in the LORD and not in our own effort of the flesh. There are these two glories warring in us at all times and if we want the unsaved to hear the truth we must provide the truth via the power that God has provided. Again, the power is in us just as the Word of God says in 2 Corinthians 4:7 and speaking the truth within this sphere will bring glory to God and salvation to the ears of those in need.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #574

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #574

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

Psalm 111:1-10 – Can you wrap the fingers of your soul around this thought? Jesus never fails! Then my heart races with the thought. I will praise His Name forever, just as His Righteousness, Truth and Judgments endure forever… so are my thoughts of Him; JESUS NEVER FAILS.

Good Morning

In preparation of retiring from the Navy in 1987 I had started a small business of landscaping and minor carpentry work in 1985. It seemed to me that my brother made a decent living at landscaping that I would too. Well to my surprise; I found out that if your body is not use to grunt work it fights back, so by 1988 the efforts of landscaping changed to commercial cleaning. I was able to contract with a few banks, office buildings and schools. It seemed also to be the LORD’s Will for us to move in this direction since the contracts for work were very good. We had several employees and I soon learned that owning a business is a tough business. Employees have needs, (personal needs) and it is not long before you are personally linked to them in that way. Even the slacker that you would like to fire gets treated with considerable care since he has a wife and children. Yes, you might be the boss, but if the LORD is your boss; you are still a servant. Service then takes on a different light, one that leads because he or she has learned to follow first. Our LORD puts us in places that we would never expect and if we are tuned in to follow His voice, we will hear just as Peter heard in (John 21:20-22), then we can apply… Ephesians 6:5-9.

2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians 10:12-13 – I though I would take just these two verses this morning; these seems to fit in the last couple of days. We live and work in communities of people; most of us do not have employment that does not interface with others on a regular basis. You know I can say this now since I went back to work part time and in working now, I see that nothing much has changed in the last two years.

People still classifying and comparing their self with others. One will compare and commend him or her self with another and the verbal and nonverbal badgering begins. Yet I see this as foolishness don’t you since the only measurement these folks have to measure with is their own ability. Do you know what I mean in that the most critical often seem to be the most unqualified, yet because they know how to intimidate by comparing themselves with those whom they walk among they become all the more; the unwise and unproductive.

So as saints and disciples of our LORD Jesus Christ we see and live in these two kingdoms and it is the LORD’s Will that we react within the limits that He has provided. We must not boast beyond measure; there are limits. This does not mean that we should never boast, but it does mean that our boasting should be within the sphere of the kingdom of God and not from the framework of the domain of darkness like the unbeliever. Note also that the apostle in this verse includes you and me with these words. “a sphere which especially includes you.”

God willing… more on Monday.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #573

A Devotional Look at the Book #573

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

Psalm 119:33-40 – When the soul hungers and thirsts for God we find our voice and cry out. The longing of the soul to rest in the precepts of God is much like a homesick teen who has wandered from the warmth and tender care of parents.

Good Morning

What is the root cause of so much divorce in our land? The number one cause for most divorce is not infidelity or of falling out of love. The root cause is failure to stay autonomous. The ability to govern the affairs of family life is the root that drives one or the other to commit selfish desires that bring about separation. When families require much and the stress of making both ends meet is larger then the tie that binds we will fail. Financial and Family management are the root cause of all marriage problems and sin develops when the arguments over these develop into a loss of faith between the husband and wife. This loss of faith leads to a critical absence of communication, a lapse in sexual desire and then a breakdown in other common interests. Secular marriage counseling cannot repair or patch up a broken family, or the bond of marriage. Secular counseling is only interested in the profit and loss statement in the business of counsel. This is only added conflict to an already strained budget and at the very best, secular counsel is only a temporary fix to the deeper problem of failure. In the past I have had opportunity to counsel men who struggle with their loss of family. Most were inmates in the prisons of Connecticut and in every case, budgeting and management of the family was the first sign that caused these men to react in foolish measures, even the cause of their incarceration. (Proverbs 2)

2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians 10:7-11 – How often we are ready to justify our relationship before God by observation of the outer appearances of those around us. The mental attitude that comes to my mind is the one presented by Jesus regarding the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14). Simply; Jesus is present in all of our judging moments and there will be a justification and a reward of some sort.

Today authority to teach and lead is detailed in scripture; our pastors and teachers are given this authority by God. But you will not find in scripture the authority to judge them. Their human reaction to life is just like ours who do not have the Spiritual gift of communication and leadership. Boasting or any other human trait that pops up in their integrity is not to be judged. It is God who allows this man to stand for His Name’s sake! Psalm 23 works for spiritual leadership just as it does for all saints.

There are times when the emotions of God’s leaders are troubled and suffering; there likewise are times when our leaders are weak and we find ourselves seeking to judge them; and there are the times when everything seems to be working well with them. Should we not be praying for them rather than judging them. Yet, we tend to hold the candle to their character and judge and pray wrongly like the Pharisee. As the apostle says; what we see and what we hear about should not be judged by appearance but by the truth that God’s leaders are spiritually consistent.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #572

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #572

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

Psalm 119:33-40 – Our conscious will approve or disapprove the things we do. A healthy conscious will seek justice from the LORD since His judgments are the only source of restoring a guilty soul.

Good Morning

Even though it seems that nothing changes, change is always going on. We all like to be active doing something, but there are many obstacles in the way for some of us. Health, income and opportunity just to name a few. One opportunity may override another, health may hinder us from a season of activity and income may prevent us from reaching a certain goal. Yet, there is the other side of this that often goes unnoticed. What is God's Will for the freedom to do activities, reach goals and manage opportunity? Many give His Will no thought at all! I have understood this for a long time, but it is ever so much clearer to me today since the LORD is the LORD, even when I am unable to do the will of my heart because of some obstacle there is no need to be critical. For example; I like to drive to places that I would not normally get a chance to go too. So living in this world of restriction and change, the LORD knows how to provide the desires of my heart in order that I might delight in Him and not in my own self effort. He has opened a door that I could not. About once or twice a month I get the opportunity to make trips for a car dealership to various other dealerships in the New England states. So in spite of the circumstances that are always changing, turn your day over to the LORD and allow Him to direct your path and give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 27:11 and 37:1-8

2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 – There is not a day that goes by that we do not see arguments and wickedness seeking to destroy our fellowship with God. Many of us like the passive approach to settling arguments and overcoming every outburst that seeks to exalt itself above the knowledge of God. Even earlier in this chapter the apostle pleads with his readers to utilize the resources of God the Holy Spirit, rather than our own fleshly tools and it would seem that the way to deal with spiritual wickedness would be to remain passive; but not in every case.

One cannot cast down an argument, nor can one bring into captivity obedience to God by always being passive. Verse 6 puts this in perspective. Being ready to punish all disobedience, but note; if we are disobedience in the process, like making some fleshly statement or lying to cover up then we have not fulfilled the will of the LORD in the matter at hand.

So we must be willing to get into the face of evil minded people. Is this backed up by scripture? There is this process found in Colossians 4:1-6 that the apostle mentions in dealing with relationships between management and employee. Cover the circumstance in prayer; be watchful with thanksgiving; pray for God to open the door of opportunity to speak, revealing to you what to say. Then in that wisdom as you redeem the time and opportunity, go for it; with grace. Use the salt that God provides to cleanse the wound of evil when it attacks. Matthew 5:13-16 and Mark 9:50.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #571

A Devotional Look at the Book #571

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

Psalm 119:33-40 When I sin, my heart is bent over in darkness by the sins weight, my strength is absorbed with this thought! Ah, but the testimonies of the LORD overcome me causing me to long for Him. His are many, but two stand out here; Mercy found undeserved forgiveness and the Grace received by undeserved blessing.

Good Morning

The very first ship I was on was a radar picket ship, called the USS Searcher (YAGR-4), the primary mission of ships of this type was early warning of approaching enemy aircraft during the so-called cold war of the sixties. The ships were first used as freighters in WWII. The hull was thin, cheaply put together and designed to make only one trip across the ocean, the return was not expected. During the war and due to the fear of submarines only twelve men manned these vessels and many were sunk. The maximum speed for these ships was eleven knots, or 17.5 miles per hour so for a submarine these vessels were like sitting ducks. After the war some of these ships were converted to radar picket ships and a large amount of space on board was wasted. Large holds or stowage areas were sparsely filled, making large movie theaters or exercise room, even pool tables. One of the open holds was converted into a swimming pool. One summer day I saw the pool being filled, as a new person on board; I thought, man! This is great, I even went in search of my Navy issued swimmers, after my return topside and to my surprise, I saw the Captain come out on deck in His swimmers. The Chief Master at Arms was with him, but the Captain was the only swimmer for about a half hour while the Chief stood guard. When the Captain left, the swimming pool was emptied; but several of us new seaman on board were allowed into the pool… but not to swim. We cleaned it; chipped away some of the rust and repainted it so the Captain could use it again some day in the future. Some sailors have all the fun, huh!

2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 10:1-5 – Does the Living Word of God excite you? Sometimes I get so excited about God that I can hardly contain myself. Here is what I mean… and I am sure this has happened to you. Sharing and fellowshipping with others brothers and sister about the LORD can get us all charged up. We experience the same excitement that the apostle Paul is explaining here is these few verses.

Then it seems of a sudden that you hear another say; “oh that group with him or her in it is just walking in the flesh” well if there is one thing that will pull me out of fellowship with the LORD and with other believers it is some remark like that and then I do want to reach out and be bold, but not in a spiritual way. I like what the apostle says. “I have a confidence to be bold toward some.” Ever felt that way…? Of course you have; but it is the next verse that puts things back into the context of 2 Corinthians 4:7 (I really like this verse, don’t cha think?)

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. The truth is that all battles won are won based on the weapons given to us by God which are not weapons of the flesh. Proverbs 6:12-19 identifies the flesh. The spiritual war that believers face daily is won with the mighty weapons of God for the pulling down of strongholds, for the casting down of every high thing that seeks to exalt itself over the knowledge of God. God does this daily for every saint by bringing them to obedience; the obedience of Christ. NOTE: even our fleshly obedience does not count. We must be willing to utilize the treasure of God excellent power in these earthen vessels.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #570

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #570

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

If a person does not have good stewardship over the affairs of their day, they have no purpose in living. This is the drive behind most aggravated crimes. The Holy Bible teaches good stewardship; as a nation we should return to it!

Good Morning

For a young sailor, life on a destroyer can be very challenging. Even on a calm day these ships bob and weave in and out of the water like a fisherman's bob being reeled in. Add a little weather with seas 3 to 5 feet, a wind of 10 knots and a refueling ship 50 yards off the port beam. Throw in a little darkness and rain and then tie the two ships together with very long ropes and a fuel hose. The speed of the two ships must be 10 knots otherwise the ability to steer them in a straight course is difficult and there is an increased danger of colliding. At this speed sea water churns up on deck, the rain and wind increases the difficulty to see what you need to see. The water is cold and all your clothing is soaked. An event like this can last for hours and everyone comes at the end of the event exhausted. Maybe things have changed. It has been a long while since I was involved in one these exercises but the memories are vivid. This is one good reason to volunteer for submarines, below four hundred feet the ocean is calm and there is no need to refuel. This is like living life without a heart for God; the world around you is violent and unpredictable. However; when you let God enclose you with Eternal Life through faith in Jesus Christ His Son; He will calm you by His love and His excellent power will need no refueling. 2 Corinthians 4:7

2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9:10-15 – When is the last time you prayed; “Our Father in heaven Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13

I do not know about your day and private life before the LORD but I do know this, when my focus is on His excellent power abiding in this earthen vessel of mine I am usually thinking about my God and Father who supplies the seed for the sower and bread for food. He increases the fruits of righteousness. He does all of this because He enriches everything I do for His Names’ sake.

The administration of giving then is not to give away fortunes with no return of investment. Giving is the proof of ministry that glorifies the work of God in the lives of those who hear the gospel of Christ. Now God could do all of this alone without our help. Fact is that if God can cause a donkey to speak to a man like Balaam who hoarded his estate. Just think of what He may do when you place your liberality in His Hands; the return is a gift to us that is indescribable. Truly this is one of those areas of living for Christ that has to be lived and experienced, because it certainly cannot be explained.

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #569

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #569

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

I think a lot about eternity; God provides the information about where He lives and I go and visit Him every time I travel through His written Word. Farmlands, cities and saints; what a daily joy it is to visit my Father each day.

Good Morning

There was once a story I heard about two brothers, both were evil and crime was their primary activity. As time passed one of them died and the surviving brother went to the pastor of a local church. Both, brothers knew the pastor since they had grown up in the same neighborhood, attended the same school and so on. The brother asked the pastor to do the funeral and the eulogy. The brother also said that the pastor needed to say something nice about his deceased brother and if the pastor would do this, he would give a large sum of money to the church. After consulting the elders and deacons the pastor agreed and the large sum of money was given. As the eulogy began this is what the pastor said. “Friends and members of the family; the man in the coffin before me today was one of the most crooked, despicable, evil and desperate criminals this city has ever known. He has lied to everyone he ever met, stole as much money as he could and I even heard that he cruelly beat someone several years ago because that person had said hello to his girl friend. But; friends next to his brother standing next to me, our deceased was a saint”. This may be called – getting your monies worth; or getting fitted for a new pair of cement shoes. “I'm not sure?”

2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9:6-9 – Sowing sparingly is what we do when we do not understand stewardship (farming). For example; a few years ago I wanted to plant some corn for the first time so I contacted a friend who is a farmer and asked him how I should go about it. He said, “Over seed each hole with four kernels; one for good measure, one for the cut worm, one for the crow and one to grow.”

The LORD uses many parables and illustrations to teach us this same principle of stewardship. God Himself is the Master Steward of Creation and even delegated this responsibility to Adam in the Garden of Eden. So here is in my opinion… there is no excuse for any of His saints to ignore the evidence; if we reap sparingly it is because we are sowing sparingly. We are sowing from a fleshly frame of mind which is selfish and full of grudgeful thoughts and selfish necessities.

Now here is the victory over this self-righteous mindset. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not us” Have we forgotten so soon that the ability to sow bountifully in not found in the power of these earthen vessels apart from the treasury of the excellent power of God. God loves a cheerful giver. If we utilize the gifts of God the Holy Spirit who dwells in us of; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control; we will be the joyful giver whom the lover of our soul desires and we will reap a bountiful reward. 1 Corinthians 4:7 and Galatians 5:22-26.

Be filled with the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 backs this thought up!