A Devotional Look the Book #502

A Devotional Look at the Book #502

by Jesse Abel

A Devotional Look at the Book #502

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

The idle and worldly mind is a back road journey to the camp of the down-trodden. However the highway of the upright is an expressway of good character and integrity. Proverbs 15:19

A DAY IN THE PAST, THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE

Our ship was Med-moored in Naples, Italy; it was around two in the morning and I was the duty master-at-arms (the ship’s duty policeman). I got up to make a trip to the bathroom and stumbled over a box in my pathway to the “head”; a Navy term for the bathroom. The box was a full case of cigarettes (40 cartons) or eight hundred cigarettes. Being sleepy it did not come to mind that this was trouble for me, but after returning to bed; I could not sleep as the case of cigarettes kept coming to mind. Then it hit like a bolt of lightening; Italy and cigarettes… someone was up to no good. I leaped out of bed and put on a pair of pants; running topside to the main deck I saw our ship’s store leading petty officer in a small boat with three cases of cigarettes heading for the harbor. The ship’s store leading petty officer was a good friend. He was eventually discharged from the Navy for his actions that early morning in Naples. Besides this man, there were two others who became involved; the quarterdeck watch and his messenger who purposely turned their back to the whole event. Here is the rub: The sailor in the small boat with a couple of Italians and the cigarettes was in a full dress uniform, the men on watch were all in full dress blues. The Naval vessel; a destroyer sat proud in her berth. Me; I was in a tee shirt, dungaree pants and barefoot. Character and integrity can be a cloak or disguise for the murderer and the thief. 2 Corinthians 11:5-15.

2 Peter

2 Peter 1:12 – We are drawing closer to chapter two; where the apostle will exhort each of us to be aware of destructive doctrines, the doom of false teachers, the depravity of false the teacher and their ability to deceive. But first a few more statements from the apostle as he exhorts us to be diligent; even as he approaches death to ensure that we remain established in the present Truth. This whole section; 2 Peter 1:5-15 is exhorting each of us to stand on the platform or foundation of FAITH. Not churchy faith, liberal or legalistic; but on the faith that belongs to Christ and is shared by all those who belong to HIM. Titus 1:4 and Hebrews 12:1-2.

2 Peter 1:13-14 – For many of us who because of age or some overshadowing terminal condition there is this urge to continue sharing the Living Word. I am not approaching old age; I am sitting here in the thick of it! And as long as God permits I intend to utilize His daily protection to keep reminding you and me about Jesus. The tent that the apostle refers to; as I am sure that you already know is his earthly body and he is basically saying that as long as there is ink in the well and as long as his fingers are capable of writing his goal will be to ensure that you hear the TRUTH.

2 Peter 1:15 – Do you hear the Truth these days? “Genuine faith involves three factors. The first: regeneration by the work of Jesus Christ (being born again) Second: The Holy Spirit who produces spiritually in each of us individually and the Third: Training in Righteousness 1 Peter 1:22-25. Take heed to passages of scripture that teach and exhort; then do as the apostle Paul exhorts in Philippians 4:8-9. Dissipation has creep into many churches under the cloak of reformation which seeks to move the church away from the truth of personal regeneration. 1 Peter 3:9.