BBD 07.19.05 The Paraclete
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
make this transition and during this time the old website will remain at the
current url http://www.theburningbush.org and the new website will be at the url
http://www.theburningbush.net. Both websites will remain active until the
transition is complete and new devotionals will be posted at the new
website. All of the devotionals written during 2005 are available there.
The new website url is http://www.theburningbush.net
Join the Burning Bush Prayer Group! Send and receive prayer requests and be
a part of a great ministry. More than 400 wonderful people make up this
group. To join send an email to: BBPG-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Please sign the GuestMap at The Burning Bush website. You can plant your
country's flag on the map and leave a message. You can find it on the front
page at http://www.theburningbush.org
The Burning Bush Devotional
1,353 New Subscribers since November 2004
07.19.05
The Paraclete
(Originally sent 02.11.03)
And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He
may abide with you for ever. - John 14:16.
Have you ever seen a mother comforting her baby who was hurt in some way?
Have you ever been in a courtroom or watch on TV a lawyer defending his
client? Have you ever encouraged or heard of someone else who was encouraged
in a desperate situation like a commander encouraging his troops in the heat
of battle? The Holy Spirit is all of that and more. He is the Christian's
comforter, advocate, and encourager. Paraclete is the Greek word used in
John 14:16 for "Comforter" as translated in the KJV and the 21st Century KJV
above. Other Bible translations use additional words, which give even
greater understanding of the word: Helper, Counselor, Intercessor,
Strengthener, and Standby. My son tells me that the ancient Greek word meant
"Shield Brother," or the "one who holds the shield." When a warrior was in
battle a man went with him to hold the shield to protect him from attacks by
arrow, or by any other means.
I was asked this morning what was the cause of an addiction to pornography.
I'm not sure that I have ever really thought about the root causes of a
pornography addiction. But I believe the cause is the same as for other
addictions in that we use those addictions to bring us comfort. You have
heard people talk about comfort foods such as chocolate, candy, chips, etc.
Whereas some people take a snort of cocaine or a good stiff drink when they
are feeling down or have problems others eat or some look at pornography.
That is the beginning. There is a progression downwards from there. The
addiction takes over more and more of a person's life bringing destruction
with it.
Only God can truly give us relief from our addictions on a sustained basis.
Alcoholics and drug addicts who have overcome their addiction continue to
refer to themselves as alcoholics and addicts because they are always going
to be more susceptible to the temptation than others. They must also
constantly for the rest of their lives be on guard against it. The same goes
for pornography and every other addiction. It is an ongoing battle once you
have the addiction.
The key to breaking the addiction is in learning to turn to God and His
resources for comfort, strength, and support instead of to whatever you are
addicted to. The addiction will only take you further down causing more
pain. However, God and His resources will always take you up giving you more
life and leading you to a life free of those addictive things.
One great help in times of temptation is the Holy Spirit. He is our
"Comforter" and so much more as I have described above. Since through our
addictions we are seeking comfort - ask the Holy Spirit to comfort you, to
help you, to shield you, to strengthen you for the battle. Pause and wait
for the comfort and strength to come upon you for 1 to 5 minutes. Before you
give in to your addiction wait for His comfort, help, and strength to come
upon you.
You can defeat your addiction but it will be a battle and you must commit
yourself to using God's Resources. For additional help read the message
"God's Help For The Tough Problems" http://www.theburningbush.org/2.html
Copyright © 2003-2005. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the
devotionals on a non-profit basis with source credited. The Burning Bush
website has been online since January 31, 1998. On June 8, 1998 the email
version of the Burning Bush Devotional was first sent.
The Crossmap Christian Search and Portal is a wonderful resource. I would
like to encourage you to visit this great site at ww.crossmap.com. Crossmap
has recently added the Burning Bush Devotionals to their site. You may visit
Crossmap's sister website, the online version of the Christian Post at
http://www.christianpost.com.
If you have a Christian website you are invited to add the link to my free
links at the Burning Bush website. The Bravenet free links is near the
bottom of the front page http://www.theburningbush.org.
If you enjoy the devotional please recommend it to your friends. They may
subscribe by sending a blank email to
burningbushdevo-subscribe@welovegod.org
Streaming Videos of our services including my sermons are posted at:
http://www.theburningbush.org/fbcswvideo.html
There is now a webpage available at associate.com where the devotionals are
archived associate.com/groups/burningbushdevo. There is a complete
archive at the Burning Bush website and the address for the archive is
http://www.theburningbush.org/33.html.
You may subscribe to the pure text group by sending a blank email to
burningbushdevo-subscribe@welovegod.org and you can unsubscribe by sending a
blank email to burningbushdevo-unsubscribe@welovegod.org
You may subscribe to the html text group by sending a blank email to
burningbushhtml-subscribe@welovegod.org and you may unsubscribe by sending a
blank email to burningbushhtml-unsubscribe@welovegod.org
Subscribe to the Burning Bush Prayer Group. Send and receive prayer requests
to over 400 members. Send a blank email to: BBPG-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe to the Burning Bush Inspirational Group. Send and receive
inspirational material to over 100 members. Send a blank email to:
bbinspire-subscribe@welovegod.org
Subscribe to the Burning Bush Restoration and Recovery Group for those with
addictions or recovering from addictions. Receive devotionals and
inspirational material directed toward those with addictions. Send and
receive prayer requests. Over 200 members. Send a blank email to:
tbbrr-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe to the Intercede Life Group and pray for and help in practical
ways those who need help. To subscribe send a blank email to
interclife-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. A closely related website is
Peoplefaces which seeks to help those in need
peoplefaces.ohzone.net/index2.htm