Overcoming Addiction through God's Strength! by Michelle Goodwine

In 2009, Whitney Houston's comeback from a bad marriage and drug addiction was underway. With the release of her CD and the single "I Didn't Know My Own Strength", it was hoped that Whitney had once again returned to her thrown as the Queen of Pop.  Unfortunately, in the meantime, her road to recovery, like many others with addiction problems, was paved with many potholes.  And on Saturday, February 11, Whitney came to the end of her road.

What is truly sad about Whitney's fall from grace is that she was a believer who lost her way. While it is too late for Whitney to start a New Life Today, perhaps her life can serve as a lesson to us all.  

Below are some Bible verses that will hopefully help other Christians who are trying to Start a New Life free from drugs and alcohol:

Lesson #1: Our Strength Comes from God

Isaiah 40:28-30 (NIV)

²⁸ Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God,  the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,   and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;  

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD    will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Lesson #2: Your Body is a Temple

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Lesson #3: Don't Get Drunk

Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,  
¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lesson #4: We are Not of this World

Romans 12:1-3 (NIV)

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  
² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

For those Christians struggling to overcome a drug and/or alcohol addiction, remember Philippians 4:13 (KJV):   ^"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."   With the Lord's help, we accomplish anything.  Unfortunately, it appears that Whitney forgot this.  It appears that instead of looking up, should looked inward.  And I am certain that she, like other addicts who have lost their way have found, overcoming addiction requires more than self-control. To overcome addiction, one must rely on God's strength.

(Photo: Reuters/Ygal Levi)

Whitney Houston emerges from the waters of the River Jordan during a Holy Land pilgrimage, May 29, 2003.

Faith Without Works Is Dead by Michelle Lawson

The verse that has been coming across my mind in the last few days is James 2:17 "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."(NIV)  As I look at my life, and examine myself, I feel compelled by God to do more, to be more, to give more - not for myself, but as evidence of God's goodness.
I have a new found confidence that is coming from the realization of what being a Christian is all about.  It is not pride, or ego, but assurance of what God can do, and has already done in my life.

God does not want us Christians to live a downtrodden life on Earth. He wants us to have life more abundantly.  And although we often think that means having more money, what life has shown me is that an abundant life is one filled with love, joy, happiness, and a positive relationship with friends, family, and God.  I have learned that if I "... seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

Some of us believe if we just pray long enough that eventually God will answer our prayers.  But what I have learned is that in order to get blessed, I have to do something.  For instance, I never got a job by just praying.  I had to get an education, write a resume, look for openings, send cover letters, tell people I was looking for work, and interview for the position.  And when it was all said and done, and I got hired, I knew the job was a blessing from God.

By starting this blog, finishing my website www.chellelawson.com, and working on some other projects, I am taking action to be blessed.  I want my works to show my faith.  It is great to say that you are a Christian and that you have faith in the Lord.  But each day I am now committed to take actions that show God and the world how great my faith in God is.  Stay tuned, because I have faith that God's blessings for my life for doing His will is going to be amazing.  God has already blessed my life beyond measure.  So I trust that His future blessings will be wonderful.

Want to have a New Life Today?
Today take a positive step that you would not otherwise have the courage to do if it were not for your faith in God.  I have learned that God blesses action - he blesses faith with works.  Be Bold!

As Psalm 27 says, "The Lord is my light and salvation.  Whom shall I fear?"  There is no reason to fear.  Pray for God's guidance.  And once God has spoken to you about what He knows you should do - in the words of Nike, "Just Do It!"  Step out on faith and don't look back.  We have nothing to fear.  As I tell my daughter, "God got this!"