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.