I knew a person who overcame a lifelong smoking addiction after committing their life to Christ. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). I read a story of another individual, who was told by his doctor he would probably die, if he didn’t quit smoking. He was instructed to commit himself to not smoking for only ten minutes, and occupy himself with something else during those ten minutes. Repeat the process until a habit formed, likely a month or two later. The man surprised the doctor exactly a year later with a smile and mission accomplished! How much more any behavior can be conquered through Christ!
Author: Ken
Addiction: The Bad and the Good
“They have addicted [Greek, tassō, devoted] themselves to the ministry of the saints” (1Corinthians 16:15 KJV). The concept of dependency is a negative addiction, if I am “brought under the power of any” (1Corinthians 6:12 KJV) thing but Christ. On the other hand, an addiction is positive, if the dependency brings us under the influence of Christ and His ministry. O LORD, addict us to Yourself and Your ministry. May we never withdraw from our dependency upon You! Help us exchange our addiction for anything to dependence only upon You! Amen.
Support Your Local Church (Part 2)
Contributing to your local church not only pays the rent, keeps the lights on, provides a place to teach your kids, provides a place to interact with fellow disciples, gives a way to hear the preaching of God’s Word, but it is a place where Jesus said He would be especially present. Sure, He is everywhere because He is God, but He was especially present in the OT Holy of Holies of the Jerusalem Temple, just as He is now abiding in His NT disciples. But, He is, again, especially present in the assemblies of the local church, where the Holy Spirit can specially minister to us and through us, like in Matthew 18:20. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20 KJV). Keep this special assembly alive with your tithes and offerings.
Support Your Local Church (Part 1)
Thank you for supporting your local church! They don’t collect taxes or sell a product, but like Old Covenant Israel, God has chosen the New Testament Church to represent Himself to the world. God is looking for a people who love Him, and are willing to do His will, not to avoid punishment or gain a reward. A people so willing to do His will, they become an extension of Him. That’s why the most important thing we can give Him is our heart. “My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways” (Proverbs 23:26 NIV). Supporting your local church is a princely deed! “When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves — praise the Lord” (Judges 5:2 NIV). Think of how God can multiply His influence across the world with people who want no more than His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven!
Scoffers and Shirkers
Outside the Kingdom of God , scoffers attack the credibility and authenticity of Christianity. Inside the Professed Church, shirkers do whatever possible to keep their hope of Heaven, while doing as little as possible to differentiate themselves from the world. “But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken” (Luke 12:45 KJV). Bible prophecy should warn the world to put their house in order, Jesus is coming. The Church must keep their eyes on Jesus and not look back to the flesh pots of Egypt. “Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full” (Exodus 16:3 KJV). Delaying Christ’s coming means different things to different people.
Last Days Scoffers
“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2Peter 3:3-4 KJV). Like the watchers of Noah building the Ark, scoffers reject the promises and prophecies of the LORD. Doubters mistake the LORD’s delay for His inability to return. But, even His delay may be their salvation. The Flood came — just look at how it carved the Grand Canyon — and, Jesus Christ will return anytime soon!
Disposable Planet
Jesus does not look at us as a disposable planet filled with disposable people. “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 KJV). This is an incredible statement. Only genuine love can talk like that, but only God Almighty can deliver it to everyone, not just to the church goers. He has handed us a supernatural solution. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30 KJV). But, can we receive it?
Blessings, Desire, and Hope
“Blessings are upon the head of the just. The desire of the righteous shall be granted. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness” (Proverbs 10:6, 24, 28 KJV). If we do the right thing because of God’s Spirit working in us, we are righteous. Blessings or happiness will characterize us. Our righteous desires will be granted, and our righteous hope will make us glad.
The Audacious Birth of Christ
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He [Messiah Jesus] come forth unto Me [Yahweh] that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2 KJV). The context of this passage from Micah announced an upcoming military siege of Israel, in stark contrast to a sleepy Bethlehem manger. The reality of Spiritual Warfare meant Yahweh must retake the earthly realm beginning with a demonstration by the Son of Man of the attainability of the sons of Adam to be and do all the will of God through a life of perfect obedience, God’s original intention for man. Our Creator is thus justified. Sacrificing His Son, we are justified. And, putting down Satan’s final rebellion, God is magnified. “Of the increase of His [Messiah’s] government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:7 KJV). Amen.
Repurposing the Messiah
Jehovah gave His Messiah to Israel for the same reason He gave the Spirit of Christ to the New Covenant Church. “And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27 KJV). The intention of the LORD has always been to create a willing heart in His people. “Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power” (Psalm 110:3 KJV). It has always been about His children giving their heart to Yahweh. “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways” (Proverbs 23:26 KJV). It has not been simply to build a nation or church but to join Himself to His people. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
We Need A Miracle 
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