There is a constant struggle going on inside your mind. It’s a war between your old and new self. For people with a history of relapse, the old self often wins. Since the old self is not redeemed, it is still of the world and controlled by Satan. If Satan controls your mind, he becomes the filter by which all information is received. Even the Word of God gets interpreted incorrectly.
Since our minds lead our actions, the devil knows that if we think bad thoughts, we’ll act badly. Joyce Meyer wrote a book called Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind. In the first chapter, she explains that Satan is strategic and creates deliberates plans to defeat us.
Meyer brings this point home early in her book when she writes, “He (Satan) knows our insecurities, our weaknesses and our fears. He knows what bothers us most. He is willing to invest any amount of time it takes to defeat us. One of the devil’s strong points is patience.”
With such a patient devil, you must make up your mind to invest any amount of time it takes to defeat him! Even though you surrendered, Satan will wait for the right time to return as your master. He’ll wait until you’re tired, you’re showing signs of weakness, you’re having a moment of doubt, or someone at church offended you. He’ll wait years if he has to.
So far, you have let Satan win the battle of your mind. But if there is one concept you must believe, it’s that when you receive Jesus, you really are a new creation, and that all things really are brand new.
It’s time for you to embrace higher-level thinking so you can mature in Christ and live soberly. You can’t move forward if you’re looking back. You have to keep your eyes on tomorrow and trust that God is who He says He is.
Galatians 4:8-9 explains: “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” (NIV)
For information about The Solid Rock Road Christian recovery program and our recovery book titled Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery, check out our website at www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Christian Intervention: When Someone You Love is Addicted
Many Christians in addiction attend church regularly while others have quit going to church altogether. Some have completely turned their backs on God and rejected the practices of responsibility and personal accountability.
Whether functioning in the world and in church or moving into total dysfunction, Christians who actively abuse drugs and/or alcohol are selfish and create real problems for themselves and everyone in their sphere of influence. While they get what they want at any cost, their close friends and family members worry about the addict’s health, safety and spirituality.
As a counselor for both the addicted and their families, I’ve taken note that the addicted are overly concerned about getting high, and their loved ones (codependents) are overly concerned about getting them well. Both are obsessed. Both need freedom. Therefore, there’s a dire need for Christian intervention strategies.
It’s true that faith is necessary when dealing with those in addictions, but faith alone may not be enough as many have discovered. Praying for years while the addict continues destroying the family and bringing in darkness may seem like the only answer, but it’s not. In fact, The Solid Rock Road team believes that at some point, families and friends of the addicted have to set boundaries and take very bold steps to ensure that addiction is no longer part of their lives. The following Scripture in James 2:20-24 provides Biblical back-up for this philosophy:
“You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.”
So what does this mean for the loved ones of the addicted? It means that you must combine your prayers and your faith with real action. This often requires that you create a crisis – not for yourselves, but for the Christian in addiction. It's the same challenge that Abraham faced. Will you put your loved one on the altar, not knowing the results, but trusting God for the outcome?
Will you do the hard thing? Will you act in a godly and Biblical manner in order to allow God to be God? For now, pray and ask God to open your eyes, and surrender your loved one into the mighty hand of the Creator!
Check out our website at www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also follow The Solid Rock Road recovery program in Oregon on Facebook and Twitter.
Check out our website at www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also follow The Solid Rock Road recovery program in Oregon on Facebook and Twitter.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Holy Spirit in Christian Recovery
The Holy Spirit is your personal guide in your Christian walk and in your addictions recovery process. In John 14:16, Jesus tells the disciples He will be leaving (meaning crucified) but someone better will take His place. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.” (NIV)
That counselor is the Holy Spirit that lives in you from the point of salvation. Counseling from the Holy Spirit is divine. It’s also free and available twenty-four hours a day. The Holy Spirit overpowers evil and is your source of strength, wisdom, and inspiration. When you are guided by the Holy Spirit, you will resist the temptation to abuse drugs and/or alcohol and enjoy complete freedom.
The problem Christians have is that the Holy Spirit doesn’t possess us. He won’t just spring up and take over our lives. We wish He would. It would make everything so much easier, and much better. Instead, the Holy Spirit lives in us, but waits for us to empower Him through surrender and the process of emptying ourselves.
When we’re under the influence of the Holy Spirit, we’re pleasant to be around. As Galatians 5:22,23 explains: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
The Bible also describes the Holy Spirit as the abiding guest (John 14:16), Spirit of truth (John 14:17), teacher (John 14:26), testifier (John 15:26), guide, voice of God, the Prophet (John 16:13), Glorifier of Jesus (John 16:14), witness to sonship (Romans 8:16), helper in prayer (Romans 8:26), and power to witness (Acts 1:8).
In Romans 8, Paul paints a beautiful picture of who we are with God. He confirms that we are not condemned, but rather protected by the power of the Holy Spirit to face adversities through His redeeming love.
Romans 8:26 says that even when we don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit does and intercedes on our behalf. Obviously, the Holy Spirit knows us better than we know ourselves. Therefore, the Holy Spirit will lead you to your real Christian image, and He will help you change how you think, act, and even how you feel. When the Holy Spirit protects and feeds your soul, you won’t be so free to feed your addiction.
If you need to get set free from addictions, visit www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also visit us on Twitter and Facebook.
That counselor is the Holy Spirit that lives in you from the point of salvation. Counseling from the Holy Spirit is divine. It’s also free and available twenty-four hours a day. The Holy Spirit overpowers evil and is your source of strength, wisdom, and inspiration. When you are guided by the Holy Spirit, you will resist the temptation to abuse drugs and/or alcohol and enjoy complete freedom.
The problem Christians have is that the Holy Spirit doesn’t possess us. He won’t just spring up and take over our lives. We wish He would. It would make everything so much easier, and much better. Instead, the Holy Spirit lives in us, but waits for us to empower Him through surrender and the process of emptying ourselves.
When we’re under the influence of the Holy Spirit, we’re pleasant to be around. As Galatians 5:22,23 explains: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
The Bible also describes the Holy Spirit as the abiding guest (John 14:16), Spirit of truth (John 14:17), teacher (John 14:26), testifier (John 15:26), guide, voice of God, the Prophet (John 16:13), Glorifier of Jesus (John 16:14), witness to sonship (Romans 8:16), helper in prayer (Romans 8:26), and power to witness (Acts 1:8).
In Romans 8, Paul paints a beautiful picture of who we are with God. He confirms that we are not condemned, but rather protected by the power of the Holy Spirit to face adversities through His redeeming love.
Romans 8:26 says that even when we don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit does and intercedes on our behalf. Obviously, the Holy Spirit knows us better than we know ourselves. Therefore, the Holy Spirit will lead you to your real Christian image, and He will help you change how you think, act, and even how you feel. When the Holy Spirit protects and feeds your soul, you won’t be so free to feed your addiction.
If you need to get set free from addictions, visit www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also visit us on Twitter and Facebook.
Monday, November 8, 2010
A Note from the Director of the Solid Rock Road
After nine years in the Christian recovery ministry, I’ve made some observations about the addicts and their families. Here’s a brief summary:
The addicts
As a former addict who was delivered by the power of God, I wonder a lot about why Christians continue to struggle with addictions. Years ago, Pastor Steve Schmelzer asked this question during one of his sermons: “Do you want to know who makes it out of addictions and who doesn’t?” Of course I wanted to know, as did the rest of the congregation. He answered it so simply. “The givers make it, the takers don’t.”
That has stuck with me, and it has proven to be true. The goal of all Christians is to live an unselfish, service-filled life. That’s why the 10th Principal of The Solid Rock Road is “Serve God and others.” If you’re all about yourself, you can’t be all about God. Therefore, freedom from addictions comes when Christians put a stop to their lusts and start to put the needs of others in front of their own.
The families of the Addicts
Denial runs rampant in addicts, but it is also prevalent with their Christian families. In faith, they pray and believe that their loved ones will win the spiritual battle and get set free. Faith is necessary, and as the director of The Solid Rock Road, I count on it a lot. However, there comes a time when the loved ones are working harder on sobriety than the addicts. At this point, they become codependent and can often get in the way of what God is trying to do.
We have a heart for the families of addicts, but we are often in a position of counseling them to do the hard thing, which is to take their loved one to the cross and leave them there. This is grueling because it often means families have to step aside and watch as their loved ones hit bottom.
But isn’t that what happened in the story of the Prodigal Son? The father let the son make his choices. He didn't chase the son down, nor did he devise 101 ways to keep his son from blowing it. Most importantly, the father didn't bring groceries to the pig pen so that his son could eat. Instead, the father lived his life and waited for the son to come back to his senses, and then back home. Of course, there was a feast waiting for the humbled and repentant son.
The Bottom Line
God is in the deliverance, healing, restoring business, but God won’t supersede the will of man. Christians in addiction have rejected the ways of God in favor of their own lusts. The Solid Rock Road team can’t change a person’s mind, but we offer the truth in love and the principles necessary to win the spiritual battle.
If you or your loved one has been taken captive by addictions or you have found yourself in the midst of codependent behaviors, we offer guidance and help with our ministry and book. Visit www.thesolidrockroad.com, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. You can also call me (Jerry Pineda, Sr.) directly at 541-778-8680.
The addicts
As a former addict who was delivered by the power of God, I wonder a lot about why Christians continue to struggle with addictions. Years ago, Pastor Steve Schmelzer asked this question during one of his sermons: “Do you want to know who makes it out of addictions and who doesn’t?” Of course I wanted to know, as did the rest of the congregation. He answered it so simply. “The givers make it, the takers don’t.”
That has stuck with me, and it has proven to be true. The goal of all Christians is to live an unselfish, service-filled life. That’s why the 10th Principal of The Solid Rock Road is “Serve God and others.” If you’re all about yourself, you can’t be all about God. Therefore, freedom from addictions comes when Christians put a stop to their lusts and start to put the needs of others in front of their own.
The families of the Addicts
Denial runs rampant in addicts, but it is also prevalent with their Christian families. In faith, they pray and believe that their loved ones will win the spiritual battle and get set free. Faith is necessary, and as the director of The Solid Rock Road, I count on it a lot. However, there comes a time when the loved ones are working harder on sobriety than the addicts. At this point, they become codependent and can often get in the way of what God is trying to do.
We have a heart for the families of addicts, but we are often in a position of counseling them to do the hard thing, which is to take their loved one to the cross and leave them there. This is grueling because it often means families have to step aside and watch as their loved ones hit bottom.
But isn’t that what happened in the story of the Prodigal Son? The father let the son make his choices. He didn't chase the son down, nor did he devise 101 ways to keep his son from blowing it. Most importantly, the father didn't bring groceries to the pig pen so that his son could eat. Instead, the father lived his life and waited for the son to come back to his senses, and then back home. Of course, there was a feast waiting for the humbled and repentant son.
The Bottom Line
God is in the deliverance, healing, restoring business, but God won’t supersede the will of man. Christians in addiction have rejected the ways of God in favor of their own lusts. The Solid Rock Road team can’t change a person’s mind, but we offer the truth in love and the principles necessary to win the spiritual battle.
If you or your loved one has been taken captive by addictions or you have found yourself in the midst of codependent behaviors, we offer guidance and help with our ministry and book. Visit www.thesolidrockroad.com, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. You can also call me (Jerry Pineda, Sr.) directly at 541-778-8680.
Monday, November 1, 2010
The Problem with Christians in Addiction
There’s not really one problem with Christians in addiction, but there’s one that stands out above the rest, which is separation from God. Ask anyone dealing with substance abuse issues and they will tell you that they no longer have a close relationship with God.
We hear stories about how in the midst of a person’s addiction they saw God, or God spoke to them. We acknowledge the reality of these kinds of spiritual experiences, but believe they are rare and meant to remind certain backsliders who they are in Christ. But on the whole, the sin of addiction causes a major separation.
Some addicts ask our ministry leaders, “Where is God?” Our answer is that God is still around, but he’s waiting for you to come to your senses – like in the story of the Prodigal son. And like the father in that story, God doesn’t chase after the addict. He waits and allows the consequences of choices to bring people to their bottom. It’s in their weakest moments that addicts and others allow God’s strength and enabling grace to rescue them.
Christians in addiction can’t be rescued unless they want to be. This is the troubling news for family members who work so hard to help their loved one get set free from drugs and alcohol. Often times, they work harder on sobriety than the addict. And the results are discouragement, frustration and many questions for God. Oftentimes, the loved ones of addicts find themselves separated from God because He hasn’t worked on their behalf.
The problem with Christians in addiction is that they have been taken captive and need to be set free once and for all so that they can connect with their source of life and energy, which is God.
The Solid Rock Road Christian recovery program in Medford, Oregon, works with Christians in addiction who have made the decision to get right with God. The program also works with family members to help them with issues of co-dependency, which is also sin. You can call The Solid Rock Road at 541-778-8680 for more information, or visit www.TheSolidRockRoad.com. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
In addition, there’s a recovery book available titled “Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.” It’s available on the website, on Amazon.com.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Follow The Solid Rock Road: Get Off the Yellow Brick Road
Today, millions of Christians are directed to a modern-day Yellow Brick Road to recovery from addictions. They are assured by the treatment industry that sobriety is found along many paths and in a higher power, not the higher power.
People battling addictions get to choose from an array of recovery methods, modalities, therapies, spiritual philosophies, and programs on their journey along the Yellow Brick Road. They’re also given a long list of excuses for their inability to get and stay sober. We’ve used a few ourselves
Anxiety, depression, ADHD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), low self-esteem, and abusive parents are a few reasons addicts give to justify actions. The pre-treatment cure is often a stabilizing pill, which offers a temporary and false sense of well-being. (As ex-addicts, we find it hard to believe that drugs are used to treat addictive personalities. It’s one of the many ironies of life.)
Before anyone gets offended, we acknowledge that mental health issues exist and realize that people have suffered, been mistreated, molested, neglected, and rejected. We’ve had our share of pain, so we have true compassion for anyone who has endured hardship and difficult circumstances.
Still, there comes a time when your past should no longer determine your future – when you leave your old life for a brand new one and enact the new creation reality that God made available through His Son, Jesus Christ.
It’s good to reflect on your life. There’s value in acknowledging the mistakes you’ve made and learning from the pain others have caused you. But Philippians 3:13 tells us to look ahead, “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”
The Solid Rock Road leads people on an experiential journey of discovery along the path of God with Jesus Christ as the foundation. On this path are the plans of God and at the end is a destiny on earth and everlasting life.
To find out more about The Solid Rock Road Christian recovery program in Oregon, visit www.thesolidrockroad.com or visit Twitter or Facebook. You can also contact Jerry of Jamee Rae Pineda at 541-778-8680.
People battling addictions get to choose from an array of recovery methods, modalities, therapies, spiritual philosophies, and programs on their journey along the Yellow Brick Road. They’re also given a long list of excuses for their inability to get and stay sober. We’ve used a few ourselves
Anxiety, depression, ADHD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), low self-esteem, and abusive parents are a few reasons addicts give to justify actions. The pre-treatment cure is often a stabilizing pill, which offers a temporary and false sense of well-being. (As ex-addicts, we find it hard to believe that drugs are used to treat addictive personalities. It’s one of the many ironies of life.)
Before anyone gets offended, we acknowledge that mental health issues exist and realize that people have suffered, been mistreated, molested, neglected, and rejected. We’ve had our share of pain, so we have true compassion for anyone who has endured hardship and difficult circumstances.
Still, there comes a time when your past should no longer determine your future – when you leave your old life for a brand new one and enact the new creation reality that God made available through His Son, Jesus Christ.
It’s good to reflect on your life. There’s value in acknowledging the mistakes you’ve made and learning from the pain others have caused you. But Philippians 3:13 tells us to look ahead, “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”
The Solid Rock Road leads people on an experiential journey of discovery along the path of God with Jesus Christ as the foundation. On this path are the plans of God and at the end is a destiny on earth and everlasting life.
To find out more about The Solid Rock Road Christian recovery program in Oregon, visit www.thesolidrockroad.com or visit Twitter or Facebook. You can also contact Jerry of Jamee Rae Pineda at 541-778-8680.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Christian Recovery: God is Enough!
Perhaps the first step in your journey to recovery from addictions is to admit you haven’t believed that God is enough. There’s no shame in making such a confession if that’s your truth. However, once you’ve acknowledged a lack of faith or limited understanding of who God is, you are responsible for doing something about it.
No one can force truth down your throat, nor is God going to place a spiritual feeding tube in you. You have to want it and you have to get it yourself. There’s plenty of spiritual food to go around. At church, your pastor is at the pulpit preaching his guts out. Your Bible is full of the inspired Word of God. If you have doubt, then you would be wise to become obsessed with scripture about faith, the heroes of faith, and hang around people who consistently demonstrate faith.
Whether you lack faith, don’t fully understand Christian principles, or are just being stubborn, your only hope in overcoming your addictions and living a blessed life is to completely surrender to God. And, you must start claiming and believing that God is truly enough.
You can resist all you want or whine about how your situation is harder or worse than everyone else’s, but God can’t be manipulated by your tears, fears, or false promises. And if you believe that your addiction is stronger than his power to set you free, then your message to the world is that Christ’s suffering on the cross was meaningless to you.
The Solid Rock Road Christian recovery program in Medford, Oregon is a template for recovery within the churches. With our website (www.thesolidrockroad.com) and book titled "Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery" people can learn to fight and win the battle for their souls, and for the souls of others. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
No one can force truth down your throat, nor is God going to place a spiritual feeding tube in you. You have to want it and you have to get it yourself. There’s plenty of spiritual food to go around. At church, your pastor is at the pulpit preaching his guts out. Your Bible is full of the inspired Word of God. If you have doubt, then you would be wise to become obsessed with scripture about faith, the heroes of faith, and hang around people who consistently demonstrate faith.
Whether you lack faith, don’t fully understand Christian principles, or are just being stubborn, your only hope in overcoming your addictions and living a blessed life is to completely surrender to God. And, you must start claiming and believing that God is truly enough.
You can resist all you want or whine about how your situation is harder or worse than everyone else’s, but God can’t be manipulated by your tears, fears, or false promises. And if you believe that your addiction is stronger than his power to set you free, then your message to the world is that Christ’s suffering on the cross was meaningless to you.
The Solid Rock Road Christian recovery program in Medford, Oregon is a template for recovery within the churches. With our website (www.thesolidrockroad.com) and book titled "Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery" people can learn to fight and win the battle for their souls, and for the souls of others. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Friday, September 24, 2010
How to Work with Christian Co-Dependents
After years of working in the addictions ministry, it’s become evident that it’s not just substance abusers needing recovery help. The loved ones of the addicts are in desperate need of their own kind of freedom. They are locked in a battle that they can’t seem to win and often become entangled in unhealthy habits that promote the cycle of insanity.
The secular treatment world refers to these loved ones as co-dependants. Like the addicts, the Christian co-dependents can’t stop their negative behaviors. They aren’t driven to drink or use, but instead are driven to “save” their loved ones. Co-dependents will go to any length to find the addicts the help they need. In many cases, the addicts haven’t even asked for the help, nor do they really want it.
Christian co-dependents continually offer spiritual advice to the addict they love. They quote scripture, pray incessantly, buy books for them, find recovery programs and create all kinds of schemes and tactics to get their loved one to stop abusing drugs and/or alcohol. Co-dependants work their tails off while the addicts enjoy a good high.
In The Solid Rock Road Christian recovery program in Oregon, we often do interventions with those who are co-dependent. Our number one rule is that the person must be ready to end the cycle of insanity. If so, we lead them into a surrender process with God, followed by a series of steps that result in an intervention with the addict.
The Solid Rock Road team offers an outsider’s perspective with the added benefit of having the grace of God in the situation. Our ultimate goal is freedom for all!
If you have a loved one that is addicted, you can visit The Solid Rock Road website at www.thesolidrockroad.com, or visit us on Twitter and Facebook. You are also welcome to call 541-778-8680.
The secular treatment world refers to these loved ones as co-dependants. Like the addicts, the Christian co-dependents can’t stop their negative behaviors. They aren’t driven to drink or use, but instead are driven to “save” their loved ones. Co-dependents will go to any length to find the addicts the help they need. In many cases, the addicts haven’t even asked for the help, nor do they really want it.
Christian co-dependents continually offer spiritual advice to the addict they love. They quote scripture, pray incessantly, buy books for them, find recovery programs and create all kinds of schemes and tactics to get their loved one to stop abusing drugs and/or alcohol. Co-dependants work their tails off while the addicts enjoy a good high.
In The Solid Rock Road Christian recovery program in Oregon, we often do interventions with those who are co-dependent. Our number one rule is that the person must be ready to end the cycle of insanity. If so, we lead them into a surrender process with God, followed by a series of steps that result in an intervention with the addict.
The Solid Rock Road team offers an outsider’s perspective with the added benefit of having the grace of God in the situation. Our ultimate goal is freedom for all!
If you have a loved one that is addicted, you can visit The Solid Rock Road website at www.thesolidrockroad.com, or visit us on Twitter and Facebook. You are also welcome to call 541-778-8680.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Missing Body Parts in the Church
If Christians are the Body of Christ, then it makes sense for it to be healthy and fully functional. But the Body of Christ appears to be anemic, and worse yet, has missing body parts.
God created each person to be part of the church body. "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." (1 Cor. 12:27) But there are Christians who have become missing body parts. Plus, there are a lot of artificial limbs that are missing the DNA of the church. These people go to church, but they are disconnected from God’s way and His truths.
When Christians become addicted to drugs and alcohol, they obviously detach from the Body of Christ because their sin separates them. But many Christians in recovery have yet to fully re-attach to the Body. Instead, they attach themselves to a recovery program.
Recovery programs are not the problem. It’s the mindset of the people that are not always in line with Biblical principles. For example, The Solid Rock Road helps people to get back on the path and to stay on it. Our goal is to assimilate every participant back into the Body of Christ. That’s why there’s a beginning and an end to our program. People graduate in order to assimilate.
However, many other Christian recovery programs take body members hostage. They help them to the right path, but then insist that the program must be a lifetime addition to their Christian journey. Often times, addicts are told that they must give back to the program, or give back to addicts, which may be steering them from their actual destiny in God.
Not all addicts have the grace and anointing for the addictions ministry. If someone is counseling addicts but it’s not their call, they have become a missing body part. The goal is to discover the gifting and the call of God on every individual’s life so they can be placed properly in the Body of Christ.
The Solid Rock Road is a Christian recovery program in Oregon that promotes freedom in Christ and assimilation into the Body of Christ. Learn more at www.thesolidrockroad.com or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. You can also call us at 541-778-8680.
God created each person to be part of the church body. "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." (1 Cor. 12:27) But there are Christians who have become missing body parts. Plus, there are a lot of artificial limbs that are missing the DNA of the church. These people go to church, but they are disconnected from God’s way and His truths.
When Christians become addicted to drugs and alcohol, they obviously detach from the Body of Christ because their sin separates them. But many Christians in recovery have yet to fully re-attach to the Body. Instead, they attach themselves to a recovery program.
Recovery programs are not the problem. It’s the mindset of the people that are not always in line with Biblical principles. For example, The Solid Rock Road helps people to get back on the path and to stay on it. Our goal is to assimilate every participant back into the Body of Christ. That’s why there’s a beginning and an end to our program. People graduate in order to assimilate.
However, many other Christian recovery programs take body members hostage. They help them to the right path, but then insist that the program must be a lifetime addition to their Christian journey. Often times, addicts are told that they must give back to the program, or give back to addicts, which may be steering them from their actual destiny in God.
Not all addicts have the grace and anointing for the addictions ministry. If someone is counseling addicts but it’s not their call, they have become a missing body part. The goal is to discover the gifting and the call of God on every individual’s life so they can be placed properly in the Body of Christ.
The Solid Rock Road is a Christian recovery program in Oregon that promotes freedom in Christ and assimilation into the Body of Christ. Learn more at www.thesolidrockroad.com or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. You can also call us at 541-778-8680.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Obedience in Christian Recovery
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.
“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.
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.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
The History of Christian Recovery Programs
Hi. My name is Jamee and I’ve been set free by the blood of Jesus!
We often hear medical professionals and addiction treatment specialists say that addiction is a disease, but this concept is a secular conclusion, not a Christian philosophy. In fact, the roots of AA were securely planted in the Oxford Group Movement, which said that addiction was a spiritual matter and must be dealt with accordingly. They blamed the problem of human existence on self, the idea of personal sinfulness, asserting that individual sin was the key problem and the entire solution was in the individual's conviction, confession, and surrender to God.
In tracing the history of the Christian recovery movement, we learn that recovery programs of The Oxford Group, The Salvation Army and other early Christian pioneers were based on Biblical principles and salvation through Jesus Christ. These recovery processes were later altered by Bill W and his AA program.
While AA acknowledges the importance of a higher power, it also allows each participant their own version of a god. In addition, Bill W promotes the concept of coping with addictions instead of standing on the premise that there’s complete freedom in Christ. This is unusual because Bill W acknowledges that he had a Christian conversion experience that set him free.
The following is an excerpt from Wikipedia (the online dictionary) that clarifies the issue: “The AA concept of powerlessness is different from the Oxford Group. In AA the bondage of an addictive disease cannot be cured only controlled and is a departure from the Oxford Group belief, which stressed a spiritual conversion that would bring complete victory over sin.”
If Christians believe that addictions can only be controlled, then like the rest of the world, they have no hope. Therefore, it’s important that Christians be reminded that Jesus died for the sins and iniquities of mankind. His death led us out of captivity and into a life of victory. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
There is no doubt that Christians must learn to walk out their freedom. But first, Christians must claim or even reclaim this free gift from God. And if we agree with the Bible that we’re new creations in Christ, then it’s important to understand how counter-productive – and perhaps anti-Christian – it is to stand up in front of a group and continually claim that you are either a drug addict or alcoholic.
The Solid Rock Road Christian recovery program in Oregon helps the addicts, their loved ones, along with pastors and ministry leaders. You can visit our website at www.thesolidrockroad.com, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. You can also read a Christian recovery book I co-wrote titled Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
We often hear medical professionals and addiction treatment specialists say that addiction is a disease, but this concept is a secular conclusion, not a Christian philosophy. In fact, the roots of AA were securely planted in the Oxford Group Movement, which said that addiction was a spiritual matter and must be dealt with accordingly. They blamed the problem of human existence on self, the idea of personal sinfulness, asserting that individual sin was the key problem and the entire solution was in the individual's conviction, confession, and surrender to God.
In tracing the history of the Christian recovery movement, we learn that recovery programs of The Oxford Group, The Salvation Army and other early Christian pioneers were based on Biblical principles and salvation through Jesus Christ. These recovery processes were later altered by Bill W and his AA program.
While AA acknowledges the importance of a higher power, it also allows each participant their own version of a god. In addition, Bill W promotes the concept of coping with addictions instead of standing on the premise that there’s complete freedom in Christ. This is unusual because Bill W acknowledges that he had a Christian conversion experience that set him free.
The following is an excerpt from Wikipedia (the online dictionary) that clarifies the issue: “The AA concept of powerlessness is different from the Oxford Group. In AA the bondage of an addictive disease cannot be cured only controlled and is a departure from the Oxford Group belief, which stressed a spiritual conversion that would bring complete victory over sin.”
If Christians believe that addictions can only be controlled, then like the rest of the world, they have no hope. Therefore, it’s important that Christians be reminded that Jesus died for the sins and iniquities of mankind. His death led us out of captivity and into a life of victory. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
There is no doubt that Christians must learn to walk out their freedom. But first, Christians must claim or even reclaim this free gift from God. And if we agree with the Bible that we’re new creations in Christ, then it’s important to understand how counter-productive – and perhaps anti-Christian – it is to stand up in front of a group and continually claim that you are either a drug addict or alcoholic.
The Solid Rock Road Christian recovery program in Oregon helps the addicts, their loved ones, along with pastors and ministry leaders. You can visit our website at www.thesolidrockroad.com, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. You can also read a Christian recovery book I co-wrote titled Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
The Prodigal Son in Christian Recovery
The story of the Prodigal Son as described in Luke 15:11-32 is a perfect example of the Father’s patient and enduring love. Children in Sunday School are told this story to help them see God the Father in more human terms. As we mature in our Christianity, the story of the Prodigal Son can take on even deeper meaning.
Many of us have wandered from God and found ourselves to be prodigals, and many have had children raised in the church who drifted away and into the world. In these cases, the story represents the struggles of those who left the safety and comfort of their father’s house in search of the worldly life that offered the freedom they thought they needed.
In early as the second sentence of the Prodigal Son story, we see that the son was intent on leaving: His mind had been made up – the father knew that there was no room for discussion, so he gave his son the money. The prodigal left his father’s house without any regrets and began to live the life that the world offered.
Different versions of the Bible describe the son’s life while in the world as wild, reckless, loose, wasteful, undisciplined and riotous. From these adverbs we can make some assumptions, especially when we’re looking at the story of the Prodigal Son as it relates to Christian recovery in modern times.
The prodigal son felt free to do what he wanted. He didn’t want the constraints of his father’s house. He wanted to make his own rules and to live by his own standards. He wanted to do things his way. Today, wild, wasteful and reckless living usually includes abuse of alcohol and/or drugs. Since the prodigal son started off with lots of money and ended up broke, there’s no doubt that he wasted it on partying and sharing with those of like mind. People used him, and when the money ran out, they abandoned him.
The famine made things worse. Broke and without work, the Prodigal Son reached his bottom when he began to feed the pigs and wish he could eat their food. These dire circumstances brought the Prodigal Son back to his senses, which is what happens when addicts find themselves homeless, without friends, broke and without hope for a better tomorrow.
The Prodigal Son went home humbled. The father didn’t go after him, or try and save him from his circumstances. The father waited, just like God the Father waits for the addicted to return home. Sometimes, those who are co-dependent with addicts interrupt this valuable process. They can't stand to see the addict suffer, so they'll lend a helping hand to keep their loved one from suffering too much. By doing so, the addict never really has to truly repent.
In this story, the Prodigal Son doesn’t go back into the world. He takes his rightful place in the family. But today, Christians in addictions go in and out of the world, and in and out of God’s house. This isn’t a Biblical picture, and in most cases, the issue is that the prodigal has yet to be humbled and has yet to properly repent.
If you're in distress, we can help. The Solid Rock Road is a Christian recovery program in Oregon with a global outreach. The ministry and the book, “Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery” lead people back to Father God and to freedom from addictions forever. You can find us at www.thesolidrockroad.com, follow us on Twitter or become our friend on Facebook.
Many of us have wandered from God and found ourselves to be prodigals, and many have had children raised in the church who drifted away and into the world. In these cases, the story represents the struggles of those who left the safety and comfort of their father’s house in search of the worldly life that offered the freedom they thought they needed.
In early as the second sentence of the Prodigal Son story, we see that the son was intent on leaving: His mind had been made up – the father knew that there was no room for discussion, so he gave his son the money. The prodigal left his father’s house without any regrets and began to live the life that the world offered.
Different versions of the Bible describe the son’s life while in the world as wild, reckless, loose, wasteful, undisciplined and riotous. From these adverbs we can make some assumptions, especially when we’re looking at the story of the Prodigal Son as it relates to Christian recovery in modern times.
The prodigal son felt free to do what he wanted. He didn’t want the constraints of his father’s house. He wanted to make his own rules and to live by his own standards. He wanted to do things his way. Today, wild, wasteful and reckless living usually includes abuse of alcohol and/or drugs. Since the prodigal son started off with lots of money and ended up broke, there’s no doubt that he wasted it on partying and sharing with those of like mind. People used him, and when the money ran out, they abandoned him.
The famine made things worse. Broke and without work, the Prodigal Son reached his bottom when he began to feed the pigs and wish he could eat their food. These dire circumstances brought the Prodigal Son back to his senses, which is what happens when addicts find themselves homeless, without friends, broke and without hope for a better tomorrow.
The Prodigal Son went home humbled. The father didn’t go after him, or try and save him from his circumstances. The father waited, just like God the Father waits for the addicted to return home. Sometimes, those who are co-dependent with addicts interrupt this valuable process. They can't stand to see the addict suffer, so they'll lend a helping hand to keep their loved one from suffering too much. By doing so, the addict never really has to truly repent.
In this story, the Prodigal Son doesn’t go back into the world. He takes his rightful place in the family. But today, Christians in addictions go in and out of the world, and in and out of God’s house. This isn’t a Biblical picture, and in most cases, the issue is that the prodigal has yet to be humbled and has yet to properly repent.
If you're in distress, we can help. The Solid Rock Road is a Christian recovery program in Oregon with a global outreach. The ministry and the book, “Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery” lead people back to Father God and to freedom from addictions forever. You can find us at www.thesolidrockroad.com, follow us on Twitter or become our friend on Facebook.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Christian Recovery: Taking Our Thoughts Captive
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Cor. 10:5)
As Christians we are given the mind of Christ, and yet, our fleshly filter appears to be the default. So the challenge is, how do we switch from our natural way of thinking to access God's thoughts?
Here's the way our minds naturally work: We receive information into our brains and we process it through our life experiences. Satan is always there to add pain, anger and torment through memories, old offenses, insecurities, perceptions and other unfair means. If we allow these thoughts to persist, they literally become obsessions in our minds. We can't stop thinking about the situation, and because Satan is involved, the obsession grows and negative thoughts fester.
For those who have a propensity for addictions, these obsessions always lead to relapse. And in most cases, these obsessions will take the most devout Christian to very dark places. Many people spend days, weeks and even months and years cornered in the dark recesses of their fleshly minds.
We can avoid obsessions if we learn to take our thoughts captive as described in 2 Cor. 10:5. To do this, you must first become aware of how Satan traps your mind. And there's a simple test you can take to see if you're heading away from God's light. Compare the acts of the sinful nature with the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:16-26. You'll know where you stand.
If your thoughts have fallen into the "acts of the sinful nature" category, your job is to grab all your negative thoughts together and throw them out like garbage. You must also wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. If you can't think of any scriptures that fit your situation, simply recite 2 Corinthians 10:5, especially the portion that reads, "we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." It's best to actually personalize this scripture by repeating, "I take captive every thought and I make it obedient to Christ."
Be persistent in your spiritual battle against the enemy of your soul. Satan is determined to have your mind, so you must be even more determined to have the mind of Christ. If you have been diligent to counteract the negative obsessions, but are unsuccessful, don't give up. Instead, call your leader, pastor or faith-filled friends to help you work through it.
You will be set free. You will have the victory. God said!
Jamee Rae Pineda has co-authored a Christian recovery book called Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. You can also find her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad
As Christians we are given the mind of Christ, and yet, our fleshly filter appears to be the default. So the challenge is, how do we switch from our natural way of thinking to access God's thoughts?
Here's the way our minds naturally work: We receive information into our brains and we process it through our life experiences. Satan is always there to add pain, anger and torment through memories, old offenses, insecurities, perceptions and other unfair means. If we allow these thoughts to persist, they literally become obsessions in our minds. We can't stop thinking about the situation, and because Satan is involved, the obsession grows and negative thoughts fester.
For those who have a propensity for addictions, these obsessions always lead to relapse. And in most cases, these obsessions will take the most devout Christian to very dark places. Many people spend days, weeks and even months and years cornered in the dark recesses of their fleshly minds.
We can avoid obsessions if we learn to take our thoughts captive as described in 2 Cor. 10:5. To do this, you must first become aware of how Satan traps your mind. And there's a simple test you can take to see if you're heading away from God's light. Compare the acts of the sinful nature with the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:16-26. You'll know where you stand.
If your thoughts have fallen into the "acts of the sinful nature" category, your job is to grab all your negative thoughts together and throw them out like garbage. You must also wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. If you can't think of any scriptures that fit your situation, simply recite 2 Corinthians 10:5, especially the portion that reads, "we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." It's best to actually personalize this scripture by repeating, "I take captive every thought and I make it obedient to Christ."
Be persistent in your spiritual battle against the enemy of your soul. Satan is determined to have your mind, so you must be even more determined to have the mind of Christ. If you have been diligent to counteract the negative obsessions, but are unsuccessful, don't give up. Instead, call your leader, pastor or faith-filled friends to help you work through it.
You will be set free. You will have the victory. God said!
Jamee Rae Pineda has co-authored a Christian recovery book called Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. You can also find her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Christian Recovery: Removing Shades of Gray
God makes one thing clear in the Bible: There is right and wrong. He's a black and white God who doesn't promote shades of gray. On the other hand, the world has moved to the middle and become shady.
Christians in recovery not only have to get set free from addictions, but must identify wrong thinking and consider their spiritual condition in terms of black, gray and white. Most have lived on the edge, moving between the black and gray areas of life. In those two zones, church-going addicts have developed habits and mindsets that mimic the unsaved. In some cases, they have entered pure darkness.
The goal of recovering Christians is to move from the black and gray area to the white space, which is the blessing zone of God. This requires an understanding of God's ways and knowing what is right in His eyes. Most importantly, it requires the decision to do what's right according to scripture.
The Bible is the main resource for learning right from wrong according to God. This point is made in 2 Timothy 3:16. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
According to Wikipedia, righteousness "is an attribute that implies that a person's actions are justified. It can have the connotation that the person has been 'judged' as leading a life that is pleasing to God. Righteousness is also used as an attribute for God."
The Solid Rock Road Christian recovery ministry uses 10 Bible-based principles to lead people to the path of God. It gives them tools to fight the battle for their souls so they can become pleasing to God -- so that they can move from the black and gray of compromise into the righteousness of God.
As a training tool and resource of addicts, check out the book I co-wrote called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. You can also join me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad.
Christians in recovery not only have to get set free from addictions, but must identify wrong thinking and consider their spiritual condition in terms of black, gray and white. Most have lived on the edge, moving between the black and gray areas of life. In those two zones, church-going addicts have developed habits and mindsets that mimic the unsaved. In some cases, they have entered pure darkness.
The goal of recovering Christians is to move from the black and gray area to the white space, which is the blessing zone of God. This requires an understanding of God's ways and knowing what is right in His eyes. Most importantly, it requires the decision to do what's right according to scripture.
The Bible is the main resource for learning right from wrong according to God. This point is made in 2 Timothy 3:16. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
According to Wikipedia, righteousness "is an attribute that implies that a person's actions are justified. It can have the connotation that the person has been 'judged' as leading a life that is pleasing to God. Righteousness is also used as an attribute for God."
The Solid Rock Road Christian recovery ministry uses 10 Bible-based principles to lead people to the path of God. It gives them tools to fight the battle for their souls so they can become pleasing to God -- so that they can move from the black and gray of compromise into the righteousness of God.
As a training tool and resource of addicts, check out the book I co-wrote called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. You can also join me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The Reality of Fake Drug Tests
Over-the-counter drug tests are reasonably accurate, but the trouble with drug testing in general is that addicts are getting really good at faking them. The reason is that they're given plenty of help by companies out there who create fake urine and mechanical devices used to deceive the drug testers. And of course, addicts can search the Internet to find out what other addicts have done to successfully beat the system.
Most importantly, addicts are counting on the fact that no one wants to stare at the private parts of another person. This "distance" factor makes it easy to use fake urine and fake drug testing devices.
For people unaware, fake drug testing enables an addict to continue with their lying and scheming ways. Since every addict lies in order to continue getting high, this isn't that big a stretch -- although it is rather surprising how far an addict will take their deceptive practices.
For families who discover that a loved one is not only using drugs but has been developing systems of deception in order to pass drug tests, it's double the betrayal.
In the Solid Rock Road recovery ministry, we have been fooled, but not for too long. If there is an air of suspicion around someone who we're testing on a regular basis, the team will go along with it for a time, but then we use the element of surprise. Get them to take the test when they least expect it. If they refuse a test, it's the same as the test coming up dirty.
For anyone suspecting their loved one of faking drug tests, do what the addict does. Search the Internet for all the systems, products and devices addicts use to deceive the drug testers. Be smart and be wise to all the possible tricks out there so you will know what to look for.
The best way to bust a drug test faker is to have their spouse, significant other or parent perform the test close up. This may seem radical, and even embarrassing, but it works. Finally, send the urine sample to a laboratory that will do a pre-test on substances ingested that will have an effect on the drug test. You can also get a hair sample or blood test.
I have co-written a book called Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. It speaks directly to addicts. You can also follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad.
Most importantly, addicts are counting on the fact that no one wants to stare at the private parts of another person. This "distance" factor makes it easy to use fake urine and fake drug testing devices.
For people unaware, fake drug testing enables an addict to continue with their lying and scheming ways. Since every addict lies in order to continue getting high, this isn't that big a stretch -- although it is rather surprising how far an addict will take their deceptive practices.
For families who discover that a loved one is not only using drugs but has been developing systems of deception in order to pass drug tests, it's double the betrayal.
In the Solid Rock Road recovery ministry, we have been fooled, but not for too long. If there is an air of suspicion around someone who we're testing on a regular basis, the team will go along with it for a time, but then we use the element of surprise. Get them to take the test when they least expect it. If they refuse a test, it's the same as the test coming up dirty.
For anyone suspecting their loved one of faking drug tests, do what the addict does. Search the Internet for all the systems, products and devices addicts use to deceive the drug testers. Be smart and be wise to all the possible tricks out there so you will know what to look for.
The best way to bust a drug test faker is to have their spouse, significant other or parent perform the test close up. This may seem radical, and even embarrassing, but it works. Finally, send the urine sample to a laboratory that will do a pre-test on substances ingested that will have an effect on the drug test. You can also get a hair sample or blood test.
I have co-written a book called Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. It speaks directly to addicts. You can also follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Art of Dying to Yourself in Christian Recovery
From the beginning of time, mankind has sought to prolong life. Whether it was learning survival techniques in the caveman days, receiving heart transplants in modern times, or looking for the fountain of youth in natural therapies, the goal has always been to live longer.
In Christianity, we are to die to ourselves every day. In 1 Corinthians 15:31, the Apostle Paul writes, "I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." In other words, Paul willingly destroys the works of the flesh in order for the Spirit of God within to control his soul.
This does not come naturally. Human instincts are to live. With Satan's encouragement, the sin nature continually rises up to wreak havoc in our lives. Therefore, we must commit to our own death so that we can rise up in the resurrection of life in Christ.
When we die to ourselves, the Spirit of God is revealed and engaged in the battle for your mind and soul. Your spiritual death brings honor to God and establishes your place in His Kingdom. It also keeps us humble.
Go to our Twitter site at wwww.twitter.com/solidrockroad or to www.thesolidrockroad.com to purchase Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery
In Christianity, we are to die to ourselves every day. In 1 Corinthians 15:31, the Apostle Paul writes, "I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." In other words, Paul willingly destroys the works of the flesh in order for the Spirit of God within to control his soul.
This does not come naturally. Human instincts are to live. With Satan's encouragement, the sin nature continually rises up to wreak havoc in our lives. Therefore, we must commit to our own death so that we can rise up in the resurrection of life in Christ.
When we die to ourselves, the Spirit of God is revealed and engaged in the battle for your mind and soul. Your spiritual death brings honor to God and establishes your place in His Kingdom. It also keeps us humble.
Go to our Twitter site at wwww.twitter.com/solidrockroad or to www.thesolidrockroad.com to purchase Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Moving Toward Your Destiny in Christian Recovery
We have to get over ourselves so we can get to God. The devil uses proven tricks to keep you from moving to the next level with God, and he’s good at holding you back from your destiny.
How many times have you sought God and began to experience positive changes when all of a sudden you start to question everything? You begin to think negative thoughts, and say to yourself, “Who are you kidding? You’re a loser and always will be. You’re different from everyone else in church and no matter how hard you try, Christians will never accept or understand you. You’re a fake and a liar. The only people who understand you are your old friends. You relate to them. They are like you and you are like them.”
Any psychologist will tell you that your addiction is talking. While that’s a great recovery cliché, it’s not a Christian reality. In truth, the devil is reconnecting you with your sin nature, and with himself. He's telling lies and using his wiles to prevent your original God-given future from unfolding. Therefore, you must be sure to counteract every ungodly thought and forge ahead no matter what.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 3:14 that he pushed himself for a purpose. "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." You would be wise to follow Paul's lead!
In the Solid Rock Road Christian recovery ministry, Principle #7 is Seek the Will of God for Your Life. This is a valuable principle because once you understand you have a destiny in God, you will take hold of the freedom God gives and you won't let go.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. Also, look for the ministry's book Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
How many times have you sought God and began to experience positive changes when all of a sudden you start to question everything? You begin to think negative thoughts, and say to yourself, “Who are you kidding? You’re a loser and always will be. You’re different from everyone else in church and no matter how hard you try, Christians will never accept or understand you. You’re a fake and a liar. The only people who understand you are your old friends. You relate to them. They are like you and you are like them.”
Any psychologist will tell you that your addiction is talking. While that’s a great recovery cliché, it’s not a Christian reality. In truth, the devil is reconnecting you with your sin nature, and with himself. He's telling lies and using his wiles to prevent your original God-given future from unfolding. Therefore, you must be sure to counteract every ungodly thought and forge ahead no matter what.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 3:14 that he pushed himself for a purpose. "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." You would be wise to follow Paul's lead!
In the Solid Rock Road Christian recovery ministry, Principle #7 is Seek the Will of God for Your Life. This is a valuable principle because once you understand you have a destiny in God, you will take hold of the freedom God gives and you won't let go.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. Also, look for the ministry's book Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Holy Spirit and Christian Recovery from Addictions
The Holy Spirit is your personal guide in your Christian walk. In John 14:16, Jesus tells the disciples He will be leaving (meaning crucified) but someone better will take His place. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.” (NIV)
That Counselor is the Holy Spirit that lives in you from the point of salvation. Counseling from the Holy Spirit is divine. It’s also free and available twenty-four hours a day. The Holy Spirit overpowers evil and is your source of strength, wisdom, and inspiration. When you are guided by the Holy Spirit, you will not relapse or fall back into negative patterns of behavior.
The problem we Christians have is that the Holy Spirit doesn’t possess us. He doesn’t just spring up and take over our life. We wish He would. It would make everything so much easier, and much better. Instead, the Holy Spirit lives in us, but waits for us to empower Him through surrender and the process of emptying ourselves of our sinful nature.
As Galatians 5:22,23 explains: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
The Bible also describes the Holy Spirit as the abiding guest (John 14:16), Spirit of truth (John 14:17), teacher (John 14:26), testifier (John 15:26), guide, voice of God, the Prophet (John 16:13), Glorifier of Jesus (John 16:14), witness to sonship (Romans 8:16), helper in prayer (Romans 8:26), and power to witness (Acts 1:8).
Christians in recovery from addictions can count on the Holy Spirit to help at every level. The goal is to engage the Spirit so that it has control of your soul.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com and look for a book I've cowritten called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
That Counselor is the Holy Spirit that lives in you from the point of salvation. Counseling from the Holy Spirit is divine. It’s also free and available twenty-four hours a day. The Holy Spirit overpowers evil and is your source of strength, wisdom, and inspiration. When you are guided by the Holy Spirit, you will not relapse or fall back into negative patterns of behavior.
The problem we Christians have is that the Holy Spirit doesn’t possess us. He doesn’t just spring up and take over our life. We wish He would. It would make everything so much easier, and much better. Instead, the Holy Spirit lives in us, but waits for us to empower Him through surrender and the process of emptying ourselves of our sinful nature.
As Galatians 5:22,23 explains: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
The Bible also describes the Holy Spirit as the abiding guest (John 14:16), Spirit of truth (John 14:17), teacher (John 14:26), testifier (John 15:26), guide, voice of God, the Prophet (John 16:13), Glorifier of Jesus (John 16:14), witness to sonship (Romans 8:16), helper in prayer (Romans 8:26), and power to witness (Acts 1:8).
Christians in recovery from addictions can count on the Holy Spirit to help at every level. The goal is to engage the Spirit so that it has control of your soul.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com and look for a book I've cowritten called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Solid Rock Road and Christian Recovery
Christian recovery is a well-known term, and one we use often in the Solid Rock Road ministry. However, anyone who repents from the sin of addiction is actually restored, refreshed and renewed. That's truly exciting for those of us who suffered serious consequences related to our addictions, and for those of us who have regrets.
Restoration allows us to acknowledge our mistakes, but frees us from the shame and guilt. Still, Satan will do everything possible to ensure that Christians in recovery feel condemned for their sin of addiction. If he is successful, then the formerly addicted person remains attached to the sin nature that led them down the addiction path. When they carry the heavy weight of guilt, they are desperate for relief. Often, they find a temporary solution in alcohol and drugs, which leads them through the cycle of relapse -- usually over and over.
While some people are delivered from addiction (meaning instantly over it), others like me have had to endure certain levels of suffering to overcome the propensity to abuse drugs and/or alcohol. Either way, the result is the same. We are set free.
We have to remember that Jesus gave his life for our freedom. This is not a Christian cliche: it is the foundation of our faith.
Repentance is the first step to counteracting the guilt and shame of addiction. If you need help, email me at TheSolidRockRoad@gmail.com. Also, you can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. By the way, look for a book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
Restoration allows us to acknowledge our mistakes, but frees us from the shame and guilt. Still, Satan will do everything possible to ensure that Christians in recovery feel condemned for their sin of addiction. If he is successful, then the formerly addicted person remains attached to the sin nature that led them down the addiction path. When they carry the heavy weight of guilt, they are desperate for relief. Often, they find a temporary solution in alcohol and drugs, which leads them through the cycle of relapse -- usually over and over.
While some people are delivered from addiction (meaning instantly over it), others like me have had to endure certain levels of suffering to overcome the propensity to abuse drugs and/or alcohol. Either way, the result is the same. We are set free.
We have to remember that Jesus gave his life for our freedom. This is not a Christian cliche: it is the foundation of our faith.
Repentance is the first step to counteracting the guilt and shame of addiction. If you need help, email me at TheSolidRockRoad@gmail.com. Also, you can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. By the way, look for a book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Four Steps to Spiritual Freedom
Freedom is a much-used term in the Christian community. People talk about it, know about and teach about. But not everyone experiences complete freedom in Christ. Since the discussion of bondage is often focused on addictions, Christians in general can overlook the strongholds in their own lives. For example, fear, anger, insecurity, lying, pride and greed are many of the ways Satan takes God's people hostage.
When Christians are bound by the work of the devil, it is absolutely necessary to be set free, no matter the issue and no matter how much of a stronghold there is. Without complete freedom, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is minimized. In some cases, the sufferings of Christ have become meaningless to people -- especially those who claim that they can't stop sinning. We know that God says He gives everyone a way of escape.
It's time to be set free and to give honor to the Lord. The following are four steps to spiritual freedom.
1. You must to want freedom more than you want anything else.
2. You must go after freedom with all your heart -- give it everything you've got.
3. You must receive freedom, trusting that Jesus died and completed the process. He said, "It is finished," which means the work has been done.
4. You must maintain your freedom, being aware of the devil's plan to recapture you.
Christians in victory know they have been set free, and they walk out their freedom knowing that the power of God has transformed their lives.
Check out my twitter account at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad.
When Christians are bound by the work of the devil, it is absolutely necessary to be set free, no matter the issue and no matter how much of a stronghold there is. Without complete freedom, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is minimized. In some cases, the sufferings of Christ have become meaningless to people -- especially those who claim that they can't stop sinning. We know that God says He gives everyone a way of escape.
It's time to be set free and to give honor to the Lord. The following are four steps to spiritual freedom.
1. You must to want freedom more than you want anything else.
2. You must go after freedom with all your heart -- give it everything you've got.
3. You must receive freedom, trusting that Jesus died and completed the process. He said, "It is finished," which means the work has been done.
4. You must maintain your freedom, being aware of the devil's plan to recapture you.
Christians in victory know they have been set free, and they walk out their freedom knowing that the power of God has transformed their lives.
Check out my twitter account at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Addiction is Like Adultery
Addiction is like adultery. That's a bold statement to make, and yet I believe I have seen and heard enough to warrant such a thesis. As a counselor in a Christian recovery ministry, I'm still shocked by the selfish, untamed desire addicts have for their drug of choice.
Like an adulterer, an addict can't stop thinking about the substance they love and adore. They can't get enough, and the more they get, the more they want. Like an adulterer, an addict will lie incessantly to their wives and families in order to spend time with their lover -- the drug.
The lover has the addict's whole heart so that all thoughts and actions are focused away from all other things in their life. A fantasy world also begins. The vision and the yearning for the lover is on their mind at all times and even takes precedence over the needs of the children, their boss, their friends and all others.
The addict is so obsessed, he or she spends outrageous amounts of money on the lover and outrageous amounts of time figuring out how to be with the lover, please the lover, and have the lover please them.
This analogy could go on, but the point is, addiction is like adultery in that it destroys lives and is a major cause of separation and divorce.
Visit our website at www.thesolidrockroad.com or follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad.
Like an adulterer, an addict can't stop thinking about the substance they love and adore. They can't get enough, and the more they get, the more they want. Like an adulterer, an addict will lie incessantly to their wives and families in order to spend time with their lover -- the drug.
The lover has the addict's whole heart so that all thoughts and actions are focused away from all other things in their life. A fantasy world also begins. The vision and the yearning for the lover is on their mind at all times and even takes precedence over the needs of the children, their boss, their friends and all others.
The addict is so obsessed, he or she spends outrageous amounts of money on the lover and outrageous amounts of time figuring out how to be with the lover, please the lover, and have the lover please them.
This analogy could go on, but the point is, addiction is like adultery in that it destroys lives and is a major cause of separation and divorce.
Visit our website at www.thesolidrockroad.com or follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Your Mind as the Battlefield
There is a constant struggle going on inside your mind. It’s a war between your old and new self. For people with a history of relapse, the old self often wins. Since the old self is not redeemed, it is still of the world and controlled by Satan. If Satan controls your mind, he becomes the filter by which all information is received. Even the Word of God gets interpreted incorrectly.
Since our minds lead our actions, the devil knows that if we think bad thoughts, we’ll act badly. Joyce Meyer wrote a book called Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind. In the first chapter, she explains that Satan is strategic and creates deliberates plans to defeat us.
Meyer brings this point home early in her book when she writes, “He (Satan) knows our insecurities, our weaknesses and our fears. He knows what bothers us most. He is willing to invest any amount of time it takes to defeat us. One of the devil’s strong points is patience.”
To learn more about how the mind works when it comes to Christians in addiction, visit www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also follow us on Twitter.
Since our minds lead our actions, the devil knows that if we think bad thoughts, we’ll act badly. Joyce Meyer wrote a book called Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind. In the first chapter, she explains that Satan is strategic and creates deliberates plans to defeat us.
Meyer brings this point home early in her book when she writes, “He (Satan) knows our insecurities, our weaknesses and our fears. He knows what bothers us most. He is willing to invest any amount of time it takes to defeat us. One of the devil’s strong points is patience.”
To learn more about how the mind works when it comes to Christians in addiction, visit www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also follow us on Twitter.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Devil Has No Manners
As I was pondering the beauty of God and thinking about what a gentleman He is, I suddenly realized that the devil has no manners.
God is mannerly. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, we read about how he doesn't interfere when asked not to. We also read in the Bible that we are the ones who need to seek God. We are asked to pray, to read the Word, to go after God with all our hearts. God is always there for us, but He asks that we go to Him. Seeking God is then an act of love on our part.
On the other hand, the devil intrudes and infiltrates. He sees a small opening into our thoughts and lives, and he takes it. He is an opportunist, a thief, a stalker. The devil doesn't wait for his turn, nor is he ever silent. The devil lies non-stop and often gets louder when we ask him to stop.
The fact that the devil has no manners and is in our face helps to explain why people fall into temptation and why it's so hard to say no to drugs and alcohol. But armed with this knowledge, it is clear that Christians in recovery are wise to go hard after God.
We help Christians in addiction remember how to fight and win the battle for their souls by interacting with God. Visit our website at www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroadwww.twitter.com/solidrockroad and Facebook. Also, look for a book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
God is mannerly. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, we read about how he doesn't interfere when asked not to. We also read in the Bible that we are the ones who need to seek God. We are asked to pray, to read the Word, to go after God with all our hearts. God is always there for us, but He asks that we go to Him. Seeking God is then an act of love on our part.
On the other hand, the devil intrudes and infiltrates. He sees a small opening into our thoughts and lives, and he takes it. He is an opportunist, a thief, a stalker. The devil doesn't wait for his turn, nor is he ever silent. The devil lies non-stop and often gets louder when we ask him to stop.
The fact that the devil has no manners and is in our face helps to explain why people fall into temptation and why it's so hard to say no to drugs and alcohol. But armed with this knowledge, it is clear that Christians in recovery are wise to go hard after God.
We help Christians in addiction remember how to fight and win the battle for their souls by interacting with God. Visit our website at www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroadwww.twitter.com/solidrockroad and Facebook. Also, look for a book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
Friday, January 29, 2010
God's Plan for Christian Recovery
It’s true that God performs miracles. I've witnessed many and have experienced more than I deserve. But if God isn’t giving you the miracle you've been pleading for, He has a different plan for you. God isn't worried about what you think about His plan, He does it knowing what's best for you and with a specific lesson in mind.
God does not want to be your situational rescuer, nor will he put a bandage on your gaping wound. God wants to change your life, to change your mind and to change your heart. Mostly God wants you to put Him first and to make Jesus the Lord of your life so that you can be complete in Him.
When you fully surrender, you’ll find the strength and courage you need to quit addictive and sinful behaviors. You won’t have to go into a treatment center or offer a lifelong commitment to a recovery organization. You won’t have to claim that you are an addict until the day you die. As the Bible says, you are changed; you are a new person in Christ.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. And look for a book I've co-written called "Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery." It is coming out in Feb/March 2010.
God does not want to be your situational rescuer, nor will he put a bandage on your gaping wound. God wants to change your life, to change your mind and to change your heart. Mostly God wants you to put Him first and to make Jesus the Lord of your life so that you can be complete in Him.
When you fully surrender, you’ll find the strength and courage you need to quit addictive and sinful behaviors. You won’t have to go into a treatment center or offer a lifelong commitment to a recovery organization. You won’t have to claim that you are an addict until the day you die. As the Bible says, you are changed; you are a new person in Christ.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. And look for a book I've co-written called "Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery." It is coming out in Feb/March 2010.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Christian Recovery and the Value of Getting Wise Counsel.
Christians can get off the path when they believe they have heard from God when it's actually their inner voice being directed by their sin nature. While this may make you insecure about whether you are divinely inspired or not, but there is a system you God set up to ensure what you are hearing is truth.
First, check it against Biblical instruction. Second, get in the habit of seeking counsel from your leaders. Even small decisions can have a major impact on your Christian life. Your leaders have been given the grace for you and are responsible for your soul according to Hebrews 13:17. Therefore, they have wisdom and good counsel to offer you.
Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." To prove this point, Solomon writes something very similar in Proverbs 15:22, “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.”
The best advice is to leave nothing to chance. When making decisions, don’t get prideful and religious; get guidance. Most importantly, if several wise people agree on an answer, take their advice. This may mean that you have to do something you don’t want to do, or you can’t do something you want to do. At first, you’ll hate this accountability process, but I guarantee you’ll love the long-term results.
You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. And look for a book I've co-written called Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. It's coming out in February 2010 (or early March.)
First, check it against Biblical instruction. Second, get in the habit of seeking counsel from your leaders. Even small decisions can have a major impact on your Christian life. Your leaders have been given the grace for you and are responsible for your soul according to Hebrews 13:17. Therefore, they have wisdom and good counsel to offer you.
Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." To prove this point, Solomon writes something very similar in Proverbs 15:22, “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.”
The best advice is to leave nothing to chance. When making decisions, don’t get prideful and religious; get guidance. Most importantly, if several wise people agree on an answer, take their advice. This may mean that you have to do something you don’t want to do, or you can’t do something you want to do. At first, you’ll hate this accountability process, but I guarantee you’ll love the long-term results.
You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. And look for a book I've co-written called Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. It's coming out in February 2010 (or early March.)
Monday, January 11, 2010
Armor of God Prayer
You have to win the daily spiritual battle for your soul. When you wake up, say this prayer and you'll walk in victory. (This prayer is in a book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery -- out in February 2010.
Stand Therefore, having girded your waist with the truth
Thank you Lord for your truth. You are truth and You alone set me free from sin and lies. Today, I choose to believe and put on the truth about who You are and who I am as Your child. Holy Spirit, lead and guide my thoughts in Your path of truth. Help me to make wise decisions today based on Your word. Help me to speak the truth in love to myself and others. And give me discernment so I know when people are speaking truth and when Satan is using lies to get me off the path.
Having put on the breastplate of righteousness
Thank You, Lord, for Your breastplate of righteousness. I put it on and it covers me today. In the name of Jesus, I take off any robes of self-righteousness or works of the law that would glorify me and distract me from the finished work of Jesus at the cross. I ask you, Lord, to help me maintain my heart with diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life.
And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace
Thank You, Father, for Your good news of peace to me. I put on Your gospel of peace. May my steps be secure and protected today. Prepare me to speak to others about Your love and the good things You’ve done in my life. Help me to live in peace and walk as a peacemaker.
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one
Father, You are a shield about me and the glory and the lifter of my head. I want to please you, Lord, with my faith in You. You’re my Savior, though I don’t always see what You are doing, or plan to do. My trust in You puts You between my enemy and me. I am forever secure in You and inaccessible to Satan.
And take the helmet of salvation
Father, thank You for saving me from sin and death. I receive Your gift of salvation, deliverance, and healing. I have the mind of Christ and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Help me to think pure thoughts and praise You. Thank You for making me a new creation. Make my mind new, and help me not to be ignorant of Satan’s plans.
And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
Father, thank You for the weapon of Your Word and Your Spirit. When the enemy comes to steal, kill, or destroy me, quicken scripture to me so I can stand. May my sword (God’s Word) be exercised to defeat the enemy today. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Stand Therefore, having girded your waist with the truth
Thank you Lord for your truth. You are truth and You alone set me free from sin and lies. Today, I choose to believe and put on the truth about who You are and who I am as Your child. Holy Spirit, lead and guide my thoughts in Your path of truth. Help me to make wise decisions today based on Your word. Help me to speak the truth in love to myself and others. And give me discernment so I know when people are speaking truth and when Satan is using lies to get me off the path.
Having put on the breastplate of righteousness
Thank You, Lord, for Your breastplate of righteousness. I put it on and it covers me today. In the name of Jesus, I take off any robes of self-righteousness or works of the law that would glorify me and distract me from the finished work of Jesus at the cross. I ask you, Lord, to help me maintain my heart with diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life.
And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace
Thank You, Father, for Your good news of peace to me. I put on Your gospel of peace. May my steps be secure and protected today. Prepare me to speak to others about Your love and the good things You’ve done in my life. Help me to live in peace and walk as a peacemaker.
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one
Father, You are a shield about me and the glory and the lifter of my head. I want to please you, Lord, with my faith in You. You’re my Savior, though I don’t always see what You are doing, or plan to do. My trust in You puts You between my enemy and me. I am forever secure in You and inaccessible to Satan.
And take the helmet of salvation
Father, thank You for saving me from sin and death. I receive Your gift of salvation, deliverance, and healing. I have the mind of Christ and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Help me to think pure thoughts and praise You. Thank You for making me a new creation. Make my mind new, and help me not to be ignorant of Satan’s plans.
And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
Father, thank You for the weapon of Your Word and Your Spirit. When the enemy comes to steal, kill, or destroy me, quicken scripture to me so I can stand. May my sword (God’s Word) be exercised to defeat the enemy today. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Value of Faith in Christian Recovery
No one can force truth down your throat, nor is God going to place a spiritual feeding tube in you. You have to want it and you have to get it yourself. The same is true for faith. You can hear about it, see that others have it, wish you had it and wonder why you don’t have enough of it, or you can go after faith with all your heart.
There’s plenty of spiritual food to go around. At church, your pastor is at the pulpit preaching his guts out. Your Bible is full of the inspired Word of God. If you have doubt, then you would be wise to become obsessed with scriptures about faith, the heroes of faith, and hang around people who consistently demonstrate faith.
Whether you lack faith, don’t fully understand Christian principles, or are just being stubborn, your only hope in overcoming your addictions and living a blessed life is to completely surrender to God.
You can resist all you want or complain about how your situation is harder or worse than everyone else’s, but God can’t be manipulated by your tears, fears, or false promises. And if you believe that your addiction is stronger than His power to set you free, then your message to the world is that Christ’s suffering on the cross was meaningless to you.
There’s plenty of spiritual food to go around. At church, your pastor is at the pulpit preaching his guts out. Your Bible is full of the inspired Word of God. If you have doubt, then you would be wise to become obsessed with scriptures about faith, the heroes of faith, and hang around people who consistently demonstrate faith.
Whether you lack faith, don’t fully understand Christian principles, or are just being stubborn, your only hope in overcoming your addictions and living a blessed life is to completely surrender to God.
You can resist all you want or complain about how your situation is harder or worse than everyone else’s, but God can’t be manipulated by your tears, fears, or false promises. And if you believe that your addiction is stronger than His power to set you free, then your message to the world is that Christ’s suffering on the cross was meaningless to you.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The Devil and Your Addiction
Satan walked the earth before Adam and Eve were created, so he knows the planet’s entire history. Satan and the evil spirits that have been assigned to you from the day you were born know your history too, including every major trauma and disappointment you’ve had.
The devil and the demons are good at reminding you about how hurt you have been, how you have hurt others, all the wrong choices you've made and every other negative thing about your life. It's important to note that evil spirits never speak about the good in your life. Their job is to accentuate the negative, and of course, put doubt in your mind and follow that up with out-and-out lies.
Genesis 3:1-6 says that the snake (the devil) is cunning. When he came to tempt Eve, he first put doubt in her mind (did God really say?), and then he told the lie (you can be like God). Eve was then deceived through lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life.
This is what happens with the devil and your addiction. He starts with having you doubt you faith, then tells you a lie such as "It's okay," "This will be your last time," "You can get away with it," "You can't resist the temptation," or "You can't help it." He'll tell you whatever lie he knows you'll believe. Then once you believe, you're deceived and the cycle of addiction continues.
You can get free from addictions if you break the cycle.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. Look for a new book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. It will be out soon.
The devil and the demons are good at reminding you about how hurt you have been, how you have hurt others, all the wrong choices you've made and every other negative thing about your life. It's important to note that evil spirits never speak about the good in your life. Their job is to accentuate the negative, and of course, put doubt in your mind and follow that up with out-and-out lies.
Genesis 3:1-6 says that the snake (the devil) is cunning. When he came to tempt Eve, he first put doubt in her mind (did God really say?), and then he told the lie (you can be like God). Eve was then deceived through lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life.
This is what happens with the devil and your addiction. He starts with having you doubt you faith, then tells you a lie such as "It's okay," "This will be your last time," "You can get away with it," "You can't resist the temptation," or "You can't help it." He'll tell you whatever lie he knows you'll believe. Then once you believe, you're deceived and the cycle of addiction continues.
You can get free from addictions if you break the cycle.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. Look for a new book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. It will be out soon.
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