• People controlled by alcohol are fools (Proverbs 20: 1)-Wine produces mockers; liquor leads to brawls.  Whoever is led astray by drinking cannot be wise.  Drinking wine produces mockers.  Mockers are not wise.  They are against God.  They are God's enemies.  Being an enemy of God is not good.  His wrath is sure to follow.  Liquor leads to brawls.  Brawls leads to injury, jail, and even death.  This is why scripture says that people who are controlled by alcohol are fools.  We need to be wise and take heed to God's instruction.
• Alcohol can cause you to become poor (Proverbs 21: 17)-Those who love pleasure become poor; wine and luxury are not the way of riches.  Alcohol is used to bring certain pleasure to our lives; but, with that pleasure, we can become poor in many ways.  We not only can become financially poor if we over indulge in it, but, we become poor in spirit, poor in health, poor in decision-making.  This in time can lead to losing financial riches down the road, along with hurting so many other relationships besides business relationships.  Our families are affected; friendships are also affected.  Some people believe that if they indulge in wine and luxury that they are experiencing a finer, better life.  In fact, it is the opposite of that.  Wine and luxury lead to a poor spiritual life.  They build a wall between us and God.  They cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit (our true source of riches) because they seek fulfillment from the pleasures of the world in stead; and it is never really fully achieved or obtained.  We must be sure to seek spiritual riches in heaven; not focus on wine and luxury which only bring temporary joy on earth.    
• Alcohol can destroy you (Proverbs 23: 29-35)-Who has anguish?  Who has sorrow?  Who is always fighting?  Who is always complaining?  Who has unnecessary bruises?  Who has bloodshot eyes?  It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks.  Don't let the sparkle and smooth taste of wine deceive you.  For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent; it stings like a viper.  You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things.  You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast.  And you will say, "They hit me, but I didn't feel it.  I didn't even know it when they beat me up.  When will I wake up so I can have another drink?"  Alcohol can destroy you in that it brings on feelings of anguish, sorrow, fighting, complaining, unnecessary bruises, and bloodshot eyes.  Who really wants to live like this?  Those people who spend long hours in taverns, trying out all the new drinks, they live a lie.  The sparkle in champagnes, and wines looks enticing, but we shouldn't let that and it's smooth taste deceive us.  It's like getting bitten by a poisonous snake, like getting stung by a viper.  The results can be devastating.  People who consume alcohol often have hallucinations.  They see things that aren't really there, or things that didn't really happen.  It causes them to say things that don't even make sense, or things that are completely irrelevant to what's happening right at the moment.  They stagger in their walk; sometimes falling and sustaining bad injury.  They sometimes get robbed, beat, raped, and completely taken advantage of.  They can have some of the worst things happen to them, and just wake up the next day and go through the same thing all over again.  This lifestyle though it may seem fun at the time, down the road can lead to a lot of hurt.  Not just to the person who is drinking, but, to their families, jobs, and other relationships.  It is no wonder why God warns us not to indulge in it.  He hates drunkenness.  
• God will judge those who are controlled by alcohol (Isaiah 5: 22)-Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.  God will justly judge those who are controlled by alcohol in that, often you see that those who let alcohol control them, say that evil is good, and good is evil.  They often say that the things that are against God is actually good, and that what is for God is actually bad.  They often go against God, His word, His commands, and His Servants.  They often speak evil, vile things about God, the word of God, and His Servants.  They try to make light of God, His word, and His Servants, and make great what is against God, and actually the things that aren't very important, or beneficial to mankind.  For this, they will be judged unless they repent.
• Becoming drunk is dangerous (Luke 21: 34)-Watch out!  Don't let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life.  Don't let that day catch you unaware, as in a trap.  Jesus spoke to His disciples warning and teaching them the way that they should live.  He told them that becoming drunk is dangerous, because of all the other bad it can lead to.  He warned them and all believers that they should be more concerned with preparing their lives for His return, or to meet Him, our Creator, instead of becoming drunk, or living a more sinful life.  If we read on we see that it says; For that day will come upon everyone living on earth.  Keep a constant watch.  And pray that, if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before the Son of Man.  You see, everyday, Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives.  The crowds gathered early in the morning to hear him.  So, He wants us to hear Him today; through His word.  That is why we are here. 
• Drunkenness is not fitting for a Christian (Romans 13: 11-14)-Another reason for right living is that you know how late it is; time is running out.  Wake up, for the coming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.  The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here.  So, don't live in darkness.  Get rid of your evil deeds.  Shed them like dirty clothes.  Clothe yourselves with the armor of right living, as those who live in the light.  We should be living as those who live in the light.  We should be decent and true in everything we do, so that everyone can approve of our behavior.  Don't participate in wild parties and getting drunk, or in adultery and immoral living, or in fighting and jealousy.  But let the LORD Jesus Christ take control of you, and don't think of ways to indulge in your evil desires.  In these verses, we can clearly see why drunkenness is not fitting for Christians.  We know that we do not have a lot of time left before the LORD Jesus returns to earth for rapture.  We need to wake up, because each day we get closer and closer to it.  So, we need to live in the light.  And we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, with love, truth, honor, righteousness.  We need to get rid of all evil we may have ever participated in.  We need to clothe ourselves spiritually with the armor of right living.  We need to live blameless lives before we part from this earth.  Before we meet our creator, we must do away with all evil, and sinful practices.  We should be non-correctable.  No one should be able to rebuke us in any of our dealings, or settings, whether it be work, Church, home, or somewhere else.  This is how we seek spiritual perfection, by putting away all evil, and being filled with God's goodness; and purity.  With His help, we can achieve this.
• Drunkenness can cause immoral behavior (Ephesians 5: 18)-Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life.  Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.  Getting drunk can cause immoral behavior.  Many people have committed the worst acts while being drunk.  They have fallen into some of the most shameful things that they would otherwise never commit.  Once those acts are done, they cannot be undone.  The damage can be devastating.  The effects can last a lifetime.  Instead, the LORD wants us to let His Holy Spirit fill and control us.  When we ask God to take the wheel, and take control of our lives; we see nothing but, wonderful, amazing things come from it.  When He takes control of us, the results are love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  This is the sort of life that God wants us to live.  He wants us to want Him to take control of our lives.  Without Him, we fail.

I hope that this study is as helpful to you as it has been to me.  We all need help in these areas where the world is filled with so many things..so many lies.  Sometimes we don't know what to believe.  But, in these verses, we see where God clearly shows us and explains the reasons for not indulging in this type of behavior.  It is for our own good.  Our lives really do depend on it.  Even those people who cannot admit that they really wish they could go back in time, and change certain events that took place, as a result of taking part in drunkenness, and wild parties; know that the LORD's instruction is right; and best especially for believers.  We see proof of this on the news everyday.  So, we should be careful in the way that we live; so that it reflects a life of purity, and submission to Christ.  Without it, we are lost.  Until next week; please be safe, be blessed; and experience life in God's peace!!!!!!!!!!!   God bless you!

• God will help us overcome doubts (Psalm 42: 5-6)-Why am I discouraged?  Why so sad?  I will put my hope in God!  I will praise Him again-my Savior and my God!  Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember your kindness-from Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar.  Sometimes, life can present us with situations which make us feel discouraged.  Sad.  We must remember to put our hope in God!  We should give Him praise; even in times when we feel discouraged, or sad.  We give Him praise because, we know that though we are going through difficult times, just as the disciples did, His promises never fail.  Even when we feel we've done all we could possibly do to see a situation go in a more positive direction; we should not lose our faith if it hasn't gone that way-just yet.  The LORD has proven time and time again, that we have Him, so we will receive His promise of victory!  We know that He will see us through our difficult times, trials, and tribulations.  Even when we think He will not; that just as He is victorious; so we are, victorious!  Amen!  We should keep our faith.
• God doesn't leave us during our time of doubt (Isaiah 40: 27-28)-O Israel, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles?  Have you never heard or understood?  Don't you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth?  He never grows faint or weary.  No one can measure the depths of His understanding.  Sometimes, when we are in doubt, we tend to think that the LORD has left us.  That maybe He has left our side.  But, we forget that our LORD is EVERLASTING.  He is the creator of everything we see; and even those things that we don't see.  He NEVER grows faint, or weary.  His understanding is IMMEASURABLE.  If we read on to verse 29 it reads: He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak.  What this means is that His power is also never ending!  Jesus felt the same doubt when He was on the cross; He said "Father, why has thou forsaken me?"  He thought that the Father had forsaken Him.  We need to remember that during difficult times, the LORD loves us, and will never leave us.  Just as it seems that the Father has turned His face on our suffering, and we think that the Father has forsaken us, just when things don't seem to be changing for the better, or we must endure certain suffering for growth purposes.  The Father's power still remains within us.  We believers have neverending power, and strength also!  So we need to remember this when we are feeling doubtful on whether or not the LORD God is still with us, and ask Him for new power and strength to see us through those difficult times!
• Help those who have spiritual doubts (Hebrews 3: 12)-Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters.  Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.  We must exercise care in our walk in faith; not to allow our hearts to be overcome by evil; and unbelieving-this turns us away from our living God.  When we allow doubt, or evil to enter, it can destroy your faith.  Because evil begets evil.  The more evil you harbor in your heart, the less faith you will have.  This will turn you away from God because God is good.  So when we keep His goodness in our hearts, and do not accept evil, we grow in faith, because we are blessed; thus we grow in strength and grow closer to God.  Faith produces blessings and good works.  Lack of faith produces doubt, failure, and curses over our lives.  When we feel our hearts becoming doubtful, we need to call on our God to help us overcome that feeling of doubt so that we are not consumed by it.
• Doubt inhibits our prayers (James 1: 5-7)-If you need wisdom-if you want to know what God wants you to do-ask him, and he will gladly tell you.  He will not resent your asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  People like that should not expect to receive anything from the LORD.  Doubt can stop the effectiveness of our prayers.  If we need anything from God, all we need to do is ask Him for it.  He will gladly respond to our request.  He will not be angry with us for asking.  We have to remember that when we are asking, that we are actually expecting a response.  If we have doubt, we will not get a response.  The LORD does not react to doubt.  The LORD only reacts to faith.  Our faith will produce the results that we really want.  If we lack faith, we will not get what we were originally looking for.  That's how some prayers go unanswered.  Lets keep the faith in it's entirety when we are praying so that we can get the results we really want.

This study is about doubt, and the negative impact it can have both on our lives, and in the lives of others.  Our faith is what carries us through life, and our prayer; thus resulting in the blessings that God pours out on all who believe.  Notice I said all; not some who believe.  We need to realize how important it is for us to have faith in order to see the full glory of God that God wants to reveal to all of mankind.  We only need to believe; and God will do the rest.  So, when life takes us through the rough spots, those times when our faith is being tested, lets remember not to lose our faith even when it feels like God is not listening, or answering that prayer..because when we least expect it, He gives us that light, in those dark places; and we again can feel His presence in our lives.  I hope this serves as a reminder to keep your faith; and please share this blog with a friend-everyone can use His boost of energy during difficult times-until the next study-Have faith, be blessed, and spread His love with others!!!  The LORD be with you and yours.  Amen!

• Protect sound doctrine (2 Timothy 1: 13-14)-Even though I used to scoff at the name of Christ.  I hunted down his people, harming them in every way I could.  But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.  Oh, how kind and gracious the Lord was!  He filled me completely with faith and the love of Christ Jesus.  Apostle Paul was someone who not only did not believe in Christ, he persecuted, hurt, and killed Christians at that time.  It was God's amazing power that changed and transformed him to be the servant that he became.  He came to be one of the most sound Christian believers-and Apostle.  His focus was not only to preach the gospel, but, to lead the Church into sound doctrine.  A teacher.  To correct them when they had gone astray.  To bring them back to soundness.  That is who Apostle Paul became.  A very zealous preacher and teacher.  God's glory has no boundaries..no end.  God's power is limitless!  There is nothing that God cannot do.  There is not a person in the world that God cannot change or transform.  His doctrine is to be protected.  His teachings are to be preserved.  His walk is to be imitated.  His way is to be lived.  His instruction to be followed.  His name will be glorified!  To God be the glory forever!  Amen.
•   Doctrine comes from the Bible (2 Timothy 3: 16)-All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.  Doctrine corrects us when we are in error.  It brings us from darkness into the light.  It corrects our daily living and brings us to a place where we are in harmony with our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.  That is why it's so important to look to Jesus as the example on how to live our lives.  We cannot continue to live in error as some do.  There are many beliefs and theories on the correct doctrine to live by; but, if we study scripture and see his commands, and his examples, we know what sort of way we should be living.  If you continue to read 2 Timothy 3: 17 it reads: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  There is a level of perfection that believers can reach.  With the Holy Spirit guiding us we can attain that level of perfection we talked about earlier in this blog.  The Holy Spirit is the LORD with us.  He guides us down the right path.  He teaches us the difference between right and wrong.  We must submit to the Holy Spirit in order to reach that level of perfection that many say does not exist, or is not possible.  If we continue to read and study scripture, we can find more about how Jesus really wants us to live.
• Leaders in the church must have sound doctrine (Titus 1: 6-9)-An elder must be well thought of for his good life.  He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who are not wild or rebellious.  An elder must live a blameless life because he is God's minister.  He must not be arrogant, or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or greedy for money.  He must enjoy having guests in his home, and must love all that is good.  He must live wisely, and be fair. He must live a devout and disciplined life.  He must have a strong and steadfast belief in the trustworthy message he has taught; then he will be able to encourage others with the right teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.  A church Leader must live in a way that is exemplary.  He must live so that he would be good example to follow.  He/she must be faithful.  Not only to God, but, to his wife and family.  His children cannot be wild and rebellious like the world.  He/she must be blameless before God.  They cannot be arrogant-(thinking they are more important than everyone else), must not be easily angered, cannot be a drunkard, cannot be violent-cannot love to fight, or love discord, or be greedy for money.  He/she must be hospitable, and love everything that is good.  They must be genuinely honest, loving, caring, charitable, and faithful.  That is the only way that they can lead by example.
• Christians should teach correct beliefs (Titus 2: 1)-But as for you, promote the kind of living that reflects right teaching.  Further in scripture it says Titus 2: 2 and on; Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely.  They must have strong faith and be filled with love and patience.  Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that is appropriate for someone serving the LORD.  They must not go around speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers.  Instead, they should teach others what is good.  These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to take care of their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands.  Then they will not bring shame in the word of God.  This is the correct way that Jesus taught his disciples.  He taught them to live in a way that was balanced, righteous, respectful and wise.  Strong faith is important as is love and patience.  The spirit of the LORD helps us to live in this sort of way.   It is a way that is appropriate before they eyes of the LORD.  They should not feel comfortable speaking evil about others, and cannot be heavy drinkers.  They should be teaching others what is good.  They should be loving one another and submitting to their husbands.  That way they will not bring shame to God, His word, or the Church.  

This brief study is on spiritual doctrine of the Church, and serves as an awesome reminder of the way the Church should live, and how we can be a light to others. More can be learned on spiritual doctrine by further studies in scripture, and we encourage you to get your Bible and study for yourself!  You will be amazed at what you can learn when you dig further into scripture.  We bless you in the name of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ!  Until the next study, have a blessed week!  Amen.