Wednesday, March 6, 2013
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17 NIV)
The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to make us like the Son of God. To become like Jesus, we must fill our lives with his Word. The Bible says, “Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us” (2 Timothy 3:17 MSG).
God’s Word is unlike any other word. It is alive. Jesus said, “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (John 6:63 NASB).
When God speaks, things change. Everything around you — all of creation — exists because “God said it.” He spoke it all into existence.
God’s Word generates life, creates faith, produces change, frightens the Devil, causes miracles, heals hurts, builds character, transforms circumstances, imparts joy, overcomes adversity, defeats temptation, infuses hope, releases power, cleanses our minds, brings things into being, and guarantees our future forever! We cannot live without the Word of God! Never take it for granted. You should consider it as essential to your life as food.
Job said, “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread” (Job 23:12 NIV). God’s Word is the spiritual nourishment you must have to fulfill your purpose.
Talk About It
- How has knowing God’s Word transformed your life?
- Ask people what they do to stay in God’s Word. But also share with others what you do to stay in God’s Word. Learn from each other!
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and most influential churches. Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller "The Purpose Driven Life." His book, "The Purpose Driven Church," was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. He is also the founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for pastors.
This devotional © 2013 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to make us like the Son of God. To become like Jesus, we must fill our lives with his Word. The Bible says, “Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us” (2 Timothy 3:17 MSG).
God’s Word is unlike any other word. It is alive. Jesus said, “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (John 6:63 NASB).
When God speaks, things change. Everything around you — all of creation — exists because “God said it.” He spoke it all into existence.
God’s Word generates life, creates faith, produces change, frightens the Devil, causes miracles, heals hurts, builds character, transforms circumstances, imparts joy, overcomes adversity, defeats temptation, infuses hope, releases power, cleanses our minds, brings things into being, and guarantees our future forever! We cannot live without the Word of God! Never take it for granted. You should consider it as essential to your life as food.
Job said, “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread” (Job 23:12 NIV). God’s Word is the spiritual nourishment you must have to fulfill your purpose.
Talk About It
- How has knowing God’s Word transformed your life?
- Ask people what they do to stay in God’s Word. But also share with others what you do to stay in God’s Word. Learn from each other!
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and most influential churches. Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller "The Purpose Driven Life." His book, "The Purpose Driven Church," was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. He is also the founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for pastors.
This devotional © 2013 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Alcohol is Third Leading Cause of Global Disease and Injury, Study Finds
Alcohol is the third leading cause of disease and injury
worldwide, even though the majority of adults do not drink, a new study
concludes. Just over 40 percent of the world’s adult population consumes
alcohol, said researchers at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health
in Toronto, Canada.
They noted alcohol causes liver cirrhosis and leads to traffic
accidents, and has also been linked to several types of cancer,
including female breast cancer. “Alcohol consumption has been found to
cause more than 200 different diseases and injuries,” lead author Kevin
Shield noted in a news release. Only high blood pressure and tobacco smoking caused more disease and injury, the study found.
The researchers discovered wide regional variations in drinking patterns, MedicalXpress
reports. For instance, drinkers in Europe and parts of sub-Saharan
Africa consume the most alcohol, on average. People in southern
sub-Saharan Africa frequently drink large quantities, drink until they
become intoxicated, engage in prolonged binges, and drink mainly outside
of meals.
Drinking is lightest in North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia,
the study found. North Americans drink more than 50 percent above the
worldwide average, and binge drink more than people in Europe.
Almost 30 percent of alcohol consumed in 2005 was “unrecorded,”
meaning it was not meant for consumption, was home-brewed, or illegally
produced. “The amount of unrecorded alcohol consumed is a particular
problem, as its consumption is not impacted by public health alcohol
policies, such as taxation, which can moderate consumption,” co-author
Dr. Jürgen Rehm said.
The study appears in the journal Addiction.
PRO-ACT Family
Addiction Education Program helps families address drug and alcohol addiction
Next free
sessions start week of April 2 at various locations in five counties
Each
month PRO-ACT (Pennsylvania Recovery Organization–Achieving Community Together)
hosts a free Family Addiction Education Program to help individuals and
families recognize and address an addiction problem in a spouse, parent, child
or other loved one. Led by trained volunteers who have been in the same
situation, these information and support programs begin the first week of each
month and run one evening a week for three consecutive weeks. Each session
lasts two hours.
Programs
are offered at several locations throughout the five-county southeast
Pennsylvania region:
· Tuesdays—From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Media and Northeast Philadelphia.
· Wednesdays—From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Pottstown; from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in
North Philadelphia; and from 7 p.m.to 9 p.m. in West Chester.
· Thursdays—From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Northern Liberties; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in
Bristol and Colmar
Sessions
are free and confidential—first names only. Pre-registration is required. To
register, call 800-221-6333, weekdays 9 a.m. through 5 p.m., or visit
www.proact.org and click the Family Addiction Education Program link.
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Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Federal Judges Work With Prosecutors to Create Drug Courts
Following decades of success for drug courts at the state
level, federal judges around the nation are collaborating with
prosecutors to create the special treatment programs for defendants who
are addicted to drugs, The New York Times reports.
These defendants normally would face significant time in prison, the
article notes. The judges hope to work around drug laws that are often
seen as too harsh and inflexible. The Justice Department is permitting
U.S. attorneys to reduce or even dismiss charges in some drug cases.
Defendants in drug court must accept responsibility for their crime,
and agree to receive drug treatment and other social services. They must
attend regular meetings with judges, who monitor their progress. If
they successfully participate in the program, they receive a reduced
sentence, or even no jail time. Failure to successfully complete the
program results in them being sent to prison. Defendants facing more
serious charges are not eligible for drug court.
Legal experts say drug courts are a less costly and more effective
option than prison for many low-level repeat offenders. According to the
Office of National Drug Control Policy, every dollar spent on drug courts yields more than two dollars in savings in the criminal justice system alone.
Federal judges have instituted drug court programs in California,
Connecticut, Illinois, New Hampshire, New York, South Carolina, Virginia
and Washington. So far, about 400 defendants have been involved in
federal drug court programs.
The United States Sentencing Commission has established guidelines
for sentencing since 1984, after studies found federal judges were
giving different sentences for similar crimes. Judges feel the
guidelines interfere with their judicial independence, according to the
article. “When you impose a sentence that you believe is unjust, it is a
very difficult thing to do,” Stefan R. Underhill, a federal judge in
Connecticut, told the newspaper. “It feels wrong.”
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