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I Just Can't Stop...?
March 11, 2006
Addictions, as thoroughly described by Webster is "the compulsive
need for and use of a habit-forming substance". I agree with Webster that it's a "habit" but disagree that it has to be a
substance.
Here's why:
Being a young girl growing up, I had a habit of biting my finger nails. It was
so bad to where I'd bite my nails until there was blood on my fingers. Substance? No. Gross? Yes, but it was something
that was habit forming and almost out of my control to just "stop" from doing.
Many people in our society deal with habits far worse than finger-nail-biting.
Like we all know, we have far greater things to deal with like Drugs, Alcohol and Sex as the 3 main areas that the youth of
our generation deal with. It was also shown on one of Televisions top talk-shows (Oprah) that people can also get addicted
to thins like spending money, lying, and stealing.
Three questions many people may have are the following:
1) How do I stop doing what I do?
2) Why do I keep doing what I do even though I want to stop?
3) If I don't stop what's gong to happen?
All of those are good and sincere questions to have about whatever your habit
or addiction may be, but the answers to all of those questions are fairly easy to do, if the person is willing to really make
a change in his/her life.
So, lets talk about the 3 top addictions that most youth of today face and how
we can apply the solutions to those addictions.
Drugs, Alcohol, and Sex
"I've got such a bad lust problem to where I can't stop having sex. I know
it's wrong, but how can I stop doing it... I feel like it's all out of my control"
The truth is that, it's almost out of your control because you're letting the
enemy make you believe it. The first thing we should learn is how to distinguish between an attack of our enemy and what our
own self and flesh really wants. It's human nature to want sex, but for a person who's trying to live his/her life according
to the Gospel, then we should know within our hearts that sex before marriage is a sin... and the wages of sin is death.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord
It is also important to know that we will always be tempted by the enemy because the testing
of our faith brings perserverance. (James 1:3).
Here's a few tips:
1) If you find yourself in a compromising situation that you know you should not be in,
think. It is important to "think" about where you are and what you may be getting yourself in to.
2) Listen to the Lord. God always has a way out for his people. If we listen to the signs
that the Lord is giving us, it will help us to get out of the situations we are in.
I Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is
faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out
so that you can stand up under it.
3) Pray Daily and if need be, Fast. When you consecrate yourself before the
Lord; coming before Him with a sincere heart and a willingness to repent, God will hear your cry and help you to come out
of that situation. But, when you continually act in sin, and just say "Lord forgive me", God is like "what? come to me when
you are ready to repent!" Fasting may be another way to get a closer connection to the Lord. When you fast, you are breaking
down spiritual demons that may be interfering with your life and trying to hold you down. Fasting will definitely get God's
attention.
The same can apply for all addictions, no matter what they may be. Just remember this scripture
in Romans 6:1 that says "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?"
Ask yourself if you take your relationship with the Lord seriously and if you do, then you
will do what you can to make sure you're apart of the crew who's without spot or wrinkle.
Inspired by the Lord!
Written by Kennisha
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Standing
for Righteousness:
Are You Ashamed?
October 16, 2005
Now, I know
we are all growing in the Lord, but tell me something please...Have you ever been in a place in your Christianity where you
were secretly ashamed to represent Christ to the Fulllest??? Let us PLEASE be honest people. I mean, ok I can admitt that
when I was younger, I used to get frustrated when my mom would roll up to my school blasting Kirk Franklin and the Family's
cd. Now, when she was with other people who were Christians, I really didn't care, but my friends at school? Ewww! What will
they think of me when they realize my mom listens to Gospel music and she shouts at Church?
Or, how about
when you are at church and you KNOW your friends are watching you. I rememeber that it was hard for me to take God seriously
because I was wondering what my girls thought of me.
I was probably
10-16 years old during that phase, and although I gave my life to the Lord, I still had A LOT of maturing to do. I never
understood what a real personal relationship with God was until years later.
But even now, in my 23rd year on this earth, have I still learned how to fully rep. Christ without being a
bit "nervousy" about what people may think. Like driving, when I get to a stop light and others are around me; do I turn my
gospel music down and only blast it when I'm on the highway? Or, what about my life style. Do others see a difference in me
comparing myself to the world? What about in the things I say or in what I do?
How about when you
are at work and you know everyone there cusses. So, you are attacked by someone who just made you unbelievably upset and you
cuss at them under your breath, but, where someone who is unsaved can hear you. What happens then? Is there a way to redem
yourself by letting others know that you just simply made a mistake or will they really judge you and think of you being a
hypocrite?
Ok,
those are some things to ponder on. But look at this sceniro: I am engaged and soon to get married. Unfortunately, I was moved
away from my home because of Hurrican Katrina, but I didn't want to be away from my fiance' so I moved to Dallas. Instead
of shacking up with him in his apartment, I stayed at his mothers house with his family until we got married and moved into
our own home. Does this sound like something the world would do? Absolutely not! (some atleast do), but, check this out. How
about, I got the craziest responses from people when I explained to them that I'm not living with my fiance'!
Although, my parents
can not tell me what to do at this point, I have examined myself and went on the conviction of my heart from God.
Would God want me to stay with him right now and we aren't married? Could he and I withstand temptation living together? We
may be able to, but for the sake of being holy and righteous, we had to make a Righteous Decision and do what we felt
was right.
People were SO shocked
and surprised. But we had to take a stand. The bible says in Mark 8:38:
38"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man
will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
Now how about that? I'd rather
Represent Christ to the Fullest without caring what people think and get to heaven, than to be ashamed of people knowing who
I rep. and missing the call.
What about you?
Think
on that scripture. Think about where you are today and who you trully are living your life for. If you know without a doubt
that you life for the Lord, then act like you do. Don't be ashamed to have your Gospel on blast when you're in the line at
McDonalds. Don't be ashamed to say you don't do something because of your beliefs and saying it with a smile on your face
because you are happy with the God that you serve!
God is watching us!
Be Blessed!
If
you have any questions or comments, hit me up on the message board!
~Kennisha aka Woman of
Proverbs 31
Katrina--God's Judgment?
A Pastor's Perspective
September 30, 2005
I want to address a statement in your article
about some people being angry with God and questioning how he could create such a disaster and displace so many people. The
main two problems with people that I have discovered are:
1) People do not know God, and
2) People do not understand sin.
Without getting into a deep discussion about what sin is, let's just
suffice it to say that sin happens when a person violates any of God's standards. New Orleans was filled with fornication,
for example. Thousands of women and girls were engaged sexually with their boyfriends without a hint of marriage in their
future. That's a violation of God's standard. Murder was rampant. New Orleans' murder rate was ten times the national average
when the storm hit. New Orleans' public school system was one of the worst in the nation. This was because many the children
were abusive, rebellious, disrespectful, immoral, undisciplined, and
unteachable. Someone will say "That's because of the
parents. They need to control their kids." But remember, many of the parents are unmarried teen girls, who are undisciplined
and immature themselves. Undisciplined parents will raise undisciplined children, who will grow up and become undisciplined
citizens who will turn to easy routes to make money since they lack skills due to their undisciplined upbringing. As a result,
they will get involved in drug trafficking, theft, dishonesty, which will result in more violence, murders, and crime. They
will continue to reproduce, and begin the cycle all over again. This was New Orleans' future. God said:
"From the LORD of hosts you will be punished with thunder
and earthquake and loud noise, With whirlwind and tempest and the flame of a consuming fire." Isaiah 29:6 NASU
God
uses the hurricane to punish people when they go astray. The purpose of punishment is to get man back on track and realize
that what Jesus said is true:
. . ."It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE , BUT
ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" Matt 4:3-4 NASU
When we attempt to live outside of the
word of God, we create problems and bring on God's punishment.
I did not list all of the sins plaguing New Orleans
such as homosexuality and debauchery for example. The list against our whole nation and this entire world is long enough for
God to bring judgments everywhere similar to what He brought against New Orleans.
If man does not repent and turn
to God's ways and the salvation that is in Jesus Christ, He will send calamities that will make what happened to New Orleans
look like a Sunday School picnic.
Pastor Thomas Gross
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Standing Strong Amidst the Storm
September 19, 2005
On Monday, August 29, 2005 New Orleans, Louisiana was
pounded on by a Category 4 Hurricane. The intesity of the storm caused massive amounts of flooding, roof damage, cars were
destroyed and the smell of death was in the air. Unfortunatly, many people were not able to make it out of the city because
they just were not able to. Because of their lack of a way out, many people ended up being carried from their roof tops onto
a helicopter and then on to safety. Hurricane Katrina was no joke. She was a storm that was sent by God. She was only going
in the direction that God sent her. She, like the wind, obeyed the command of our Heavenly Father and did the work that she
was instructed to do.
Many people became angry at God. "How in the world could God let something
so bad happen to so many people?", they wondered. Thousands were misplaced. Thousands were stuck in New Orleans' Superdome
for days without electricity and water. Hundreds lost and still can't find family members. Fear, Anger, Confusion and Hurt
followed most New Orleaneans' as they tried to figure out what was next for them.
A friend of mines asked me how I could remain so calm and in such good spirits
after what just happened. I, like the others, evacuated from my home to Texas. I only packed enough clothes for 2 nights and
just hoped that my clothes and other posessions were ok enough for me to come back to get them. Although it was a hard situation
to endure, I was mostly thankful that I could speak to my family members and my close friends. I just began to thank God.
I also had a peace of mind about the entire situation because the same God
that is the same one who controlled the sea and the wind back in Luke chapter 8, is the same God who controls the same wind
and storms right now. Not that I count myself as being worthy enough to escape his wrath, because we are all not perfect,
BUT, because I have a real relationship with the Lord and really have faith in his word, I know that God will protect his
children from his wrath.
Psalms 5:11-12
11 But let all who
take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
12 For surely, O
LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
If God's word be true (which it is) then that means those who take refuge in
God shall be protected by His shield.
Make no mistake in understanding that God does send judgement. He did it to
Sodom and Gomorrah and He can do it whenever he becomes tired of consistent Sin.
When you are called upon the Lord, have answered and walks in the best of your
ability to follow the Word of God, God will protect you. That is a given. It is up to us to take heed to his call and escape
his Wrath when he pours it.
So, how do you stand strong admist the storm? Here's the answer:
Phillipians 4: 6-7
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I pray that every one reading this article will continue to gain knowledge and
understanding of the importance of walking in the Word.
If you have any questions or comments, please send me an email
at Kennisha2@hotmail.com or hit me on up On The Line
God Bless!
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Does the Virtuous Woman still exist?
August 18, 2005
Where are the virtuous woman at? I am sure that is a question the guys are
asking. How does the preacha find a wife suitable enough to help him? I wondered that, until I realized a few "thangs" and
learned a few "thangs" as well.
The all popular never changing scripture describing Virtuous Women is Proverbs 31:10-31. This
is the scripture that almost every saved man knows. Hmmm I wonder why? It's probably because they are making sure that they
aren't coo-coo for desiring a woman like that to be his bride. Then, when you think about the "Independent" woman of today,
I mean... I don't know about most men, but it is quite the challenge in really seeking a real Godly wife. Nevertheless, to
all the fellas, don't give up hope; keep hope alive, as Jesse Jackson says.
Take it from me, the Virtuous Woman still is out there... infact, they are just waiting for
that Virtuous Man to come their way.
So, when you think about the Virtuous Woman in Proverbs, what do you think about? Well, I used
to read my bible and imagine the settings in the woods with old black pots boiling water over a fire. I saw a lady dresses
in dark brown skirts and white cotton shirts... with a wrap on their heads in 100 degree heat. I saw sand blowing everywhere...
sand storms at that, and if my memory serves me correctly, sand storms are worst than water storms.
But, the woman I saw was graceful... she was hardworking and reliable, trustworthy in getting
the job done. She was professional, confident, and made sure her house was in order, because when her hubby got home, she
was not trying to hear his mouth "Woman, where's my food?!?" geesh...
So, my question is... if she is doing all of that, WHERE IS THE MAN and WHAT IS HE DOING?
Ok, so that is not for us to worry about, but take into consideration that this scripture focuses
on WOMEN and not her man. We can say without a doubt that her man is taking care of her and loving her like Christ loves the
church. If that is true, then whatever he's doing, we should trust him and God; besides, He's the head and the one to be accounted
for in he screws up!
Back to this Virtuous Woman. Take pride in knowing that you can be all that you can be,
while being an awesome wife. God gave us a hundred hands for a reason. If we pray for that peace and security in Him in knowing
that the work that we do is for the Lord first, then everything will be alright!
Lets swallow this word and make it live.
Any comments? Questions? Hit me up on the Line.
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Don't foget to hit up "You're On the Line"
and leave a message on the board!
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