The Devotional

Papa “J” says

Whatever happened to that “Apple Pie” that grandma used to make? Is it the plus ten percent unemployment of this nation? No, more likely there is a “crack” in our nation's foundation! Proverbs 24:30-34

Well I was going to have something to say about Superbowl XLIV (44) but I've changed my mind, but I will say this. Watch the game and mute the commercials, I fear we are losing an American tradition to commercials that are crippling us as a nation. No doubt you have read this recently. “A man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad” A quote of Theodore Roosevelt. I reckon there is some natural truth to that statement since there is that man, Jack Murphy aka Murf the Surf who stole the Star of India many years ago. Murphy is a educated man, he also plays the violin and is a very pleasant man to hang with. It has been nearly twenty years since I met him at one of the Bill Glass Weekend of Champions. A ministry to prisons across America. One of the first people I met after joining this ministry was Murphy. He and his wife connected me with Campus Crusade for Christ and this opened a door to teach the Bible in one of the toughest prisons in Connecticut. God used a small time thief like me who was guided and instructed by a big time thief like Murf the Surf to further the gospel of Christ. Hallelujah!

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 16:5-12 Recently I was talking with a very dear brother who had planned a move for his business. His plans began long before the actual move and in this duration of time which was about a year he developed some concerns. If you own a business, or have ever owned one you know the types of concerns. Location, integrity of building, the cost of gearing up, employee needs and a host of other issues that will make or break your professional career.

If you take the time to study this portion of scripture you will see similar thoughts running through the apostles mind, even to the point of being concerned for the welfare of Timothy, his younger minister. God moves us through time and change, but God Himself does not change. If He tells us to move on, then move on we will. Our problems begin when we feel that our move will leave Him behind. But again we are reminded, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” genesis 28:15; Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5.

Moving on is necessary, my friend and brother demonstrates the goodness of God in this move by the “afterglow” in his eyes as he relates the story. Doubt and fear of failure are ever present intersections along the road God calls us to. But, He also explains to us to keep our eyes on Him and to disregard the distractions to the right or to the left. The road of faith is called; Victory Highway and those who follow that roads have joyful eyes to look into.