Cool Dud's Of Power

Our prayers and thoughts go out to John Sharpton and his family this morning, in the death of his mother.
She'd been sick for some time and passed away yesterday mornning.John and his father had spent the pass few years taking care of her, and I know she will be missed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Acts 1:8 -  And you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you. .....And you shall be my witnesses........

There are so many things that someone in addiction cannot do.
Why?
Because they are powerless.
Those who know nothing about addiction do not understand this concept, or rather shall I say "this reality."
To them it is a simple matter of will power.
"Why don't you just quit?"
"Why don't you just make up your mind?"
It's not as simple as that.
If it were a matter of will power, then the addict would have stopped long ago, but with each failure to quit comes the toxic twins....guilt and shame.

Step # 1 is me coming to a painful, yet life changing conclusion. I have no power to manage my life. The track record of my behavior lays before me like some kind of surreal wreck on the interstate. It is an admission to the state of my life and affairs. I am powerless.

Step #2 is the search for a Power not only outside of myself, but one that is greater. One that is real power, power to change. Power to renew and restore. Power to propel me through the guilt and shame. Power that can aid me in this quest for real life. I recognize that Power to be God. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost (Or spirit). He alone possesses the words of life that can take me out of this pit of despair, gloom and destruction.

Step # 3 is the step of commitment. Oh no! Not the dreaded "C" word!
We make a decision......
Sounds so simple, yet this small, mental thought that takes place is the very event that begins the process of change and recovery. A decision..... we've made decisions before. Truth be known, not all of them were good. We decided to use. We decided to get high. We decided to get drunk. We decided to drive under the influence and, in all of these decisions...........how has it been working out? Not to good I would suspect.
But here in Step # 3, this decision comes from deep inside the heart. A desire to stop! A desire to move away from the destruction of addiction. We don't know what lies beyond the decision and sometimes that is scary, but we know we can't keep living like this.

Through the confession of our hearts, that we are painfully sorry for all the wrong we have done, that we recognize Jesus as the source of this new life we want so bad, we turn ourselves, will and life, over to his care. Now, the Power comes. As you read in Acts 1:8, we will be clothed in power. Like an overcoat or a new set of dud's, God covers us with His power. If you don't believe a change will take place, then get your Bible out and read in the books Matthew, Mark, Luke and John about the men who followed Jesus. They were a bunch of foul ups and mess ups. Always saying the wrong thing. Always doubting Jesus. Then flip over and read the book of Acts. This is after these followers of Jesus had been "Clothed with Power of the Holy Ghost." They were not the same men. They were bold and confident. They spoke with authority and they became leaders. Same men...different behaviors. Why? The Power of the Holy Spirit was poured into them. You see, all this "power" talk isn't just that........talk. It is a reality of Jesus.

You want power?
You want it today?
Work Step # 3....
You might be surprised  as to what happens....

God on you.....
rn