The Enticement

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Proverbs 23:31-32:
Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.

If you have ever wondered what an "Adder" is, it is a venomous snake that lives in the Middle East. It's deadly.

So is the overuse of alcohol and drugs. It is so enticing. It is desirable. On one side of the coin, a glass of wine with dinner sounds good. And it is good. One the OTHER side of the coin, a glass or two, or three, or four, or more of Jack Daniels goes down smooth in order to mask the hurt, the trouble, or the pain of life sounds good so that you don't feel. It's NOT good. That's when it stings. That's when it kills.

We want to give up that side of the coin. We don't want all the bad effects of overuse of alcohol and drugs. We want a Savior from that. And His name is Jesus. Jesus, through His salvation, and grace, and love for you went to the cross. Jesus carried our burdens and our sorrows. He is acquainted with our grief and pain and sin. He knows us so very well. And He died on the cross in order to take all of your burdens, sorrows, grief, and pain. They were buried with Jesus in the tomb. And when Jesus rose to life, they stayed buried.

That means we get up to speed with Jesus is our salvation. Jesus is the one whom we can trust. Jesus sent to us the Holy Spirit who is our "sponsor" that guides us into the truth of ourselves and the truth of Jesus. The Holy Spirit reminds us of all that Jesus did for us. Let's pray.

Dear Jesus, thank You for all that You did for us. Lead us by the Holy Spirit to rely on You and trust in Your will and way. And all God's people say...