Roy Martin Ministries

God is There for You

Not everyone will be kind to you. Not everyone will speak nicely to you for whatever reason they may have. Even in the household of God, there will not come always an agreeable sentiment of kindness and appreciation. Never, ever should we respond in kind but should be “kind” to them.

We have hurt many persons while being “out there” and it is not easy for those who remember the damage we inflicted to be ready to receive us just because we are ready to be received. We had drugs to comfort those moments of pain we lived in but they did not. So, perhaps they are still raw with the feelings of hurt that only time will heal. They, too, are in God’s care and we should let them stay there but the best we can do is just continue along the path God has designated for us.

We should never complain to them or our fellow addict who is striving with us for clean-living what someone has said about us. God Himself is more interested in our complaints than others could ever be. His ear is always prepared to hear from us when something is not going properly and He is more than willing to answer you because He knows exactly what is disturbing us.

We were plucked out of the fire. And because we were in the burning, doesn’t it make sense we should have the smell of the smoke, a reminder, we were in the fire? Shouldn’t we have burns as evidence we were in the fire? So, although we may see ourselves in a much better light, others will still see those evidences which we cannot or will not see ourselves in anymore. But soon, they, too will receive the salve they need to change their lives just as ours is being changed, even today.

Not everyone travels the same path of healing the way we are and when we are doing it.

A Plan for You

I don’t know what is next for my life. In my heart, I think my current situation is coming to a close and the next part of it will begin but I am unsure what steps to take. Whenever you are in this predicament you must remember the path God has brought you. Didn’t He provide for you and made it clear in which direction to take by His Providence? Were you not unsure, then, what it was for you to do but you were able to progress to where you are now? What would make this any different?

The fact you are sitting in a place where you can think, clearly demonstrates the plan God has for you. He is the One responsible for bringing you out of the muck you existed in. He was the One Who reached down from Glory and wiped you off and turned events around to favor you. So, why is it you feel you are being left alone now?

We don’t know how and why God chooses to operate this way. Is it His fault we do not understand? Or, can the blame be better put on us because we’re so dependent upon ourselves and our abilities or lack thereof and not able to really trust Him in doing what He wants to do for us? The truth is, God will and has designed something for us which no one can thwart of take away.

So, when you stand and begin the process of moving forward, recognize there is a plan for you, exclusively yours, which God has set in motion.

Now it is time for you to be in motion toward the goal which was designed for you.

Is Someone Fighting Against Help?

Perhaps we were like this or knew someone like this or this person is right next to us or is sharing our room, which can’t seem to get with God’s word. They’re always arguing, debating or just plain ignoring what it is you’re trying to share with them. Yet, when it is any other time than when God’s word is opened and discussed, everything is okay. Why is that?

We resist what we do not understand or what is reaching inside us and causing us to consider changing what we have been, no matter how much we didn’t like it. Even in the houses of addiction there is a comfort level we’ve built around us. This is what made it manageable. Although we didn’t really want to be there anymore, it became a comfort because quite frankly, we had nowhere else to go. At least while we were holding we had the attention and respect of those who didn’t. But, that’s all changing now, isn’t it?

It’s not easy to change. We all must at varying levels and when someone is not at the level you are, why did you expect them to be in the first place? What was given to you is yours. We must learn this. And what is to be given to others will be theirs, so let them have their time, their experience and their walk with God to bring them out of the mess we all existed in at one time.

There is Someone Who cares for that person more than you could ever do and is working out their salvation more than you could possibly know. Our job? Prayer, encouragement, love and being an example.

Tenderness for each other AND ourselves is what is needed for the moment.

Enjoying and Sharing

When someone does something for us and we enjoy that something we didn’t have and it made our sad existence just a little bit more comforting, we desire to become closer to that source. It is not selfishness to want to draw closer to what is making us happy and to receive as much as we can. This is only natural and expected.

God has blessed us so tremendously so we should want to be in His presence more and more and to continue receiving those blessings which is making a difference in our life. No one will hold this against you. But, had you ever thought about it in the reverse? God desires our company and contact, and we bless Him with our praises, thoughts and prayers that He draws closer to us! It’s a two-way street we are on. God is not something which is aloof and doesn’t respond to us. Just as much as we need Him, guess what? He wants to be needed, too. Existence for all eternity with no one to share it with is simply boring. We want to live in happiness for eternity, and He wants us to be with Him for eternity. So, it does sound like a plan, doesn’t it?

So, when you’re having a difficult moment today and wondering why all these things are happening to you, keep in mind God is with you and sometimes have to let you experience the hard things of life so you can shake off those things which will prevent you from having the privilege of being with Him for eternity.

When does “eternity” begin? For you, today.

The song says, “The Savior is waiting to enter your heart, why don’t you let Him come in. There’s nothing in this world to keep you apart, why don’t you let Him come in.”

I Did That?

You will one day reach a point in your life when you reflect over the choices you made and the places you have been and the people you interacted with and the things you did and wonder, “I did that?” It will be unbelievable to imagine some of the acts you committed against others, yourself and most importantly against God. If you took the time to write your story you will see it is easier to write it from the third person because you cannot see yourself ever having really done it. It’s just that amazing!

But you did do those things. We cannot forget because it is our testimony. While you were in your worse God was doing His best to reach you and help you to see you needed a Savior. While your eyes were clouded, His was seeing quite clearly. When times you couldn’t even speak coherently, His words were coming through loud and clearly. When you couldn’t feel love and appreciation in your heart, God was holding you close so His presence kept you in contact. You were never alone, no matter what it was you did.

Today, as you make your way through the hours, try and see others who could use a word or two of comfort. Who could use a gentle pat on the back, handshake or hug? Those who could use your insight into overcoming, where you were just a day, week or month ago, need to hear from you. So, when someone is sharing their story and tell what you had done which kept them on track to clean-living, you might be able to respond, “I did that?”

We know what our testimony is, but have you ever thought what is God’s testimony regarding us?

We’re Not All That

When I consider how I lived while in the street immersed in my addiction I shudder. I never brushed my teeth. Never combed my hair, Never took a bath or washed. Never had deodorant to apply. I was just a human mess. Obviously, all this changed when I was freed from this lifestyle but I am still the same mess, just not as offensive to other’s sensibilities.

Now that I am involved in clean-living, there are still parts of my character I know which are offensive to God. In fact, as I draw closer to Him and His holiness, I see myself in many ways worse than when I was in the street. While “out there” I knew how filthy I was but it was to be expected and nobody expected better of me. I was in a crowd of others who were just like me. But now, after a bath, teeth brushing and a little cologne, I still stink of sin. In fact, I reek and radiate it.

I cannot look down upon others who have chosen to remain where I have left. Hopefully, where I am today will not be where I am tomorrow. We’re to have an every day, gradual reaching and growing toward God who is actively involved in cleansing us in ways we are not able to do so for ourselves.

The one thing I am thankful for is that no matter how offensive I am or have been, Jesus still loved me enough to die and then come back and reach for me in the sewer of life which was once so comfortable for me. There is nothing good in me. Nothing I can be so proud of when I compare myself with Him.

If there is anything good about you, it is because of Christ.

Serving Him

Nothing else really matters except serving Him. We spend so much time and effort in searching for wealth when we are involved in life without addiction. Those of us who suffered addiction know we spend so much time and effort in searching for that next hit. Either way, what’s the point? It is at some point we will cease to exist and all the searching we have done comes to an end. Even as you are beginning, or sustaining, your walk in clean-living, you have to keep this fact in mind: nothing else really matters except serving Him.

Because you got your mind together and returned to life not broken and healed from addiction, don’t make a pursuit of family, friends, job/career, money, health and shiny things. Make it fulfilled with the purpose of “serving Him” because otherwise He would not have brought you out without having received the reason: serving Him.

I think the highest point one can achieve in his/her life is getting to the point where you are in a clear mind and ask the question: Okay God, what’s next? It is when you realize you are nothing, have nothing and cannot amount to anything unless you are desiring to give your all to being and doing what He wants and designed for you to do and be. And when the day comes just before you close your eyes for the last time on this Earth, you can reflect and smile and know because of serving Him, you’ll awaken to the true sense of what it has been all about.

Nothing else really matters except being saved and serving Him.

Accepting

I spoke with someone I love dearly and she told me when I asked her how did she feel about having to go to prison, because of substance abuse, she said, “Accepting”. With this word and the tone of her voice, I knew a change was taking place in her life and it would be for the best.

The conclusion of our walk in the world of addictions is “accepting” what God has done, is doing and will do. We cannot grow or go any further than we currently are unless we have accepted God is in control, will have His way and does love us. He has not left us alone to battle and be hurt. I assured her I would be doing every day with her, if she would allow me. I intend to write her and get her involved because I have been where she is going and I understand what it took to get through it. I, too, accepted where I was and what God needed to do in my life. Substance abuse is an awful, awful experience and until God grabs you by the back of your neck; painful? Yes, but oh so needed because of the more excruciating pain of addiction we become so comfortable with. We long to die. God longs to sustain the life He has given us. He longs to bring to you comforts of this life and fill your life with purpose and hope and a future. This is His promise to you and for me.

It is so much more comforting to accept God is working for us than against us.

Keep Away at All Cost

Today I made a mistake. One of my old addictions flared up and all the help I needed was made available, but you know addictions, they are so insidious and sometimes will not take “no” for an answer until we put our foot down and crush the head of it. Well, I allowed the head to go uncrushed for a bit longer than I needed. One of the clues, this message I had seen today, yes, just today and I read it but ignored it. Let me cite it for you now:

“It will be easier to keep the temptation at a distance than to suffer it to come near and then be forced to put a knife to our throat.”

I wanted to write something pertaining to it but I would write ONLY after I would experience the minor setback. This is so true. When you are receiving clues, know they are from God and given for your benefit. If you know you are treading on dangerous grounds, then don’t go. Turn back because it is much easier to go around than it is to go through it and then wished you hadn’t gone and worse, you didn’t have to do it. You just didn’t have to.

In order to maintain this Christian walk we’re on and that of clean-living, we must first receive all messages of safety provided. But the key to success is “if” you should have a setback, “get up” immediately! Don’t wallow in it and continue to be disappointed in yourself. The sooner you rise the sooner you can be back on track. I’m thankful my episode of about 20 minutes of loss time and about $25 loss to foolishness will be considered payment for the tuition of continuing education costs always associated with addictions. We attend a very complex and difficult university of life, but soon and very soon, we will all graduate.

At our school of learning, we don’t receive a cap and gown, instead we receive clean-living and eternal life.

We are the Experts

We “know” about substance abuse and addictions. We know it because we lived it. No one has to tell us, or can tell us, what we know very well. We are the authority in this. It amazes me those who have never picked up a pipe or bottle will think they can give me what I need to make it through this. They have “theory”. We have experience. There is a difference which cannot be compared.

Equally amazing is when I, we, have this thought to just return for a moment. We don’t intend to stay long, just long enough to “hit it and quit it”, as the saying goes. Because we are the “experts” in our field of addiction, why is it we think we can fool ourselves into thinking we can have substances to serve our purposes? Why is it we think we can go “out there” one more time and it not have a lasting effect on us—this time? We should know better and we do, so why do we think like this, at times?

We have to remember it is not “us” who puts these thoughts into our minds. It is the Devil, Lucifer, the Enemy, Ol’ Slew-foot as I chose to call him. We need to begin thinking separation between him and ourselves and recognize when those thoughts come, it is “him” which is trying to get us enslaved again. You remember how terrible it was out there so what is the glamour about returning? Certainly NOTHING.

Do not fall under the misconception that whatever you do, one more time, will not be unnoticed, unpunished or forgotten. You still remember the last time you were “out there”, so why create another one?

It will be a different dealer, a different substance, a different place. The only consistent part of the equation is, is it a different person? It should be.