The world as we know it today has many great things in it for everyone. Sports, performing arts, movies, great books, museums, amusement parks and my favorite beaches. As we partake in these and many other activities, we find that there are also other parts of life that some of us partake of, and those are activities such as enjoying a glass of wine with our meal or enjoying other somewhat
entertaining items that stimulate our mind and body. It's this latter entertainment that I want to
address.
Over the years of my early life, I had found myself bound up with anger, fear and a broken heart. I was angry at what I felt was an unfair life. When others were doing great because they were, or so I thought, better off than I was. I had a fear of trying to depart from my surroundings. I was hoping to make it just to the age of 18. As a result, because of this anger and fear, I found solace in drugs, alcohol and gang involvement. Throughout this journey, not knowing that God had plans for me. I kept myself medicated to manage the anger and the fear. But my heart, I found out that it was broken, and therefore I enjoyed destroying myself. The day that I received Jesus Christ into my heart and life was the same day, I had planned to commit suicide, but God.
Recovery programs such as A.A. (alcoholics anonymous) C.A. (cocaine anonymous) N.A. (narcotics anonymous) Is where I began my journey for healing and deliverance. Through this walk in my life, I found out that there is a BIG difference between a person who does not know Jesus Christ as their Lord, Redeemer and Savior, and those of us who do. Recovery for Christians is so different for us, because it requires us to walk by faith in the word of God. I found out that by trying to identify myself with others who do not have Jesus Christ in their heart it was affecting my faith walk with Jesus Christ.
The bible gives us simple instructions on how to speak to God about whatever we are going through. The word of God says that "it shall not return to me void" Isa 55:11. The twelve (12) steps, though it does help a lot of people, it has you confessing to something or someone that has no deliverance, no power but your own self-made, mental god power," the god of your understanding". This makes you do things by works, and confession by the letter, and not of the spirit. As a former person who was labeled with a dual diagnosis, (addict and manic depression) I found out that as a Christian we cannot use their terms in our walk with Jesus Christ.
My heart's prayer for everyone who is going through something that seems to be impossible to get the victory over, is to let you know by the word of HIS power that you CAN overcome each situation, by applying the word of God to whatever is trying to take your love, joy and peace IN your heart. This is so important for you and me because there are so many Christians who are living without the power of God in their life. My goal is to help enhance the Kingdom of God in and through you by identifying the difference between the letter from man and the spirit of God.
Pastor Kenneth Clark DRs.
