Virtual Connections, Real Impact

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In 1898, U.S. troops wearing blue coats were easy targets during the Spanish-American War. To conceal themselve, they put mud on their uniforms to blend in with the surroundings. This was one of the first attempts to camouflage by the US Military. By definition, camouflage is a type of military deception to hide and protect soldiers and equipment from the enemy. Today, the most common camouflage technique is concealment by using colors, patterns, and shading to alter physical characteristics. As a result, troops can easily hide, blend in, and disguise the appearance of military targets.
Follow along with me for a couple minutes as we consider the thought of camouflage from a spiritual perspective. First of all to camouflage something means that the outside appears different than what's underneath. If you are a born again child of God, what does your life reveal?  Do you put on the outward Christian face while secretly disobeying God and walking the way of the world?
The book of Joel shares God’s strong encouragement to the wayward children of Israel: “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments” In Bible days, people expressed sorrow by tearing rending their clothes. Everyone who saw them knew they were grieving. If someone wanted to demonstrate their repentance and sorrow over their sin, they would publicly tear their clothes.
There is a different way of restoring a broken relationship with God today. I encourage  you to consider the biblically based response. It’s a rending of your heart. You must see your sin as God sees it and humble yourself in confession and repentance. Take off the religious camouflage and be genuine before God with your life. Return to the Lord your God today with sincerity and purity. 

Anthony Jarret

Pornography is a pervasive issue in today's society, affecting millions of people worldwide. It's a topic that's often shrouded in secrecy and shame, but it's essential to address it head-on, especially from a biblical perspective.

What is Pornography? Pornography refers to the depiction of erotic or sexual behavior intended to stimulate sexual excitement. This can include images, videos, writings, or other forms of media.

Why Shouldn't We Involve Ourselves with Pornography?

1. Addiction: Pornography can be highly addictive, leading to compulsive behavior and negative impacts on mental and physical health.

2. Objectification: Pornography often objectifies and dehumanizes individuals, especially women, reducing them to mere objects for sexual gratification.

3. Damage Relationship: Pornography can damage relationships, leading to intimacy issues, trust problems, and emotional distress.

4. Desensitization: Regular consumption of pornography can desensitize individuals to its harmful effects, leading to a decrease in empathy and an increase in aggressive behavior and loss of confidence.

What Does the Bible Say About Pornography?While the Bible doesn't explicitly mention pornography, it does address related issues
1. Matthew 5:27-28: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Having a lustful thought is sin, standing in God’s court you will be guilty as charged. There is no possible way one can indulge in this act without the use of sensual graphical help, and thus making one to see what he or she is not supposed to see and with time it dwells in you mind rent free.

2. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20: "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?"
Pastor Esa Obuluwa explains masturbation as Gently raping oneself. Intimacy is not solo, it is done between two people. Couples, it is between a man and his wife, God’s will is for us to go into matrimony pure without defiling ourselves. Pornography will only increase a burning and wrong desires in one’s heart and bringing sinful imagination that will lead to action.There is a high rate of Children being sexually abused by trusted relatives, neighbors and friends of the family.

3. Ephesians 5:3-4: _"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place."

4. “1 Thessalonians 4:3-7: "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God."

Pornography is a harmful and addictive behavior that can have severe consequences on individuals and relationships. The Bible teaches us to flee from sexual immorality, to treat our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, and to avoid any hint of sexual immorality.
If you're struggling with pornography addiction or know someone who is, seek help from a trusted pastor, counselor, or support group. There is hope for freedom and healing. And we are here to help you overcome this sin.

Talk to us today!

1 Timothy  6:6-8  (KJB 1611)But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
The ways of the Lord are uniquely different from the ways of man. This scripture speaks volume about many things that people have gotten twisted.Some feel that trying to live a good life will grant them acceptance before God in this life, and subsequently a home in heaven here after. God's word expressly states that salvation is not of works, and not as result of how good we are. Ephesians  2:9 "Not of works, lest any man should boast." Romans  3:12 "They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Others pursue illegitimate gain. Greed becomes the controlling factor in their lives. Proverbs  15:27  "He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live." This great combination recorded in our text should never be overlooked, but rather embraced wholeheartedly. The distinction between the important and  unimportant when it comes to furtherance of the gospel and our Christian faith is very crucial. Materialism seems to be on the driving seat in our world, relegating godliness and contentment to the background. This pastoral epistle underscores the relevance of focusing on godliness and contentment with the solemn counsel that :".. we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." v, 7.
The realization and appreciation of the worthlessness of material acquisitions in relation to our promised eternal home is pertinent and sacrosanct. Contentment is a virtue that is being echoed directly or indirectly  throughout the  Holy scriptures.Philippians  4:11 " Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." As believers, we have every reason to be content for God has been so good to us.Hebrews  13:5  "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." The encouragement given here if adhered to will indeed change our perspective of life towards godliness and contentment. ".. having food and raiment let us be therewith content" v. 8
Thought
May we be dedicated to godly living with contentment rather than live our lives for  mundane and self centered reasons . Godliness and contentment is indeed great gain. This is God's Way.
©️Missionary Pastor David Orus(1 Thessalonians 5 :24/Mark 9:23)

Proverbs  15:1, 2 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
It is quite interesting that our Lord contrasts the tongue of the wise with the mouth of fools. This gives us a choice to decide which camp we belong in. That which seriously should matter to us is that the wrong use of words can be devasting, disastrous, downright dangerous, and very hurtful. We should watch what we say, why we say it, and how we say it. We ought to speak with wisdom and not as fools. Proverbs  12:18  There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
James warns in the third chapter of James about the destructive nature of an untamed tongue. "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. "James 3:6 . With the wisdom of God, we can control what we say, how we say it, and why we say it. If left to go uncontrolled the tongue will destroy all in its path faster than a wrecking ball!
Thought
May we realize that acting wisely in our speech is the best way to go so we can respond with a soft answer to anyone and everyone.
©️Missionary Pastor David Orus(1 Thessalonians 5:24/Mark 9:23)