Still Believing In Miracles

Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse and substance use disorder, is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others, and is a form of substance-related disorder. That’s a lot of words, right? Widely differing definitions of drug abuse are used in public health, medical and criminal justice contexts, along with all of this, I know it’s also centered in a deep spiritual problem. Which, as I have seen, can best be helped by Christian counseling and a complete work of the Holy Spirit in the heart, mind and soul of people which are willing to ask Jesus for help. And, yes, He does come in and cleans up the worst life ever, making it a wonderful and beautiful place for Him to reside. The exact cause of substance abuse is not clear, with theories including: a genetic disposition; learned from others, or a habit which if addiction develops, manifests as a chronic debilitating disease. I will add, satan hates the human race, families, good people, spiritual progress and Christian maturity, among other things. And, does whatever he can to trap mankind in sin to keep us separated from God, hope and eternal life in Heaven. ‘Drugs’ is a term that includes alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, methaqualone, cannabis and opioids. In many cases criminal or anti-social behavior, even satanic acts and rituals can occur when the person is under the influence of a drug. Long term drug abuse can produce drastic and violent personality changes in individuals as well. In addition to possible physical, social, and psychological harm, use of some drugs may also lead to over-dose and death.

Substance abuse in the USA and Mexico is widespread with estimated millions of users of hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and other synthetic drugs. In 2013 drug use disorders resulted in 127,000 deaths up from 53,000 in 1990. The highest number of deaths are from opioid use disorders at 51,000. Cocaine use disorder resulted in 4,300 deaths and amphetamine use disorder resulted in 3,800 deaths. Alcohol use disorders resulted in an additional 139,000 deaths. This is such a shame when addiction, abuse and drug related deaths are really avoidable. At this mission base we preach and teach life in Jesus. Why do we reach out to drug addicts and alcoholics? Our motivation is Christ’s love for the lost. New life in Jesus is the point. This life comes from God through Jesus. Jesus said, “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son also to have life in Himself,” John 5:26. As Jesus said later, “I am the resurrection and the life,” John 11:25. He has this life in Him from the Father and He is this life. And Jesus came to share this new life with others; with us. As He said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly,” John 10:10. Notice He came not to give us just a taste or a little bit of life but He wants us to have this new life in great abundance. Any time you visit with us at Rancho Santa Fe Mexico Mission and would like to join us in our drug and alcohol ministry, you are always invited to come along with us. Your presence, prayers and participation would be a real blessing to us and those serve and reach through this ministry. "A new heart also will I give you [or, create for you], and a new spirit will I put within you [or, create within you]: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and CAUSE you to walk in My Statutes, and ye shall KEEP My Judgments, and DO them. Without Me ye can do nothing," Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 15:5.