Journal 4-23-14

       You know one of the most common things you hear meth addicts complain about is everybody is always being watched. It makes people paranoid. You know the deal, “everybody is the police” lol. Well maybe that’s why we make such good Christians because after we are saved we are always under surveillance. I notice that when I begin going to church and speaking on matters of integrity, people notice and then they sit back and watch (surveillance). They wait for me to slip up. They may even throw out some bait for me to nibble on. Even if they want good for me, some people want me to slip up and take the bait to make themselves feel better about something they are doing.
       Several times in my life I have tried to get right with God and failed because I had stipulations. For example, I would say I’m going to still smoke pot Lord even if you tell me not to, or I’m still going to live in sin with my girl and I’m still going to hustle a bit to make extra cash, and on and on. Well I’m here to tell you, it doesn’t work that way! You ever wondered why A.A. says “Half measures availed us nothing” in the Big Book? It’s because it is a spiritual program and God is our higher power and He doesn’t compromise His law. It is His way or the highway straight to hell.
       So to all of my friends who are looking for God and trying to “get right”, when we truly  truly give ourselves over to Christ 100%, our identity is no longer in the things of old but in Christ. Isaiah 43:18-19 says “Remember not the former things nor consider the things of old. Behold I am doing a new thing now, it springs forth. Do you perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert for my chosen people to drink on.” We are His chosen people. The circles we find ourselves in without Christ are the wilderness. You ever sat in a living room with a bowl being passed around, or drove really fast while drunk, running from the police, or been shot at, or found yourself in a sexually immoral situation with a few other people? If so, welcome to the wilderness. When we are saved we lose the desire to indulge in those things because Christ takes residence in us. That doesn’t mean we won’t be tempted with these things. We are slowly transformed after we are saved by a renewal of the mind.
       Romans 12 “Present yourselves as a living sacrifice (that means don’t indulge in those things that we know are sinful), holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship (that means the act of denying the flesh those sinful desires will be pleasing to God – spiritual worship). Do not be conformed to this world (don’t take Satan’s bait) but be transformed by the renewal of your mind (read, pray, turn from sin, surround yourselves with people doing the same) that by testing (God let Job be tested by Satan) you may discern what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Renewal of the mind will come to you as you spend time in God’s word, pray, and live right. There is freedom in Christ, freedom from the strong holds in our lives, freedom from the pain, freedom from fear, freedom from everything that makes us crazy. I am a very strong willed man and most are strong willed people, but through submission to Christ we can learn to let go of that strong will and learn to trust Christ. That is what faith is – trusting something we have never seen. That is what will get us into heaven – trust and believe. You ever heard that? Lamentations 3:24-26 says “I say to myself, the Lord is everything I will ever need. So I put my hope (trust) in Him. The Lord is good to those who put their hope in Him (that’s what we want). He is good to those who look to Him (that’s what He wants). It is good when people wait quietly for the Lord to save them.”
       Now when we are saved and give ourselves to Christ He gives us power and confidence. 2 Timothy 1:7-8 says “God did not give us a spirit that makes us weak and fearful. He gave us a spirit that gives us power and love. It helps us control ourselves. So don’t be ashamed to give witness about our Lord and don’t be ashamed of me, His prisoner. Instead join me as I suffer for the good news. God’s power will help us to do that.” That is every Christian’s testimony: What God’s power is doing in their lives – His power is made perfect in our weakness. He is what our standard needs to be because His power is perfect, never failing, trustworthy. Not anybody or anything else should be our standard. Not sex, drugs, money, people, things, nothing. Lamentations 3:40 says, “Let us test and examine our ways and return to the Lord.” Return to the Lord, why? Because He is our Savior, our God, our Redeemer, our standard, our guide.
       I’ve always heard lead by example. Do we want our children to follow our lead? Are we going to live a life looking for God or peeking out the windows looking for meth-monsters or the police? Because we are under surveillance. Matthew 11:28 says “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads and I will give you rest.” Are you tired of going to prison, dealing with fear, rejection, loss, and depression? Tired of the circumstances in your life? Give Christ a chance and see what happens. He’s changed my life 10 fold in just 7 months. It’s amazing.

Prayer

O Lord, I call upon you, hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you. Let my prayer be counted as incense before you and the lifting up of my hands as sacrifice.