The Devotional

Papa “J” says

I enjoy having a letter opener in my hand! To me, it represents an opportunity to open the mind of another and see from their perspective – Whats going on!

The mind races, I should have done this! Or, Jesse! You did not handle that matter to well. The opportunity is gone and your effect is of, no effect. Yesterday I went to the grocery and as I pulled into the lot to park I went by a young woman holding a baby of less that a year old, the woman I thought was placing groceries into her trunk. After parking I headed for the store and the lady called out to me. “Yes”, I said; “can I help you?” She replied! “Will you buy these groceries for $30.00 cash?” “Hmmm, I studied her face, it told me she was a crack user. I'm sorry ma'am but I do not have $30.00 dollars cash on me. Besides it would bother my conscious to do what you ask.” My brain was spinning, but it settled on nothing else to say. “I need gasoline more than I need groceries and I have plenty more groceries.” All did not add up and finally I said, “Ma'am, I cannot help you and moved on into the store. By the time I got into the store she had packed the groceries back in her trunk and left the lot. Some would say, you did what I would have done, or say; whatever you did you did so forget it and move on. Yet there is this reoccurring thought. Ezekiel 18:4. (This paragraph was repeated for those who read the email only version).

Psalms 6

Psalm 6:1-3 How many times have you visited God in the capacity of this Psalm? I do not need to hear your answer, it really is between you and God. When our faith is in distress, it is normally do to the lifestyle we are seeking to maintain. This means that there is more than sin going on. What can be more than sin? Attitude, depression, anxiety, stress and a host of other life altering conditions. Sin is the root cause resulting in a breakdown of faith.

Psalm 6:4-7 There is good news though! If you are saved by the grace of God, there will be that point when the conditions of life will be so overwhelming that your soul will cry out to God. “How long, will you stay away LORD?” Herein is where our God of mercy and comfort, meets with our spiritually defeated soul and begins to revive it. His tender care for our soul which He loves will bring healing and vitality to our weakened flesh.

Psalm 6:8-10 But of course the battle is not over, really its only begun. The breakdown of faith in our lives means that we have taken on some friends of the enemy. Workers of iniquity! These folks are not easily disposed of. First – they do not what to go away. Second – our flesh may falsely desire to keep them at arms length, and lastly – we may not want to upset the applecart. Well, the applecart is already upset. Letting God move you away from these fleshly enemies will not only help you, but it will also help to convict them, maybe even convert them. God Bless your day.