Is this the Jesus you serve?
Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (The Message)
There is a plague that has swept across our great country, a plague that has hit especially hard here in the Saginaw area – the plague is addiction. Michigan passed a medical marijuana law making it legal for medicinal use of the substance. The ensuing flood of applications for medical marijuana use cards overwhelmed the state. Really? We have that many people who have true medicinal needs to use the substance? No – what we have is a situation in which that many pot smokers have been enabled by money-seeking doctors. Physicians who are all too willing to charge $200 a person to “diagnose” a “patient” with some chronic condition.
Since when has being lazy, un-employed because of refusing to look for work because of having a sore back, knee, or some other boo boo constituted a chronic condition? Since the passage of this law, it seems, as these doctors are now lining their pockets with loads of cash and keeping addicts well supplied with their drug of choice. I have yet to meet a person who has what I would perceive as an actual chronic medical condition that would justify the use of marijuana. What I have met are many, many addicts all too happy to flash their medical use card as if that justifies their life of bondage and addiction.
Within a five block area in what is called Old Town Saginaw you can find over a dozen drinking establishments. Multiple party stores line the city streets, making alcohol readily available; every grocery store has well-stocked alcohol products. In Saginaw County there are currently 345 active alcohol licenses in use, making this all too often abused substance readily available to continue to destroy individual lives and tear apart families.
Legally prescribed drugs also are abused and sources of addiction. Children are drugged into zombies so teachers don’t have to teach discipline in the classroom and parents don’t have to parent – just give little Johnny some Ritalin and then tell him to "just say no" to drugs. Depression and other psychological issues such as bi-polar disorder are common now as it is becoming harder and harder to find people who are not taking some kind of drug to treat something. We are the fattest nation on the planet as food addiction has also taken root, something I know about all too personally.
This Pastor doesn’t see a demon behind every bad thing that happens. What I do see is that in my area there is a demonic stronghold of addiction. In my own congregation I cannot name a person who has not either directly or indirectly been affected by addiction in a negative way. Knowing this and having a strong desire to see people get set free I decided it was time to act. No marches or public rallies. I’m not going to write a book or make TV appearances. I’m going to pray.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
I’m also going to invite you to pray with me and, if you need it, to get set free from the bondage of addiction--be it physical, emotional or spiritual. Beginning this Saturday night, and continuing on weekly thereafter, we are holding an evening service that will be a night of worship, prayer, healing and deliverance. The services will start at 6 PM. Anyone is invited no matter their church affiliation or lack thereof is. These evenings will be times of freedom and refreshing – they will be a time to get set free. Addiction does not have to control your life anymore. Do you want to be free? Do you have loved ones who need to be set free? Come Saturday night and let the awesome presence and power of the One True Living God flood over you and completely set you free.
Keep the faith …
7 comments:
i know that well, living in old town, and being an addict myself
only God and PRAYER can change this, we are on the forefront of this and have remained silent too long
time to be heard
T.
I think that the only people who truly need the medicinal value of marijuana are cancer patients. All others, in my opinion, are only using it for recreational purposes in the guise of their illnesses.
Legalized use of marijuana, is a scary law to me.
Tasha
Addiction is a frightening thing in all forms. Much prayer is needed. Thank you for your ministry and prayers for this great need. I am joining you in prayer.
I don't believe in a devil like some 'out there' evil force personified like when people say, "the devil made me do it", but having had my own bouts with alcoholism and drug abuse, I do concur with and support the premise of this message/post, that addiction is a boundary, a form of chaining one's self and limiting the freedom available through true awakening. We are, I believe, responsible for our own actions, karma, and habits .... we create our own reality, bad, mediocre, or good.
I think this is a great ministry, doing some real good in this world. Glad you turned me onto it, Marv, and Pastor Dana, while I'm not much of a church (organized religion) lover, I do respect and appreciate the kind of Jesus and freedom through Christ that you preach.
Suffering from the addiction of both alcohol and cigarettes and such was difficult. The other things i was addicted to are gone but my alcohol addiction was by far for me the last straw. After i kicked the habit i really only had one HUGE addiction. I was serving food and was becoming more obese than i had ever been. I'm now lerning to eat right and take care of myself. Keep me in your prayers and may god help this city be set free from addiction.
Unfortunately many people are also getting addicted to pain medications, which are legal, but the addiction can be as bad alcohol or marijuana.
Faith is powerful when it comes to rehabilitation.
Doris
@Connie - thank you for joining us in prayer!
@Stanley - thanks for the comments - I detest religion. My job as a Pastor is to help people find the joy in an intimate, living, daily developing relationship with Jesus. Religion is full of man made rules and offers no true freedom - rather just another from of bondage.
@Alicia - praise God for your deliverance. I too know the battle of weight as you can see on a previous post. Losing weight is a journey. Be patient and disciplined and the weight will come off!
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