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Christians & Alcohol — Do They Mix?

by Dr. Ray Self

Pros and Cons of Drinking

Click the play button to begin video lesson and follow along with the lesson notes below the video window.

Pros or Advantages

Relaxing
Taste
Social Mixer
Some wine goes well with certain foods.

Cons

Driving under the influence - Three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their lives. In 2009 10,839 people who died in an alcohol-related crashes (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
Alcohol causes nearly 4 percent of deaths worldwide, more than AIDS, tuberculosis or violence, the World Health Organization warned this week.
Approximately 2.5 million people die each year from alcohol related causes, the World Health Organization said in its "Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health."
Alcohol is a factor in 60 types of diseases and injuries, according to World Health Organization.
Studies have linked drinking alcohol to cancer, heart problems, and liver disease.*
Drinkers are more likely to get divorced, have problems with domestic violence, struggle with unemployment, and live in poverty.*
Both short and long term negative effects can hurt your health from head to toe. What an alcoholic drink does is create havoc in your body and mind. It is addicting and it can lead to abuse. Abuse is drinking more than what is considered as moderate.*
Its long term consequences on your immune system are more harmful, especially if you also smoke cigarettes.*
Genetic Mutations -The membranes of your cells are easily penetrated by any alcoholic drink. Genetic mutations in the DNA of your genes occur with every intake of alcohol.*
Tobacco with alcohol enhances carcinogenic properties*
Even short term negative effects of alcohol make cancer prevention an uphill climb.*
Alcohol ranks as the third leading cause of preventable, lifestyle-related deaths every year in the U.S., coming after tobacco use and poor eating habits. The most common types of deaths associated with alcohol in the U.S. are traffic accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, cancer and homicide.*
Suicide statistics show that one-third of all suicides involve the use of alcohol.**
There is one alcohol related death in the US very thirty minutes.**

*Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publications
** http://www.ehow.com/facts_4922631_alcohol-related-deaths-us.html#ixzz2i0DveRHm

Notes on Alcoholism

The risk of becoming an alcoholic — You may have a drinking problem if you...

Feel guilty or ashamed about your drinking.
Lie to others or hide your drinking habits.
Have friends or family members who are worried about your drinking.
Need to drink in order to relax or feel better.
"Black out" or forget what you did while you were drinking.
Regularly drink more than you intended to.

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse include:

Repeatedly neglecting your responsibilities at home, work, or school because of your drinking.
Using alcohol in situations where it’s physically dangerous, such as drinking and driving, operating machinery while intoxicated, or mixing alcohol with prescription medication against doctor’s orders.
Experiencing repeated legal problems on account of your drinking.
Continuing to drink even though your alcohol use is causing problems in your relationships. Drinking as a way to relax or de-stress.

Tolerance: The 1st major warning sign of alcoholism. It takes more to have the same effect.

Withdrawal: The 2nd major warning sign of alcoholism. There are physical withdrawals if the person has not had a drink for a period of time.

Personal Observations

It quenches the anointing. It is difficult to hear the voice of God or feel His presence when under the influence of alcohol.

It is difficult to have a relationship or a real conversation with a person under the influence. You are not talking to the real person so whatever they say or do is questionable at best.

Why would someone want to purchase and drink alcohol thereby supporting an industry that has been responsible for millions of deaths?

No one ever chooses to become an alcoholic.

The lie is that a person will only become an alcoholic if they have no self control or drink too much.

The truth is no one knows which level of drinking or which drink will trigger the addictive gene.

Since a person is four times more likely to become an alcoholic if there is alcoholism in their family history, why would such a person choose to drink? Drinking with a family history of alcoholism is the equivalent to smoking with a family history of lung cancer.

Drinking causes a deadly trap to occur. Most drinkers have their judgment impaired which causes denial of the risk involved. That is the catch.

The Bible only declares excessive drinking as a sin but please remember the culture of the day the alcohol content of the wine they drank was very low.

The Bible also declares that we should not cause our brother to stumble. A Christian drinking alcohol can send out the wrong message to a brother who is likely to stumble or fall into alcoholism.

Romans 14:21- It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.

Mark 9:42 - "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea."

The Bible calls for us to be separate from the world and be conformed to the Lord not conformed to society and its ways. Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world..

The reasons not to drink are many and very serious so why would a person insist on doing it unless perhaps they already are prone to addiction?

Satan has used alcohol as a tool to cause death and destruction on millions of children and adults throughout history so why would we want to support his scheme?

As followers of Christ we are to set a different example. We are not to be like everyone else. We are called to be different. To me social drinking simply puts a Christian in agreement with the ways of the world and is a poor testimony of Christ.

1 John 2:15 - Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Drinking alcohol is a deadly problem I encourage you today to think about what was said in this webinar.

One final serious warning and consequence of drinking from scripture - 1Corintians 5:11- But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one.

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Healing From the Dysfunctional Family - Lesson 01

by Dr. Ray Self

Introduction

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It is a commonly known fact that our past has shaped much of our personality today. Biblically we are free from our past, but we may still have some negative influences at the conscious or unconscious level. Legally from the standpoint of the finished work of Christ, we are all free from dysfunction. The question is; how does one obtain what is legally theirs through Christ to manifest in their present day life?

This teaching will examine and define the dysfunctional family. After gaining understanding of the dysfunctional family, we will look honestly at the lingering effects of that dysfunction. After the journey of discovery we will look at God’s ways to get free, live in victory and move confidently ahead into our God-given purpose.

A scriptural principle to consider is the story of Nehemiah and his examination of the broken wall of Jerusalem. - Nehemiah 2:17 – 18 - Then I said to them, "You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach." I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king's words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, "Let us arise and build." So they put their hands to the good work.

The scriptural principle from the book of Nehemiah is the first we must look at what is broken in order to know how to repair it.

On rebuilding and repairing past damage we will always depend on the Holy Spirit – Isaiah 61:1- The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Bind up means the same as to heal. The Greek translation is from the word iaomai which means to cure. If you are cured then the problem never will reoccur, praise God!

We have been affected and are still influenced by our past.

God only works in the realm of honesty, not excuses.

We are designed to be honest and real with God. To take an honest look at past wounds and hurts takes courage.

One definition of integrity is the word transparency. When a person is transparent they are being open and honest about themselves. They may even allow others to see inside. To be open and honest requires courage faith and trust in God.

There is an old expression - you have to feel it to heal it. The principle is that feelings tend to remain buried until they are expressed. These unexpressed feelings resulting from past wounds will express themselves in present day behavior and therefore hinder a person’s future quality of life.

There are many healthy ways to express feelings. Without understanding of where and how these feelings originate people tend to act out these feelings in undesirable or harmful ways.

Obviously the worst way to handle feelings is not to talk about them or experience them at all. Many people become expert at burying and hiding emotions. What they don't hide so well is the effect of these buried feelings upon the present-day life.

When a person is raised in a dysfunctional family there are many messages, labels and self judgments that can result.

These labels messages and judgments can remain buried deep within the soul. It may seem that they do not exist but actually they are expressing themselves in current behavioral and emotional problems.

These unresolved issues from the past can have a great influence on the present and the future to come.

A person may be unaware of the impact of their past but these influences are affecting their personality, their personal beliefs, their relationships, and their overall success in life.

A truly successful person is one who works unhindered in their God-given purpose. Only in working and living in what God created a person to do will true happiness and peace be found.

In looking at the dysfunctional family and its effects we are not trying to go back and possibly get stuck in the past. It is actually an examination of our present state with the realization that our present emotional state has been influenced greatly by our past.

In coming to a realization of what damage has been done from the past and looking at how to repair it we can then move successfully into our God-given future.

What's Next?

If you enjoyed this lesson, we encourage you to consider studying the full 6-lesson course via digital download or by enrolling in a degree program at the International College of Ministry.

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Free - Dealing with Controlling People - Lesson 01

by Dr. Ray Self

Dealing with Controlling People and Relationship Issues

Click Play in the video player window and follow along on the class notes below.

Controlling People

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.

Every family has at least one. It's that one person who believes it is their right, privilege and duty to control other people to conform to their standards and wishes. You can spot them at every family function. They are the ones that are always wound tight. Their mission is to make everyone around them comply with what they think is best. Their weapons are varied. They include manipulation, fear tactics, guilt projection, nagging or whatever it takes. For those around them the effect is frustration and confusion.

What is the Issue?

The primary issue of who is in control has been around from the beginning of mankind.

Genesis 3:4-5 - The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die! "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

The problem was that Eve was made in the image of God but that apparently was not enough for her.

She wanted not just to be an image but she wanted to be like God. She wanted to be in control.

Satan understood the trap of control and used that as bait to lure in mankind. Satan was attempting to destroy faith.

God desires our unwavering faith and trust with Him in control.

Man’s desire to be in control is in direct opposition to faith and trust.

Everything we have from God comes by faith and trust. To violate God’s laws of faith and trust by trying to be in control is very serious.

Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please Him,

Romans 3:22 - even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

All of these scriptures point out that God is in control and we cannot earn His favor.

When a person takes control they are in direct competition with God. Competing with God is very foolish.

The person with the controlling spirit violates the law of God and opens the door for Satan to come in.

Satan and his demons are looking for an invitation to come to your party. Control is that invitation with no RSVP necessary.

The desire to be in control comes from our fallen flesh and can be traced back to the Garden of Eden.

When a person tries to be in control they may have a false feeling of security. They have their expectations and plans in place. They feel safe because they think that they have their life and the lives of those around them all wrapped up.

The problem for the controller is that it never works out as expected and the end result is frustration for them and for those around them.

The New Covenant with the Lord is a covenant of God being in control and it is a covenant of us being controlled by God’s Holy Spirit.

Jeremiah 31:33 - "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

As children of God we are to be Holy Spirit directed.

Romans 8:14 - For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

The controller is controlled by their carnal nature.

The problem in dealing with a believer who is a controlling person is a problem of the old nature or flesh.

The Spirit led life is an out of control life. With the Spirit led life we trust the Lord to lead and direct not always knowing what to expect.

The flesh wants the false security of being in charge of all expectations.

God want us to have more that we can imagine. Ephesians 3:20- Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

That involves being out of control with Him in control.

The problem of control is a very serious problem with very serious consequences.

We a person tries to be in control they are demonstrating their lack of faith.

The message of the controller is – "God - I do not need you because I know what is best for me and everyone else."

The controlling person is battling against God. No wonder they are so tired.

In the weeks to come we will look at our part in dealing with this issue.

If you enjoyed this lesson, we encourage you to consider studying the full 6-lesson course via digital download or by enrolling in a degree program at the International College of Ministry.

What's Next?

If you enjoyed this lesson, we encourage you to consider studying the full 6-lesson course via digital download or by enrolling in a degree program at the International College of Ministry.

You may be closer to a degree than you realize. Find out now how you can recieve your degree from ICM College. Request your FREE evaluation today.

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Counseling Victims to Freedom - Lesson 1

by Dr. Ray Self

Introduction – Know the Root Cause

Click the play button to begin video lesson and follow along with the lesson notes below the video window.

Proverbs1:29-33 - Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacence of fools destroys them; but he who listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of evil.

Romans 15:14 - And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge,able also to admonish (counsel) one another.

The Holy Spirit is sovereign, the Holy Spirit works through means, and those means are the Word of God. This forms the foundation of Adams' argument that Christians are "competent to counsel". Jay Adams

Course principle - Obedience to the unfailing principles of the word of God will bring about change.

Sin, Disease and Mental Illness

James 5:14.-16 - Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Are we venting feelings when we should be confessing sin?

Talking about and expressing our emotions is healthy but that is not confession
True godly confession never includes self-justification
Self-justification will exclude God’s justification

Guilt and shame which are normally caused by sin are like a cancer. Christian counselors have an answer for guilt and shame that secular counselors do not.

There is a strong relationship between sin and disease, including mental illness.

Psalms 38:3 - There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.

God’s forgiveness brings healing.

Psalms 103:3 - Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases?

John 5:14 - Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

In the above scripture Jesus clearly deals with sin in relationship to healing.

God requires ownership not excuses.

We are responsible for our behavior. Taking responsibility is the first step to healing. Jeremiah 31:29-31 - In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge. But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

God requires us to take ownership of our actions regardless of the cause
Taking responsibility for our self, and not others is a key to freedom

The promise from scripture is that each one will die for his own personal sin. Praise God that Jesus dies that death for us. That is the central message of the gospel.

1 John 1:8-10 - If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

In 1 John 1, God describes a three part remedy for sin and its effects: confess, receive forgiveness, be cleansed.

Cleansing is the final answer. Cleansing removes sin and its effects completely.

God requires confession because of His love for us and His desire to see us made whole.

Psalms 32:5 - I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Psalms 38:18 - For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin

Confession requires heartfelt honesty
Confession sometimes requires courage
Confession requires humility
Confession leads to healing and peace
Confession leads to blessing

Psalms 32:1 - Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

What's Next?

If you enjoyed this lesson, we encourage you to consider studying the full 8-lesson course via digital download or by enrolling in a degree program at the International College of Ministry.

You may be closer to a degree than you realize. Find out now how you can recieve your degree from ICM College. Request your FREE evaluation today.

Get Your Free Evaluation Here

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