Seeking Our God

Check out my new book on depression and the fatherly attributes of God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1650062478

Link to my children's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FP9NZNK

Today, we start our journey in the book of 1 John. Having finished our study on Hebrews and looking at other topics like my depression book and territorial spirits, we turn our attention back to the Bible and begin our look at the powerful book of 1 John. As such, we must first set the stage for our study by looking at 1 John as a whole. As with our study on Colossians, Galatians, James, and Hebrews, by understanding the background, author, date, and context of the writing, this will enhance our study and allow us to understand more about what the inspired writer was saying as well as its application to our lives.

Check out my new book on depression and the fatherly attributes of God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1650062478

Link to my children's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FP9NZNK

The conclusion to this topic and the reasons why there are territorial spirits and what we do with this information.

So the question then is why deal with territorial spirits? That is such a small topic in a great big ocean of spiritual warfare topics. well, for one, I can tell you in all of my years of going to church, Sunday school, adult Bible classes, reading books, sermons, and podcasts, I never heard of this until this class and i started studying it.

At the end of the day, there are arguments to both sides with great respectable teachers on each side. I am going to lay out some information, and you can do with it what you may. I hope that it leads you to explore this topic more and spiritual warfare, in general, to understand better how Satan and his demons try to prevent you from following and obeying God. We will do this in two parts, with the second half having some application.

Check out my new book on depression and the fatherly attributes of God:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1650062478

Link to my children's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FP9NZNK

So the question then is why deal with territorial spirits? That is such a small topic in a great big ocean of spiritual warfare topics. well, for one, I can tell you in all of my years of going to church, Sunday school, adult Bible classes, reading books, sermons, and podcasts, I never heard of this until this class and i started studying it.

At the end of the day, there are arguments to both sides with great respectable teachers on each side. I am going to lay out some information, and you can do with it what you may. I hope that it leads you to explore this topic more and spiritual warfare, in general, to understand better how Satan and his demons try to prevent you from following and obeying God. We will do this in two parts, with the second half having some application.

Check out my new book on depression and the fatherly attributes of God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1650062478

Link to my children's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FP9NZNK

The argument is generally the same no matter who you ask. From atheists to those of different religions to even different sects within Christianity, all observe that the term Trinity (nor any directly related word) is not found in Scripture. Many scholars agree that a reasoned concept of the triune God was not explicit in the minds of the New Testament authors even though John appears conscious of what has been termed “the problem of the Trinity.” The doctrine of the Trinity, like many other classical doctrines of Christendom, was organized and articulated after the writing of the NT. However, no other confession of faith is so foundational to historic Christian faith and to a mature biblical view. The knowledge of God as Holy Trinity is formed, structured, corrected, and (to some extent) limited by the witness of the Scripture.

Check out my new book on depression and the fatherly attributes of God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1650062478

Link to my children's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FP9NZNK

The argument is generally the same no matter who you ask. From atheists to those of different religions to even different sects within Christianity, all observe that the term Trinity (nor any directly related word) is not found in Scripture. Many scholars agree that a reasoned concept of the triune God was not explicit in the minds of the New Testament authors even though John appears conscious of what has been termed “the problem of the Trinity.” The doctrine of the Trinity, like many other classical doctrines of Christendom, was organized and articulated after the writing of the NT. However, no other confession of faith is so foundational to historic Christian faith and to a mature biblical view. The knowledge of God as Holy Trinity is formed, structured, corrected, and (to some extent) limited by the witness of the Scripture.

Check out my new book on depression and the fatherly attributes of God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1650062478

Link to my children's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FP9NZNK

The argument is generally the same no matter who you ask. From atheists to those of different religions to even different sects within Christianity, all observe that the term Trinity (nor any directly related word) is not found in Scripture. Many scholars agree that a reasoned concept of the triune God was not explicit in the minds of the New Testament authors even though John appears conscious of what has been termed “the problem of the Trinity.” The doctrine of the Trinity, like many other classical doctrines of Christendom, was organized and articulated after the writing of the NT. However, no other confession of faith is so foundational to historic Christian faith and to a mature biblical view. The knowledge of God as Holy Trinity is formed, structured, corrected, and (to some extent) limited by the witness of the Scripture.

Check out my new book on depression and the fatherly attributes of God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1650062478

Link to my children's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FP9NZNK

Countless books have been written about the Almighty God. One book simply cannot capture the Triune God and who He is: indescribable, eternal, and infinite. He has only given us a glimpse of Him and even so, we struggle to find the right words. To address this glimpse God has provided, it would fill volumes of books and yet remain insufficient. In describing the life of Jesus, John said, “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (Jn 21:25, ESV). The same is true of the Father.

Much has also been written on the topic of suffering. Understanding the problem of evil and suffering is perhaps the greatest challenge for the unbeliever. Suffering affects us all in some way at various intersections in our lives. Seasons of suffering can cause us to doubt the things we as Christians thought we knew and believed.

Few writings exist on male postpartum depression and many are unaware of what it is; the clinical research is lagging and many do not know the symptoms. The struggles of postpartum depression for males and females are real and tremendous. Someone struggling through the intensity of this season can feel defeated, taking a joyous time and turning it dark. This book is for those who struggle with depression, especially postpartum depression.

This book will not answer every question about God, depression, or suffering. However, my hope and prayer are that this book will cause you to contemplate God more. That your focus will turn from what is seen and felt in the depth of pain to the unseen and the hope of God. I want you to know that whether you struggle with depression like me, postpartum depression (also me), or other season of suffering (I have seen many in my life including cancer), you are not alone. There is help and there is hope. I pray this book leads us to worshiping God.

Check out my new book on depression and the fatherly attributes of God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1650062478

Link to my children's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FP9NZNK

God, Fatherhood, and Male Postpartum Depression encourages the dad struggling with male postpartum depression (and all struggling with depression) to recognize the symptoms, understand the spiritual warfare aspect, and find healing by focusing on and knowing the Perfect Father. In the end, I went through the dark valley of depression, was made aware of my sin and sin nature, saw how I needed God in every way, and was made more aware of how perfect our Father in heaven is and what grace truly is.

Check out my new book on depression and the fatherly attributes of God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1650062478

Link to my children's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FP9NZNK

We see this principle reflected in the conclusion of Hebrews. The writer reminded their readers of the urgency of caring for needy believers, strengthening the family, and following the faith of church leaders. The writer appealed for commitment, praise, and unselfish service. The author requested prayer and prayed for God to perfect the readers. The author urged the readers to bear with the words and commended them to God’s grace. Through all of the author’s concluding words we see an emphasis on obeying and glorifying God and accomplishing His will. We find a passionate call encouraging us to produce what is pleasing to God in our lives. If we leave Hebrews with the emphasis that we must develop a passion and goal for pleasing God, we will be prepared to live out its teachings with commitment and character.[1]

Accomplishing God’s will demands that we choose to obey God. We must make the right choices between those lifestyles which follow the Lord and those which turn away from Him. We must accept the sovereign hand of God in our lives when we “face trials of many kinds” (Jas. 1:2). We cannot avoid our share of sickness, financial challenges, disappointing circumstances, and plain hardship. In these circumstances, we must demonstrate a heart of praise for God, trust in His sovereign leadership, and desire that He be glorified.

The writer of Hebrews has called us to follow God and be devoted to doing His will, not only in this chapter but throughout the entire letter. May the prayer of our life be that God may equip us “in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (v. 21).

As you read this last chapter in Hebrews, you get the impression that the writer had a great deal of miscellaneous matter to discuss and saved it till the end. In Hebrews 12, we were rejoicing on Mt. Zion; and now we are discussing such everyday topics as hospitality, marriage, church officers, and who was the last one to be released from jail.

But in the Bible, there is no division between doctrine and duty, revelation and responsibility. The two always go together. The emphasis in this last section of the book is on living by faith. The writer presented the great examples of faith in Hebrews 11, and the encouragements to faith in Hebrews 12. In Hebrews 13, the author presented the evidences of faith that should appear in our lives if we are really walking by faith and not by sight.

Check out my new book on depression and the fatherly attributes of God:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1650062478

Link to my children's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FP9NZNK

There is a story about a party where each person was to give a recitation. The partygoers were told before the party that each was going to give a brief recitation of something important. So they needed to memorize something to recite at the dinner party. A famous actor was at the party and he recited Psalm 23 with a great deal of elocution. "The Lord is my Shepherd," and so on said the actor with a great and grand voice. Well, the next person got up and was sitting right across the table from the actor. This person was a simple layman, and he began to quote Psalm 23 and there was a twitter of laughter. The other party-goers thought “how would a man dare to quote Psalm 23 after this great actor and all the applause that followed. How would he dare do that?” There was just a little laughter at first, but all became quiet as the man spoke and recited the Psalm. When he was through, there was no applause just silence. The simple man sat down across from the actor and the actor reached across the table and touched his hand and said, “Sir, I know Psalm 23, you know the Shepherd.” And that really hit home. The author of Hebrews is talking here about the great Shepherd of the sheep that we may know Him. It is not about knowing ideas or thoughts or concepts, but simply knowing the Great Shepherd. This is the only place where Jesus is called the Shepherd in the whole book.

With that same sense of spiritual humility that led them to use “we” in most of the warning sections, the writer requested the prayers of their readers, and particularly that they might be restored to them soon. The writer’s interest in them was personal, and they were eager to see them.

In a lovely benediction which captures a number of the major themes of the epistle (e.g., peace, blood, covenant, Resurrection, Shepherd, equip), the writer expressed confidence in our Lord Jesus as the Great Shepherd of New-Covenant people, through whom God was able to effect His will in the readers and in the author.