The Narrow Path Ministries

For health reasons. To follow Wisdom, I've begun steps to quit smoking. I would really appreciate any prayers.

Sincerely,
Bud

P.S. I also hope I don't become judgemental like last time!

Bud, I prayed for you tonight.

I have Christian friends who have struggled against smoking for a long time before they had victory. I have never smoked, but I have read that cigarettes are more addictive than heroin.

I just want you to know, that no matter how many prayers ascend, it is unlikely that God will not sovereignly take the desire from you (though it has occasionally happened). You must decide that the many benefits of abstention far outweigh any short term pleasure or fulfillment that you get out of smoking. You can make up your mind before God to put it aside, and then go to the throne of grace to receive mercy and help in your time of need.

Some smokers have told me that one of their problems was what to do with their hands. Some of them say that substitute behaviour such as chewing gum has helped.

Thank You Paidion,

For your prayer, and your words.

This morning I was in distress over this matter and asked of the Lord to hear from Him words of hope and not destruction. And peace and a plan came to mind. The plan has been implemented.

Gratefully,
Bud

I will pray for you while your plan unfolds.

As you continue on the journey of faith, you'll need to pray that God begins teaching you truths relative to the nature of the new birth. The section of Scripture that focuses on this primarily are the Pauline Epistles. Once a foundation in your life is laid (1. an understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:9-11, 15:1-8) 2. Elementary principals of Christ (Heb. 6:1-3), you then need to devour the Pauline Epistles to find out all the happened to you through the new birth. You'll start to and grow in understanding of being dead to sin/alive to God, old things pass away/all things becoming new=new creation. Thus, you'll begin to walk in the freedom you have freely been given by the Father who has blessed us with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. The other side to this truth is understanding the positive aspects of the new birth (your identity in Christ) and the indwelling Person of Christ living in you through the Holy Spirit. All of this is by the grace and leading of God, so that you know that putting to death the deeds of the body "smoking" is not by might nor strength, but by the Spirit and Power of the Lord.

I will be praying these truths set you free, and bring what is already yours in the spiritual realm into daily walk with Christ.

Thank You MichelleM and SoaringEagle,

I'm very limited as to how much I can type due to physical problems (and poor slow typing skills) so....................I don't explain much.

Anyway....... I wasn't considering smoking a sin in and of itself, consider Col. 2:20ff for one eg.

But thank you SoaringEagle for your consideration and well put primer,
I needed it.

Bud

You got prayers from a former smoker coming up!

Thanks Danny,

I figure I'll need'em.

Should I mail you the Frisbee?

Bud

Sure, if you want to. I can pass it along to some folks up here. I'll PM you my address.

I'm sure you've received tons of advice about quitting smoking, but I'd like to recommend a fantastic book entitled "Addiction and Grace" by Gerald May.