Acquiring Faith

Hi everyone…we hope you are well……Many people ask us …how do we get faith?…That’s a difficult question to answer, as everybody’s  level of faith seems to vary.  I’ve met some people who have a rock solid faith that can’t be moved…while others seem to struggle with having any faith at all…..

The biblical definition from Hebrews tells us that…Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the eveidence of things not seen….which to me means that I’m hoping for things to get better, yet I haven’t seen this “better” come to pass yet…So how long do I wait?…Should I do anything while I’m waiting?….Should I take matters into my own hands?

A lot of those answers depend on who or what I am putting my Faith in….If I am putting my faith into “somebody”…I might be in for a big let down, as fellow human beings fall short quite often….Or maybe I am putting my faith in the economy…and hope that it will turn around some day and make me prosperous….

Where we really want to steer our faith is into our creator, God almighty, who ultimately has our best interests at heart…..People and the world can letr us down…but if we put our faith and trust in God…..our troubles become more manageable, as his strength and guidance can bring us through the most difficult struggles life hits us with….

Here is a great devotional from intouch.org….

I’ve had people tell me, “I wish that I had great faith.” While most of us would like God to just drop that kind of confidence into our laps, it’s not the way He operates. Faith increases as a result of our obedience in little things. We all marvel at Abraham’s willingness to offer up Isaac at the Lord’s command. But have you ever stopped to consider all of his smaller steps of submission that prepared the way for this enormous test?

Throughout his lifetime, Abraham obeyed God. At the Lord’s command, he left his country (Gen 12:1-4), was circumcised (17:10, 26), conceived Isaac in his old age (21:1-3), and sent his son Ishmael away (21:9-14). By the time he was asked to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, he already knew that his God would always be faithful to His promises. His previous experiences had taught Him to trust the Lord.

In the same way, each small step of obedience solidifies our confidence in God. Then, when He challenges us with a more difficult assignment, a firm foundation of assurance enables us to trust and obey Him. Great acts of faith flow from our past interactions with the Lord. By neglecting His simple commands, we miss priceless opportunities to witness His faithfulness.

Having trouble trusting God for something big? Maybe it’s because you’ve ignored those “small” and “insignificant” promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Lord considers each of His commands important and promises to reward every act of obedience, regardless of size. Great faith begins with little steps.

Try putting your faith in God….get a bible and read it…..The book of Psalms is a great chapter on faith…..and will comfort you in times of despair….

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online…we hope and pray that your struggles become fewer….and that your faith will become stronger each and every day……God Bless

 

Alcohol addictions—Drug Addictions….Marijuana Addictions….Internet Addictions…..Online Help For Addiction

I’m Drowning In Debt…..

Hi everyone…I hope you are well…..Wow, how many times do I hear from people that they are “buried in debt up to their eyeballs”…as the saying goes….I mean those credit cards and the fee’s and penalties they hit you with can almost make it impossible to dig yourself out of the hole!

Add to that mounting bills and daily expenses (car gas), and it could literally drive someone to “destructive behaviors”….yes I know…but it was better then the old cliche …’to drink”…So what do we do to get out of this financial mess in our lives….Well I’m not a financial planner or attorney, but if your debt is so bad that you don’t know if you can afford the mortgage or rent the next month, then I would recommend getting some legal advice…..

Starting your own budget is a good first step…When you lay all your expenses out on paper…then you can sometimes see some things you can cut out….A friend of mine had to not only cut-off just about all his leisure activities (Movies, Ball games, Beer), but had to cut out his cable and cell phone…yea I know…that’s pain….but you have to “prioritize” at times….and the rent comes to the top of the list…

Reaching out to God in prayer can do wonders to relieve some of the stress you might be facing….here’s a start…”Dear Lord, I have made some foolish mistakes when it comes to money, I know I have overspent and spent foolishly, but I need some guidance and discipline now to get through this.  Help give me strength and the discipline to avoid temptations when it comes to spending, and help me to focus on you and your love when I am stressed”…That’s an easy starter prayer. God didn’t mean for us to live “broke” and he wants the best for us.  Unfortunately our “choices” have messed us up  a bit….but if we start living a “Godly” life…..we will be on the road to recovery…

Here’s a great devotional from intouch.org on finances….

Every citizen has the responsibility to submit to governmental authority. Obeying the laws of the land which do
not contradict scriptural commands is an essential part of honoring the Lord. Verse 7 of today’s passage says, “Render to all what is due them.” Just as we are obligated to pay our taxes, we’re also to repay all of our debts (v. 8).

The Lord expects anyone who borrows money to be diligent about making regular repayments. By withholding what is rightfully due, we are guilty of stealing from the lender. Not only that, but we also ruin our testimony for Christ. Since the offense of defaulting on a loan is serious, we need to be diligent about getting ourselves out of debt and staying out.

Perhaps this is hitting close to home. As daunting as the task of debt reduction may seem, you are not alone. God wants you to be financially free, and He will show you the way. However, His method is usually not a fast fix, but a slow and steady approach, which will also effectively train you to avoid future debt. Confess that you haven’t been a good steward of your resources, commit to making some sacrificial changes, and consistently work toward your goal. Then watch the Lord faithfully lead you out of debt.

Does a mountain of debt seem bigger to you than almighty God? If so, your focus is on your own inabilities instead of His faithfulness. For those who turn to the Lord in genuine repentance and surrender, He’ll supply the needed resources as well as the persistence to repay what is owed.

Have a great weekend everybody and God Bless

Christian Help For Addiction Online…Addiction Help Alcohol Addiction Drug Addiction Withdrawal Tolerance.

Who Is Your Support?

Greetings everyone from Christian Help For Addiction Online…We hear so many people talk of “support systems” and how it is so important to have great support. Having a great support system is truly important, especially when that system is in line with God.

I always ask people how many friends do they have, and sometimes I get…”Oh I have a lot of friends, maybe a dozen or so”  Well i’ll tell you what, when your money and health runs out, and your really down and out, then you will truly learn how many “True friends” you really have.

It’s not easy getting up out of a bed at 3 am in order to console a friend who is having a tough time…but that’s how friendship is defined…sacrificing for the people you love.  Christ sacrificed his time and energy on those around him…he spent TIME with his friends praying and discussing life issues.   

Try adding God to your “support system” today.  Go to him in prayer, and start reading the bible. At times verses will jump out to you like they are just meant for you alone. God is there 24/7 and even on holidays….you can’t go wrong with making him the biggest focus of you life…

Here’s another great devotional from intouch.org…stay well

In our culture, God’s name is oftentimes mentioned with little reverence. In fact, many people actually use it as a curse. Even among those who love Him, it is far too common to use His name casually, without taking time to ponder who He is. When you say a blessing at mealtimes, for instance, do you realize that you are talking to the almighty Creator God who rules over all things?

Our view of the Lord impacts three areas of life. First, it affects our prayers. As we come to know Him better and better, our desires will start to look like His goals for us, and our petitions will align more closely with His purposes. Furthermore, as we recognize His greatness and power, we’ll become more confident that He can accomplish mighty things—and we will venture to “pray big.”

Second, our understanding of His righteousness and goodness influences our behavior. If God has these attributes, surely it is in our best interest to obey gladly. We will desire righteousness and be quick to repent of sin.

Third, our faith is impacted. Grasping that Jesus is holy, good, and powerful grows our trust in Him. Knowing our awesome God and remembering His great works will further build our confidence in Him.

Do you personally know our loving and holy heavenly Father? He invites you into an intimate relationship with Him. But, as with any good friendship, time and intentionality are necessary to understand Him and learn His ways. The more you do that, the more your prayers, behavior, and faith will be impacted.

At Christian Help For Addiction Online, we continue to pray for you and the struggles you might be having….No matter if it is a drug addiction or an alcohol addiction or whatever addiction life challenges you with, God can help you overcome them…Pick up an inexpensive bible and began reading it…the messages and stories just might make a difference in your life…God Bless…

Watch Your Thoughts

Hello, from Christian Help For Addiction Online

Our thoughts can be quite powerful….and sometimes if we continually dwell on the “negative” aspects of life…we tend to get depressed, anxious, and frustrated.  Unfortunately, “stinking thinking” can sometimes become a habit…as our first waking thought could be..”ok..another day…I wonder what’s going to happen today?”…

Changing habits can be troublesome for many….but if we include God in the equation…we could have a better chance of success…try starting your day with a morning prayer….I start mine with..”thanks Lord for another day…being here with family and friends…help me to be a positive influence for others…and stand by me during difficult times”….

Our prayers don’t have to be some scholarly recital meant to impress somebody….God takes us just as we are…no matter how bad we have messed up….So tomorrow morning try saying (even if you have to pretend and force it out)…”Thanks God for another day…I feel stronger and am going to have a great day”….give it a try for a few weeks and see what happens…..you really have nothing to lose…

Here’s a daily devotional from intouch.org….stay well and God Bless

When life falls apart, how do you cope? All of us face circumstances that challenge our peace—and some of these situations are very painful and prolonged. Unless we have purposeful focus, joy fades and hope seems unattainable.

King David experienced extreme hardships, including the profound grief of losing a child and a best friend. And King Saul, for selfish reasons, pursued him in an attempt to take his life. Later, David’s own son led a rebellion against him. As drastic as these trials are, they were just four of the many difficulties he endured. Yet even in times of deep suffering, David found hope and peace in God.

How was his soul sustained when others in similar situations would have drowned in despair? David knew how to meditate. He focused his mind and spirit on God—His character, ways, and will—in order to know the Lord better and to obey Him.

We should be following David’s example. Our role during difficulty is to set our eyes on our heavenly Father and meditate on His Word. The Psalms document the depth and passion for which the shepherd and soon-to-be king delighted himself in God. By continually pondering the attributes and ways of the Lord, he found solace in the midst of turmoil.

What subjects consume your thoughts during the day? Do you have time set aside to dwell solely on the Lord? Perhaps you can remind yourself periodically to bring your attention back to your Creator—one way is to read several of the Psalms and notice how the author refocuses on the almighty God.

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online…we pray that you not only get stronger each and every day…but get closer to God as well….Meditate, pray and call out to God for strength….Life can be a challenge at times….and we need 24/7 support that we sometimes can’t get from friends and family…..However…God is there 24/7 365 days a year….and he is waiting to lend some support…stay well…..

Life’s About Choices

Hi everyone…from Christian Help For Addiction online….I will never forget what one of our group members said one evening as he attempted to define life….”life is a series of events we experience…stemming from the choices we make”…how true that is…when we look back at some of the poor choices we made and the subsequent consequences…one wishes…”wow, if I could only do that over again”…

But not to worry…..God didn’t intent that we live a life full of worry and guilt based on some wrong “choices”…that is not what he is all about…even Paul in the bible states how we are to …..move forward and forgetting what lies behind…..I don’t know about you, but that gives me great hope knowing that my past is “my past” and just that…not something to dwell upon and wallow in guilt and shame every day….

We have all made some bad choices and mistakes….God calls it sin in some instances….but always remember that our God is a forgiving God…and when we repent of our sins and mistakes and come to him…we are “forgiven”…you really don’t have to live in guilt and shame…regardless of what others might tell you….Listen to God….not other human beings who might have hidden agendas or not your best interest in mind…

Here’s a great devotional from intouch.org on “walking wisely”…give it a read….

When Paul exhorts us to walk wisely, he gives three instructions to help us make godly choices. First, he says to
“be careful how you walk” (Eph. 5:15). Because we live in a morally corrupt society, we must be vigilant about the way we think and act. Unless we deliberately choose to guard ourselves, we will simply do what comes naturally and go along with cultural influences.

Next, in verse 16, the apostle instructs us to make the most of our time. The Lord has entrusted each of us with 24 hours per day and various opportunities to participate in His plans for us. But so often we are tempted to squander our time and energy on our own pursuits without a thought of what our heavenly Father may have in mind for us.

In verse 17, Paul lays out the final exhortation: to “understand what the will of the Lord is.” In its broadest sense, God’s will for us is that we would each become the person He created us to be and do the work He planned for us to accomplish (Eph. 2:10). Knowing this, we should look at every decision with consideration of whether our choice will further or hinder our heavenly Father’s purposes for us. To live thoughtlessly outside of His will is foolish.

The Lord wants us to walk wisely so that we can enjoy all the marvelous benefits that He’s promised in His Word and longs to give us. Wasted opportunities and time misspent can never be reclaimed. Let’s commit to make our lives count for Christ instead of merely living for ourselves.

Christian Help For Addiction Online is an outreach ministry that hopes to shed some light on difficult issues in life, including addiction and its affects on the  family…we hope and pray that your struggles become fewer as this year moves forward…God Bless

Anxiety….In Search of Calm

Anxiety can wear you down.  Living in constant worry and fear with that “what’s next” attitude can cause not only emotional pain, but physical symptoms as well….Many of us are so “anxious” that we have a difficult time sleeping at night….and when our bodies don’t get enough sleep…we end up having a reals lousy day….feeling more anxious then the day before….it really is a vicious cycle.

Making matters worse is our own attempts to alleviate the anxiety by self medicating with alcohol or drugs. We think we get some relief, but in the end, our conditon just worsens….There are a lot of different ways to deal with anxiety…A friend of mine started  “meditating” and he said it worked wonders for him…another person I spoke with started a “yoga” group, and had some positive results…..the bottom line is you have to do something to alleviate the constant anxiety…or it will take its toll on your overall health…

I enjoy praying wjen I’m stressed….I guess it’s a form of meditating…except I’m focusing on God and all the good things he has done in my life…I know what you are saying…but what if I can’t think of any “good things” that happened to me…well I’m sure if you really think deep enough and possibly go back a few years…you will be able to recollect some good days….and focus on them….try rearranging your thoughts and think in terms of hope and overall health….close your eyes and visualize yourself as a healthy and sober person….sometimes your unconscious will help move you towards that “healthy” person that you are visuzlizing research has shown….

Here is another great devotional on anxiety from intouch.org…let us know what you think…

Stressful situations come in a variety of forms and intensities, and in this earthly existence, we will never be totally free of them. However, the important issue is, What are we going to do with our anxiety? If we let it dominate, fretfulness can become a way of life. But if we believe what the Bible says about God and His care for us, we will experience an awesome liberation from worry.

Do you sometimes doubt whether our heavenly Father really cares about the ordinary things that cause you anxiety? After all, He’s got the entire universe to run, and your issues are so small in comparison. Consider how inconsequential birds and flowers are, yet Jesus says that the Father cares for them (Matt. 6:26). Don’t you think you are worth much more to Him than they are?

At times we let ourselves get all worked up and stressed out because we’re trying to change something that is beyond our control. Just as no one can add a single day to the length of his life, so there are some situations that we are powerless to alter. But the sovereign Ruler of the universe loves us and holds everything in His hands—including our stressful and seemingly out-of-control situations. Therefore, we have no reason to fret or fear.

Perhaps the biggest reason we worry is because we don’t trust the Lord. Anxiety is no more than unbelief. The Bible is filled with God’s promises to provide, but so often we doubt that He will. If you can trust Him for your eternal security, can’t you also trust Him for your earthly needs?

Again…we continuously pray for our readers here at Christian Help For Addiction Online…be it a drug addiction, alcohol addiction or some of the new addictions such as prescription pain medications….we understand your pain…..Buy yourself an easy to read bible….and start reading some healing scriptures….God speaks to us through his word…and when you believe in him and his word….a new hope develops that will help you overcome your struggles…God bless….

Thanks For The Little Things

Hi everyone, and we hope you are well…..Sometimes in this fast pace life, we forget how fortunate we are….a friend of mine just came back from a third world country  (Costa Rica)  and he said how amazed he was at the poverty that was there.  There were people living in what to him looked like “garages”, or shacks, and many just homeless on the streets…..drugs were running wild, and he was cautious not to go out at night….

When we think of the above, we truly have to give thanks for the blessings that we have…Although we go through difficult times, God has blessed this nation, and its inhabitants…I was thinking how fortunate I was the other day to have hot running water, plenty of electric, a car to get around, and a God who cares about us…..

Here is a great devotional from intouch.org on God’s blessings and sharing your blessings with other people…..If you know someone who is struggling, reach out to them and give them a call…..Sometimes we think we might be intruding, but that person might just be praying for God to send them someone who can help them through these difficult times…..Don’t under estimate the positive influence you could have on someone…even if it’s just sitting there and listening to them talk and express their pain……God did put you here for a reason…and that reason is good…

It is God’s nature to bless. However, we need to understand that He has a greater purpose in mind than we may realize. His ultimate goal is far more encompassing than just to make us happy, peaceful, protected, and prosperous. In fact, it is never the Lord’s intention for His blessings to end with us. Rather, He wants them to flow out to others as part of His plan for the whole earth.

As we can see in today’s psalm, the Lord blesses us so that His salvation, His ways, and His justice may be known by every nation and every people group around the globe (vv. 3-4, 7). He is always acting with this larger picture in mind—even while working personally in our individual lives. Knowing this should fill us with an awesome yet humbling sense of significance. Every believer has a part in helping others know and understand the one true God. Each blessing He gives not only benefits us personally but is intended to help further this cause. On the other hand, we may sometimes not receive the things we want because they don’t contribute to His higher purpose. But if we are willing to fit our requests into God’s greater plans, we will position ourselves to be greatly used by Him.

When the Lord blesses you, He’s not only doing something for you; He’s also doing something in and through you to affect others’ lives. Don’t let the pleasures and comforts of His blessings blind you to their intended purpose. Ask God how to use His kindnesses as a way to point people to Him…

We continue to pray for you and you loved ones….At Christian Help For Addiction Online we know what it is like to be struggling with addictions….and how stressful it can be…..Call out to God and surrender to him…..You really don’t have to go it alone…..He loves you more then you could ever imagine…..and he really does want the best for you….Get a bible today, and start reading…..your recovery might be closer then you think…..God Bless

Worrying and Stress

Hi everyone, and we hope you are well…..we were away since the beginning of the year, but now back, we hope to start a new season of hope and healing that will provide all our readers with a new sense of encouragement.

Do you worry?  Who doesn’t.  Worrying seems to have become more popular these days, since there are so many things to worry about.  We worry about our future with our jobs and relationships, we worry about our kids and loved ones, we worry about tomorrow, even if there isn’t anything to worry about!

Unfortunately, worrying can take a toll on our health.  Chronic worry can wreak havoc on our immune systems, and make us more prone to psychological and even physical ailments. God did intend for us to be chronic worriers.  As Christ stated…I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly”…not filled with worry and fear.  To make matters worse, there are many that try to address the worrying by self-medicating to relieve the fear. This can only make matters worse, as compromising our health by abusing alcohol or drugs will only make our situation worse.

So what can we do to relieve all this worrying?  Well here’s a devotional from intouch.org.  It tells us how to trust God more, and step out in faith by casting our fears upon the Lord.  let us know what you think?

 

Isn’t it interesting that Satan prowling like a roaring lion is mentioned in a passage dealing with anxious thoughts? Worry can feel like an attack—we get torn up on the inside by fears, frustration, and helplessness. Anxiety is a tormenting emotion, and the Devil wields it very well.

We don’t have to live with worry, because the Lord closes the mouths of lions that threaten His followers (Dan. 6:22). Peter described how to keep clear of anxiety’s jaws. First, we humble ourselves before God. What causes worry is a sense of helplessness in a given situation, so the best response is yielding yourself to God—submitting to Him with the confidence that He has the power to control your life. Another thing that builds trust is the realization that God is always engineering circumstances for your good and His glory (Rom 8:28).

Remember, prayer is a declaration of dependence. When we humble ourselves, we’re kneeling before an omnipotent God. Nothing is a challenge for His power, which brings us to the second step of casting cares upon Him: the simple exercise of telling the Lord your troubles and then trusting Him to deal with them. He assumes responsibility for meeting believers’ needs (Matt. 6:31-32). Your part is to prioritize obeying Him and living a righteous life (v. 33).

There’s one more step: Resist Satan by remaining firm in faith. In other words, don’t snatch those concerns out of God’s hands to worry over them anew. When the Devil’s ways make you tremble with anxiety, reject His lie and affirm that the Lord is adequate to handle the situation.

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online we continually pray for your recovery.  Life can be a struggle at times, and constant worrying of what will come can only make the situation worse.  We suggest that you get an easy to read bible and start reading it!  Read a little each day, especially in the book of Psalms.  That is a wonderful book for how to deal with worry.  Until next time…we pray that your struggles become fewer…God Bless….

Holiday Stress

Hi everyone…and we hope you are well…..The holiday’s can be a wonderful time for many.  Family gatherings and getting together with friends, all set the tone for a joyous festive time. Unfortunately, the holiday’s can cause some painful memories to re-surface.  Memories of long lost love and family members who have since departed.    Holidays are notorious for reminding us of past regrets as well.

Research has shown that depression can sometimes elevate during this time of year.  You would think otherwise, but unfortunately that holds true, for many of the reasons mentioned above.  Stress is another holiday killer, as the rush to acquire gifts for friends and families, along with squeezing in as many functions as we can, takes its toll on the body, both physically and emotionally.

It’s difficult to put the Christmas season in the right perspective for many.  The minute you start mentioning the “true” meaning of Christmas, people look at you like you are an alien from anothe planet.  I think it was easier hundreds of years ago, when all the families had was a candle lit room, with a glowing fireplace and only books to read for entertainment. Sometimes simple is better.

If you find yourself struggling during this Christmas season, and have feelings of sadness or despair, seek out help.  Don’t let the despair turn into something worse.  In-fact, we recommend some professional intervention just to get you over the hump. Hopefully as the mad-rush subsides, you will regain a feeling of serenity that will last into the new year.

God did intend for this Christmas season to wreak havoc on his children.  It was intended to give thanks and to praise him for allowing his son (Jesus) to be born in a simple manger, and having him spread truth and life throughout the world.  Remember the words of Christ as he spoke….I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly……

Keeping Christ in Christmas is easier said then done for many….but if you find yourself getting overwhelmed…reach out to God and pray.  Take a pause from the insanity and sit quietly with your bible.  Meditate on God’s word and give thanks for what Christmas truly is.

At Christian Help For Addiction Online, we hope and pray that your struggles will be few around this joyous time of year.  A new year is upon you, and it can truly be a special year as long as you keep Christ in your daily thoughts and prayers.  Stay well and God bless…..

Coping With Stress

Hi everyone, hope you had a good weekend…..Stress is a major player when it comes to addictions.  When people feel stressed, they sometimes “self-medicate” with alcohol or drugs to relieve the pains of life.  Unfortunately, this self medicating comes at a price, and can wreak more havoc then good.

God wants us to come to him in prayer and thanksgiving when we are feeling stressed. Knowing that God loves you no matter what, and I stress…”no matter what”, we know that he will stand besides us during difficult times. here is a great devotional from intouch.org. let me know what you think.

 

Oftentimes, we use the word “stress” to describe the pressure we are feeling. It can come from something as simple as traffic or from more complex situations or underlying issues, such as insecurity. Stress becomes distress when it creates deep emotional and mental anxiety. Unfortunately, in today’s world, living with a fairly constant level of such tension is not unusual.

I remember 1944 being a year of tremendous turmoil in our country because of World War II. Many people would watch the evening news and hear reports of bloodshed in various locations. Those with loved ones overseas listened anxiously.

I can’t recall the name of my social studies teacher that year, but I have never forgotten something she said. One day, after tearfully announcing that we would take a break from the normal routine, she pulled out a Bible and read Psalm 46. The woman explained that her husband’s division had been mentioned on the news the previous night. Though fearful, she found comfort in the Scriptures.

Since then, I turn to that Psalm when I am troubled or afraid. We all face uncertain times when, in our humanness, we feel alone and scared. Yet there is confidence to gain in Jesus.

Today’s verse holds the key to releasing stress and finding peace. What is causing you mental anguish? Stop striving, and rest in our loving, almighty God. He wants you to trust Him, lean on Him, and allow Him to carry the burden for you. His desire is for His children to be relieved of worry.

We will continue to pray for you and your family. Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online, we know that life isn’t easy at times, and we need some support to get through those tough days or weeks. Christ can be your anchor during the storms of life.  Get a bible and start reading. It just might turn your life around….stay well…

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