Wednesday, 20th October, 2021
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 3: 16-17
Memory Verse: You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (AMP)
Sometimes ago, the news of a 21-year old lady who alledgedly killed a 50-year-old CEO filtered the internet after she had given him three dose of Rohypnol, a sleeping pill to take. American Addiction Centers says, “Although sometimes it may be difficult to imagine, the abuse of substances can change everything from your body to your bank account.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdose caused 67,367 deaths in the United States in 2018. Opioids (pain killers) contributed to nearly 70% of these deaths. There were 70,237 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2017. The National Cancer Institute defines drug abuse as the use of illegal or prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or in large amounts.
Gateway Foundation says, “More than 7 million people suffer from illicit drug use disorder and one in four deaths can be attributed to alcohol, tobacco, and illicit or prescription drugs”.
General Signs and Symptoms of a Drug Addict include:
1. Changes in physical appearance.
2. Changes in behaviour towards family or friends.
3. Being chronically late or not showing up for obligations or work responsibilities.
4. Limit time spent on social or recreational activities due to substance use.
5. Acting out of character.
6. Lacks energy when participating in daily activities.
7. Becomes defensive when confronted about their drug or substance use.
8. Urges beyond their control to use the drug or substance regularly.
9. Fails in attempts to stop using the drug or substance.
10. Increases usage of the drug or substance to get the same effect of smaller dosages.
11. Maintains a supply of the drug or substance.
12. Spends money on the drug or substance, even if they can’t afford it.
13. Continued use of the drug or substance, even after physical or psychological harm is apparent.
14. Experiences withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop using the drug or substance.
15. Trauncy amongst students.
Research has shown that alcohol and drugs are partly to blame in an estimated 80 percent of offenses leading to jail time in the U.S.
Quote: Many people are trying to steady themselves by taking tranquilizers. Jesus is the greatest tranquilizer of all. He can straighten out your life and put you back on track – BillyGraham.
Prophetic Decree: The dominion of sin is broken over your life, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. The God of total health, I thank You
2. I break the hold of illicit drugs in my life, in Jesus name.
3. My body, hear the word of the Lord, refuse to be addicted to illicit drugs, in Jesus name.
4. I conquer you my body, and bring it under the subjection of the Holy Ghost, in Jesus name.
5. Lord Jesus, help me to be addicted to you, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 16; Mark 8; Luke 9:18-27