The biggest obstacle to placing confidence in my Creator was a dependance on alcohol to blunt my emotional pain. Once I submitted to Him, He helped me kick that habit. Now, instead of alcohol in my blood. I have peace in my heart.

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Message by Ward Pimley

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• “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4 (NKJV)
• “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (LSB)

WHEN I BECAME A CHRISTIAN, a believer in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord, He began to change me, to transform me into the man He designed me to be, not the man I had become. 

While I wanted His saving grace, I also chaffed at the changes He sought because, at the time, I still “enjoyed” my sins. That’s where most of the world is, and I was in the beginning stage of being rescued from the mire. 

The biggest obstacle to placing confidence in my Creator and would-be Savior was a dependence on alcohol to blunt the pain of my broken life. He wanted me to stop, and I wanted me to continue. He started putting on some pressure; I resisted. 

I had used the blunting power of alcohol to keep depressing emotions from overtaking me; He wanted to free me from that. You’d think it was a no-brainer. In a sense, it was because I certainly was not using my brain.

I was stubborn and resisting His call on my life. 

~Three-Year Dance~

WE DANCED THIS WAY for three years, with Him ratcheting up the pressure, and me resisting and then bending, until finally I broke and said, “I’m ready to do this Your way.”

It has now been 14 years since I received eternal life through the Holy Spirit and  nearly 11 years since I’ve tasted alcohol. Show me a chilled Martini with three olives in it, lined up on a tooth pick, and I am still, even today, tempted to join in; but, fortunately for me, He who is in me is stronger than he (Satan) who is in the world, and I resist.

I still resist, but, frankly, from time to time, I still wonder. Maybe I could have just one drink, I think, but then I remember what it’s numbing power does to me, and I’m even more determined to resist the pull.

As a result, I remain sober and faithful to my Liberator, the One who saved my life from its brokenness and my soul from eternal torment.

~An Offer Good for All~

IF YOU WANT that life-changing transformation for yourself, you can have it, today, right now, by earnestly confessing your need for the Savior. God wants to hear from you. 

He gave us this guarantee in 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV):

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

His promises are good for everyone, no matter who you are or where you’ve been or what you’ve done. He longs to hear from you, and He wants to forgive you and welcome you into His family. 

In Romans 8:14 (NIV), He tells us:

“For those who are being led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

THAT MEANS, while He loves everyone, those who love Him back, who trust Him for their salvation, receive a special blessing: They become His sons and daughters, His children.

Pray with me a prayer like this (or use similar words): 

“LORD GOD, Creator of the universe who designed me in Your image, please come into my heart and save me from the brokenness of my life. I confess I am in need of redemption. My soul is evil, and my heart is selfish. I believe Your Son died on the Cross for my sins, and the sins of the whole world, and that whoever believes in Him, who calls on Him, will be saved. Lord God, save even me.” AMEN

~POSTSCRIPT~

IF YOU PRAYED that prayer with sincerity, then welcome into the Kingdom of God! You now will be held securely by the hands of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and no one can take you from His grip. 

Grow in your faith. Read your Bible daily. Pray constantly. Tell someone what God has done for you. 

MOST OF ALL: Enjoy your walk with Jesus Christ!

~PRAYER~

ALMIGHTY GOD, MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, we thank You for Your grace and mercy, unmerited by our actions, thoughts, or plans. You are the great I AM, the One who creates, the One who sustains, the One who saves. We praise Your holy name. Through Jesus, we lift this prayer. AMEN