Be Renewed!

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:2 KJV)

Tired of the way your're living or the way that you think life is treating you? There is a better way. Try getting to know Jesus. Ask him to empty you of all of your sins; to forgive you, and to fill you with his Spirit. You can be transformed by the Holy Spirit. Your life can be changed. Stop! Stop being in denial of a lifestyle that is bringing you down. Stop and ask Jesus to renew your life! 

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 

                                                                                             (Luke 11:9-10)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Losing Friends For Living In Christ

Do good! Do what is right!

For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. (1 Peter 4:3-4 NIV)

No, you will not be too popular if you choose to quit participating in the lifestyle of a pagan; but, you will be much more at peace with yourself as you begin to live in Christ.

As a former substance abuse counselor, one of the toughest things to deal with is that when someone finally decides to trust their higher power; when they turn to God, for their recovery they lose most, if not all, of their old friends. It can be a lonely time. It takes a bit of work to realize that the only reason they hung with you in the first place was because your carousing and substance abuse justified theirs. Once that is gone, they are out of there. "They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you."

But, new friends will come with time. Friends that will share in the joy of living as a member of the Body of Christ with you. In Christ you are a new creation. "So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1  Peter 4:19)

May the peace of the Lord be with you always! Live in his peace and ignore the drama this world would throw at you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Say No To Temptations

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Cor 10:13 NIV)

Having lived my entire life with people who had substance abuse problems; when the "Just Say No" slogan was being used in the school systems it rather irritated me. After all, I wondered did the people who were pushing the "Just Say No" program have any clue how difficult it really is to get clean? It is; after all, a disease.

Fast forward to today and, having served as a substance abuse counselor myself, now I feel confident that:  Yes, they most probably did know. Most of the people who I have known who treat substance abuse addictions have gone through it themselves. They know how hard it is. They also are living examples that it is possible to live a much fuller life without mind altering substances.

The first step in any twelve step program is to first admit that you have a problem and that you need help. Unless you recognize a problem there is no way that you will desire to seek help and it is virtually impossible to go into recovery without help. Paul writes to the Corinthians that God will provide a way out. He will help. It is always very tempting to just keep doing the same old thing. It is difficult to change our way of living. It is difficult to say no. But, God does not tempt us beyond the place where we can say no. He always provides alternatives to succumbing to temptation. 

The second and third steps of the 12-step recovery program are to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity and make a  decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God. 

God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can say no to. You really can "Just Say No" but, it is necessary to trust God to provide a way out; an alternative lifestyle and then to help you live that new life in Christ. 

May God help all who suffer from addictions to trust in Him as they seek His help.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy