GO-SIN-NO-MORE

Marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, DMT, hashish, LSD, molly, mushrooms, peyote, ectasy, and the list of illicit drugs in America goes on and on. A quick review of the website for Drug Free America (www.drugfreeamerica.org) or the website for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (www.nida.nih.gov) will reveal a commonality that is alarming – America’s youth has a serious drug problem.

“Data compiled by the NIDA-supported Monitoring the Future study show that, overall, teenagers were less likely to use marijuana, hallucinogens, or inhalants last year than they had been the year before. Heroin use leveled off in 1998, following several years of slight increases. Among all illicit drugs included in the survey, only crack and tranquilizers were used by a significantly higher percentage of teenagers in any grade in 1998 than in 1997, according to the study… The Monitoring the Future study, funded by NIDA and conducted annually by the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, surveyed nearly 50,000 students - including equal numbers of males and females - in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades at more than 420 public and private schools across the country.” (by Patrick Zickler, NIDA NOTES Staff Writer)
America’s illicit drugs problem involves young people as well as adults. It should be noted that the Monitoring the Future study surveyed 50,000 8th, 10th, and 12th students! Even though the use of some illicit drugs declined in 1998, the question needs to be asked, WHY DOES THIS COUNTRY HAVE A DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM AT ALL…ESPECIALLY AMONG ITS YOUNG PEOPLE??? America’s young people are seeking love, joy, and peace. They are seeking to escape the problems and heartaches of life by taking mind-altering drugs that evoke fantasies or a dream world. Ectasy is supposed to have “intensely pleasurable effects” such as peacefulness and empathy. The only true love, joy, and peace can be found in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. This has been proven to be true over and over. The Bible states that “God is love.” (I John 4:16) A person’s state of consciousness does not have to be altered to find love, joy, and peace. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Young people, your body and spirit belong to God. (I Corinthians 6:20) Your soul belongs to God. (Ezekiel 18:4) Obey him, and he will give your soul what it wants. Your soul wants to have peace with its Creator – the Almighty God. Disobeying God simply adds to the hardships of life. The Bible says, “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.” (Proverbs 13:15) Rather than alter your minds with dangerous drugs, how about focusing your mind on a true and beautiful relationship with God? Such is possible, and it is even offered to you by God. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3) What your soul really wants can only be provided by its Maker. Drug use eventually turns to drug addiction, and your temporary attempts to escape life’s problems will eventually cause permanent problems with greater harm. How about a simple remedy for life’s problems? REPENT of all of your sins and allow God to put true love, joy, and peace in your heart. God loves you!

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and he shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)