In the first few verses in the book of Acts, we read that just prior to his ascension, Jesus commanded his followers to wait for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. With such an awesome promise, it’s surprising that a mere 25% of them actually obeyed. And yet, verse 8 gives us a clue as to why at least some of the 380 out of 500 followers left before the miraculous event took place.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
The command to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit wasn’t what the followers had a problem with. It was the command to go do something with that power. In other words, selfishness and self-serving attitudes were evident even in the days of Jesus.
It’s true that some followers may have been impatient and that a few may have had emergencies or outside circumstances that prevented them from participating in the original outpouring of the Holy Spirit. But history tends to repeat itself. We see in churches today that many members of a congregation want the benefits of Christianity but not the responsibilities that go with it. They come in with great enthusiasm and tout the amazing miracles of God, only to walk away when they discover that God wants something in return.
A lot of people miss out on the real blessings of God that are gained through faith, obedience and the process of sanctification. Obedience to Christ will always lead to deeper levels of relationship with God and ultimately, increased power of the Holy Spirit. Peter is a great example of this.
Directly following the impartation of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other languages, Peter found himself passionately preaching to the Jews, as described in Acts 2:14-39. The fruit of his obedience is described in Acts 2:40,41.
“With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
With Peter as one of many role Biblical role models, it’s clear that obedience to God’s commands results in the manifestation of God’s power and the miraculous.
The Solid Rock Road Christian recovery program in Medford, Oregon, is a 10-week program that teaches people about obedience. Visit www.thesolidrockroad.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Christian Recovery for Co-Dependents
Since serving in a Christian recovery program in Medford, Oregon, I have discovered that addicts get all the attention, when their loved ones are often just as desperate for help. Christians in addiction meet with their pastors, they get treatment in both secular and Christian programs and are presented with many opportunities for individual and group counseling.
Christians in addiction usually have teams of people working with them on their sobriety and recovery programs. Meanwhile, the spouses and significant others of addicts do what they do best: They pray and ask others to join with them in crying out to God on behalf of their loved ones; They focus intently on the addict’s recovery, anticipating their needs and putting aside their own. In most cases, co-dependents work harder on recovery than Christians in addiction.
The Solid Rock Road not only provides a system of recovery for addicts, but works with the co-dependent to surrender, to forgive and move forward in their own walk with God. The Solid Rock Road ministry offers counseling and strategies for those whose co-dependency has clouded their judgment over an extended period of time, and whose own addiction has been to rescue the addict in their lives.
Christian counseling for co-dependents is offered by Sherry Colby, CADC1, a certified alcohol and drug counselor. The strategy portion of the Solid Rock Road’s ministry is done by Jamee Rae Pineda, who works with women to create boundaries and bottom lines with the addicts. Sherry and Jamee are the authors of a recovery book titled Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
When men are co-dependent, Pastor Jerry Pineda counsels and works with them to understand their role in enabling the addict. Jerry is the director and a lead facilitator of The Solid Rock Road recovery ministry.
To find out more about The Solid Rock Road recovery program in Medford, Oregon, visit www.thesolidrockroad.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad or on Facebook. You can also call The Solid Rock Road Christian counseling team at 541-778-8680.
Christians in addiction usually have teams of people working with them on their sobriety and recovery programs. Meanwhile, the spouses and significant others of addicts do what they do best: They pray and ask others to join with them in crying out to God on behalf of their loved ones; They focus intently on the addict’s recovery, anticipating their needs and putting aside their own. In most cases, co-dependents work harder on recovery than Christians in addiction.
The Solid Rock Road not only provides a system of recovery for addicts, but works with the co-dependent to surrender, to forgive and move forward in their own walk with God. The Solid Rock Road ministry offers counseling and strategies for those whose co-dependency has clouded their judgment over an extended period of time, and whose own addiction has been to rescue the addict in their lives.
Christian counseling for co-dependents is offered by Sherry Colby, CADC1, a certified alcohol and drug counselor. The strategy portion of the Solid Rock Road’s ministry is done by Jamee Rae Pineda, who works with women to create boundaries and bottom lines with the addicts. Sherry and Jamee are the authors of a recovery book titled Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
When men are co-dependent, Pastor Jerry Pineda counsels and works with them to understand their role in enabling the addict. Jerry is the director and a lead facilitator of The Solid Rock Road recovery ministry.
To find out more about The Solid Rock Road recovery program in Medford, Oregon, visit www.thesolidrockroad.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad or on Facebook. You can also call The Solid Rock Road Christian counseling team at 541-778-8680.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
How to Work with Christians in Addiction
Christians who are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol have a great advantage over agnostics, atheists and people of other religions. With the power of God and the blood of Jesus, Christians can be delivered, healed and restored to experience total freedom from addictions. They can be transformed by the renewing of their minds and forgiven by God for every sin they have ever committed.
While Christians have everything they need to resist temptation and to live clean and sober lives, there is an epidemic of addictions within the church. Many Christians live secret lives, addicted to marijuana, methamphetamines, heroine and other street drugs. However, the abuse of prescription medication is on the rise as well. This includes Vicodin, Oxycodon, methadone and other pain-killing drugs.
When people get addicted to narcotics prescribed by doctors, they often run out of their drugs and have no way of getting more from the doctor. By over-medicating themselves, addicts resort to purchasing illegal prescription drugs, moving them into dangerous criminal activity.
Many pastors and leaders are at a loss for how to work with Christians in addiction. As a result, the issue of addictions in the church gets swept under the carpet or ignored altogether. Many times, pastors recommend that addicted members of their congregation get help from the secular system. While this may be necessary in some cases, the role of the church in the realm of addictions should be an offer for prayers of deliverance combined with Christian counseling.
The Solid Rock Road works with addicts and their families. The Christian recovery program in Oregon uses the book “Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery” for individuals and group treatment. Visit www.thesolidrockroad.com or find The Solid Rock recovery ministry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad or on Facebook.
While Christians have everything they need to resist temptation and to live clean and sober lives, there is an epidemic of addictions within the church. Many Christians live secret lives, addicted to marijuana, methamphetamines, heroine and other street drugs. However, the abuse of prescription medication is on the rise as well. This includes Vicodin, Oxycodon, methadone and other pain-killing drugs.
When people get addicted to narcotics prescribed by doctors, they often run out of their drugs and have no way of getting more from the doctor. By over-medicating themselves, addicts resort to purchasing illegal prescription drugs, moving them into dangerous criminal activity.
Many pastors and leaders are at a loss for how to work with Christians in addiction. As a result, the issue of addictions in the church gets swept under the carpet or ignored altogether. Many times, pastors recommend that addicted members of their congregation get help from the secular system. While this may be necessary in some cases, the role of the church in the realm of addictions should be an offer for prayers of deliverance combined with Christian counseling.
The Solid Rock Road works with addicts and their families. The Christian recovery program in Oregon uses the book “Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery” for individuals and group treatment. Visit www.thesolidrockroad.com or find The Solid Rock recovery ministry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad or on Facebook.
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