Recognizing the Symptoms « Vine and Branch World Ministries

Recognizing the Symptoms

In order to face alcoholism and start on the road to recovery, you should have a basic understanding of the disease and its characteristics.

Alcoholism is usually defined by the following traits:

A strong urge to consume alcohol, known also as craving. ¹
The inability to stop drinking, once started. ¹
A physical dependence involving withdrawal symptoms including nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety. ¹
An elevated tolerance to alcohol. ¹

To understand how alcoholism might be affecting your life, take a look at the statements below. If three or more of them, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period, apply to you or you observe these traits in a family member or friend, you should consider talking to you doctor or healthcare provider.

It takes more alcohol to get “high” than it did before.
I have a few drinks to decrease my shakiness, nausea, or sweating.
I can’t stop drinking once I start.
I spend a lot of time thinking about drinking.
I have tried and failed to cut down or stop.
I have alcohol-related medical or behavioral problems.
I have cut down on social or professional activities in order to drink.

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Does it really matter who says it, as long as it is the truth of the Word of God! The apostle Paul wrote, “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollo’s, but ministers by whom ye believed…” I (Paul) have planted, Apollo’s watered; but God gave the increase. so then neither he that plantlet any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” The Church (i.e. the people) has given far too much credit to man and his natural qualifications. Many say, “Oh I am not a theologian, how can I understand the Word of God.” That is the “Dark Age” mentality! You can understand God’s Word. According to the pattern in scripture. Levi was separated from among the children of Israel as the “Priesthood” to teach, protect, and watch over the copying the Word of God. (Deut.17:18, Num.1:47-54, Deut.24:8;31:9-13, 2Chron.15:3;34:15, Neh.8:2 / Neh.7:63-65) Levi was ”set” in this place by God as it pleased Him. Levi was not selected because he was a scholar or a theologian; he was selected because he was one of the sons of Israel that had been born into the family covenantal line. (Gen.49, Eph.2:1-19) Levi had nothing to do with his placement. He did not earn his place, he did not work his way “up through the ranks” (so-to-speak). His degrees did not qualify him, or his years of experience. It was God’s mercy. (Note: Rom.9:20) The reality of the Leviticus priesthood today is the Church, the Body of Christ, the Saint, the individual believer. (1Peter.2:5-9, Rev.1:6; 5:10) We have been born again into the family, the Covent line, (John.3:1-7, Eph.2:1-19) God has ”set” us “ in the body as “an holy priesthood” (1Cor.12:18) God did not set us in because we were scholars and theologians. God has set us in His Church where He wants us, with the ability that He gives us. (1John.2:27, John.16:12-13, 1Cor.2:1-14, 1Peter.4:11) Peter and John were “unlearned and ignorant men” (Acts.4:13) Luke was a doctor. Paul was “an Hebrew of Hebrews” yet considered all his natural qualifications as “dung” (Phil.3:4-8) God called Moses, who was “learned in all the wisdom of Egypt, and was mighty in words and in deeds,” (Acts.7:22) was sent into the desert to come to the realization that the “reproach of Christ” (is) greater than the treasures (wisdom) in Egypt.” (Heb.11:25) Education (i.e. the wisdom and treasures of Egypt) has its place in things of this world. However, in the “things of God” our education must be in God’s Word, and not man’s intellect. (1Cor.2:1-14)

The Church (i.e. the people) gave up this responsibility during the Dark Ages to man appointed Priests that hath polluted the “holy things” of God. (Note: Neh.7:63-65) We, the people, need to take it back. Note this quote from John Wycliffe. He wrote the “people had the right to read the Bible and interpret it for themselves” (Compton Interactive Encyclopedia, 96) there is an excellent “example” (i.e. types, shadow, model) in the Church the wilderness that illustrates the balanced between the people and leadership concerning God’s Word. (Num.10:1-10) There was a cloud that abode on the Tabernacle of Moses. When the cloud lifted up all Israel journeyed. When it remained, they journeyed not. (The Cloud is a type of God leading His Church by the Spirit) Everybody could see the cloud, regardless of their placement around the Tabernacle. (Num.1-3). They could interpret God’s leading, but nobody moved until the leadership (the Priest) came out and blew a trumpet sound. (Num.10:1-10) This was a confirming sound because the people had already interpreted what God was doing. The apostle Paul declared himself to “helpers of their (the Corinthian’s) joy.” He did not want dominion over their faith. Leadership is vital, however they are the servants holding the people up. They are “elders” (i.e. older spiritually) placed by God to give wisdom to the “younger” in the Lord. As a natural father would to his children.

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Recognizing the Symptoms

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