IS THE BODY OF CHRIST CRIPPLED? CRIPPLED BY ADDICTION, IDOLATRY, OBSESSION?

Are we crippled? In bondage to our addictions? I believe so.

But we cannot hang onto our vices any longer, our addictions: alcohol, drugs, pills, porn, media (FB, YouTube, etc.), movies, t.v., games, activities, money, shopping, illicit sex, cigarettes or even work. The list can go on and on.

For this leaves us in bondage, slaves to our body, the ruler of this world, and to the world’s standards and morals.

Doing what you want,

Doing what you think is right,
Is not always what is best for you.

You think you have freedom-

But you are a slave.
Just try to stop those vices and see what happens, how you feel.
Don’t pick up your phone, your remote, that glass,
that ___fill in the blank__. And you will see the hold it has on you.

Obsessions are bondage & idolatry.

Possessions can enslave & burden.

Freedom in Christ is rising above your flesh.

Yet your thoughts are full of lust, lust for pleasure.
There is a battle for your attention, time, and affection.

The enemy is winning when you give into these

vices, obsessions, addictions.

When tangled up drunk, high, hungover, glued to a screen –

How are you able to fulfill:

1.      The Greatest Commandments?

2.      The Great Commission?

Be honest with yourself & God.

Answer the question….you simply can’t.

Your obsessions are robbing your life of the time, money, and energy that God intends to be poured out to: HIM, YOUR FAMILY, AND OTHERS! (Also known as: The Greatest Commandments: Love God & Love others!)

Your possessiveness over your life, time, money, and energy prevents you from being led by the Spirit to carry out the Great Commission! (AKA: Preach the Gospel to all the tribes and nations (people)!)

How often do you examine yourself, your life, your schedule, your bank statement, or your relationships?

When we examine ourselves,

We must be honest with ourselves.

Many avoid this self-reflection because it often requires change.

The Bible calls it REPENTANCE.

It’s the most freeing thing you can do for yourself.

Repent of those addictions, obsessions, and unhealthy behaviors.

The Lord calls you to:

Love Him, your God with all your heart, soul, and might.

 

So who or what will you repent of, lay down, or run from in order to do Love God first?

Let Jesus Christ be the One Lord in your life so that you can experience His Presence, His Spirit, His Leading, and His Peace.

In doing so, you will have the passion, excitement, boldness, desire to fulfill God's will for your life and you will overflow with ambition to share the Good News of Salvation!

**** I write this as a person who once was so entangled in my own addictions, many of the ones listed above. And I found freedom in Christ. If you would like to hear about my testimony, email me at promojen@gmail.com.

Are you bold enough to share Christ? Anytime, anywhere, and as the Spirit leads you?

If I am bold to share Christ, I am shamed by people.

If I avoid sharing Christ, I am shamed by the Holy Spirit.

What do you think I choose to do?

Unfortunately for others, I am bold for Christ. But my motives are always pure. I promise.
I am guilty of caring too much.

Caring about peoples':

• Salvation
• Walks with God
• Walks withOUT God
• their marriages
• their kids
• their ministries
• their reputation
• their mental health
• their physical health

I care about people's lives. I really do. And when I see people make plain as day decisions in complete opposition with what the Word of God says, I speak up. Why not? It's only their salvation, their eternity, their lives they are setting up for bankruptcy, right?

For the record, it has been over a month and a half since I sat in church. I love church, but I've had kids taking turns with colds and flus and ear infections that well...tis the season I miss a lot of church from having sickies.

I state that so that I can say the next thing...I don't even have to go to church to see how diluted the preaching is. When will the undiluted Word of God be preached? When will people be passionate about living sold-out for God? As though there is "saved, but no fruit or holiness" as an option? No passion for Christ?

Folks, when I read the Book of Acts, the start of the 'church', the apostles were bold. BOLD. When I am bold out in the marketplace or with friends and family....oh dear, silence falls upon the crowd, and someone attempts to correct me.

I am so saddened that there is no sense of urgency upon the Body of Christ to share what the Bible REALLY says. Not the verses about 'believe and receive'...but the verses that tell us how to live...'be holy as I am holy' says the Lord.

I can see why so many men take on the mission to write books that call Christians out of their complacency. That's what it is - Complacency has plagued the body of Christ.

(Okay....Not ALL, but most...come on, there's a statistic that says only 10% of Christians read their Bibles...you can't disagree with me that 90% of the body of Christ is complacent...come on, they don't even read their Bibles. How can one be sold-out and passionate about Christ, if they don't even read the Bible???? Read John 1:1 and on...Jesus is the Word...therefore, you should read the Word!)

On another note, I totally acknowledge that my giftings and calling are completely different than many around me.

 

HOWEVER, Matthew 28 tells all: GO and PREACH THE GOSPEL.

 

Why are so many pussy-footed to: GO and PREACH THE GOSPEL?

People don't want to offend others. People don't want to be rejected. Hello, do you really think that person's lifestyle is NOT offending the Lord? Do you really think that Jesus is not being rejecting?

I think one thing is clear about me: I DO NOT LIVE FOR MAN'S APPROVAL. No way. Man is fickle, they are wayward, they are sinful, and can't even please themselves. So why try? Let's make a deal, you don't reprimand me for speaking truth of the Bible, and I won't reprimand you for NOT! No, I actually can't make that promise, because that too is not fulfilling the Word. Remember, Jesus, the Lord of lords, King of kings say to: GO and PREACH THE GOSPEL.

Present day, America in 2012 has become a time where everyone wants to do as they want, what feels good to THEM, but everyone needs to keep their mouth shut. Are you kidding me? Jesus died on the cross so that those who believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Did He die in vain? Should we not tell the world the better way...the ONLY way?

Here's where society defaults to relativism. Guess what? The Bible that I read is very clear and concise on what we are to do. It's truly our survival guide to life, how can I be wrong to point someone to it when making some of life's biggest decisions?

Here's where I care...entirely too much. And after sitting down this morning in Acts 9:28 and reading about Paul 'speaking boldly', I find myself writing boldly.

Hey, I live by: When you do things GOD'S WAYS - You get GOD'S RESULTS!!!

I challenge every Christian to truly read and STUDY  the BIBLE, beyond a 'devotional time', and then challenge yourself to live a life that the Bible shows you, and the life God calls you to.

We are free!

It is Christ who set you free,
So now stand up and just believe.

Your words of faith don't match your actions,
Your fear and disbelief show no anticipation.

For we are called to walk by faith,
and move by the unseen,
Yet when some do just this,
they're called crazy, unwise, and near insane. 

Who would pack up their entire life in faith to move,
Those who walk by the Spirit to follow Christ -
And so should you!

So sad His followers are known best for their judgment,
Called critical, hypocrites, superficial, and so discontent.

There's too many who are not 'saved',
Who are so much better well-behaved.

You say, 'Hey, leave me alone, I'm forgiven - you should know we live by grace',
Though this is true, let me remind you:
When people look at you, they should see Jesus Christ's face!

We all need to try harder,
We all need to walk stronger.
Although not by our own strength, might or power,
But this is your warning - we're at the final hour.

He said, "Apart from me you can do nothing",
The Word says, "Through Christ I can do all things".

So close the wide gap between you and Him,
Get to know the real God, please let Him in.

The world is looking to us for mercy, hope and love,
If they see it in us, they'll want to know our Father above.

So let Him change the way you think, feel and act;
Let Him guide your words - please let them see,
Despite their lack of knowledge - He sits on the throne,
We all are truly subject to His mighty sovereignty.

So crucify your flesh, get out of YOUR way -
Let God guide your ship, do to what His words say.

Pick up your cross and follow Him,
And show them what it means, to be free in Him.

They're looking for answers, they're looking to you,
Love Christ first, and show them it's true.

He loves them and longs for their hearts,
That's why He's equipped you and set you apart.

Love Him, live for Him, and show them we are free,
Open the door and let them in, for you hold the key.

Written by Jennifer Morin
July 4, 2012 - 7 a.m.

Happy Indepedence Day!!!!!

10 Years Ago Today....My day of salvation!

TODAY IS OCTOBER 14, 2011 - It is a significant day for me!

Today marks an anniversary for me. Ten years ago today, I gave my life to Lord at a Billy Graham crusade.

And it has been the most amazing 10 years of my life.

Just the other day, I noted on a friend's FB page that my wedding day was the 2nd most amazing day of my life...my first son's birth was the 3rd, and my second son's birth was the 4th.

The #1 day of my life was the day I heard of the love of Jesus & His offer of free salvation to me.

October 14, 2001 was a Sunday. I was a realtor at the time. And on that Sunday, I had an open house from 1-4 p.m. I remember it was a huge, gorgeous, custom-built home on Jill Jean Ave. off Norris. Gorgeous neighborhood of custom built homes. There was no reason why this home shouldn't have sold that day, except for the fact that I had to leave Bakersfield at 4:30 p.m. to make it to Fresno for the Billy Graham Crusade event start at 7 p.m...And I had a divine appt. w/ God. I took my friend/hairdresser Rachel w/ me. (BTW - she has witnessed numerous things in my spiritual walk, it's as tho' she is my ordained witness to God's hand in my life).

Now while I 'raised my hand in a church service' numerous times the summer proceeding this road trip, nothing really happened. My hand-raising was more agreement that my life needed to change...but I still lacked knowledge of who Christ was & the importance of His death on the cross, the power of His resurrection, and the role of the Holy Spirit in my life. That summer, my hand-raising was more out of emotion, and not necessarily an understanding of salvation and Jesus Christ. I understand why change never took place until this night w/ Billy Graham.

That night at the BG event, Billy spoke of the love of Christ. I mean the deep love and acceptance Christ has for us. Now, if you knew anything about me from childhood & up....that was what I always longed & yearned for: unconditional love & acceptance.

Then Mr. Graham went on to explain what sin in my life was doing. And boy, at this time of my life from 2000-2001 - boy, did I have sin....multiple ones. The summer of 2001, wow, I think I tipped the scale w/ all my partying and 'relationships'. I was in need of a Savior for sure!

That night, he didn't just ask us to raise our hands, he said come down to the football field (as we were in Fresno State's football stadium). And I told my friend, "I gotta go down there"!

Raised my hands -
Finally fully surrendered
to the LORD!

Once I got down to the football field (from all the way at the top of the seats in the stadium), I raised my hands high during the prayer, and this time - I meant it. I fully understood what the sin in my life was doing, I fully understood what Jesus Christ did on the cross, I fully understood that if I wanted to go to heaven, I needed Jesus...and I fully understood that the Holy Spirit would change me from the inside out. I was finally at the place of understanding & was fully embracing all that God was, is, and would do in me.

That was the best night of my life. However, while I meant every word I said, I did not go from party animal to angel overnight. Overtime, however, all the things I thought were fun (like drugs & alcohol) lost their appeal (the power of conviction)...and I began my walk with the Lord. Despite drinking on the weekends, I still made it to church (yes, w/a hangover sometimes). But as I told one of my friends, "If I stop going to church....then I'll never stop drinking". (And I'm not talking one drink on a Friday night...I mean, drinking from 8 p.m. - 3 a.m. on Friday & Saturdays...and 2+ on the weeknights).

I did not 'get right & then start going to church'. I realized that the information at church would help me pursue God with greater ambition. I continued to learn about the Bible. And of course, I showed up in time to worship the Lord and sing to Him. I was so zealous to extend my worship and love to Jesus. All that He forgave me for, all that He was doing in my life, and all that He would continue to do....it all deserved my praise and worship. He is amazing!

I quickly learned at church to walk with God included: a prayer life, time in the Word, church attendance, serving others w/ the love of God, and depending on HIM daily.

Although, I am still no where near perfect...I am so grateful that looking back over the last 10 years, I stayed on the path set before me. I have not, for one season, gone back to the 'old life'. I did everything I could to get out of the club scene (in fact, relocated out of Bakersfield for a season).

Now, I stay in the Word, I stay accountable to my God-loving friends, and stay in a place of thanking and worshipping Christ for the life He saved me from.

To read my testimony that was published in a Billy Graham Decision magazine, click here:
http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=440

I am celebrating my 10 years with Lord today.

I'm in awe of where He brought me from...

and now where He is taking me!

Have a fantastic Friday!