by Bro Jason
On a recent class visit to a substance abuse rehabilitation center, the person in charge asked us all a question. He asked – Why do people get addicted? His answer took us by surprise. He said, God has created us as people who are addicts. An addict is a person who is always looking to get that one thing. It does not matter the cost. You just have to have it today, right now. You can’t go on living without it. And that is how God has created us. God has created us as people who are addicted, who are dependent on something apart from ourselves. When that thing is not God we turn elsewhere. Being addicted is being dependent on something apart from ourselves. There are certain things that we can depend upon so that we may be faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
1. Be ADDICTED to (dependent on) GOD’S WORD –
There is life in God’s Word. – John 20:31 – But these are written that you may believe[a] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. – Psalm 119:9 – How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. – Psalm 119:11 – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. – Matthew 7:24 – Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Many times we are unable to convince people of the truth of the gospel. We as Christians, say one thing and do another. We have the word, we have memorized it, we put verses as DPs and statuses, on our cars and on our helmets, on our doors and even as tattoos. But the word has not taken root It was towards the end of his life that John, in the book of revelation had a glimpse of a heavenly worship concert. Well into his old age, past the age of 90, when he was a prisoner on the island of patmos, when he thought that nothing will happen sometimes God will bring you to a place where nothing else matters, except him. Nothing else matters in your life except Him and his word. We can’t just read our Bibles more, pray more or attend more small groups. We must be transformed by the renewing of our minds and we must find healing for our wounds. 1 Saturday, 13 July 2019 Romans 12:2 – Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. “The mark of a disciple above all else is that he is hungry for God” – George Verwer David knew and walked with God. Did God say – David? A man who lived in purity all the days of his life. No! David was a man of failure and weakness. However, David had a hunger for God.
2. Be ADDICTED to (dependent on) GOD’S PEOPLE –
Ecc. 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
– When John Wesley, well known as the founder of the Methodist Movement, met a person who he describes as a “serious man” and began a conversation. That man said – “Sir, you wish to serve God and go to heaven. Remember you cannot serve him alone; you must therefore find companions or make them; the Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.” John Wesley the Methodist, The Methodist Bookd Concern, 1903
It is not easy to find friends right? Because it is difficult to trust people. But this man says if you can’t find friends, then make them, nurture them. So what benefit is there when we have friends, godly people around us? –
They pray for us
Col. 4:12 – Epaphras is wrestling in prayer… He is working hard for them. Nurture people who can pray for us. 2 Timothy 1:3 – night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 2 Saturday, 13 July 2019
– They bring quality in our lives
We tend to lethargy in life, laziness. Friends are frank – don’t go and visit a person who is down and depressed just so that you can cover them with a blanket and make them feel even more miserable.
– They fill what is lacking in our lives –
They complete us – Prov. 12:15 – The way of fools seems right to them,
– but the wise listen to advice. –
It is sad when we make some of the most important decisions in life without asking others if it is a wise decision (read/watch the Tragic story of EVAN ROBERTS – Welsh Revival 1904-1905 God’s Generals)
When you are hurt, broken sick, depressed you need to go home to your family. You need people who understand you physically, emotionally, spiritually. Today if you are hurt, go back to your church family – let their love and words of encouragement be a blessing in your life. There are those of us God by called who like Roberts have been listening to a lie, and say that we don’t have a purpose or calling. But it is time for us to come back, don’t give into wrong prophesies and smooth talk, choose your circles well. Come back to your biological and spiritual family. Let them be a source of God’s love, hear his voice through their encouraging words.
– Confession is a means of healing after sin James 5:16 – Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. God uses others to free us from the burden of sin when we confess to one another
3. Be ADDICTED to (dependent on) JESUS –
Michelle Quist prayer I have Fallen, Lord, once more. I cannot go on. I will never succeed. I’m ashamed and I don’t dare look at you. And yet I’ve struggled, Lord, for I knew you were right near me, bending over me, watching, but temptation blew in like a hurricane and instead of looking at you… I turned my head away. I stepped aside while you stood silent and sorrowful like the spurned fiancé who sees his loved one carried off by his rival. When the wind died down as suddenly as it had arisen, when the lightning ceased after proudly streaking the darkness, all of a sudden I found myself alone, Lord, ashamed, disgusted with sin in my hands.
This sin that I selected as a customer selects his purchase. This sin that I’ve paid for now but cannot return because the storekeeper is no longer there, this tasteless sin, this odious sin.
The sin that now sickens me, that I once wanted but now I want no more, that I imagined, sought, played with, fondled for a long time that I finally embraced while I coldly bypassed you. My arms outstretched, my eyes and heart irresistibly drawn. This sin that I’ve grasped and consumed with gluttony. It’s mine now but it possesses me as the spider web holds captive the fly. It’s mine, sticks to me, flows in my veins. It fills my heart. It has slipped in everywhere as darkness slips into the forest at dusk and fills all the patches of light . I cannot get rid of it, Lord. I run from it like the master of an unwanted and mangy dog but it catches up with me and rubs joyfully against my legs. Every one must notice it. I’m so ashamed that I feel like crawling to avoid being seen. I’m ashamed of being seen by my friends. I’m ashamed most of all of being seen by you, Lord, because you love me. But I forgot you. I forgot you because I was thinking only of myself and one can’t think of several persons at once. One must choose and I chose. But, now your voice, your look and your love, they hurt me. They weigh me down. They weigh me down more than my sin. Lord, please don’t look at me like that because I’m naked and dirty, down and shattered with no strength left. I dare not make any more promises to you. I can only stand bowed before you. Come on, Son. Look up. Isn’t it mainly your vanity that is wounded? If you loved me, you would grieve but you would also trust me. Do you think that there’s a limit to my love for you? Do you think for a moment I have stopped loving you? But, you rely only on yourself, Son. You must rely on me. Ask my pardon and get up quickly. You see, it’s not falling that is the worst, but staying on the ground. Peter and his friends were about their business… casting nets into the sea. Jesus is walking by…Follow me… If you know Jesus is calling you, don’t wait…Follow now!
Don’t miss the move of God in your life. Moses was old and in the desert…. He thought his life is over. There are some of us who feel the same way. My life is over, there is nothing left of me. I’m burnt out there’s nothing good in me. Fix your eyes on Jesus! The author and perfecter of our faith.
