The Devotional

What Does Papa “J” have to Say?

Have you noticed the temperature rise and your blood boil over some thing or some one? As this goes on in your heart there is a stirring of reaction. There is a definition of love that is seldom used simply because it is not understood by the flesh. Proverbs 10:12-13 and James 3:13-18.

I've been writing for a long time and on occasion there seems to be a wall that builds up overnight, to prevent me from going any further. It does not take long though and the wall melts into nothing more than a fading fog as the sun rises on a cool autumn day. Writing is an exciting event and I can see how people spend a lifetime involved in this adventure. The grace of God to do things in life is a most precious gift and sometimes we miss out on the fulness of His grace to us because we feel inadequate and never let the gift of His grace work out in us. Ephesians 2:10 is why God gives us salvation. Salvation is a gift of grace from God to do good works. None of us are experienced at the beginning of doing anything pleasing to God. The truth is we are never in a position to claim any good biblical experience as our own to gain God's favor (grace). But we have been given grace to get better at what He has called us to do, not for our glory, but His. God has given to each of us at least one “talent” to balance out our life. The scripture clearly tells us that in order for us to understand the kingdom of heaven we must utilize the coins (talents or grace) that God has prepared beforehand for us to walk it them. Mathew 25:14-30

The Gospel of John

John 21:15-19 Ever read the Word of God and feel that burning in your heart. “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”... “feed my lambs!” or “Simon son of Jonah, do you love Me?”... tend my sheep!” or even the third time that deeply grieved Peter as Jesus challenged Peter's love for the LORD. Our natural will is, “Thank you very much, but I'll do it my way” Many religions and cults develop from well meaning people who use the talents of God wrongfully.

Jesus challenges Peter to look at his life and evaluate where he was, where he is and where he is going. Jesus called Peter to be a follower; not a church planter, a missionary, a prophet, a priest or a king. But that does not mean that Peter was not any of these. He was a church planter, a missionary, a prophet and a priest of God. Peter was also the presiding authority along with the apostle James of the church of God.

To do what God has called us to do, just as He called Peter is the most challenging call that mankind can receive from God. Jesus says to Peter that the work he will do will include a death that glorifies the Father. If you know Jesus as your personal LORD and Savior, then you know that He has said to you, “Follow Me!” So again we must ask ourselves the question. Are we following Jesus, or is our eyes still fixed on the people around us? Even in this we see Peter's heart is not totally focused on the LORD. John 21:21.