-By Thomas E. Brewton
With God’s help we can get through our tribulations.
The Reverend David Smith delivered today’s sermon at the Long Ridge Congregational Church in North Stamford, Connecticut (a Bible-based, non-UCC church).
His text was James 1:2-6, Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
That text had special relevance. Rev. Smith is the director of Pivot Ministries, a highly successful group that rehabs men who are victims of alcohol and drug abuse.
All of us have private pains, suffering, anxieties, even terrors. We can’t deal with them alone. But with God’s help can we re-orient our lives and hew to the path of righteousness. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
Rev. Smith then discoursed upon one of history’s most heart-rending trials, recounted in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 21, verses 1-18. The message is put your faith in God and He will provide.
Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”
Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife.
As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.
So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”
The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
Thomas E. Brewton is a staff writer for the New Media Alliance, Inc. The New Media Alliance is a non-profit (501c3) national coalition of writers, journalists and grass-roots media outlets.
His weblog is THE VIEW FROM 1776 http://www.thomasbrewton.com/
Feel free to contact him with any comments or questions : EMAIL Thomas E. Brewton
Press Release March 16, 2007
37th Annual Pivot Ministries Graduation/Banquet and Silent Auction
Trinity Baptist Church
300 Benson Street
Fairfield, Ct. 06824
Saturday May 5, 2007
5:00 pm – 9:00pm
Food, Fun, Fellowship, plus Testimonies and Songs by the PIVOT MEN’s CHOIR.
Recommended donation at the door is $25.00 per person
PIVOT MINISTRIES, INC. is a not for profit (EIN 06-0839030) Christ centered, Bible based, drug and alcohol rehabilitation program for men. Pivot Ministries’ mission is to treat not only drug and alcohol addiction as a spiritual problem; but the whole man, spirit, soul, and body. We consider the men to be cured, when they have an intimate relationship with Jesus and have overcome their addictions. We desire to see our graduates return to society, ready to assume the daily responsibilities of life, while living for Christ. We believe that,” if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2Corithians 5:17 NIV
Pivot Ministries is a Christian residential outreach program for men suffering with substance abuse. PIVOT welcomes men from every background. PIVOT does not employ the use of substitutive drugs in the rehabilitation process. But rather offers a structured, supportive environment where men learn acceptance, discipline and love through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. PIVOT MINISTRIES desires to help the men on more than just a spiritual level. The men who come into PIVOT are ministered to in many different areas.
• The men’s spiritual needs are met by using a proven curriculum based on sound Biblical principles.
• Educational training in GED, ISOM, (International School of Ministry) and computer skills will help prepare the men to one day function and to live drug free, as a productive member of society.
• Their emotional/psychological needs are met through individual and group counseling by licensed counselors and seasoned Pastors.
• Their physical needs are met through traditional medical intervention; such as the
Southwest Community Heath Center and use of the facilities of the YMCA in Norwalk and Bridgeport.
The men who come to PIVOT receive immediate shelter, orientation and evaluation in our center in Bridgeport. After 3-4 months there, they are transferred to our residence in Norwalk, where they will spend an additional 3-4 months. Many of the residents who come into our care have been homeless; some are referred to us by local churches, and others are court appointed. Upon successful completion of Pivot, graduates are eligible to enter the Alonzo Smalls Re-Entry home. It is there where the graduates will gradually re-acclimate to society, living a drug free Christian life.