We, in Scotland, are battling against the enormous influences and powers of alcohol. I am sure it is similar wherever you are reading this article. Our newspaper headline this morning reads, "Highland fury as pub chain plans New Year drinks sale"!
I serve as Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and sit on the Children's Panel, which is the 'children's court' in Scotland - an excellent system by the way - and so often in the various reports I have to read are these words - "fuelled by alcohol".
Let me illustrate how a man's life can be transformed in this area alone by recounting what happened to a highly regarded and much respected Bible teacher, who died a few years ago. I have studied his teaching in depth and I know this man was for real!
A glass of whisky around six in the evening had become a habit for philosopher Derek Prince, while teaching at Cambridge University. This continued during his early army days.
Following a dramatic unexpected encounter with the risen Jesus in an army barrack room, circumstances suddenly changed. I have written about this elsewhere on Ezine. His biography is worth reading too.
Derek had no scruples about drinking whisky, but that next evening, after experiencing the living Christ, as he made his way towards the bar, his legs locked.
He suddenly realised that he had no interest whatsoever in approaching the counter for his whisky. Another thought struck him.
He had gone through that particular day, amongst a band of soldiers, without blaspheming.
Not only had God touched his heart, but God had touched his lips. God had transformed some lifetime's habits - the words which flowed from his mouth, and also what went into his mouth.
The previous night he had not known how to pray. The next day he could hardly stop praying, even when going about his military duties.
God explains all this by telling us that when a man is born again, and when he is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone. The new has come.
The transformation can be sudden. A man's situation can change almost immediately, without his even having to think about what is happening.
God rescues you from what He does not want you to have. He saves you from what will do you no good, setting your feet upon a new road, and even giving you a fresh vocabulary, in more ways than one.
Jesus does not want you to soil your lips and pollute the atmosphere.
When a man meets the living God, old desires are deleted and new abilities appear.
This is the true account of how one man beat and defeated the curse of alcohol. The adverts never show us that side of imbibing which leads to fights, feuds, family rumpuses, children being removed from the home, or prison.
There is an answer and if you think this may help you, or a friend who is battling with alcohol, do forward it as soon as is convenient.
Sandy Shaw
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