Addictions

 

 

 

As I minister in our small community of 12,000, I find that we have things   in common with much of the other parts of the world.  Whether it be a poor nation or community or a wealthy prosperous location you will always find  people who are addicted to something.  When I say addicted it can cover a lot of ground of course.  It could be alcohol, drugs or over the counter feel goods.  It can also be immorality, witchcraft, demon worship, or even addiction to sexual pleasure.  Whatever the situation an addiction is something that the flesh is very susceptible to.   Addictions lend themselves to people who are unsuspecting and willing to be led by feelings.  Feelings which often come from the flesh can lead us to places we really didn’t want to go.  The strongest feeling that most people desire is happiness and peace.    Where we look for it very important. 

 

Jesus met a woman at a well in the book of John chapter four that was an unhappy, addicted person.  Her desire for happiness led her to multiple relationships and much heartache.  Jesus in his wisdom asked her for a drink of water from the well.  After she responded to him he told her that he had a drink of water for her through which she would never thirst again.  The drink he was speaking of was the experience of receiving the Holy Ghost, the very same experience that the New Testament church received on the day of Pentecost.

 

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4 (KJV) 

 

Her spirit was stirred as he told her everything she had ever done in her life and from that day forward she was on the road to freedom.  This story of addiction plays itself out many times a day in the lives of people all over the world.  The answer to this real life problem is simply an encounter with the deliverer Jesus Christ!  If you know someone who is addicted why not share the story of John chapter four with them?  I have also written a study based on this story titled “Addicted to Drugs or Alcohol?”  that I would love for you to go through.  It won’t take long but will help in this very needed area.  Life is too short to live with the taskmaster of addictive things and freedom from them can be a reality!

 

There are some who believe that the Bible condones the drinking of alcoholic wine.  If alcoholic wine is condoned then most any other stimulants should also be OK, right?  If you have questioned this too I would like to offer you the book titled “Bible Wines-The Laws of Fermentation” written by Rev. William Patton that I will ship to you free of charge which will answer this and other questions.  All you have to do is sign up for the free weekly newsletter in the month of October.  Once you have signed up you will need to send your address to freedomconnect@sbcglobal.net and it will be shipped to you.  Your address will not be kept on file after the book is sent out.  You may also choose to receive the book titled “The Truth Shall Make You Free” written by yours truly.  This book covers the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.  If you are not interested in signing up for the newsletter, you may make a donation of $5 and either book will be sent to you.  Just go to the book section of the main site Focus on Freedom.

 

Thanks for taking the time to be a part of the newsletter family.

Here is the weekly inspirational scripture. 

 

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17 (KJV) 

 

Sincerely

 

Greg Wirths

 

Focus on Freedom

 

If you are receiving this newsletter as a forward you may sign up here or at the main site now for your free subscription!

 

HAPPINESS

 

 

 

SPECIAL NOTICE!

October is our first book giveaway month!  Sign up for the free weekly newsletter and receive your choice of book.  The first book is titled “Bible Wines – The Laws of Fermentation”  written by Rev. William Patton.  This ninety page book goes into the Biblical wine.  Was it fermented or not?  A must read for all people of temperance.  The second book is titled “The Truth Shall Make You Free” written by yours truly.  This seventy four page book deals with the person, life and teachings of Jesus Christ– the man of all ages.  After signing up simply send an address where the book can be sent to freedomconnect@sbcglobal.net and we will send it to you postage paid.  Overseas members apply too!

 

The subject at hand is happiness.  Happiness is defined by Webster as: contented, satisfied, pleased or delighted.  You may notice in this definition that nothing is said about why these things exist in happiness.  Why are you contented?  How can we be satisfied, pleased or delighted?  The answers to these questions are very important.  If one is not happy the very same question comes up too.  Why?  A wise man almost 3000 years ago had the very same questions and sought to find the answers.  His name was Solomon.  He decided to embark on a journey to find the source of true happiness and his search is recorded in the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible.  He was very wealthy and could do anything he pleased.  Sound good?  Before you answer that you need to read the whole story.  It did to Solomon at first but eventually he got to the place where he hated life and developed a fatalistic attitude.

 

“Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Eccles. 2:17 (KJV) 

 

What he discovered through his journey of searching was that “things” cannot satisfy.  The material things of this life simply do not have that power.  Eventually after a deeper examination of his value system he realized that he was looking in the wrong places for happiness.  His search ultimately led him to the real source of happiness, God and his Word! 

 

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccles. 12:13 (KJV) 

 

His conclusion was simple but very profound and this truth still applies today.  Isn’t it interesting that you hear folks today make statements like, “If I only had….I would be happy.”  Interestingly those same people are still unhappy when they finally get it.  If you are unhappy maybe you like Solomon have been looking in the wrong places for it.  I encourage you to read the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible and you may come away with a different viewpoint.  You could also go to a study that I have put together titled “Finding Happiness” and I pray that it will lead you to a relationship with HIM and ultimately to true happiness.

 

We pray your week is blessed as you focus on freedom through HIM! 

Here is the weekly inspirational scripture. 

 

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) 

 

Sincerely

 

Greg Wirths

 

Focus on Freedom

 

If you are receiving this newsletter as a forward you may sign up here or at the main site now for your free subscription!

 

ATTITUDE

 

 

 

October is sign up month for the free weekly newsletter! 

 

Sign up for the free weekly newsletter in the month of October and you will receive a free copy, postage paid, of your choice of books, “Bible Wines; Laws of Fermentation and Wines of the Ancients” by Rev. William Patton written over a hundred years ago on the subject of Bible wines.  (Did you know that there are two wines spoken of in the Bible?  One was good and the other…well you need to read it for yourself) or “The Truth Shall Make You Free” written by yours truly.  This seventy four page book goes through the person, life and teaching of Jesus Christ.  Each chapter has questions for your personal study.  After you have verified your e-mail just send me a note a freedomconnect@sbcglobal.net and tell me where to send it.  Your address will be erased after it is sent out.

 

On another note, have you ever done something that you later regretted?  I’m sure we all would say “Of course”.  The reason is that our flesh wants things that are usually not good for us.   Why is it so hard to be meek instead of becoming angry at the drop of a hat?  Is it possible to become a peacemaker instead of being involved in every conflict that comes along?  Is there a power that can actually make a heart pure and clean?  These and many other questions are asked (though not verbally) by many people every day.  The good news is, there is a way to get the attitude thing right. 

 

Many have tried to accomplish this on their own strength and have fallen short.  It is because of the weakness of our flesh.  The Bible tells us that this is a fact of human existence.  “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23 (KJV)  The word “all” means you and me and everyone else.  To help us in these weak areas Jesus Christ the master teacher gave the famous “Sermon on the Mount”.  I have been to the place where he gave this sermon and it is a beautiful hillside overlooking a peaceful valley.  His message can be found in the Book of Matthew chapter five and Luke chapter six.  This teaching is powerful and relevant for us today and worth your time to read or you can go to the study titled “Jesus Teaches Inner Character” at Focus on Freedom.  There we will go through each of the beatitudes (attitudes that should be) and how they can be relevant to us.  This lesson is also found in the book titled “The Truth Shall Make You Free” chapter three, which we are giving away free this month.  It is God’s plan for each of us to be free from the things that hurt us and bring us down and rest assured that he has the plan that really works!

 

We pray your week is blessed as you focus on freedom through HIM!  Starting this week we will include in the weekly newsletter an inspirational scripture to meditate upon.  Here it is!

 

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 (KJV) 

 

Sincerely

 

Greg Wirths

 

Focus on Freedom

 

If you are receiving this newsletter as a forward you may sign up here or at the main site now for your free subscription!