Pass It On And Be Free!

Thoughts overflowed me after reading an article in our church newsletter that I decided to share them with you. I know that someone will be set free after reading this article. Memories of the time when I used to gamble were revived. I remember the thrills of being in the casinos. How I enjoyed the strong smell of perfumes, tobacco and people, the ringing sound of the machines, the free drinks, and the excitement coming from the people winning. Was it the good old time?

I also remember my husband and I being aware of our surroundings and hoping not to be seen by people from a certain denomination. You may be saying, why this denomination and not any other ones? You know, I had the experience once of seeing gambling, in one of the luxurious casinos in Vegas, a high-level, and esteemed leader of this organization. I thought to myself that he should not have been there. At that time I was thinking, what a hypocrite? Isn't this a servant of God teaching others? I can already see some of you who know me thinking in your mind, this is just like her! She still has that judgmental attitude! Be patient with me! I'll be free when I go to heaven.

I know what the Lord says about judgmental attitude, gossips and slanders (James 4: 11-12; 1 Peter 2: 1; Proverbs 26:20; Romans 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; Titus 3:1) Oh! What expectations we put on others at times, and not self! Doesn't the Lord say to remove the log in our eyes before removing the speck in someone's eyes (Matthew 7:1-5; Luc 6: 41-42).

Let's move on. Since I didn't consider myself to be a leader, nor a servant of the Lord, it was OK for me to gamble and be petty while in the church. I was religious like a lot of people I know, but didn't have a relationship with my Savior. Never did I thought, knew, nor understood at that time that I also was a leader and a servant of the Lord. However, I knew that I was doing something questionable since I was looking over my shoulder and not at peace with being there myself. Isn't what is not the product of conviction sin? (Romans 14:23).

Did I understand the hand of God in my life at that time? You bet, No! I guess it was the hope of winning a few dollars which is called greed, and the addiction of being enslaved with all kinds of passions and pleasures that had me bound. There is also pleasure in sin for a moment. Thinking about it, I never had anything to show forth after my gambling sprees anyway. Now that God has removed some scales from my blind eyes, I can go back to this time without shame and be thankful to my loving Lord about His transforming salvation process (Titus 3:3-7).

Do you want to know the other side of this journey? I remember the times when I couldn't find one penny in my purse and would try to persuade my husband to give me the breakfast or gas money so I can go and play some more with the hope on winning. During those times, after losses from prior trips, we decided that we would only bring cash and not credit cards on our future trips. We thought that it was wise to do so. It never dawn on us to avoid gambling completely.

I also remember looking around at people, analyzing them, with the thoughts flowing in my mind. I saw people with looks of despair with empty buckets in their hands looking all around like me. I saw people pulling cards from their wallet and moving to the bank machines for more money. I saw people who were happy for a few dropping of coins earlier, suddenly cursing and slamming the machines because they were loosing. I saw complete haggard, loss and empty people. Now that I look back, I was seeing dead people everywhere and I was part of them.

Once the Lord decided to pull the worm that I was from under the load of dirt that was oppressing it, I got delivered. Now I found myself dealing with positive and negative aspects of this overhaul of my life. I found out that your own family members and friends can become your worst enemy. You are told that you are no fun to be around because you chose not to wallow in the same filth anymore. You are misunderstood, criticized, called a fanatic, and told you are crazy when you mention what you hear from the Lord. You are tolerated and no longer accepted.

You are going through a process that you also don't understand most of times. But it is exciting! This is an exchange of mindset and a regeneration process that I will not give up for nobody or anything. I have decided that I will no longer be a silent witness and settle for the status quo. Now I can look at others and understand where they are coming from. I can tell them that: (1) things will get better once they learn to be willing, obedient and submissive to the Lord; (2) with the help of the Holy Spirit they can say no to sin (1 John 3:8–10); and (3) the best loving teacher is there with them, always guiding them while they are learning.

There is no other teaching school that can be compared to the School of the Holy Spirit! It is godly conviction, love, joy, and acceptance all the way! It makes you want to be good, and do good one hundred percent for the love of Him. With a Father like that by my side, I would not fear what man can do.

If you want to see the Glorious Father working in your life and talk to you regularly, take off your mask and be real with him. Ask Him everyday to use your earthen vessel as He sees fit. Ask Him to help you love Him and others. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit and Fire for His glory (Micah 3:6; Acts 2:1-4). Everything we all need from God is inside of us. We have this treasure in jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7). As much as the Holy Father loves us, He can't do anything without our cooperation. Let's allow Him to use His treasure in us for His glory!

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus