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In my last blog, "Are You a Blessed Wretch?" I noted that when we get a correct view of Jesus we can realize our spiritual poverty, and in doing so can become inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven. Spiritual life starts with spiritual poverty.

Jesus then said, "Blessed [Oh, how fortunate!] are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Over the last five weeks I've challenged you to recognize those things in your life which are keeping you from God, those things that you just can't seem to give up. I've very lightly touched on some of the key issues that are important to keep in mind when fighting against a habitual sin. There is so much more to consider, but this is not the appropriate place to go into greater detail.

Last week I covered the first of two ways in which the Bible instructs us to repent of our habitual sin. I talked about turning away from our sin. This week we're going to talk about the second part, which is turning to God.

Acts 3:19-20 - Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you -- even Jesus.

There are a large number of places where the Bible talks about turning to God. Many of those places are directly tied to the concept of being forgiven by God. As Christians, our goal is to follow Christ's example. As he lived a life that was oriented towards the goals and desires of God, so we are to do likewise.

Last week I pointed out two sins that we are guilty of when we turn to something other than God to satisfy our needs. We also looked at the Bible's answer to those sins. This week we'll take a look at one of those two answers: turning away from sin.

Ezekiel 33:14-15 - And if I say to the wicked man, 'You will surely die,' but he then turns away from his sin and does what is just and right -- if he gives back what he took in pledge for a loan, returns what he has stolen, follows the decrees that give life, and does no evil, he will surely live; he will not die.

Last week I challenged you to start looking for a partner to help you deal with your addiction. This week we're going to start taking a look at what you need to do to find freedom.

Jeremiah 2:13 - My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

This verse points out two sins that we (like the Israelites) are guilty of when we begin to live a lifestyle that involves habitual sin (addiction). The first sin is that we turn away from God. This can happen because we do not believe that God can provide for us all that we need and desire. The second sin is that we turn to something other than God to find what we are looking for. We seek to fulfill our needs and desires through whatever it is we are addicted to.

Last week I challenged you to examine your life for things that are getting between you and God. This week, it's time to start taking a look at what you can do about the problem you have identified.

The thing about an addiction is that by definition you are unable to control it in your life. If you were able to control the problem, you would already have permanently eliminated it the last time you felt God prompting you to deal with it. Your best efforts are not enough to bring you purity in your walk with God.

Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Deuteronomy 6:5 - You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

When we hear the word "addict" we are quick to think of someone who uses drugs, or is an alcoholic, or possibly even someone who can't stop gambling. Out of curiosity, I did a Google search on "addiction". It came back with over 67 million pages. If you start scanning through the results, you can find pages that talk about addiction to all sorts of other things: sex, Starbucks, shopping, video games, food, work, the internet... The list just keeps on going.

“And the Lord spoke to me, saying, ‘You have circled this mountain long enough.’” Deuteronomy 2:2-3

The Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness, enough time for a new generation to be born and raised up. Towards the end of their journey, they circled Mount Seir for many days prior to passing through the final lands necessary for them to reach the promise land. A few more roads to travel, a few more battles to fight, but they were almost home. I wonder what thoughts went through their heads as they were circling that mountain, over and over again. Was it safer to stay where they were, instead of moving ahead? Is that why God specifically spoke to Moses, telling him it was time to move on?

Mankind is broken and deeply flawed. He may not even be aware of the depth of his brokenness despite the evidence all around him. Or, being afraid to let others see it, he hides it deeply inside (even from himself) and boasts and swaggers, pretending to be something he is not and to possess something he does not have, substituting willfulness for the truth. He is afraid to let others close - they might see him as he really is. So afraid that when the truth is known he won't be loved.

“Thanks”giving

“Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done.” (1 Chronicles 16:8)

This verse is the beginning of David’s song of thanksgiving to the LORD. He gave the song to Asaph and his fellow Levites the day the Ark of the LORD’s covenant was brought to Jerusalem.

There’s a story behind this song. You see, the Ark was taken by the Philistines during Saul’s reign and through a number of different circumstances came back again to the city of Kirjathjearim. This was a city on the northern boundary of Judah. The Ark stayed there until David became King and ordered it brought back to Jerusalem.