The Devotional

Papa “J” says

I am glad that God can forgive, will forgive and does forgive. Someone said; “Well, that is God's job, isn't it”? Ezekiel 18:4 The owner has authority over what is His.

Some folks believe that because they have achieved the wisdom of some field of employment that all they need from that point is to be plugged in somewhere and then, “wham O” they have arrived and everyone else who has labored for years are nincompoops! I've know a few of those in my day and so have you. They seem to articulate well and be well educated and guess what? They are! But they all have the same fault called narcissism. They love who they are and make no excuse for their actions. For them it is lead, follow or get out of my way! One such individual in my past was a Supply Officer who demanded change the moment we met. After a short period of time, his incredible need to have things done his way, worked. He was no longer allowed to eat his meals with the other officers in the wardroom. The captain of the submarine made him eat with the crew in the enlisted mess hall. Thanks captain! Just what the crew needed. At the end of our mission the officer who had a change for everything was transferred to the Naval War College. Hmmm! Now here is a “daft” thought! The next word in the dictionary is narcissus, it is a stand alone plant called the daffodil, now is that daffy or what?

Psalm 17

Psalm 17:1-5 Most of us pray superficially, in other words we believe that our causes for prayer are what we want to see God do. But really! What is going on within our heart? Are we really concerned for aunt Ella's condition, or uncle Herman's disorder. We are told not to judge the reasons of prayer falling from the lips of those around us. But how do we give our “amen” to things that we know are deceitful words, that kill time and are just naturally ignorant.

Seldom do we hear people cry out to the LORD to test the heart. I believe that is because we are to comfortable with a deceitful heart. Now, don't get me wrong, there are many health issues to pray over, but there are many more spiritual issues in the heart to deal with first. God requires prayer from an upright heart. There is no heart that is exempt from the test, the visit and the results of God the Holy Spirit doing His inspection first! James 1:2-8

These moments of inspection within the heart open for us the treasuries of grace from God. When nothing hinders us then our mouths will not transgress the will of the LORD. By the Word of God, the grip of the destroyer will be released and God will uphold our petition and our footing will be on solid spiritual ground. So prayer is not a matter of me forcing God to bend to my will. Prayer is first conforming to His Will and all else will be upheld by His pathway for my life and the lives of those I am praying for.