Faith

Stand For Jesus

by Jeff Drinnan
02/28/21
For Sale
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

The war against Christianity has really come to a head, as evidenced in the state of Maine openly interfering with a faith based, long term rehab that helps rescue those trapped in the voluntary slavery of addiction. As has been the case since the beginning of the Covid epidemic, where "safety" is an excuse to silence the gathering of saints, the action of the state is a blantant attack on the church.

Maine Governor Janet Mills told Pastor Ken Graves that he may have as many people as he wants in the substance abuse treatment center, but they may not study the Bible. The state of Maine considers drug treatment centers essential, but not worship of God.

Secular drug rehabs, often backed by the state, don't want the Bible brought into their programs. At an event in Bucks County, PA, run by a ministry to help people conquer addictions, a man from the county run drug and alcohol program told the audience that he's not allowed to bring God in the program.

The US is getting to be like Red China, where reading the Bible and worshiping God is banned. Our government is essentially a proxy for the way some people think. A few years back, I talked about God with someone who wanted to conquer her drug addiction. A mutual "friend" told me I shouldn't talk so much about God and the Bible with her. As I told this friend, the person I was discussing God with wanted to talk about God. On the ride back from the first time I  brought my friend to a Celebrate Recovery meeting with me, where a female leader asked her about faith in Jesus, she asked me many honest questions about Jesus all the way to her apartment.

The world oppressing the church is nothing new. The apostle Paul and others who went out to share the good news with the world were met with hostility, from religous leaders as well as from the world. John Bunyan, author of the edifying allegory of the soul "The Pilgrims Progress" was eventually arrested because he didn't fall in lockstep with the Church of England. As is the case with Pastor Ken, Mr. Bunyan was faced with the choice to follow his conviction to follow God or to cave into the wishes of those in power.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid,
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident." -Psalm 27: 1-3

I have found that people who run the faith-based programs to help drug, alcohol abusers and others with compulsions, hurts and hangups are there to serve God and serve others through God. "Noone is here in a professional capacity. There are no therapists..." say the leaders of the Conquering Addictions program in southern Bucks County, PA as they open the meeting. They have regular jobs and just want to help others.

I continue to go to meetings where I used to take someone struggling with drug addiction after God took him home after he got hit by a car. The guy who leads the meeting has a regular, blue collar job. Although substance addiction is not my problem, I still get alot out of the meetings, where I learn how to better walk in God's ways. As a sinner saved by grace, I am a work in progress.

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." 2 Timothy 3: 16,17