The Devotional

Papa “J” Says

Why is it so hard for us to believe that mankind will live up to one thousand years in the future millennium? Did not Methuselah live 969 years and then die, in the first millennium! Oh, I see! First you have to believe that the Word of God, is Truth!     Genesis 5:27

Did you know that on all ships of the United States Navy there are policemen on board? In my day they were called the Master at Arms force. It was a collateral or volunteer duty assignment for anyone who wanted to be a Master at Arms. During one deployment a young sailor decided that he was going to kill the Captain of the ship because he thought he was being treated unfairly. The individual also happen to be the biggest most muscular person on board. So armed with a pistol, a .45 and the corpsman who had a potent needle, we were able to subdue the man and put him to sleep with the needle. I cannot explain to you the fear that goes through your heart when confronted with a possible need to shot someone whom you know and have had some sort of involvement with. To maintain control of your mind, your hands and your feet takes all of your will power to hold your position. Those who guard our country, know this full well, even though they normally do not personally know the enemy. Keep them in prayer this year, they will truly need your prayer, as they stand before the enemy, bravely!

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 12:1-2 I am reminded of the Christmas tree, full of ornaments and lights and tinsel and garland. It is mankind that dresses up a bare and plain looking tree to make it something other that what it is created for. Likewise, it is mankind that takes the Godhead and dresses God in religious lights and garland that has nothing to do with the character or attributes of God the Father, the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The apostle states that our ignorance is idolatry.

1 Corinthians 12:3. So, in order for us to get over our ignorance of the “spirituals of God” we need to see just what it is that the apostle is teaching. In the chapter above; about the man who was trying to kill the Captain, we heard the man speaking in a language no one could understand, the one thing that we did understand was his continual use of taking God's name in vain. After he woke up, we asked him what he was saying. He said, “I was speaking in tongues.” I say to all of us; Ignorance runs deep in religion, but truth is guided by the Holy Spirit. John 16:13-15.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 The first thing we need to comprehend is that God is One God. The Godhead is explained in scripture as God the Father, who holds the office of “Activities Coordinator” who controls all things. The Second office holder is the LORD Jesus, who is the “Ministries Coordinator” who controls the Universal and local churches. And the Third office holder is God the Holy Spirit, who is the “Spiritual Coordinator” who controls the administration of all the spiritual needs of local churches of the the universal church. Man is not pictured in these verses; “at all!”