A Loose Lip Will Sink A Relationship

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. (Rom 14:19-21 KJV)

It has been almost three decades since I quit drinking alcoholic beverages. By that time many of my family members and friends had already lost their lives in death to causes that were related either directly or indirectly to alcohol or other drugs. Although, still drinking, on occasion, I had already been questioning how it was that so many who had been so close to those who died from alcohol and drug related causes would continue to abuse these substances. It is hard to fathom how those who abuse prescription drugs justify that in their own minds.

Alcohol, in paricular, has not generally lead to peace or edification of any kind. In fact, it has led to disputes and divisions; some big, some small. Although, I had by this time learned (the hard way) not to get drunk myself, I would still have a few drinks with family and friends. But, even this usually led to disaster. The results were not good! Remember, the saying "Loose lips sink ships" from World War II? Well, alcohol and drugs loosen lips and loose lips sink relationships, as well. It doesn't take too many drinks to loosen lips.

Then, within one week, I heard two different family members say things to the effect of: "Well, even Judy likes to drink." I was like, "What!? It's my fault they drink? It's my fault their lives are such a mess?!" Although; I recognize that the use of alcohol is not the same as abuse; I decided then that no one would ever be able to use me as an excuse for their abusive use of alcohol again. They could try. But, they would not be able to honestly every say again, "even Judy drinks."

The end result was that I do not drink alcoholic beverages. I may unwittingly be a stumbling block to others; but, it will not be because of alcohol abuse or use. St Paul wrote: "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." (vs 21)

We are only a few days a way from Christmas. Many of my loved ones have lost their lives during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Please, be careful if you are drinking or drugging. We are free to choose what to eat or drink according to our own conscience. But, be careful that you do not become someone else's stumbling block; the cause of their demise. Do not turn anyone's laughter into sorrow because you believe that the way to your own happiness is getting drunk or high. Substance abuse destroys relationships. It destroys and takes away any opportunity to live life. It doesn't give. It takes life.

"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." (Eph 5:18)

Be filled with the Spirit of Christ and truly enjoy life!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Be Filled With The Spirit; Not spirits

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;." 

                                                                                        (Eph 5:15-20 KJV)

Another way that I can say it is this, "Choose this day whom you will serve." (Joshua 24:15) Will you serve the spirits of alcohol and other drugs? Have these mind altering chemicals taken over your life so that you, who were not well in the first place, have now become dependent on them to "cope" with life; so much so that you can no longer even work or play unless you are high or drunk? I am not saying that alcohol and even the legitimate use of marijuana don't have their place. But, sadly, these two drugs, as well as a multitude of other illegal drugs, have become the gods that way too many people live for. These false gods are succeeding at destroying families; destroying communities; and are even pretty successful at causing problems within the visible church on earth. Choose ye this day whom you will serve.

Addiction is a serious ailment in itself. It cannot be cured by the use of other or more drugs. In fact, there are those who say it cannot be cured at all. But, there is relief for those who suffer this sickness. The Lord can make you whole. Turn to Him; for He is your helper. Be filled with the Spirit and sing songs of joy to the Lord, for He alone can save you from the false gods that hold you captive.

I live for the day when in the Kingdom of God all knees will bow; all voices will be lifted up in songs of praise to our God and King. I wait for the day when everyone I know will be filled with the Spirit of God; filled with the Spirit of love and compassion for one another. Mind altering chemicals do not make room for the Spirit of Christ. 

Sing songs of praise to the Lord! Do away with those false gods! Be filled with the Holy Spirit and truly live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Filled With The Holy Spirit

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 5:15-20 NIV)

Another way that I can say it is this, "Choose this day whom you will serve." (Joshua 24:15) Will you serve the spirits of alcohol and other drugs or will you serve the Lord; the only one who can bring you real peace and joy beyond measure? St. Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica "You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." (1 Thess 1:6) 

The Spirit of God is the bringer of joy and peace no matter what adversity we might be facing. Trust Him to be with you and to guide you in the truth always. Speaking from my own experience, I can testify that in doing so, you will find joy and peace that surpasses anything that this world might offer.

May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Filled With The Spirit Not spirits

"Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Eph 5:15-20

Another way that I can say it is this, "Choose this day whom you will serve." (Joshua 24:15) Will you serve the spirits of alcohol and other drugs or will you serve the Lord? Has your addiction so taken over your life so that you can no longer even work or play unless you are at least a little high or drunk just to take the edge off? Do you need the aid of one of these false gods to even get you moving in the morning? Can't wait for your day off so you can really get toasted? I am not saying that alcohol and even the legitimate use of marijuana don't have their place. But; sadly, alcohol and marijuana, as well as a multitude of other illegal drugs, have become the gods that way too many people live for. These false gods are succeeding at destroying families; destroying communities; and are even pretty successful at causing problems within the visible church on earth.  Choose ye this day whom you will serve! 

Addiction is a serious ailment. It cannot be cured by the use of other or more drugs. In fact, there are those who say it cannot be cured at all. But, there is relief for those who suffer this sickness. The Lord can make you whole. Turn to Him; for He is your helper. Be filled with the Spirit and sing songs of joy to the Lord, for He alone can save you from the false gods that hold you captive.

Be filled with the Spirit not spirits and rejoice for this too shall pass. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mourning For The Children

"Shave your head in mourning

    for the children in whom you delight;
make yourself as bald as the vulture,
    for they will go from you into exile." (Micah 1:16 NIV)

Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, sounds an awful lot like Isaiah. He is a prophet; after all. Micah continues to warn the people of God that their ways are going to lead them into exile.

It is Advent and at the beginning of every Advent I see depression and other forms of mental illness begin to escalate. Part of that may be due to the lack of sunshine. Part of it; though, I believe is due to the holiday season which does not resemble Holy Days all that much.

As we prepare for Christmas there is a lot of frustration because people are seeking what the world seeks; rather, than seeking a relationship with the Christ, whom we celebrate. There is much financial stress as people feel pressured by society to "buy." There is also much emotional stress as many face a day (season) that is suppose to be cheerful (because the world says so) without a loved one that they have lost and miss grievously. They feel quite alone (exiled) as there is a chair at the table that is empty. There also tends to be a lot more "parties" in December and on into January. For some reason people think they can treat their loneliness and depression with alcohol (or other drugs). Alcohol, my friends, is a depressant. There is only one cure for loneliness and that, my friends is being in a healthy relationship; a relationship with God our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ and with one another.

Advent is supposedly a time to prepare for the coming of the LORD. But, is that what we do? Or are we busy trying to keep up with the world; ending up depressed; feeling alone and exiled? For many, I am afraid it is the latter.

What are we teaching our children? Where are we leading them? Into loneliness? Depression? Exile from the relationship that God intends them to have with Him and His whole household?

I pray that it is not too late; that it is not past time, to join Micah in lamenting for our children. It is past time to start asking ourselves: What have we done? What have we left undone that would have brought them reconciliation and peace?

God's Peace - Pr. J

No Idolatry; No Adultery

After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted:

“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’
    She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit,
    a haunt for every unclean bird,
    a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
For all the nations have drunk
    the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,
    and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.

                                                                                   Revelation 18:1-3 NIV

Adultery and idolatry; what is the difference? There isn't much difference. Unfaithfulness is a hallmark of both. 

Whenever we make a commitment to someone to put them first in our lives and then place other things before that commitment, that is adultery. It does not have to be a sexual liaison for it to be adultery. Football or fishing or gold or alcohol or drugs or money or  multitude of other things sometimes edge their way into our lives causing us to be unfaithful to those whom we have committed ourselves to love and care for.

If we say we worship the one true God and then put any thing before our commitment to love and serve God, we commit idolatry.  Unfaithfulness in our committed relationships with others or with God is adultery and idolatry.

Being reconciled, through the blood of Jesus to our Father, is about being in a committed relationship. God our Father committed His only begotten Son so that we might live in and with Him. God, the Son, committed His life to death, that we might live in and with Him. God, the Holy Spirit, commits us to be our help and our strength so that we might live in the presence of this perfect Triune God for all eternity. It's a pretty one sided commitment though. God desires that we should worship Him. He is faithful to us. Yet, we are not faithful to Him. We promise to be faithful and then we go off and serve other false gods committing adultery and idolatry as lovers of Babylon the great harlot.

The angel in John's vision warns us to come out of her while there is still time; for when that final day comes neither the voice of the bride or the bridegroom will be heard in her again.  (Rev 18:4-5)

There are those who would judge that there are many and various levels of adultery and idolatry. I am pretty sure that God sees these many levels that humankind has concocted. If you dip just your foot into a cesspool you will still get dirty.

I am not aware of anyone who doesn't put themselves or others or things of this world before God from time to time. We are all idolaters and adulterers; forsaking the beautiful gift of reconciliation, life with our God, for reconciliation with the pleasures of this world. But, just because we do, doesn't mean we should. When we confess Jesus as our Savior, we make a commitment to him. We make a commitment to the one who was willing to commit his life to us. Even though we have turned our back on him; he did not turn his back on us.

Babylon the Great is sure to fall. May God help you to not fall with her.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Filled With The Holy Spirit; not spirits!

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Eph 5:18-19 NIV

A few members of the congregation that I recently began to serve have been asking to know more about me personally. Here's a "biggy." I use to drink. When I was young, I could party quite heartily. But, things changed. I grew up. I also came to have a personal relationship with God the Father; God the Son; God the Holy Spirit. I no longer drink. My partying is pretty much restricted to worshipping God; giving thanks to Him with psalms, hymns, and songs. I have found no greater way to celebrate life than to live my life in Christ and I have indeed sought other ways. They didn't work. They were paths that led to destruction; while the Spirit of Christ leads to life.

I did not get much sleep last night. Today, I have a full schedule ahead of me. There is a Bible Study in just a few hours; then worship; then a Memorial Service and a fellowship this afternoon. I did not get much sleep because I was concerned about the safety of my family. My son and his family have been visiting from Michigan. They have been staying at an RV park near us. Last night some very young adults rented the little cabin behind them. They thought it was a good idea to have a party that included a lot of underage drinkers. They built a bonfire out of pallets under the old Magnolia tree, which just happens to also hang over the camper my family was staying in. They loaded up four and more pallets on the fire. In order to make room for more pallets on the fire they would stand in the middle of the fire and dance on the pallets. The bon-fire was about ten feet from the camper that we own. The flames were coming quite close to the Spanish Moss hanging in the old Magnolia Tree. They decided to cut more wood on the site we had rented. The inebriated teens were asked to please stop and not put any more wood on the fire as there were children in the camper sleeping and it was a concern for the children's safety. They laughed. They were warned that the police would be called. They laughed again. The police came; but, not before the teens were warned that they were coming. Most of the really under-aged drinkers left before the police arrived. The police came. They had them dump out all of the alcohol. The police left. Someone went for more alcohol. They continued to drink and stoked up the fire once again. One young man threw wood and sloshed his alcohol against the camper.  Therefore; I did not get much sleep last night wondering if my family would be burned to death in their sleep because young people chose to get high on alcoholic spirits. Young people (yes, some legal adults; but, not legal drinking age) decided their right to the pursuit of happiness outweighed the well-being and safety of others. 

Over the years, I have come about as close to being a prohibitionist as one can be, without actually being a prohibitionist. I have seen too much depression; suicide; murder; drunk driving deaths; drug and alcohol overdoses leading to comas and deaths; physical and emotional abuse; deaths of very young people due to the toll alcohol and drugs take on body, mind, and spirit; just to name a few of the side affects, to even consider that abuse of drugs, legal or illegal, to be a good thing. A drink or two with friends is one thing; but, to endanger your life and the lives of others just so you can get drunk and act foolish is another. There are better, much better ways to enjoy and live life. And... so there you have it. Not a popular opinion; but, you did want to know a little bit more about me.

Do not be filled with the spirits of alcohol and other drugs. Be filled with the Spirit of Christ. In him, you will know a joy and a peace that cannot be found in chemicals.

May God fill each of you with the Holy Spirit so that you might celebrate life with hymns and songs of thanksgiving for the life that God has given you.

God's Peace - Pr. J