True Beauty Comes From Within Part 2

Life itself takes on a form of beauty when you access your heart’s wellspring. You slowly begin to blossom like a rose. Your true beauty is unlocked from within. When you have learned to “Hide the WORD of GOD within your heart” it will automatically spring forth. You will perceive things differently as you embrace the Truth of God’s Word. As you grow spiritually your soul is revived as well.

You now desire to live to daily embrace the truth of God’s Word! You do not just go along with the majority in order to be accepted. You realize the value in self-discipline. You are confident in who you are, realizing that with God ” we are forever becoming…” There is always room for improvement in all of us. You really can be content in the Lord. Your desire now, is also to live each day to please the Lord. Your increasing spiritual growth comes from consistently spending time with God. Knowing His Word and then actually applying it to your own life daily has marvelous benefits.

You realize that your soul is the essence of who you really are. It is the
part of you that will live with the Lord forever; if you are a believer. God can and will give you a strong sound mind. You never have to be harsh, loud and obnoxious. But you can be strong! “When you take care of a rose properly it will bloom longer…” Just know you will quite often be misunderstood and at times persecuted. Therefore, you make it a goal to “Walk in the Light.” For you know the Lord is with you wherever you go. God can keep you on the Narrow Path. This is central at the heart of your desires. Yes, it is here where TRUE BEAUTY lies as you remain focused and connected to the Lord!

Beauty of Prayer

Prayer is a genuine vitally  important part of our life.  Here we intersect and bond with God. Our body as His Temple becomes fortified. It is a place of safety being in an intimate  up close conversation with God the Father our Creator. You can pray out loud. You can pray without even  uttering a word. Or you can simply sit, stand, kneel, lay down prone flat with outstretched arms, or even walk about while praying.

Learn to daily practice   “Praying without Ceasing” which is being in a spiritual God Centered mindset. This does not mean you are not at all oblivious to what is happening around you. It means you can pray all throughout your day as you are working and or going about your daily tasks. God is more concerned with the posture of our hearts than where we are physically whenever we pray. Make an altar upon your heart. Truly the Lord is absolutely aware of everything that is going on in, around and about us.  The Lord has an amazing way of alerting us when something is not right.  Prayer sharpens our discernment.

God knows who we are and who belongs to Him. He always leaves a remnant of His people who live for Him. When you are truly His you can expect much spiritual warfare on this side of heaven from just about everywhere. Yet, we don’t fight like the world does… Because “our weapons are not carnal…”  
Do not compromise your principles and standards to get back at others. Give them to the Lord.  This is why it is so important to get to know Christ Jesus as your personal SAVIOR! He has given us His Holy Spirit to help us 24/7. But is your choice to call upon Him.

There is an inner peace that comes from knowing who you are in Christ Jesus. Yes, you are His Child, but you are not to be childish. Nor do you have to tolerate foolishness from anyone regardless of their title or position in life. You should always seek to respond responsibly. This is actually how you become empowered! You continually seek ways to grow without conforming to the standards of this world. Yet you strive to have an interesting, fulfilling, balanced, realistic spiritual God Centered life.

The importance of having Jesus in your daily life!

Know this about Jesus. “He was born of the Virgin Mary He lived a sinless, life and was crucified, died and was buried, but he AROSE with ALL POWER!” Yes, He is alive and so is HIS WORD! It is our SPIRITUAL SWORD; and it is sharper than any two edge sword. ( not like two edged swords are used by man) GOD’S SWORD is sharper and much more powerful!   When you use it properly it cuts both ways. It always pertains to the yielded vessel as well as to the recipient. So don’t just say anything in the Name of the Lord. It is important to learn how to use His Word wisely!

Whenever a trial comes our way we must learn to stand on the Word of God.  Our Lord is a strong tower  and an AWESOME solid rock foundation!

God Will Fight Your Battles

Whenever necessary “GOD WILL FIGHT YOUR BATTLES.” Remember; “His weapons are not carnal.” You must practice praying wherever you may be. This keeps you prepared for the unexpected. Staying connected to God has its benefits. As a believer you are to daily adorn yourself within the spiritual armor of the Lord. We on the other hand also must KNOW HIM and the POWER of CHRIST JESUS through HIS WORD! For they are one and the same. We never become the power we just merely gain access as we walk in obedience.

During a battle you want to make sure your inner beauty is not suppressed. By keeping your faith and trust in the Lord it is still possible for it to shine through… This is why we meditate, pray and ask to be filled daily. As learned disciples of Christ we are to become increasingly disciplined. God has given us the precious gift of His Holy Spirit as our Comforter. He keeps us and comforts us. His Holy Spirit also is what helps us to discern what is of Him. God is true to His Word. Remember, He is also the God of comfort. We can always and forever trust Him to be God He has promised to “never leave nor forsake us!”

See Part 3

There is Hope; Addiction Relief is Possible! Part 2

Part 2

Steps To Drug Addiction

There is Hope; Addiction relief is possible! Addiction is a compulsive behavior. There are steps to drug addiction. Know this;  addiction is not a behavior or goal a person usually sets out to acquire. It is rarely if ever  intentionally.  Whenever, addiction happens there is an unhealthy dependency formed. The addiction can be upon a substance. Or an activity or habit which is gradually developed over a period of time. This time period varies for each individual.

Did you now; addiction is considered a disease by many in the medical profession. Some have a predisposition to being addicted that makes them more susceptible. One then usually seeks to cope with their inner pain erroneously. Depending heavily  upon an external source eventually results in a dependency on it for an unhealthy comfort. Unknowingly user compulsively indulges themselves without restraint and becomes seduced. More and more they gradually enter a world of escape!

Step 1 Experimentation

Their are steps to drug addiction.  The first step into addiction is when someone experiments and there becomes a gradual progression. For some it becomes a beloved affair. They readily fall into dependence upon a particular substance or activity. Alcohol and Cannabis (pot) are usually where they start? It has been said that cocaine is quite deceptive and after one try many become “hooked!” One will never quite experience that first climactic high! However they will incessantly try again and again to achieve the euphoric exhilarating high! Some have even declared that they have “fallen in love” with rock cocaine only after the very first use!

Addiction can happen faster for a teenager or tweeny because they have not yet developed strong restraints. Their brain and nervous system is still developing. Therefore they can fall into alcoholism, pot smoking, drugs or pornography easier than an adult. Many have now been seduced into vaping! Many children have become hooked due to the appealing flavors.  At first vaping was thought of as somewhat harmless.  Please if you have not don’t ever vape!  There is Hope; Addiction relief is possible!

If you don’t experiment; Guess what? You won’t get hooked! Often when someone tries drugs and don’t like them they will not continue. They don’t like how they feel when under the influence.

Food is a very hard addiction to overcome because it is vitally necessary to sustain one’s life.  Therefore they must learn how to get their addiction under control and live with it daily. It is important to learn to relate to food properly.  Food is essential. So, seek to find a balance in all areas of your life. Be encouraged! It is possible to master any addiction with the HELP of the LORD!  There is Hope; Addiction relief is possible!

Step 2 Occasional  recreational usage

This is when drugs or alcohol are used in social settings!  They are used recreationally.   This is another; NO! Many  allow themselves to be influenced by their peers and opt to go along with the group. There are some users who stay here and do not go on to daily use drugs.   They simply do not like them. Then there are some, who only use alcohol and drugs on the weekend and don’t consider themselves to have an addiction. They claim to use it for recreational purposes only.

Addiction is so widespread in this 21st century that just about everyone has been impacted to some degree. It crosses all socioeconomic boundaries. And is prevalent within all colors, races and cultures. This is true both inside and outside of God’s Church. Addiction within marriage can go undetected when you are not close to your spouse.

It really is important to be transparent with your spouse in order to build a safe intimate marriage. It is also important to educate yourself about addiction. It is important to pray for your spouse, relatives, friends, coworkers or and love ones. There is Hope; Addiction relief is possible!

A treatment program can be very expensive. Check your health insurance and see what options or health benefits are available to you. Later on we will discuss outpatient, in patient, and residential programs. Know that having a personal relationship with the Lord makes or can make all the difference in the world! He can work through Christian and non Christians to help you through the recovery process… Keep in mind doctors and therapist treat and practice; GOD HEALS!

Next we will discuss advanced steps in addiction

Part 3