A buddy of mine came by Honey Lake yesterday and asked if I would speak to a friend of his and try to convince him to change his lifestyle before it’s too late. It seems his friend is an alcoholic and meth addict, but even worst he fears that he’s lost and doesn’t know the Lord as His Savior.
He’s currently incarcerated but will soon be released. If this guy does what he’s done in the past, it’s only a matter of time before he’ll go back to his old ways and be sent back to prison, except this time he’s vowed to commit suicide instead.
I didn’t soft pedal it with my buddy; it will not be easy for this man, but on the other hand it’s not impossible either. Hope begins and ends with Jesus Christ and that is the foundation upon which he must rebuild his life. First and foremost He must confess his sins, ask for forgiveness, and turn from sin as best he knows how. He must make Jesus Christ his Lord and begin to follow Him instead of the world as a first important “foundational” step towards solving his problems.
He’s a meth addict but ironically that will be easier to conquer than his alcoholism. The reason is simple; meth is only used by a small segment of our population and he can avoid being around thugs and dope fiends rather easily. Drinking alcohol however; well that is done by the majority of society and he will be tempted most everywhere he goes.
At one point in my life I smoked cigarettes. When I decided to quit, at every opportunity I would go to places that wouldn’t allow smoking such as movie theaters. It was far easier to win those temptation battles when I wasn’t around it all of the time. The same can be said of alcohol addiction. It would be much harder for an alcoholic to quit drinking while working as a bartender rather than as a park ranger in a remote area of Yellowstone where no alcohol was within 100 miles. Nonetheless drinking alcohol is so deeply ingrained in our country he is going to be exposed to it constantly, even when he walks into a convenience or grocery store, or restaurant.
So what is someone to do? One thing sure this guy needs some friends that aren’t addicted. More than likely he’ll find them in church. He needs to get into a Christ centered, Bible believing church of folks who care about others and don’t condemn or judge someone by their past.
There are those who have a bad taste in their mouths towards religion and religious people and they might think that’s the impossible dream; (I know I used to think that way too, but I’ve found many churches like I just described. They do exist). Trust me it’s well worth any effort spent looking at various churches until you find the one that God wants you in.
In fact our church at Honey Lake may be the perfect place for you. Sunday after next, November 3rd, we begin services every weekend instead of just the second Sunday of the month.
At Honey Lake we take people just as they are, (just like Jesus Christ does). We offer great worship music, fellowship and spiritual encouragement via hearing the word of God. You can dress fit to kill or come casual, whatever makes you feel comfortable when you assemble with your fellow believers to be in the presence of almighty God. If you want to tithe or otherwise give some money to God, do so; if not, then don’t. We don’t care. That’s between you and God and we aren’t on a mission to put anyone on a guilt trip concerning their giving.
The Bible states that having fellowship with other believers is an essential ingredient of resisting satan and is mentioned as being an important part of the “full armor of God” that we need to wear daily in order to be successful against resisting the dark forces in this world.
I love to go to church and look forward to it. I love being around other Christians. I met a guy who attends our church for lunch this week who is extremely busy with his very important career. When we sat down to lunch he pulled out a notebook and pen, had a serious look on his face, and appeared ready to take notes for our “business luncheon”.
I smiled and watched with amusement as he seemed caught off guard when I told him that I didn’t have any favors to ask of him, nor did I want anything from him. I didn’t have an agenda and the only reason I wanted to have lunch with him was merely to spend some time with a friend and brother in Christ.
At first he seemed puzzled, but then quickly put aside his notebook, relaxed, and smiled. It wasn’t long before a deep spiritual question came up. We mused most of our luncheon together about whether or not there are different levels of hell and what the crowns awarded in heaven will mean to those who are given them at judgment. (I will write Words for the Day about it when I research it a little more).
It was a fun discussion.
I encourage you to attend a good church whereby you can make friends of the highest caliber like I have. They will put a smile on your face, strengthen your faith, and enable you to resist those forces that try to drag you down.
It’s very rewarding to serve God by doing things for God instead of yourself. At Honey Lake Church we need volunteers for just about everything; parking cars, nursery, musicians, folding programs, singers, ushers, greeters, prayer warriors, sound and AV personnel, putting out signs, visiting, teaching, hosting a small group, being encouragers, and on and on.
Stuff like that is wholesome. It keeps you occupied with Kingdom work. I used to have a little sign on my desk for years and years, (I wish I could find it). It simply stated: “Don’t follow the world – Follow Jesus Christ”. These are trying times and maybe you are making it just fine, but make no mistake there is a trying day that is rapidly approaching every last one of us – death. There will be no mulligans and no reincarnation.
Follow the Lord today! – Follow me to Honey Lake Church on November 3rd and there you’ll find Him inside that gorgeous building walking up and down the aisles encouraging all of us who love him; can’t speak to whether or not you’ll find Him on the golf course, beach, the couch, or that refrigerator full of Bud Lites on that Sunday, but I know He’ll be with us in that church because the Bible assures it . . .
Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
Hebrews 10:25
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
October 24, 2013 – Click here to listen