Monthly Archives: April 2010

Overcoming Addictions

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“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”1

A Daily Encounter reader writes, “I’m writing this in pure despair. I’ve written to some other Christian organizations only to receive ‘canned’ responses. I am a 50-year-old woman and have been a drug addict since the age of 13. I have been in many treatments, had psychiatric care, on psychiatric meds, in all kinds of 12-step programs, attended Church on a regular basis, read my Bible daily, prayed earnestly, helped others in leading them to the Lord … on and on and on. But I am hopelessly defeated.

“I’ve often thought that I had a demon or demons in me. I have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and even pray in tongues, but nothing happens. I don’t seem to hear from God. Has He given up on me? I’m so scared of going to hell. I don’t want to be this way. Please help me.”

Hello, Jeanie (name changed),

I am sorry to hear of your plight and your struggle. First, let me say, you are not lost. It is our faith in Christ that saves us for all eternity—not our own good works. As long as you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died on the cross for your sins, and have accepted him as your Savior, you will never be lost nor will you go to hell.

Second, you can never go it alone to rescue yourself from your addiction. You need to continue in a good recovery program for support and to help you get and stay off drugs. And I urge you to find a good Christian counselor who specializes in helping people overcome addictive behaviors.

Third, only God and your unconscious mind know the root cause/s of your addiction. So I urge you to earnestly seek God to reveal to you the truth; that is, the root cause of your problem. You will need to be willing to face this truth with all your heart because in reality you may not want to do this because it is too painful. Tell God that you are willing to be made willing to see this truth no matter how much it hurts. Also ask God to help you find the help you need to resolve your problem.

Fourth, you may also need some medical care to help you overcome the addictive side of drugs.

Fifth, it is highly unlikely that a demon is the cause of your drug addiction. True, Satan is the ultimate cause of all our failures, but when we fail to deal with and resolve them, we give him a foothold. But when we bring our problems “into the light” and resolve them, the enemy loses his foothold.

Finally, a reminder to always pray for the truth as today’s Scripture says, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” So again, ask God to confront you with the truth behind your addictive behavior; that is, help you to see the root cause of your addiction—and never give up until you see it. And remember that God loves you and is with you no matter what. He loves you with an everlasting love and wants to help you overcome your problem.

Here’s a suggested prayer you could pray: “Dear God, I admit that I am a drug addict and am asking you to help me. Have mercy on me a sinner. I beg you to show me the truth of the cause behind my addiction. Please do this for me no matter how much it hurts, and please help me to find the help I need to overcome. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Note: For further help read “Overcoming Drug Dependency,” at:

http://tinyurl.com/drug-dependency.

For counseling resources see https://learning.actsweb.org/counseling_resources.php

1. Psalm 145:18 (NIV).

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True Humility

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“A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.”1

“Tony Campolo tells of preaching a really good sermon in his preaching class in seminary. Campolo felt pretty proud of his outline, his arguments, and his delivery. He felt pretty proud of himself—until he read his professor’s comments at the bottom of the page: ‘You can’t convince people that Jesus is wonderful and you’re wonderful in the same sermon.’”2

I recall hearing a somewhat heated discussion between a church member and his minister. I couldn’t help but overhear the member all but shouting, “I tell you, I AM humble!” The trouble is if I have to tell you how humble I am, already I’ve lost it.

Humility, however, is not degrading or putting yourself down or hanging your head in a false kind of shame. That’s insecurity. True humility is having a realistic evaluation of yourself, recognizing your gifts, abilities, and strengths and being grateful to God for them—and putting all these gifts to good use in serving God and others. Humility also recognizes and accepts one’s weaknesses and, with God’s help, does something about overcoming them.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to grow in love and maturity and become more and more like Jesus in every way so that I will be genuinely humble … recognizing that ‘every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.’3 And help me to always give you the praise for all the gifts and good things you have given so freely to me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Proverbs 29:23 (NASB).

2. Tony Campolo in Ten Great Preachers, edited by Bill Turpie (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 2000), p. 38. Cited on www.sermons.com

3. James 1:17 (NIV).

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Peterpandemonium

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“We proclaim him [Christ], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect [mature] in Christ.”1

As Charles Colson in BreakPoint said, “When J. M. Barrie wrote Peter Pan, the story of a boy who refused to grow up and lived in a place called ‘Neverland,’ he was writing fiction to amuse children.”

Today, however, apparently more and more adults are seeking to model themselves after Peter Pan—not wanting to grow up. As Colson also reported: “A recent article in the New York Times chronicled the emergence of a new cultural trend. Known variously as ‘Peterpandemonium’ or ‘Rejuveniles’ that is characterized by ‘grown-ups who cultivate juvenile tastes in products and entertainment.’”

And says Colson, “‘Peterpandemonium’ extends beyond the mall. A surprisingly large part of the audience for children’s television shows like the Teletubbies are ‘young adults.’ And more people between the ages of 18 and 49 watch the Cartoon Network than watch CNN [news reports].”2

Certainly Hollywood and the media have popularized and glorified the youth culture. And yet at the root of this “madness” is a growing lack of personal responsibility. Too many of us adults play the blame-game refusing to accept responsibility for the mistakes we make and what we personally contribute to our failures, especially in the area of relationships.

Then there is politics and their blame-game seeking to get votes at pretty much any cost. If business is bad, it’s the other party that’s to blame. If people are not getting the handouts they want, then again, it’s the other party’s fault. It’s a sad state of affairs when the politicians who offer the most handouts get the most votes—instead of the politicians who stand for justice, right, personal responsibility, and the good of all the citizens and the nation as a whole.

And if we adults don’t accept personal responsibility and grow up, what can we expect of our kids?

The reality is that I and only I am responsible for my life. True, I was not responsible for a less than perfect upbringing, but I am totally responsible for what I become. I may even “have been a victim in the past, but if I remain one, I am now a willing volunteer.” Furthermore, while I am not responsible for the circumstances that are out of my control, I am totally responsible for my attitude and for what I do about my situation.

Blaming others for the problems I have, and expecting others to resolve my problems for me, is a handy excuse to hang on to if I don’t want to grow up.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to grow in maturity, emotionally as well as spiritually, and accept responsibility for every area of my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Colossians 1:28 (NIV).

2. BreakPoint with Charles Colson, www.breakpoint.org/bp-home. Commentary #030916 – 09/16/2003

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What Is That in Your Hand?

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“Moses answered [God], ‘What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ”The LORD did not appear to you?“’ Then the LORD said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he replied. The LORD said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’ Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it.”1

I have read how “there was a 10-year-old boy, whose left arm was damaged and subsequently amputated. He decided to learn judo. His sensei (teacher) was an old Japanese judo expert.

“The boy learned quickly. After a short time, he had mastered one important move. He asked his teacher to teach him more moves. The sensei told him that this was all he would need.

“Soon after, the boy entered a tournament where his opponent was bigger and more experienced. The boy seemed outmatched. After a long match, the opponent seemed to lose concentration. Quickly, the boy took advantage and pinned what seemed to be his superior opponent.

“On the ride home, the boy asked his sensei, ‘How could I win with this one move?’ The sensei replied, ‘You have mastered one of the difficult moves in judo. And a good defense against that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.’”2

Sometimes we don’t think we have much to offer in service to God. But we all have at least “one thing in our hand.” If we offer that willingly to God, he will use it for his glory. And as the writer of the above story said, “Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your greatest strength.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for the gift you have given to me. Help me to know what it is and how I can best use it for serving you and helping others. I want to be a winner in your book. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Exodus 4:1-3 (NIV).

2. Author Unknown.

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Never too Old

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“So here I [Caleb] am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”1

“Emerson produced English Traits when he was 53 and Conduct of Life at 59.

“Kent wrote his Anthropology, Metaphysics of Ethics, and Strife of the Faculties at age 74.

“Oliver Wendell Holmes at 79 wrote Over the Teacups.

“Victor Hugo wrote Les Miserables at 62.

“Booth Tarkington wrote sixteen novels after age 60, some of them when he was totally blind.

“George Bernard Shaw wrote some of his famous plays at 80.

“Scott the commentator began study of Hebrew at 87.

“Jules Verne was writing his stories at 63.

“Croce the Italian philosopher published two of his works on philosophy at age 85.

“Santayana, the great Harvard philosopher, continued to write books at 88 years of age.

“Tennyson at 83 wrote ‘Crossing the Bar.’

“Webster wrote his monumental dictionary at 70.

“And Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken didn’t make his fortune until after he was 65.“2


In God’s economy we are never too old to serve God and to be a part of God’s plans and what he is doing in the world today … even if we are sick and infirm, we can still be mighty prayer warriors. All we need to do is make ourselves available.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that in the work of your Kingdom on earth I will never be too old to serve you. Please let me know what my ‘marching orders’ are for today—and for every day for the rest of my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer and for using me. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Joshua 14:10-12 (NIV).

2. Cited in Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations by Paul Lee Tan.

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The Power of One

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“And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.”1

Throughout the entire Bible whenever God had a job to do he called a person—usually just one person. When he wanted to form a nation, the nation of Israel to be his own people, he chose and called Abraham. When he wanted to deliver the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, he chose and called Moses. When he wanted a leader to take the children of Israel into the Promised Land, he chose and called Joshua. When he needed an earthly mother for the Christ child, he chose and called Mary.

From Genesis to Revelation, God’s methods are people—calling one at a time. You, too, can be one that God uses. As the unknown poet wrote:

One song can spark a moment,

One flower can wake the dream.

One tree can start a forest,

One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,

One handclasp lifts a soul.

One star can guide a ship at sea,

One word can frame the goal.

One vote can change a nation,

One sunbeam lights a room.

One candle wipes out darkness,

One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey,

One word must start each prayer.

One hope will raise our spirits,

One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,

One heart can know what’s true.

One life can make the difference,

You see it’s up to YOU!

As Edward Everett Hale said, “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you use individual people through whom you do your work on earth. I am available. Please use me to be one person to make a difference in the world in which I live—for time and eternity. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Hebrews 11: 32-34 (NIV).

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Living Joyfully

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“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”1

Vance Havner used to say that, “Worry, like sitting in a rocking chair, will keep you busy but won’t get you anywhere.”

This reminds me of the “famous story of Jean Henri Fabre, the French naturalist, and his processional caterpillars. He encountered some of these interesting creatures one day while walking in the woods. They were marching in a long unbroken line front to back, front to back. What fun it would be, Fabre thought, to make a complete ring with these worms and let them march in a circle.

“So, Fabre captured enough caterpillars to encircle the rim of a flowerpot. He linked them nose to posterior and started them walking in the closed circle. For days they turned like a perpetual merry-go-round. Although food was near at hand and accessible, the caterpillars starved to death on an endless march to nowhere.”2

There are lots of people like this. They worry themselves sick over unfounded fears which all but paralyze them, not realizing that 95 percent of things they fear never happen, and the other five percent probably won’t happen either.

Many men, when they arrive at middle age, experience a mid-life crisis with a sense of despair, feeling that they haven’t accomplished anything worthwhile with their life to date, and feel that they have nothing better to look forward to in the future.

Other people wander aimlessly through life without a purpose and without any meaningful and worthwhile goals. Even more tragic are the millions who go through life without ever having made plans and preparation for life after death.

Similar to the processional caterpillars, these people not only spend their life going in circles, but go in ever decreasing circles until their life diminishes into nothing. A terrible way to live. A tragic way to die.

But for those who discover their God-given life-purpose and plan and live accordingly as well as living in harmony with the will of God, when they come to the end of life’s journey, they have the assurance of meeting God face to face and hearing his welcoming words at the entrance of heaven. “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.” A joyous way to live. A triumphant way to die!

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you do have a divine purpose for my life. Please help me to discover what it is and, with your help, start working on it today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV).

2. From King Duncan www.sermons.com.

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Courage Input

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“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”1

“Dr. Alfred Adler, the great psychologist, had an experience when he was a young boy. He got off to a bad start learning arithmetic, so his teacher became convinced that Adler was stupid when it came to mathematics. The teacher told his parents that the boy was dumb, and also told them not to expect much from him. His parents were convinced that the teacher’s evaluation was correct.

“Therefore, Adler passively accepted the assessment that they had made of his abilities. And his grades in math proved that they were correct. However, one day he had a sudden flash of insight and thought he saw how to work a problem the teacher had put on the board that none of the other pupils could solve. He raised his hand and announced that he would like to do the problem. The students, and even the teacher, laughed at this. He became indignant. He strode to the blackboard and solved the problem perfectly much to everyone’s amazement. And at that moment he realized that he could understand mathematics. He had been handed an unreal, negative self-evaluation, and he had believed it and performed on the basis of that assessment.

“Many of us have done the very same thing. Someone has told us that our abilities are limited, or that our dreams are unreachable. We have accepted that without question, and we go through life unhappy and unfulfilled. We become estranged from ourselves simply because we believe what others people have told us about ourselves.”2

Every one of us—young and old alike—needs encouragement. To encourage someone is to put courage into them. To discourage is to take courage out of them. It costs nothing to put courage into another … to speak a kind word … to let them know you appreciate them … to tell them you believe in them … that you admire them … to thank them and so on.

So, today, make a point of putting courage into your spouse … your children … your boss … your employees … and the clerk at the local store. Go out of your way to do it. And in blessing others you will be blessed yourself.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you love, believe in, and encourage me. Please use me to encourage and put courage into my loved ones and the people you bring into my life today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Note: See the poem, “Unsung Songs” at: http://tinyurl.com/songs-unsung.

1. Hebrews 3:13 (NIV).

2. Cited on www.sermons.com.

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Where’s the Scent?

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“The Lord disciplines those he loves … for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”1

Earl Nightingale told how on one National Secretaries Day he gave his secretary flowers and she remarked how beautiful they were. She also said that she couldn’t understand why they didn’t have any scent.

He informed her that the flowers came from a hothouse and explained that because flowers raised in this type of environment have everything done for them, they don’t have to attract insects to pollinate them. As a result, they lose their scent. In the same way fruit raised in a hothouse, because it doesn’t need to attract insects to scatter its seeds, doesn’t taste as good as fruit grown in its natural environment.

It’s similar to the child who wanted to help a butterfly out of its cocoon by putting a slit in it and, in so doing caused it to die. He didn’t realize that the struggle to get out of the cocoon is needed to strengthen the butterfly’s wings, which enables it to fly.

When people do too much for us or overprotect us, especially in our early developmental years, they can do serious harm to us. And even in adulthood it’s the problems and difficulties we have that strengthen us, build out character, and teach us wisdom, understanding, and compassion—if we let them—and enable us to “fly.” This is why God disciplines those whom he loves by allowing us to go through difficult times. The same principle applies to us if and when we want the government to do for us that which we are capable of doing for ourselves.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to yield to your discipline and to see in all the struggles of life that you are wanting me to ‘grow in faith and love and every grace, more of your salvation know and seek more earnestly your face.’ Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Note: for further help read, “Lessons from Suffering” at: http://tinyurl.com/exuyw.

1. Hebrews 12:6, 10, 11 (NIV).

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You, too, Can Be Successful

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“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”1

“David Levenson has written a book titled, The Seasons of a Man’s Life. In examination of the factors that contribute to the development, growth, and success of people, he discovered three primary factors that seem to be essential to success. The first is a great vision; a driving dream that moves and motivates you to do something with your life. Those who give themselves to the fulfillment of something worthwhile experience a great sense of accomplishment.

“The second thing common to the successful people he studied was that they had each found a teacher who could instruct and help them along the way. Not only do we need a vision, we need some folks who have had visions before us, who can walk beside us and point the way.

“There was another commonality among these successful people. They each had a deeply personal and significant relationship with at least one other person, someone who would support them in accomplishing their dreams. These were the folks who would walk with them through the difficult times, even when it seemed as though the dream would never come true. In short, they had a friend.”2

We don’t have to be famous to be successful … all we need is a vision, a good teacher, and a faithful, supporting friend. To this I would add that our vision needs to be in harmony with and a vital part of our God-given life purpose.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to know what my God-given life purpose is and a realistic goal to work towards fulfilling that purpose. Give me a clear vision of what you want me to be and do, a good teacher to show me how to do it, and at least one trusted and faithful friend to support and encourage me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Note: For further help read, “You, too, Can Be a Winner” at: http://tinyurl.com/true-winner.

1. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV).

2. Cited on www.sermons.com.

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