The Far Country

Scripture

“And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.”

~Luke 15:13, NKJV

Quote

Sometimes, the wisest thing you can do is wait.

~Charles F. Stanley

I lived most of my 72 years without understanding what Jesus meant by the “Far Country” and I hope for your sakes that you never understand. I am fairly certain that I would not understand a part from my experience. What did Daniel pray for in the lion’s den? I don’t know but I would have been praying, “LORD get me out ASAP.” How do we respond to burdens? We try to get rid of them quickly. Who wants to be burdened? The Far Country is the land of defiance and it doesn’t take long to get there: one act of rebellion can get you on the road. When it comes to addictions; the first few miles are so subtle that it is hard to pinpoint the prodigals direction. As the addiction grows, you can see the trend. You are seeing your loved one drift further and further away into the Far Country. You don’t feel the distance at first but in time you realize they are getting further and further away and they can get so far that it seems like death itself. Remember what the Father said in Luke 15, “Kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.” You will probably never understand that line, “this my son was dead” unless you experience the heartbreak and disappointment of a rebellious child.

So I can tell you up front and for a fact, drug addiction is a huge problem. It can begin with small increments of change but eventually the drugs become god. Nothing is more important to an addict than the next fix. They lie, cheat, steal and kill to get the drugs. They lose interest in everything except drugs. They really don’t have friends, they hangout with other addicts but like wolves, they will turn on each other for more drugs. More drugs is their modus operandi. I may need to remind you that alcohol is a drug. Don’t be looking down on dope smokers if you are having beer for breakfast. If you think you are invincible, you are wrong. If you think nothing can take your children, you are wrong. Drugs like alcohol and dope can take them to a Far Country and you will not be able to stop them. It is not as simple as taking charge, getting them in rehab, giving them extra love and support. The drugs do a number on their minds and until they come to their senses, they are going to drift further and further into the Far Country. The best way to defeat temptation is to avoid it all together. Don’t mess with drugs or alcohol.

EXTRA

It is Friday again; unbelievable. It is amazing how quick Friday get here when you are retired or semi-retired. I need two Fridays in every week: that is how far behind I am. Starting a new sermon series this Sunday. LORD willing, we are going to walk through the Bible. I will be on the CREATION of the world this Sunday, followed by the CREATION of man Sunday week.

I hope you have a great day and weekend and thanks for reading the blog. Pray for President Trump to be reinstated; after all, he won the election. There is a difference between winning an election and stealing one. The dems cheated and everybody knows it.

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