Useful in the Master’s Hands

I am a pastor with a history.  I am a recovering pornography addict.  My story begins in the second grade, when I was first exposed to sexual images in the form of a Playboy magazine.  That event introduced me into a habit that nearly destroyed my life, my marriage, and my ministry.

That fateful day was just the first step into my addiction.  By the time I was a teenager I was caught up in all kinds of sinful activities.  As I grew older my desire for porn grew and drew me deeper into selfishness and carelessness.  I knew I was headed down a road of destruction, but even that was not enough to make me stop; I had a real problem.

At the age of sixteen I gave my life to Christ.  Yet, I was still consumed by my addiction.  But I was now torn inside; battling over my new found faith and my old habit.  For years the war raged within me and threatened to destroy me all together.

Soon, after I received Christ, I began to feel called in the direction of ministry.  I some how knew that one day I would be a preacher.  Yet how could I?  I knew who I was and what I was doing.  I knew I was far from walking in purity and righteousness.  So I ran from God because I never thought I could walk away from porn.  I believed it would hold me captive for the rest of my life.

Fifteen years later, after many trials and heartaches, I began to feel the draw towards ministry once again.  I had not given up my habit, even though I knew it was coming between my wife and me, and that I was living in sin, but something was happening; God was drawing me closer and opening my eyes.

My family and I had begun to regularly attend a small church.  Almost every week I left the service more convicted and at the same time drawn towards ministry.  I knew something had to change, and one day it did, as I sat behind the computer.

God got my attention and made it very clear to me how He felt about pornography.  As I was looking at the images an odor filled the room.  It was terrible and I could not remember ever having smelled it before.  Suddenly, God spoke to my heart and told me that pornography was a stench in His nose and shameful in His sight.  At that moment, I knew I had to make a choice.  I knew I could no longer live this way and hope to follow the calling He had placed on my life.

That was the last time I looked at internet pornography.  Over the following months God began to reveal through His word and through our pastor amazing truths.  One has changed my life and helped me to overcome my habitual sin.

Second Timothy 2:20-22 taught me that if I wanted to serve God and to produce good works in His name, then I was going to have to walk in purity.  God made it clear to me through this passage that I could not serve Him fully if I continued to walk in immorality.

I sincerely wanted to be useful in the Master’s hands.  I truly wanted to be a blessing to others and to share the gospel effectively.  Now, I could clearly see that my sinful habit was preventing me from doing just that.  It was obvious to me that if I hoped to be a “vessel of honor” then I was going to have to repent and walk in purity.

Shortly there after, I surrendered my life to serve in the ministry.  That was over seven years ago.  Since then I have served three churches in various roles and have seen God do amazing things.  Now, He has called me to share my story so that others can find freedom and hope.  I have written a book about my life and the amazing transformation that has occurred- thanks to the grace of God.  The book, My Struggle, Your Struggle, openly and honestly chronicles my battle with pornography but also details the steps that God used to carry me through to victory.  Finally, the book shares Biblical insights that can help others find freedom from their own addictions.

Since I have written this book, I have had many amazing conversations with folks in and out of the church.  Sharing my story has opened up an avenue of ministry that I never dreamed was possible.  God has redeemed my past and is now using it to help others break away from sin and to receive forgiveness in Christ Jesus.

Our Lord has called us to holy living.  He has called us to walk in purity and integrity.  But He has also promised us the grace we need, so we can obey and follow Him.  It is time for pastors, youth pastors, and other Christian leaders to commit to purity.  Sin hinders our usefulness and effectiveness in ministry.  Revival will begin when WE set the example and live in righteousness.  I pray this will become our standard.

By David Erik Jones – this book is available online: ISBN 978-1-60477-298-2

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A Deeper Insight- September 2008

Mat 11:28-30

“I will give you rest,” is so good to hear after a long grueling month of back to back projects and activities in fulfilling God’s call to ministry.  This is where many of us find ourselves as we pride ourselves in doing the work of ministry.  Such was the case for me as the ministry where I serve entered into its new church facility.  We were just getting over a Back to School Carnival, a 12 hour Day of Praise Celebration, an Entrance Service, a Dedication Service, and not to mentions the weekly ongoing ministries to the community and duties of being on staff at the church.  Ministry can wear you out.  Aren’t we all guilty?  But listen to Jesus’ invitation to joining him in ministry.  He bids us in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labor 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 ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  The verse in and of itself is so refreshing to hear.

The invitation is first of all an invitation to come in relationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Creator of the universe, the Maker of us all.  We are privileged to be united with the almighty God who loves us and bids us to come unto Himself.  He wants to be in a personal relationship with us.  I believe that this is often our first mistake.  We overlook the fact that all we do for Christ is with His help.  We are not independent, our reliance is on Him.  Come unto me all that are heavy laden.  All who are over worked and overburdened, carrying a heavy load.  Could this indicate that if we find ourselves in such a state then it is not from God?  Maybe we have veered away from the will of God and taken on more than God had in mind for us at that moment.  If this is where we are then God wants to give us rest.  He wants to relieve us of the pain and hardship that we are bring upon ourselves.  His promise is to give us rest.  He wants to accomplish this by yoking up with us.  Or should I say by us yoking up with Him.  The invitation calls for submission and obedience.  Our rest and relief from grueling ministry will come when we totally submit and obey the will of God and not ourselves.  We could be our worst enemy.  God wants us to yoke with Him as He make right the wrongs in our communities and lives.  A yoke is a heavy wooden bar that fits over the neck of an ox so that it can pull a cart or a plow.  Imagine this yoke being a double yoke where two animals or in our case two beings can be placed in it to plow forth the mission of God.  Take my yoke upon you; join in this yoke with me as I accomplish my will through your life.  Take the yoke of my leadership / Lordship on you and also learn of me.  Get to know me I want to be intimate with you.  I want to reveal to you the way that will accomplish what I want and it will be easy, it will not be burdensome and grueling.  Isn’t this good news, isn’t this refreshing?  Ministry isn’t so bad after all if we will only do it God’s way.  When we are in proper fellowship with God then we will experience relief and rest.  God will not put more us that we can bear.  He’s right there to help bear the load.  He wants to give you rest.

Gerald Davis

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Recovery Sunday and Red Ribbon Week

In schools across Texas this fall, students and teachers will observe Red Ribbon week during October 20-24.  Communities will be planning prevention and education programs to communicate to students regarding the dangers of alcohol and other drugs.

The Christian Life Commission is sponsoring Recovery Sunday on October 19 to encourage churches in Texas to highlight the issues of addiction, recovery, and prevention.  In addition, Recovery Sunday gives Texas Baptists an opportunity to affirm and encourage our students and teachers in their ongoing struggle against drugs and alcohol.

Red Ribbon week grew out of an effort to honor the memory of a DEA agent named KiKi Camarena who died in Mexico investigating a major drug cartel.  Following his death, friends and family began to wear red ribbons to honor his memory.  This tradition has developed into a national campaign to address the issues of prevention and education.

The CLC will help congregations to promote Recovery Sunday through providing educational, sermonic, and promotional resources.  These resources are available on the CLC website

Please join us as we encourage churches across Texas to confront the issues of addiction in our congregations and communities.  We encourage you to wear your red ribbon during the week of October 22-26 to show your support as students and teachers take a stand against substance abuse in their schools.

Recovery Sunday Ideas

1.  Pastor preaches a sermon on recovery.

2.  A testimony is shared about recovery in the worship service.

3.  The youth minister utilizes “Pathways to Prevention” and has a Bible Study about a prevention issue.

4.  The church could pass out Red Ribbons to the congregation in support of Red Ribbon week.

5.  The church could do a focus on Red Ribbon week and be supportive of students and teachers in the public school system.

6.  Hand out drug education fact sheets to parents of youth.

7.  Invite a counselor or drug prevention speaker to a special forum for youth parents.

8.  Include a bulletin insert about Red Ribbon week and/or Recovery Sunday.

9.  Have a copy of the 12 steps put in the Sunday bulletin.

10.  Provide drug prevention information in the hallway for church members

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