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 …
