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Today is Sunday July 25, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Proverbs, chapters 20-22. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-25

Today's Message: Truthfulness & Obedience

Truthfulness and obedience are keys to pleasing God and are essential if one is to know God's will and follow it. The true disciple is never satisfied with mere knowledge of the Gospel, he is a doer of the Word, and not just a hearer. “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:” - Ephesians 6:5-7. All who possess eternal life, find joy in expressing their love for their Lord, His Word, and following His will. However, if we are not careful, the work of the Spirit can turn into work of the flesh and even though one is doing God's will it becomes vain, thus for personal glory and not God's. It is only by truthfulness and obedience to God that we can follow His will, receive His blessings, and give Him the glory for all of it. “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”- Proverbs 20:9-11.

There are many things that we can become dependent on that rob us of good judgment and the ability to discern whether or not we are doing something right or wrong. God often warns us to stay away from things that can cause a dependency, which can mean pretty much anything, people, careers, drugs, alcohol, hobbies, and even extra curricular activities. They are deceitful and take away our ability to discern right from wrong. A warning is given against alcoholic drink and its subtle addiction that leads to destruction before we realize it. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” - Proverbs 20:1. Many people are unaware of the deceptiveness of alcohol, the occasional drink in moderation seems harmless enough, but in reality it can lead to great dangers. The occasional drinker gives in to the illusion that he/she can simply relax or take the edge off with one drink. Slowly, the occasional drinker turns into the social drinker, eventually he/she gives in to the further illusion that drinking will help make life more enjoyable or sustainable. Alcohol can produce unavoidable, irreversible, and far-reaching physical and emotional wounds, therefore making one unwise. In reality they are trying to mask reality and eventually that social drinker becomes an alcoholic and has exchanged a meaningful life for a degrading existence. “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!” - Isaiah 5:11.

This example can be applied to anything that one uses to mask reality, many brilliant people who were once successful and influential have been reduced to a wasted life because of their dependencies. No matter what the addiction, it takes control of ones self both physically and psychologically. Once a person gets the sense that he needs this in order to get through the day or to relax it robs him of good judgment and, the ability to discern right from wrong. What happens is that one is temporarily masking their problem with their dependency, it's a make believe reality, once one gets back to true reality, he feels ashamed and in order to mask the shame he goes right back to the habit to mask reality once again. This even happens to many Christian's and eventually, destroys God's purpose for his life. It's a viscous cycle, that Satan controls, the more Christian's He can get to fall away from God and fall into their habits the less will get saved. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” - I Peter 5:8,9.

Perhaps more serious is the example he has been giving to their children and friends, or to those who have used their tithes in order to support their habit. “The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.” - Proverbs 21:16-18. When we become dependent on other things, it literally destroys us and leaves our souls pretty much dead. I can recall a time in my life when I was searching for anything that would make me feel alive, except God. I did not realize that I needed God at that time, but I did realize that I had no life in me. It took three years of depression, physical pain, and fifty extra pounds that I did not need to realize that it was God that I needed, not any one or thing else. I thank God everyday that He snapped me out of my destruction and showed me that I needed Him in order to find life.

We can be cured from all bad habits and dependencies, no matter how deep we have gotten ourselves into them. Jesus is the cure. When we accept and put our faith in Him He can lead us away from the strongest dependency. “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” - Romans 14:17-23. One thing I would like to point out that although Jesus can cure us, we must make a point to accept, repent, and take the steps needed to recover. Jesus leads the way, but we must be willing to make an effort if we want to see a change in any part of our lives.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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