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Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Phil 4:5 KJV

There are so many things in this life that God has given us to enjoy and He does want us to have pleasure while we are here. Relationships, eating, drinking, work, health, exercise, hobbies, are all valuable pursuits. However, none of these are to become the end goal and sole focus of your life.

Anytime something becomes more important in your life than God, the cart is getting in front of the horse. Before long, your life will have an unhealthy balance. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and almost the opposite of addiction. Like Paul, we are to discipline our bodies and make it obey us, not just follow what it desires.

'But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.' (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Jesus told a parable in Luke 12:21 about a man who amassed goods and the last verse was, "So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." The problem was the man was NOT rich toward God, not necessarily having wealth. God wants you to have wealth, but not for wealth to have you. God wants you to have food, but not for food to have you.

Put God first in your life. Involve Him in your work, in your relationships, in your hobbies, pray over your meals, during your workouts. If you do this, things will balance and He will show you when enough, is enough. When He is invited into your life, He will take part in your activities and help you maintain a healthy balance.

Prayer: Father, I thank You so much for all that You have given me. Help me bring discipline to my life and learn when to say no. Teach me Your way and give me a clear vision of the bigger picture. Make me steadfast, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

Note: Good morning! The highlighted group of the week is Keep It Simple Crafts: this group is about the joy of creating beautiful, yet simple, projects for your home, as gifts or just for fun! Crafts that can be created with little-to-no skill are encouraged here. Please check out the group from the groups list and join the fun! ALSO the Creation Photographers fun theme of the week is "Freedom", based on Galatians 5:13 and in celebration of American Independence Day! As always you are free to share as God calls you to. (I know these announcements are later in the week than normal, so apologies to the group leaders! I thought for sure that I had taken care of it already, but apparently not :) - Sylvia)