addiction

Rev is sharing a message about addiction, particularly to drugs and alcohol. He speaks from personal experience and references a Bible verse about God's faithfulness in overcoming temptation. Rev shares his own struggles with alcoholism during his time in the Navy and the negative consequences it had on his life. He emphasizes the importance of seeking God's help in overcoming addiction and mentions the destructive effects drugs had on members of his family. Rev also talks about his own recovery and how he no longer feels the need to get drunk. He encourages others to seek God's help in breaking free from addiction and reminds them that Jesus is always there to support them. He quotes Psalm 91 and Philippians 1:6 to provide reassurance and encouragement. Rev offers his support to anyone who needs someone to talk to. Hey, it's Rev, got a message for y'all, wanna try it in this format, see if you like it. I'm gonna touch on a subject that many might find offensive or preachy. The subject is addiction, not only to drugs, but alcohol or anything you simply cannot do without. That is not good for you physically or mentally. The primary ones I'm going to speak about is drinking and drug use. These I have personal knowledge about and therefore feel I can try to help here and there. The Bible says this in 1 Corinthians 10, 13. No temptation is overtaking you except such is common to man. But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. When I was in the Navy, I became a hippie drinker. My main focus when we were in port was getting off the ship and getting drunk. I didn't care what the cost, I had to go get a drink. This caused many a problem in my life from fights to discipline coming down on me and low self-esteem all the time. One of the worst times was in Naples, Italy. I went out and got so drunk my friends had to carry me up and across another ship to get me out of my ship. My division officer was on duty and me being as drunk as I was did some very stupid things and disrespected not only the officer but the Navy and our flag. This is the worst thing I could have ever done in my mind. The officer had my shipments get me below and the next morning at reveille I was woken by pots banging next to my head and the very worst duty I could imagine for two months, plus a reprimand before my shipmates by the officer dressing me down. That day plus restrictions to ship until we got to the next port and that port was in the Middle East and that's not a place you want to go and try and drink. When I got out of the Navy I realized I was a drunk and by the grace of God I was able to put down that bottle and not touch it again for over twenty years. Now I can have a beer or a drink and that is fine, I no longer need to get drunk. If I buy a six pack it will sit in my fridge for months before I have one. I do use it for cooking now and then but that's about it. I have also seen what drugs do to persons in my family I have three men who have gone down that road. They had a father who was a drunk and they followed him down that same path and into drug addiction. All very smart and in their hearts at the time very good but drugs destroyed their lives, jail time, prison time, divorce and every sorrow you can think of all because they were caught up in addiction. I can't remember the day I asked God to deliver me from drinking. I wish I could but I can't but he did. He took all the pain and hurt on himself on the cross for you. He made a way for you to not have to suffer with this. He is willing and able to break the addiction. Please don't tell me you have it all under control I have heard that too many times to believe it. Drugs and alcohol are true hooks into your very soul and to get them pulled you need the power of God to do so. I know what someone is going to say, you still drink now and then aren't you addicted still? No I'm not. I don't need that drink. If I have a beer or a glass of wine it's because I like the taste of it or it will enhance my meal and after I don't need to feel drunk. I don't need to drink or do drugs to escape reality. God's help I can face reality and make it through without trying to escape it. God helps me every day make it through. Some of you know of my issues I face and some don't. Let's just say I don't live in a palace looking through lights through rose colored glasses. I'm not saying that if you have Jesus in your heart you will never face problems or issues or troubles. Anyone who tells you that is a liar. Jesus never said you would have no issues he did say he would never leave your side. In Psalm 91 it says this, He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord he is my refuge and my fortress. My God in him I will trust. Surely he shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with his feathers and under his wings you shall take refuge. His truth shall be your shield and a buckler. You should not be afraid of the terrifying night nor the arrow that flies by day nor the pestilence of walks in darkness nor the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord who is my refuge even the Most High your dwelling place. No evil shall befall you nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways. In their hand they shall bear you up lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the clover. A young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot. Because he has set his love upon me therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high because he has known my name. He shall call upon me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. And in Philippians 1.6 being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. What I'm saying is no matter what the addiction, there is a way from under it. You do not have to stay in its grasp. Jesus can and will help you through this. It might be a second or it might be a struggle. But he will lead you all you have to do is ask and have faith. Ask him to be your saver and to lead you out and he will. As always if you need to talk please direct message me and I will do what I can.