As I have been practicing the songs for this weekends services I am getting excited about our series hostage.  This week John will addressing the sins of addictions.  The sub-theme of the series is “Breaking Free”.  It seems that God has put it on a lot of pastors and churches hearts to address these issues.   I saw a similar series entitled “paralyzed”  on the website of a church in Nashville, TN.  Why is it that we are so paralyzed by fear?  Why do we listened to the enemies lies and believe them as if they are truth.  They are not truth!

As we were sharing in our creative team meeting yesterday the fact that we (the staff) are some of the most messed up people in the world.  Some of you are agreeing already.  But it’s true.  We want to be real and honest with our issues because we know the church will not be real about theirs if we are not real about ours.

This series is hitting me right square between the eyes and I am so looking forward to hearing God speak to me.  Many of you know that I struggle with anxiety.  Lately it seems that it has been out of control.  I have believed lies, I have been full of fear and have been completely self absorbed and focused only on me, which makes it worse.  Not only does it make it worse, but it means that I am not trusting God.  I am not believing the fact that God is good.  What do I have to worry about if God is good.  Diseases may come, but God is good and His will is BEST.   Financial struggles may come, but God is good and He will supply my every need.  My future may be unclear to me, but it is in His hands and I do not need to worry about it.

One key to overcoming our stuff is scripture memory.  We will be handing out scripture memory cards over the next five or six weeks in a “Hostage” pack.  We need to fill our minds with His words and tell ourselves the Truth!