Feed Clean Appetites’

We have appetites for things like sex, food and other pleasures. Within God’s boundaries and in moderation these appetites are just fine. When addiction hits we need to change our instincts. If you eat a Suzy Q cake every day and I eat a banana at lunch. We both have learned an instinct. What you feed your appetite will become a learned or inherent desire. An Alcoholic has chosen to feed their desire for thirst with alcohol instead of water. The key is to understand: what you “feed” your appetite will become a learned or inherent desire. 25 years ago I desired beer over water. Today I drink water and that is 100% my favorite desire with drinking. I know that I feel better today, this week, this month and this year with plenty of water. I have learned a good desire and habit. Below are some desires to feed:

Take a deeper look at time and your use of it: “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16) One preventative for sin and wrong doing is to fill your time with good things.  Brethren, do good while it is in your hands to be able to do so. The time of opportunity passes quickly.  Let us double our efforts to make wise use of our time in serving others and in evangelism. Our days are evil because of much sin. What are you doing with your time?

Focus on heaven. “This world is not my home.” (Philippians 1:21-24.) Our desire for that heavenly home must be strong. “It is more important for me to attain heavenly riches than earthly riches. We pray to care about others souls so that the Holy Spirit will prepare us to help them. When we focus on heavenly treasures first, many other things will fall in place for us.

Practice of God’s word: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  (James 1:22) Power of God’s word: “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

      James named three specific areas of practice: (1) Controlling your tongue (James 1:26), (2) Being benevolent to the widows and orphans (James 1:27), and (3) Practicing personal purity (James 1:27). It is not enough just to hear the truth. One must also practice what he has learned.  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21.)

What appetite will you feed more which will help you stay away from addiction? Idea’s include: exercise, work, hobbies, learn a musical instrument and helping  others. What are your top 2 healthy desires to feed? 1.___________ 2._______________

Often quitting addiction becomes a series of I wont’s. I will not be around certain people. I will not watch certain TV shows or movies. I will not do this or that in excess. The million dollar question is – is this really Jesus dynamic plan?

We need to understand that all of the I wont’s are only there so that we will be free to do the I will’s. 

When we read about Jesus disciples we rarely read about how they struggled all the time with sin or addiction. Why? There were 3 huge reasons. The first was because they were in the presence of Jesus. The second was because they were busy doing something.

Many of us think – wow that would be spectacular to have lived when Jesus was on earth. It would have been spectacular.

But, if we learn the habit of getting the sin out and of worshipping and praising God all of the time. We then do have the Holy Spirit in all His glory with us all the time.

 2^nd, we know Jesus disciples were always busy doing something for Jesus. If we on the other hand are only busy doing something for Jesus 3% or 5% or 7% of the time. Then we are leaving plenty of time for us to get back into trouble.

 3rdly the disciples would have taken a day of rest and focused on worshipping God. Balance keeps us healthy

 I have a daughter who doesn’t have the highest level of discipline in the world. But she is always busy doing something for Jesus. She always says I will to Jesus and she always means it. And you guessed it – she doesn’t have any addictions.

Pastor Charles Box wrote the following:

LEARNING TO SAY “I WILL” AND MEAN IT

“I will” use my talents for God. If every member of every Church would use their talents for God many lives could be touched. It is easy to be critical of others when we are guilty of not using our talents. Those who do what they can will be blessed and they will be a blessing to others. But what a terrible fate awaits those who do not use their talents for God! “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:14-30)

“I will” be an active participant in the work of the Lord. I want to think of God as “My God” and His work in the church as “My work.” “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) I will make every possible effort to attend every assembly of the church. I will be certain to attend Sunday and Wednesday Bible classes. I will determine that the Lord and His work are going to be first in your life. What needs to be done? Everything! The possibilities for involvement in the work of the Lord are endless. What skills has God blessed you with? Do what you can for Jesus. If we are willing participants in the Lord’s work, we will soon understand that serving the Lord is one of the most enjoyable experiences of a Christian’s life. We learn to become a part of something larger than ourselves. “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:7-8)

“I will” invite and bring friends to the church assembly. All of us have someone in our acquaintance that we can influence to come with us to the services of the church. If every member of every Church would be seri­ous about this one thing our growth would be phenomenal. Go by and pick up people for the services. Sit with them when they attend. Make them feel at home. Let them feel our love. Intro­duce your visitor to others. Put forth a special effort to have your visitors in your home. Go to work for God! “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12)

“I will” pray earnestly each day. I will pray for our elders and their work. I will pray for unity. I will pray for lost souls who need Christ. I will pray for those friends and relatives who need the blessings of God. I will also pray that I can grow spiritually. I will pray daily and when payers are offered in the assembly I will pray fervently. I will pray daily for the church, for its members and for its work. We need to pray for one another because we all stand in need of prayer. “I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day.” (2 Timothy 1:3)

Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) Jesus will make you a soul winner. Nothing is more powerful than accepting Jesus’ “I will” of service and soul winning. (5) Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Jesus said “I will” give rest to those who come to Him; the rest comes to those who labor and are heavy laden for Jesus. When Jesus said “I will” He meant it. There are some things we should say “I will” about and we should truly mean it!

As of March 2018 this is the final day. Many will want to go through this program again to add even more new “habits” that will positively effect their lives.

Read Matthew 15, and Acts 5-6