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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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What Are You Obsessed With

5/2/2018

 
People these days are obsessed with many different things. Some obsessions are so bad that they become a way of life and people then replace things of the Spirit with things of the world. 
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17 ESV
Webster’s Dictionary defines obsessions as: A persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling; broadly:  compelling motivation.
What are obsessions that keep us in the world? Media and celebrity personalities, electronic games, social media, sports, fantasy related media, sexual desires, basically anything that keeps our focus away from God. 
 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24 ESV
And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:20-23 ESV
The Adversary is Involved
Satan will do anything to keep us away from the Father and His Word. We may think some things we do are innocent distractions, which they may start out as that but the distraction becomes an obsession if it begins to take up your time so it becomes your life as you start ignoring responsibilities, family, but mostly your worship time with God. Once you start down that path, it becomes very hard to get out and the devil has won.
You see, sinful behavior can start out as something innocent that takes up your time and removes God from the heart replacing it with worldly things. What we need to do is a complete overhaul on how we use things of the world. There are some necessary evils which we cannot ignore because many cannot function without them. Things such as the internet to pay bills online for the ease of access, doing research, playing a game to exercise the mind, and reading some news  is okay, just do not dwell on there for a long time. 
There are many Bible apps and programs that are useful but the best Bible app is found on paper and bound as a book. All we have to do is faithfully obey the Word within.
“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. Deuteronomy 28:1-6 ESV
Now I understand that some will still say, that was Old Testament and we are under Jesus. Well I have some news for you, Jesus was and is under the Old Testament. He took away the sacrifices but did not take away the moral and ethical laws. He did not abolish anything but fulfilled things of old that were meant for the covering and salvation of sins before His coming. We still must follow the Ten Commandments and the Statutes that are contained in the Law.
Now do not become obsessed in the Christian thinking either. It is a way of living a right life but some take it so far that they are completely fearful of worldly matters and cannot function in society. They used to be called zealots. We should be zealous but remain functional in society so far that we can survive and thrive through living a right life. Plus understanding the world without living of the world makes it easier to talk to others about our faith life so that we can do our part in the Great Commission.    
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 ESV
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