1 John 2: 15-17

In our present age and mostly in western culture, there is much to allure the believer away from godliness. There are pleasures and entertainment at every turn.
(1 Peter 1:16)

But as Paul stated in (1 Corinthians 6:12-13) although we are free to make choices, other than to sin, not everything we choose to get involved in is beneficial to us and can adversely affect our relationship with Him (Jesus Christ).

I’ve recognized recently how I am materialistic and spend money on things I want but could do without. There’s nothing wrong in buying things you want, but when it becomes a habit that doesn’t benefit you financially, and takes up too much of your time, carrying you away from the things of the Lord, then it becomes more of an addiction and distraction than a need.

The Lord has pointed this out to me concerning three apps I have on my phone, which happen to take up too much of my time. Being a consumer of emulsified coffee – I find myself running to Starbucks and even risk being late to an appointment as I wait in line. It’s because I crave their coffee which is more the craving of how they make it, because I can’t duplicate that irresistible flavor at home.  Also, I love the rewards of getting a free coffee by adding up points using the app on my phone. I’ve since, eliminated this app from my phone.

Another addictive distraction I find on my phone is Amazon. Because I am materialistic the app makes it really easy to find what I want and have it shipped speedily to my home.  I would spend an enormous amount of time searching for the products I wanted. But then as I reflected upon whether I really needed them, I would find too many times I didn’t need or even desire them at all. I’ve since eliminated this app from my phone.

My text app would draw me into a dialogue that caused doubt, confusion, and even misunderstandings at times. It’s just too tempting to send out my thoughts, when I was impulsive and needed to hear an opinion or answer right away. Checking my texts numerous times would draw me away from more important things needing my attention. The drawback on texting is that it prevents you from waiting something out, taking pause, thinking something through, and even eliminates personal contact with the person so things said are made clear and not misunderstood. It’s impossible to eliminate a text with the words in black and white, and remains more permanently than a word spoken you wish you could take back. So, I am pausing more before I text.

And so because some things are helpful and not just black and white, I’ve needed to cut back on them instead of letting them control my life.

So What’s Behind the Starbuck’s logo

Interestingly enough, It was as though I was hearing, “Come Out of Her”, as I was reading God’s word one day. And suddenly I thought of the Starbuck’s logo and became intrigued . So I began to research the history of the logo, since it appears as some goddess with a star above a mermaid’s head. When I discovered the history and the revolution of the graphic portrayal of a “two-tailed” mermaid, I was shocked.  It seems the mythologic two-tailed siren find’s her origin along a seductive- destructive trail. Her name is Melusine.

This original logo was very provocative and sensual and so the graphic one appears to be by all means my opinion, a cover-up to the obscene one.

When I was studying God’s Word one day, I was receiving the revelation that this world entices us in every sensual way, like the Babylonian queen who lurs unsuspecting Christians along the waters where one finds their life crashing against the rocks, because they have one foot in the Kingdom of God and one foot in the world.

I heard in my spiritual ear, the Lord say, “Come out of her, come out of her, today!  Be filled with my Spirit and remain in my abiding place.
Jeremiah 51:45  Revelation 18: 4-5   John 15:17-21  Genesis 2: 16-17

What is Sanctification and what does it mean to be set apart for God?

Abide in Christ today – His Abiding Place