It’s Funny How Things Work

It’s funny how things work.  This morning I turned on my Blackberry and like every morning it started buzzing from the emails that came in the previous evening, but one of them in particular caught my attention, it was an email update from my blog. I haven’t written anything in a while now so it surprised me.  Something glitched and fired off an old post I wrote on January 1st of this year.
http://andrewneufang.wordpress.com/2009/01

My first thought was “great everyone is getting an old repost, I need to write something to clarify that is was in error”, then I realized that it was only sent to me.  Since it was in my email and I wrote it, I figured I’d read it.

In that post I stated that “If you don’t do your resolution or plan, nothing will happen…..   and, you and your situations will stay the same unless you actually do something about it.”  Turns out that something worse than nothing happening can happen, if you don’t actively pursue your plans, dreams and callings from God you can actually lose ground, and end up worse than when you started the year.

A couple weeks ago while I was on vacation it became very obvious that I had spent entirely too much time focusing on planning work, getting things done, being productive and in general turning almost every moment with my wife and kids into a business meeting.  Yeah I got a lot of things accomplished, but many of the things I didn’t address I lost ground on.  I realized that I had been so busy doing, and getting done that I wasn’t living.  For example I hadn’t spent time with any of my friends (twitter and facebook are not substitutes for relationships), and realized I wasn’t as close as I once was to them, I’d lost ground.  While I was still on vacation I told my wife, “From now on I’ll schedule work time and living time.”  As soon as I got home, I promptly started making plans in pen not pencil to see my friends and loved ones.

Fast forward to this past Sunday. I’m in church having one of those times where you’re thinking “He’s talking to me, I know it, dang, he’s right” (actually I know it wasn’t just me, that’s not his style).  The scripture was 2 Samuel 15:14 where King David was going to throw in the towel and flee the city without so much as a fight. He was willing to forgo his kingdom and the calling on his life. (I will post a link to the sermon as soon as it’s on line). This made me think about the areas of my life where I was willing to forgo the things God has called me to, and to think about the things I hadn’t done anything in and lost ground.

So Monday morning on the tail of all this I’m listening a podcast from another of my favorite preachers and for the next 2 weeks they are covering “Fulfilling God’s Vision for Your Life”.  I guess you could say that this “repost” of sorts, came at the perfect time.  We are now over half the way through the year. Are you on track to where you wanted to be? Or is nothing happening? Or worse yet, have you lost ground?  Don’t give up, remember, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Romans 11:29)

Many times I write and it turns out to only be for me. (It never gets posted.) Sometimes I send it to my wife.  Sometimes I keep it to myself. And sometimes I delete it when I’m done writing it.  Is this post for you? Maybe. Is it for me? Maybe.  The point is don’t lose ground, don’t give up and don’t get too busy to remember your dreams, your vision and God’s calling on your life.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18

You Are Always On His Mind

It’s funny how things turn out, I wrote two other posts this week, yet this is what I’m posting.  God wants you to know that you are very special to Him, and He loves you so much.

God is thinking about you.

The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. (Psalm 115:12)

When I view and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained and established, What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?  Yet You have made him but a little lower than God (Elohim), and You have crowned him with glory and honor. (Psalm 8:3-5 Amplified Bible)

God is thinking about prospering and blessing you.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Now that you know what God is thinking make sure to listen to, and obey Him.

1And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:  2And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.  3Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.  4Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.  5Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.  7The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.  8The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.  9The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.  10And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. 11And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.  12The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.  13And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
14And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
(Deuteronomy 28:1-14)

Light Dawns for the Upright

“so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:10-11)

“Praise the LORD.  Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands his children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.  Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.  His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.” (Psalm 112:1-8)

No matter what your week was like, Jesus has you covered, take it to Him, He is faithful.  Remember to make sure you’re doing your part, stay in love, kick out strife, and hold up any lie from the devil to the word of God.

Check out this video from John Reuben listen to it, be encouraged, and make it a great weekend.

Don’t forget to checkout more from John Reuben at http://www.myspace.com/johnreuben

Image Therapy

Repeat this three times “I am NOT a victim”  Go on!

“I am NOT a victim, I am NOT a victim, I am NOT a victim”

That’s what I do when I start feeling sorry for myself, and what I tell my kids to do when I see that they are starting to let pressures and lies of the enemy get through to them.  Allowing yourself to, even for a moment, think you’re a victim is dangerous.  Once you start entertaining these thoughts you become dissatisfied with your situation or current place in life. You’ll start to look at what others are doing or have, and soon many of the things you were once longing for and were so thankful and grateful for become garbage in your mind. You may even perceive them as a curse.  Think I’m wrong?  How many people that were once happy with their jobs, now grumble every morning when they get to go to work.  How many people who scrimped and saved and worked hard to get into a nice house, now complain and say their mortgage is a curse.  Do I even need to touch upon marriages?  No, you see my point.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:35-40

Are conquerors victims? No, the Bible tells us that we are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 4:37).  Are many of us going through trying times right now? Yes, but the Word gives us comfort and hope when He says “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8

You see, every day we are presented with many opportunities to take offense, feel pressures and be exposed to lies and attacks of the enemy.  It is in these times we need to hold our thoughts and feelings up to the truth of God’s Word (as 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 instructs us to.)  Sure it may not be easy; you may not even really want to.  It will take work.  Remember, you are in a fight for your thoughts, your happiness, and your prosperity.  Your enemy, the devil, hates you and wants you wallowing in self pity, so you will be miserable, ineffective in sharing God’s love and, if you really get feeling sorry for yourself, eventually you’ll do something stupid to screw up your life (or even end it).

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

When you really compare your thoughts to what the Bible says about you then you will see that, through Christ, you are a winner, you are a conqueror and you are already victorious no matter what it may look like.  Remember a conqueror is not a victim, a conqueror is victorious, (But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)) and an overcomer. (For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.   Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5))  If you are in Christ that is you, because God says so.

1 John 4:1-4 tells us that “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

If you would like additional encouragement in the area of seeing yourself the way God sees you you can click on the link below. Have a great week.  Go forth, conqueror.

Who you are in Christ

Act on Your Plan

Happy New Year!

As a New Year kicks off many people will declare or already have declared their “New Year’s resolutions.”   These plans and ideas, although very good and life-improving, often never see the light of day past the first week of January.  Why? Because coming up with the plan or idea is one thing actually carrying it out is another, especially when the thing takes some effort.

How many times have you said “I’m going to _____________.”?  You can fill in that blank with any number of things.  I’m going to exercise.    I’m going to eat better.   I’m going to quit smoking.   I’m going to actually read my Bible.  I’m going to invite that person to church.  You get the idea.  But then that is as far as it goes.  Soon after, you declare your good intentions the excuses or reasons to put it off start.  I’d eat better; but it’s the holidays.   I’d exercise; but it’s too cold outside.   I’d quit smoking; but work is stressful.   (Hint: cast your cares on Him for He cares for you.)   I’d read my Bible; but I don’t have time.  I’d help my fellow man; but I need to rest.

So, guess what?  If you don’t do your resolution or plan, nothing will happen.   Yes, nothing will change. Life will continue moving along just as it has.  Do you get that? Nothing will change.  The things you actually thought were important enough to think about, form a plan and declare that you were going to do, will not happen and you and your situations will stay the same unless you actually do something about it.

In this New Year, just saying “I’m going to” isn’t going to cut it for you.   Because you are not just a talker you are a doer, a person of action.  Remember, there are people who talk about a problem or a situation.   And there are people who do something about it.   Since you’re reading this and interested in developing your life in the perfect will of God I’m going to assume that you actually want to do something about your life. That harvest of positive results comes from sowing positive actions over a period of time.

Life takes discipline.   For example:   My wife walks around 45 minutes three times a week.  But you know what?  She started with walking for 15 minutes, 3 times a week.  After 3 years, that 45 minutes is, pardon the pun, a walk in the park.  You see she started small; but she started.  She had to actually take those first steps and then refuse to miss her walking days.   The same principal applied when I quit smoking 2 ½ years ago, I actually had to stop buying and lighting them.

Let me come to the point.  Whatever it is that you want different in your life, pray. Determine what actions you need to take.   Then take them.  Otherwise, you can expect to look January 1, 2010 in the face with nothing changed.

Use What You Learn

This morning following my Bible study time and prayer time the Lord impressed upon me that, as Christians, we need to pay attention to people around us.  I mean, really pay attention, to them.   As we get closer to Christmas many of us are getting busier and busier, wrapping up business before a vacation, wrapping up presents for our loved ones, and wrapping up our wish lists.  While we’re getting caught up in and focusing on celebrating our Lord and Savior’s birthday, we may be walking by the person who desperately needs that bit of encouragement, or a smile.  We may be missing the opportunity to tell them that you and Jesus love them, that no matter what is going on in their lives Jesus has it covered.  You see for many people, both Christian and non-Christians, Christmas isn’t the time of joy it should be.  It’s a time of pressure, a time of not having enough, a time of being alone, a time of embarrassment and shame when they feel they can’t deliver even a simple gift.  But as God’s chosen people if we don’t make an effort to pay attention to the people we come across, we will miss the opportunity to use what we study and learn and maybe miss the opportunity to stop that random stranger from going home and blowing their brains out.  Think about it.  What else are you trying to get out of your daily studies?  If it’s only to make your life better you’ve missed the point.  

“And he (Jesus) said unto them (His followers), Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” (Mark 16:15-23)

Mark 16:15-23 does a perfect job of explaining why we should be endeavoring to learn the Word, and to spend time in our daily studies, so we can spread the gospel will signs following us.  So what is the gospel we are called to preach to every creature?  Jesus tells us in Luke 4:18 where He says “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” 

Well there you have it.  God’s marching orders for His people: preach the gospel to the world.  Preach deliverance, healing good news for the poor (prosperity), liberty.  Remember, pay attention.  Look people in the face, listen for the Holy Spirit to prompt you and use what you’ve learned.  It may be a challenge at first.  But remember; you are equipped.  “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:16-18) Don’t hide your light, use what you learn.

GOD’S COMPLETE LIFE PLAN FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS, WANTS AND DESIRES

GOD’S COMPLETE LIFE PLAN FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS, WANTS AND DESIRES

Written by Sheri Neufang

This week, during my Bible time with the Lord, I saw something new in a Psalm I’ve read many times.  Psalm 37:3-7 lists God’s plan to provide for your needs, desires, your vision, your vindication and peaceful rest.  Each verse has an action for you to take and a promised result.

Food and shelter: Verse 3.
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” 

Recommended action: Trust in the Lord, not your job, not a rich friend or relation, not in the economy turning around, not in a newly elected official, not in your beauty or strength.  Trust in the Lord and do good. 

Promise:  Verily you will be fed.  How about a place to live?   Verse 3 says to trust in the Lord and do good and that’s how you will manage to keep living here.  Did you ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life?  Are you following his command to tithe 10% on the increase that comes to your house?  Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”  You can count on him to feed you and keep you in a place to live.  Further proof?  Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” 

Desires beyond basic needs:  Verse 4
“Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

Recommended action: Delight yourself in the Lord.  Enjoy worshiping Him, spending time in His word, thinking about his laws and promises to you. Get excited about being a Christian, about going to church, about sharing what you believe. 

Promise:  He will give you the desires of your heart. Not just what you need for survival.  Further proof?  Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” 

Your vision:  Verse 5
“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” 

Recommended action: Decide here and now, make a commitment that the way you do things, the way you think, act and speak will be the Lord’s way. Then start reading and understanding the Bible so you know what His way is. This is going to take some trust in God.  Sometimes the way He tells us to be is contrary to our raising, our life experience up to this point, our emotions, even feelings in our physical body.  Trust in Him. 

Promise: He will bring it to pass, make it happen.  Make what happen?  Your vision.  The seed-picture He put in your mind’s eye where you can see yourself doing some amazing, seemingly impossible thing for God and enjoying it too.  “But it’s been so long since I began to dream of that.  And I still don’t see visible evidence of it happening.”   Look to Habakkuk 2:3 for confirmation.    “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”  His job is to bring it to pass, your job is to commit your way unto Him and trust in Him.  The promise continues in verse 6.

Vindication and Justice:  Verse 6
“And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.”  If you Trust in the Lord and do good, delight yourself also in the Lord, commit your way unto him while trusting in Him, he promises to make it as plain as the light of day where you were unjustly accused. He promises to give you your judgment (that is King James Version for justice) for everyone to see, like light at high noon.   Further proof:  Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”

Peace while you wait:  Verse 7
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself…”   

 Recommended action:  Don’t panic saying, “What do I do?”  Don’t take actions God would not have you take trying to save yourself, make things happen, get it done.  Rest in the Lord.  Actually, resting in the Lord is an action.  Further proof Hebrew 4:11 warns us to do the work or labor of believing on God so we can rest in Him.   “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”  Let’s look at that verses 10-12, 16.  “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.”  When God rested, He stopped working.  Are you still trying to work in an area of your life in which God has told you to rest?  “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”  If you’re not resting in that area when He has told you to, you’re not believing His Word about that area.   And now the good news, “For the word of God is quick (alive), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  The weapon God has placed in our hand, His Word, is ALIVE and POWERFUL.    Would you be afraid of a rat running at you if you had an atomic bomb to fight him with?  More encouragement.  God has not left us to fight our battles alone, even with this powerful weapon.   “ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”  We can come with confidence, boldly right up to the King, the Lord of Hosts knowing we will find mercy there and the grace (special provision of strength) to help when we need it.  It reminds me of my son running up to me for help. I’m not going to turn him away and I am wiser, stronger and able to fix his trouble. 
If you want survival, trust in the Lord and do good.  If you want the desires of your heart, delight yourself in Him.  If you want to see your vision, commit your way unto Him while trusting in Him; and He will give you vindication.  So, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself…”

Two Years Today

   Today marks the 2 year anniversary of me being a non-smoker.  TWO YEARS! HALLELUJAH!  Not only did quitting smoking improve my health and my finances (can you say $5.00 per pack) it did much more.  Quitting smoking was a key moment for me to realize that “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” ((Philippians 4:13).  Quitting smoking also gave me a testimony, and a victory to look back at. Before David defeated Goliath he had his testimonies and past victories to draw on “Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.”(1 Samuel 17:36)

 

   What bondage or defeated mental state does the enemy have you in today?  Take a moment and look at the past victories in your life and realize that through the blood of Jesus there is nothing you can’t overcome.  But if you’re feeling so beat down that you can’t get yourself to recollect your own victories, look at the testimonies of others and remember “For there is no respect of persons with God.”(Romans 2:11).  If God did it for them He will do it for you.

 

   Below is a re-post of my quitting smoking testimony.  My hope is that it will encourage you and help you to reflect on the past victories in your life.  Use the past victories to stir yourself up in the Lord. Let that devil know God pulled you through before and He’s doing it again, right now because you have the name of Jesus. Anything coming against you no matter how big it seems will have bow to the name of Jesus. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;”(Philippians 2:10).

 

Finally Free From Smoking!!!  (originally posted November 2007)

I quit smoking on April 14, 2006. Yes, many people quit smoking. But this was the beginning of so much more. You see, I loved smoking. All smokers do. But I think it meant more to me.  As long as I can remember all the “cool” people smoked, everyone in the movies, and in my family smoked. Even when I was a child I knew I would smoke when I grew up. When I turned 16 I started smoking in front of everyone. When other kids were hiding it from their parents I was kicking back in my bedroom, or sitting at the kitchen table having a bedtime or after dinner smoke.
   
From that time until I was 36 I smoked anywhere from one to three packs a day. I made smoking a priority. Even when I was sick I would slog out to have a few. After years of smoking you can imagine, like most smokers, my lung capacity was diminishing; so I got an inhaler. My problem was solved. If I couldn’t breathe and felt like I needed more air I’d take a hit of the inhaler so I could muster up enough pull to get a cigarette lit. This lasted a long time as I continued to use medicine to avoid the root issue. But all that changed as I grew in my walk with God and my idea of who He really is changed.
   
The first steps in getting past my addiction came from learning about the real Jesus who says: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). 3 John 1:2 says “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” I was learning that God really loves me and wants me to do well all of the time.  I learned that when we go through difficult times or something bad happens it isn’t because God is teaching you something or because it’s God’s will; if there is stealing, killing or destroying it is not Jesus at all.  I now understand that God wants only the best for us.
 
Once I started to realize that God wants me to succeed at everything I do, and how much He really loves me, it made it easier to love Him.  Before this I would say “Sure, I love God” but I was really thinking “Sure, I’m afraid I’ll make God angry and have to suffer His wrath.”   I learned that, no matter what, He loves me, and will never leave me or forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5)

 A big revelation was that Jesus died for so much more than salvation alone. When God created Adam and Eve He gave them authority and dominion over the earth; when Adam sinned satan was able to take that authority from Adam.  Through His own death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus gave this authority back to us-giving us power over the devil and making us joint heirs with Himself.  Armed with this new knowledge, I knew I could quit smoking once and for all.  I was able to see it for the affliction it was. It was a master that would call me to stop working or from being with my family and go outside to smoke.  Knowing I could only serve one master this one had to go.  As I sat in church and heard a Good Friday message about knowing the real Jesus and how He gave us authority, I decided I was done smoking, in Jesus name.  I went home sat down smoked my last cigarette, put it out and that was it.  It’s been a year and seven months now 2 years now.  I know I’m free!