BREAK THE CHAINS OF YOUR ADDICTIONS - WHAT IS YOUR ADDICTION?

"BREAK THE CHAINS

OF YOUR

ADDICTION

WHAT IS YOUR ADDICTION?"

ROMANS 3:23 - FOR ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD;

Do you have an addiction? That is a big question even I''ve come to realize. When we think of addiction, we often think of: drug, alcohol, pornography, adultery, sex, or sex before marriage, gambling, amongst other things you can think of. We have also come to the conclusion that addiction is sin because we have seen how addiction can destroy lives, and families. But, what is addiction - really?

DEFENITION

Let's take a look at the definition of the word addiction. 

Dictionary.com defines it as such:

ADDICTION:  [ uh-dik-shuh n] noun 1. the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such and extent that its cessation causes severe trauma. 

I've underlined certain words to help explain my point.

The Latin definition for addiction is: a giving over, surrender.

As you can see, addiction can be addicted to many things.

So, I ask you this do you have an addiction? Of course you do, and of course I do! ADDICTION IS SIN - SIN IS AN ADDICTION - SERVING THE FLESH IS AN ADDICTION! No matter what kind of sin it is, sin is an addiction, and it has been since the beginning of time. Addiction to serve the flesh. To give into lustful desires of any kind.

1 JOHN 5:17  - All unrighteousness is sin:

I want to give you two quotes from a book I just finished reading titled "UNDER COVER" By: John Bevere pg. 48 "Faith and obedience are inseparable, because obedience is evidence of faith." and pg. 57 "Partial obedience is not obedience at all in the eyes of God."

All though, I'm sure a lot of us still thinking of sin, unrighteousness, addiction are all that I listed above. 

ROMANS 7:25 - I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

ROMANS 6:12 - Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

I'm going to throw a few more words into the mix.

ENSLAVED: [en-sleyv] verb (used with object), en-slaved, en-slav-ing. (to make a slave of; reduce to slavery: The Synonyms: enchain, shackle; control, dominate.

ROMANS 6:16 &18 - 16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

BONDAGE: [bon-dij] noun 1. slavery 2. the state of being bound by or subjected to some external power or control. The Synonyms: 1. captivity, restraint; prison. See slavery.

GALATIANS 5:1 - Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

SIN:  noun 1. transgression of divine law:  [the sin of Adam] 2. any act regarded as such a transgression, especially a willful, or deliberate violation of some religious, or moral principle. 3. any reprehensible, or regrettable action, behavior, lapse, etc.; great fault, or offense: [it's a sin to waste time.]

JAMES 4:17 - Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

ROMANS 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SPIRITUALLY MINDED

ROMANS 8:6 - For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

At some point, and time God expects more. He expects total obedience to Him. Anything that comes between you, and Him is disobedience to Him - it is sin. When we are carnal minded we heed to the addictions of the flesh, or sin. That is sin - that is addiction at its core. Flesh's desire is to please its self. But, God wants total obedience from ALL of us.   

OBEDIENCE

HEBREWS 13:21 - Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is WELLPLEASING in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

We take for granted that just because we aren't committing big sins that we are okay in God's eyes - when, in actuality, giving into the addiction of the flesh of any kind is also sin to God. No matter how big, or how small that addiction is - it is still sin to God, because it is disobedience to Him to serve the flesh when it separates you from Him.

So, we must obey God in every thing. We need to become spiritually minded, by holding ourselves accountable to Him. Asking Him - "Lord - How do you want me to serve you?" - And, asking the Lord to put a hunger in your heart to serve Him the way He wants you to serve Him - Trusting Him to teach you how to serve Him. Also, trust Him that He has given you the equipment to serve Him - HIS STRENGTH.

So, I ask you - What is your addiction?  - How are you serving God? 

PRAYER OF SALVATION

If you don't know as your Lord, and Savior, receive Him now! Just ask Him into your heart. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins - (your wrong doings.)

ROMANS 10:13 - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

  

DO YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE REAL JOY & STRENGTH - A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

DO YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE

REAL JOY & STRENGTH?

(A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE)

NEHEMIAH 8:10.......

"THE JOY OF THE LORD

IS 

YOUR STRENGTH"

UN-EXPECTED EXPERIENCE

Have you ever been through an experience that was life altering? An experience that just totally drained you of all your strength, and left you feeling very sad? Something that left you questioning, "How will I get my joy, and strength back?"

We all go through un-expected experiences. Some of them are good, some are bad, and sometimes they are life altering - an experience I personally went through. Being married for twenty-one years. We were married in 1980. Losing my marriage to the drug addiction of my husband was definitely life altering for me. He was a man of God when I met him, and he was serving in the ministry. We both loved the Lord - with our heart seared to share the Love of Jesus to other drug addicts. Being victorious over our own drug addiction, made us prime examples on how Jesus can set you free.

But, there was just one problem. We had different views on certain issues that I believed we strongly needed to make the foundation of our marriage strong. I knew if I didn't hold onto these views, without them it would ultimately open a door for me to fall back into sin - a life of drugs that God delivered me from. A life I vowed to never live again. I set up boundaries I would never cross: to keep God's hedge around me, true to His word, and strong in Him. Why? Because, without Jesus in my life I am nothing. Jesus is my foundation - my rock - my Savior! Unfortunately, I wish I had known about these views before I married him. 

Needless to say, I was shocked, and heart broken when my husband decided to take the plunge back into a life of drugs.

PSALMS 23:4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

AGONIZING CHOICE

Now, with four children - teenagers at that, after twenty-one years of marriage, I had to come to an agonizing choice. My husband no longer cared for my, or my children's spiritual wellbeing, or our safety, being exposed to things I hid from my children. At some point they too began to notice something was terribly wrong with daddy.

When it finally came to true light, this brought on confusion, anger, resentment in the heart's of my children, and worst of all - the feelings of betrayal from their father. I understood perfectly - I was experiencing the same feelings. Being raised by a Christian father: going to church three times a week, praying, and teaching our children to live a Godly life, when their father was doing just the opposite was too much to bare. 

The final draw was when his life led him to commit adultery. I felted totally drained, with nothing to fight for, nothing left to hold on too. I could no longer fight the devil. All my spiritual strength had left my soul.  

My husband, and I were both broken hearted. But, I was now more concerned about me, and the lives of my children. I was horrified about the decision I had to make. Leaving my husband who I loved so dearly - but, yet I was broken hearted, and numb at the same time. I didn't have time to feel. I had to think fast, because of my children.

PROVERBS 3:7 - Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, depart from evil.

RESISTING TEMPTATION

Being a single mother was very difficult, and lonely. With four teenage children, who were now angry, and experiencing the pain of losing their father - they rebelled. Everything was out of control. I was still holding on even though I was still feeling numb from my divorce. 

Feeling lonely: and all alone, having Christian friends who didn't quite know how to console me, and having non-Christian friends didn't help either. My Christian friends were busy, and my non-Christian friends were always full of worldly advise. "FIND A MAN!" They would say. You need to have a good romp in the hay! 
YA - RIGHT! THAT'S ALL I NEEDED! I thought.

But, the devil was working overtime. He wanted me to fall like my ex-husband did. Anyway, I met a charming, drop dead gorgeous man from Spain. He was about ten years older than I was: touch of gray in his hair, rich, and a Spanish accent that would make any woman melt like sugar in water - a very sexy man! Except one thing. I was Spanish, and I knew how Spanish men were. At least, the ones I was raised around. HA!

We went on one date, got to know each other as friends, no benefits. I'm old school, plus I'm a woman of God. He wanted me to go on vacation with him to Spain. WOW! Spain! I always wanted to go to my Native country of Spain; Province Lugo. I told him, "Sure I'll go, but we have to have separate hotel rooms!" He said "What! Why separate hotel rooms?" I told him that I was a Christian woman, and that I didn't believe in sex before marriage! He was shocked!

He still courted me, and still wanted me to go on vacation with him to Spain. All my non-Christian friends thought I was crazy! They all told me to go, share a room with him, and to have a good time with him - that I disserved it.

As lonely as I was feeling - having the arms of another man around me that was not my husband, was a feeling of comfort that I was not sure I wanted to experience. SO - I PRAYED.

I knew I needed God's supernatural strength to resist this temptation. But, I hadn't felt very spiritual, or strong at all since my divorce. So, I prayed, "God I'm lonely, and afraid. I want to be obedient to you Lord! But, I'm sad, and my heart is broken! - Lord! I praise you for Your wisdom, and strength to do your will, an to always serve you in Your holiness. LORD! - PLEASE HELP ME TO ALWAYS BE OBEDIENT TO YOUR PERFECT WILL IN MY LIFE.

From that moment on - I knew God was with me. I felt such JOY, AND STRENGTH like I had never experienced before. I felt complete, and whole. God ministered to me in a way that gave me HIS SUPERNATURAL JOY, AND HIS STRENGTH. I knew what I had to do. I immediately broke of the relationship with my Spanish friend, never to see him again.

I KNEW I WAS NOT ALONE ANYMORE! I HAD GOD'S JOY, AND GOD'S STRENGTH TO COMFORT ME AND TO KEEP ME FROM GETTING LONELY.

 JUDE 1:24 - Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

JAMES 1:2-3 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

GUILT & SHAME

Re-building my relationship with God became a new journey for me. It was a new type of journey, because now I was a single woman, but not just a single woman. I was married to God. WOW!

But, I had such guilt, and shame. Divorcing my husband, even though by Christian, and scriptural doctrine I was perfectly right standing by God. But, I felt as though I had fail God by divorcing my husband. I knew only God could make me complete, and whole again with Him.

I still had many things to challenges ahead of me, and I knew I also needed to learn from my mistakes. But, most of all I knew as long as I had the Lord on my side I would ALWAYS seek His perfect will in my life.

GOD IS SO GOOD, AND FAITHFUL TO ME!

ROMANS 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

JOY & STRENGTH

If ever in my life: or in my entire journey with the Lord Jesus Christ, I have never been without the JOY OF THE LORD, OR THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD in any battle, or loneliness, I would say NEVER. He is always with me. It's joy unspeakable - it's strength unspeakable! IT'S SUPERNATURAL, because it's His, and nobody can take it away from me or you! If you will just reach out to Him! Ask Him! He wants to bless you with His Joy, and His Strength! I am living proof of that. IT'S REAL! 

PSALMS 28:7 - The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

PRAYER OF SALVATION

If you don't know Jesus as your Lord, and Savior, receive Him now! Just ask Him into your heart. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins - (your wrong doings.)

ROMANS 10:13 - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

WHO IS YOUR ROCK

"WHO IS YOUR ROCK?"

PSALMS 40:2

HE BROUGHT ME UP ALSO OUT OF AN HORRIBLE PIT, OUT OF THE MIRY CLAY, AND SET MY FEET UPON A ROCK,

AND ESTABLISHED MY GOINGS.

THE SOUND OF PAINFUL SILENCE

How many times do you feel alone, and in agony? You feel you are going through life all alone, and no one sees what you're going through, or that you are going through your journey with no purpose or direction? Being afraid to go forward you just cry out to God with the hopes that He hears you, or understands your pain, and sorrow! Feeling so alone with no one to talk to, because you feel your prayers are landing on def ears! GOD DOES HEAR YOUR PRAYERS! 

PSALMS 28:1 - Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, I become like them that go down into the pit.

TROUBLED TIMES

Life can be difficult, and at times down right unfair. No mater how hard you try, and pray - you think God isn't listening. You are patiently waiting for the Lord to answer your prayer, but you keep feeling your feet slipping - like they are sinking in sinking sand. You tie a knot at the end of your rope with the hopes you don't fall into the deep pit that you are so afraid of.

God IS listening. He hears you loudly, and clearly. But, the Lord wants you to totally surrender to Him, so he can hide you in his pavilion, His place of royalty: in the secret of His tabernacle - the center of His tabernacle where you can worship Him. That place is His solid ground, His rock! He can be the foundation of your journey. YOUR ROCK! But, you have to totally surrender to Him.

PSALMS 27:5 - For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall He hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

BUILD YOUR FOUNDATION

By you totally surrendering your life to Him - trusting Him - having faith in Him, you are building your house deep, and on a solid rock. You become as strong as the foundation you are trusting in. You'll go through tough times, but your house will be strong. Life's waves won't shake you, because your feet are planted on a solid rock. HE BECOMES THE ROCK YOU STAND ON! The rock of your salvation.

LUKE 6:48 - He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

FOR HIS NAME SAKE

By putting the Lord first in your life you are making Him your foundation, and your fortress. You are placing your feet on His solid rock. He will direct your path. You will not feel alone, or afraid, because you will feel that rock under your feet. Your path is secure in Him. 

PSALMS 31:3 - For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

LISTEN & DO

The more you listen to Him, and the more you follow His path that he has chosen for you, the easier it becomes to keep your house on that solid ground. Your house becomes a solid foundation, on a rock, and you can not be moved.

MATTHEW: 24-25 - 24) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25) And the rain decended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

IN SPIRIT & IN TRUTH

JOHN 4:24 - God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

You can't worship the Lord, and sin - and expect Him to answer your prayers. The Lord will see right through you. He knows your every sin. That sin will keep you from getting closer to him. Your foundation will not be strong. If your foundation is not built, and laid properly on Him then you will continue to feel distant from Him.

THAT ROCK IS JESUS CHRIST.

I CORINTHIANS 10:4 - And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock is Christ.

Jesus needs you to have faith, and trust Him so He can be the rock of your salvation. You have to want him to be your defence, so you can not be moved. But, you have to want His strong hold, that will not come from anywhere else where you've been looking. I ask you this - has anything you've been trying working? Is your strength as strong as Jesus' strength?

PSALMS 62:6 - He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

PRAYER OF SALVATION

If you don't know Jesus as your Lord, and Savior, receive Him now! Just ask Him into your heart. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins - (your wrong doings.)

ROMANS 10:13 - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

ARE YOU WALKING ON YOUR WATER?

"ARE YOU WALKING ON YOUR WATER?"

HEBREWS 11:6 - BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM: FOR HE THAT COMMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.

JOURNEY'S OF DIFFERENT COLORS

Are you walking on your water? We all have different journey's to walk through in our own lives. We also have different battles; victory's, and many stories to tell. Some of our journey's, battles, victory's, and stories are darker, some are brighter - perhaps more cheerful than others.

No matter what the color of our journey is, we still have one goal to accomplish - that is, how to walk through it, coming out on top. We need to walk on our water without wavering like the water in the ocean tides.

Unfortunately, sometimes we try to go through life's journey of different colors by our selves. When it would be so much easier if you would just ask the Lord for help. We need to have faith and trust in Him. 

JAMES 1:6 - But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

THREE KINDS OF FAITH

MOSES' KIND OF FAITH

I want to share three kinds of faith in three men of God from the Bible. I want to take you back to the story of Moses. Moses was a man who sought the Face of God, had faith in God, and was obedient to God. Moses had favor with God so much that God trusted him to lead his people out of Egypt, and into the promise land. God also performed many miracles through Moses. Moses is such a tower of strength too! The whole story is so fascinating to me!

Here God's people - the children of Israel are finally set free from the ruler of the Egypt named Pharaoh. They started walking. By night with an the angle of God before the camp of Israel, a cloud of darkness to block the vision of Pharaoh, and his army of chariots. Oh! let's not forget the wall of fire! Light is before the Israelites to light the way for them. Now they are backed up against the ocean. The Israelites are petrified, because they can hear, and see Pharaoh, and his chariots coming! Moses is always praying of course, turns to his people and says.   

EXODUS 14:14-16 - 14) The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 15) And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 16) But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: (as if to say to Moses - "your have my power - command it! Don't ask - command it!) and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

I mean - WOW! Talk about God coming on the scene to answer prayer! Talk about faith, talk about obedience, and authority given to Moses by God! Moses definitely had a deep relationship with God. 

JESUS' KIND OF FAITH

Then there is Jesus, when he walked on water. Jesus IS God's faith, and Love in action! Jesus was the face of God that Moses so desperately wanted to see, but couldn't until Jesus' resurrection.

MATTHEW 14:25-27 -  25) And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them walking on the sea. 26) And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27) But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, "Be of good cheer; it is I: be not afraid.

PETER'S KIND OF FAITH

Peter's kind of faith is like our faith sometimes. What ever kind of battles we are going through, we lose faith because we are looking at the circumstances, or our waves that are moving around us. Instead of having faith, and trusting in Jesus, who has had first hand experience with walking on water - we choose to sink!

MATTHEW 14:28-31 - 28) And Peter answered him and said Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29) And he said "Come" And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried saying, Lord, save me. 31) And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

WITHOUT FAITH

God is a God of faith, and without faith it is impossible to please Him. Why? Because - God is a faith God! If you want Him to reward you then you have to meet Him with the same faith, and trust that HE IS - in order for Him to see you, so His power will move. 

HEBREWS 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that commeth to God must believe that HE IS, and that he is a rewarder of them that (diligently seek him.)

NAHUM 1:7 - The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

WITH FAITH & TRUST

PROVERBS 3:5-6 - 5) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

GOD DOES NOT DIRECT YOUR PATH TO FAIL - GOD WANTS YOU TOO WALK ON YOUR WATER!

PSALMS 115:11 - Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

PSALMS 125:1 - They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

Forever - having faith in the LORD - Forever - having trust in the LORD - Forever walking in victory - Forever - walking on your water your with Him right by your side.

So, I want to ask you! "Are you walking on your water?" Are you going to have faith in God, and are you going to trust Him through all your battles? Are you going to trust that whenever you need Him - He will be there right by your side?

II CORINTHIANS 5:7

(FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT) 

PRAYER OF SALVATION

If you don't know Jesus Christ as your Lord, and Savior, receive Him now! Just ask Him to come into your heart. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins - (wrong doings.) 

Romans 10:13 - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.