Higher Ground

When choosing friends my beloved late father always advised "associate with those who share your values". He warned beware of thinking you can pull others up if they have chosen a path you do not approve. The likely case is , you will be pulled down. In other words to quote a Biblical proverb.."Bad company corrupts good morals"..or I will know you through the company you keep. Most people do not begin drinking alcohol on their own. Tobacco is rarely sampled without a "friend" offering it. Hence the caution ...be careful who, where you spend your time. I have never met a person proud and excited about being addicted to drink or tobacco. However I have often heard remarks like."He never drinks or smokes..he is clean cut and disciplined." My husband worked as a Psychologist for twenty-four years in the prison. He said often you would hear a guard or even a prisoner speak of a "hypocrite..who called himself a Christian, but smoked and drank etc." It is so sad when I meet Christians pushing alcohol as a liberating experience. They rarely take into account the fact that others with weakness toward such items hear, justify, rationalize..and follow down the road to addictive Hell. Do booze help you become a better parent? Spouse? Are your relationships deepened? How about God? When The Bible admonishes to sober living..awakened state of mind!?  The bottle will destroy you! It will take your sensitivity to the conscience God has given you and numb your heart! It  will destroy your health! You will lose your money to waste. You will hate yourself and have no spiritual strength left to help your fellow traveler. You will lose your compassion for lost souls and live for your own cravings. Your children will lose respect for you and despise your counsel.  Wake Up!!!!The Bible says" he that tarries at the wine is foolish. "  The Bible says" Watch Be sober! Be vigilant for your  adversary the devil is as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, whom Resist Steadfast in the Faith!" Thomas Edison allowed no scientist in his laboratory who smoked or drank. The smoking he said weakened their perspective in eye-   sight and understanding and drink dulled creativity and mathematical skills. Plus the morality was weakened through substance abuse. God created each human being to be fully alive, creative, inspired, awake and fully engaged in real life. Choose today LIFE! God said through Moses in Deuteronomy..LIFE!!!!!!!! He gave each person the capacity to choose...Don't make excuses! Stand tall and say enough already!!..."As for me and my house we will serve the Lord"!!!(Joshua).  Bow your knee to Christ . He will DELIVER YOU!!!!!Humble yourself before the Lord and He Will Raise you up!!!!!! Stand tall , smile and practice saying"No thank you". Walk away!!! The Bible says RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FL:EE FROM YOU!!!!!!!!  I dedicate this to my children and grandchildren and all of their friends....Susan Elizabeth Shoemaker