A Devotional Look at the Book #523

A Devotional Look at the Book #523

by Jesse Abel

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

1 Timothy 6:10 – This countries tis of thee and its love of money has harvested, immorality, idolatry and national debility. In this weakened position there is little contentment and zero gain; meaning that there is no godliness in our national heart.

A DAY IN THE PAST, THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE

How highs the water mama? Well son; its two feet high and risen! The deeper the trouble the more we fret. I need help so the doc gives me a prescribed; “upper” or maybe I’m young and I am a bit hyper and diagnosed A.D.D. or some other; “no fault” label. I’m given a “downer”! Now I feel balanced… drugs are good, nothing to fear, drugs are the answer to all my woes. I move on to narcotics… codeine at first; easy to get hold of in cough syrup. Also there is Demerol, Dilaudid, Heroin, Morphine, Opium, even Tylenol with codeine. Oh! This is good; why not try some Mind-Altering drugs now. Hallucinogenics; DMT, LSD, Mescaline, Morning Glory seeds, PCP, Hash and Marijuana. Here is the point! Does God discuss this condition in the Holy Bible? Go with me to Galatians 5:17-21. The Holy Spirit of God gives victory over sin through sanctification. Justification first through the death and resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ; John 10:25-30. But now notice with me Galatians 5:20 and the word translated in the KJV as witchcraft and sorcery in the NKJV. The Greek word is pharmakeia notice anything familiar about this word? The pharmacist, the druggist for legal drugs or as we see it here in the Bible; illegal drugs produced by witchcraft and sorcery. We really do not have to look at those tribes in Africa and other places of the world, or even be afraid of some voodoo experience falling upon us. We are sitting right in the middle of this and thinking – “hey man; I’m cool” Well maybe you are, but there is a pending “meltdown” which of course you may soon be a part of. 2 Peter 3:10-13.

Ezra; the Book

Ezra 3:1-7 – The Jewish calendar places the peoples return to Jerusalem in the month of October and the very first thing these folks did was to establish worship. Ezra says that all of the people were gathered as “one”, in other words; all of the people were one in purpose and that was to restore fellowship and worship with God. The leaders; Jozadak and his fellow brethren built an altar in accordance with the Law of Moses the man of God.

The timing of this event is important and we will not cover it totally today since I am running out of time and space. The people also kept the Feast of Tabernacles and many people today have determined that it will be during this feast that the LORD may return. This will require some study before we pursue it further; but October is at least a month and a half away and if the LORD tarries… we have time to look into it.

Victory over sin is the most wonderful experience an individual can experience. None of us can be free of sin without the work of Jesus Christ, who had each of us in mind when He died to sin for us and was made alive again for us (Acts 4:5-12). Yet we see in these passages that this victory goes beyond the individual person, this victory is national. National repentance often causes a stir in the neighboring countries; possibly started by the smell of the burnt offerings. Their triumph in Christ – 2 Corinthians 2:12-17.