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Lessons From The father
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 Devotions and Lessons
Building Relationships Through God's Love

We welcome July with a repentant heart. There are things happening in this world that are changing the way we see normal. Places are opening with restrictions. Some people are realizing what foolishness is happening.  God is winning battles. Even though it looks like we have certain major losses, God is winning. We are in an amazing time and the world will never be the same again.  
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​Scripture of the Week: Job 38:4-18   
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
    Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
    Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
    or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together
    and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors
    when it burst out from the womb,
9 when I made clouds its garment
    and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed limits for it
    and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
    and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?

12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
    and caused the dawn to know its place,
13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth,
    and the wicked be shaken out of it?
14 It is changed like clay under the seal,
    and its features stand out like a garment.
15 From the wicked their light is withheld,
    and their uplifted arm is broken.

16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea,
    or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
    or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?
    Declare, if you know all this.














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    Blog Disclaimer:
    The messages on the blogs written on this page are within biblical adherence. Though the Scriptures listed in the blogs are directly from the Bible and other related religious writings the explanations and interpretations are in line with Biblical thinking as it relates to today’s world. The use of historical facts are to assist in the validity of the writings. The main writer of this blog site is an Ordained minister in one denomination though the views are related to all denominations so if something is said that does not fall in line with your denominational background, pray for personal discernment and understanding.

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Wait, What Did He Just Say

4/10/2016

 
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​"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)
The word “hate” is a little harsh but I do not think that Jesus really meant an emotion that strong. Why would translators use that word if the meaning was a little less spiteful? The strong form of the word hate means to have an intense or passionate dislike for someone or something. We can use the word despise which is less intense. Jesus uses a negative form of “hate” when He tells us not to hate (despise) our enemies but love them. So are we to hate our parents but love our enemies??? Well….
In ancient Hebrew the word “hating” meant something like “loving less” or “loving in a less significant way”. The translation was from Greek and the individuals apparently did not pay attention to ancient Hebrew traditions or ways of life in speech. Jesus is thereby telling that we should still love our family, specifically our parents, but saying also that we should love Jesus more. Our full commitment should be towards Jesus. He is whom we should be more passionate for in our daily life. That would lead us to living a more Godly life. But where are our parents in all this?
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” This is the fifth commandment and the turning point in the Law of God. After this, the last five are morality and ethics but that is another talk. So it takes four Commandments to get to the respect for the earthly family. WOW!! 
                Families were a tighter unit than they are today. Yes we still have some areas that whole families live in but today we have families that live in all parts of the country and rarely talk. This is not what God meant. God wants to be part of the close knit family unit by having a personal relationship with us through Jesus Christ. This closeness creates the desire to live a godly life on this earth in preparation for our life in heaven. Even though we have parents and a family God is our number one priority even above our own selves!!!

​Love the Lord our God more than anything or anyone. We owe our very lives to the Creator of the whole universe and I for one really do not want to get on His bad side. I fear (respect) the Lord my God and will follow Him all the days of my life. Though I live here on this earth I am not of this place; my heart, soul, and mind belong to my Father in Heaven. Where He leads me I will go. 
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