A Devotional Look at the Book #492

A Devotional Look at the Book #492

by Jesse Abel

Daily Devotional – A Look at the Book #492

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

The most difficult days of living on earth are yet to come. It will be a time that is recorded in the Holy Bible as The Time of Jacob’s Trouble; Jeremiah 30:7 and see Mark 13:19.

A DAY IN THE PAST, THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE

Is there anything earthly, that we might compare to the world around us with a condition of the future that God calls the Great Tribulation? All analogies fall apart when it comes to biblical truth but there is an interesting comparison. One problem is if you are unfamiliar with the attributes of water, or even the chemicals associated with water. You know; the more salty the water the more buoyant it is, extract the salt and buoyancy disappears. Also; cold saltwater is less buoyant than warm saltwater. These characteristics mean little if you do not live near saltwater, but even fresh water is more buoyant when it is warm then when it is cold. Of course if you do not go into the water, what does buoyancy matter to you, but notice please that there are many people out there that refuse to go near to the things of God; just as they refuse to go near the water. It is not the water or God that causes death or judgment; simply put it is your own fear that is the cause of both. Right now we live in buoyant times on this earth since God helps you and me to stay afloat because the Holy Spirit restrains (prevents) a lot of evil that would destroy us. One day soon the Holy Spirit will be removed from the world; the Tribulation will begin and the evil that we are protected from today will sink most of those remaining tomorrow. Take a moment today; while it is still today and allow your heart read and believe 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 and John 3:16.

1 Peter

1 Peter 5:1 – One thing that I was taught in my early days by my elders was to teach those coming up behind you. I believe that this element of training has all but fallen by the wayside these days in most churches across this nation and no doubt around the world. Today we mostly have liberal and legalistic theologies. Those who practice these biblical bents are very dogmatic about what they have to say. If these theological expressions were worth anything to God what would be the most significant thing that stood out? Would it not be the sufferings of Christ being revealed through those ministries! (Where are the witnesses of Christ sufferings then?)

Liberal theology gives up on suffering for Christ by allowing the world system to infiltrate the whole ministry. Legalistic theology shuts off the suffering for Christ by allowing a system of do’s and don’ts to control the actions of the whole ministry. The church today does not represent the sufferings of Christ, nor is it a good witness of His suffering, even conservative views struggle with this biblical view because many are not trained in suffering for Christ. Most are trained however to be prosperous in ministry; not spiritually prosperous but materially.

1 Peter 5:2 – The apostle calls to mind that we are to shepherd the flock of God. This means two things to me at least; (1) an elder is to oversee or overshadow those who are coming up behind them; and (2) he is to do it not by legalistic constraint, or for dishonest liberal gains; but to shepherd the flock of God because of his willingness to serve God as a witness of the sufferings of Christ who came to serve and give His life for many. Hebrews 9:28.