As we progress in recovery we must develop a new belief system, Not just knowing and acknowledging ‘there is a God’ but believing ‘He loves me and can help me in continued recovery and spiritual growth.
Mark 12:11 This is God's work; we rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it!"
Monday, May 3, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Recovery is not the goal
John 14:28 "You've heard me tell you, 'I'm going away, and I'm coming back.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I'm on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life.
Some people are afraid of recovery because they see it as too big a task. They see it as giving up on being themselves. Nothing could be further from the truth. God wants me to be me and you to be you! The you He created you to be. Our goal is not recovery, our goal is spiritual growth through service to others.
Some people are afraid of recovery because they see it as too big a task. They see it as giving up on being themselves. Nothing could be further from the truth. God wants me to be me and you to be you! The you He created you to be. Our goal is not recovery, our goal is spiritual growth through service to others.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Commitment that overcomes obstacles
2 Corinthians 8:12 Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can't. The heart regulates the hands.
As we commit our lives to God and to recovery we can expect to face obstacles, but we can also expect to overome them with God's power. Our common bond must be commitment to God at all costs....
God grant me:
Serenity to accept things I cannot change.
Courage to change the things I can.
Wisdom to know the difference...
As we commit our lives to God and to recovery we can expect to face obstacles, but we can also expect to overome them with God's power. Our common bond must be commitment to God at all costs....
God grant me:
Serenity to accept things I cannot change.
Courage to change the things I can.
Wisdom to know the difference...
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Problems - Character Building Blocks
James 1:3-4 (Life Recovery Bible) For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
Problems are inevitable in our recovery. As we face problems we need to look at them as character building blocks. With God's help as we overcome them we get stronger.
Problems are puroseful. Each one permitted by God to develop Christ like characteristics in us so we can mature in our daily recovery walks.
Handling problems leads to a reward. James 1:12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Step Seven involves the transformation of our character
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Problems are inevitable in our recovery. As we face problems we need to look at them as character building blocks. With God's help as we overcome them we get stronger.
Problems are puroseful. Each one permitted by God to develop Christ like characteristics in us so we can mature in our daily recovery walks.
Handling problems leads to a reward. James 1:12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Step Seven involves the transformation of our character
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Faith without works is dead!
James 2:17 Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?
We can profess to have all the faith in the world but only our actions will prove it to be true. As we begin our new life with God we all have a responsibilty. In 1Corinthians 12 the Bible talks about us all having different kinds of gifts, different types kinds of work to do, different kinds of service; but they are all given by the same Spirit, The Spirit of God, who has a plan and a purpose for each of us, Because of His plan and purpose for us each we will all be led into different social areas. Sadly I can't get into your area and you can't get into mine. We can end up in the same job, the same Church etc, but God's plan and purpose allows me to walk the road He has planned for me and you to walk the road He has plnned for you. The decision to walk the road with Him He leaves to us. So when we decide not to obey His plan for us we can rob others of experiencing the gifts He has in store for them and the Lordship of our lives,
Step 12 says 'Carried the message to others who still suffer and practice these principles (God's principles) in all our affairs' That is faith in action and that is what God wants from us as we walk this road of recovery together.
We can profess to have all the faith in the world but only our actions will prove it to be true. As we begin our new life with God we all have a responsibilty. In 1Corinthians 12 the Bible talks about us all having different kinds of gifts, different types kinds of work to do, different kinds of service; but they are all given by the same Spirit, The Spirit of God, who has a plan and a purpose for each of us, Because of His plan and purpose for us each we will all be led into different social areas. Sadly I can't get into your area and you can't get into mine. We can end up in the same job, the same Church etc, but God's plan and purpose allows me to walk the road He has planned for me and you to walk the road He has plnned for you. The decision to walk the road with Him He leaves to us. So when we decide not to obey His plan for us we can rob others of experiencing the gifts He has in store for them and the Lordship of our lives,
Step 12 says 'Carried the message to others who still suffer and practice these principles (God's principles) in all our affairs' That is faith in action and that is what God wants from us as we walk this road of recovery together.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
'A life long process'
Col. 3:2 Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.
We may hope for the day when we will be free from our past - when our recovery will be complete. But recovery is a life long process, with daily challenges to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. In the verse above from Colossians we are reminded to look up continually - be alert at all times and pay attention to the things Jesus does in and through the process in our lives/
We may hope for the day when we will be free from our past - when our recovery will be complete. But recovery is a life long process, with daily challenges to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. In the verse above from Colossians we are reminded to look up continually - be alert at all times and pay attention to the things Jesus does in and through the process in our lives/
Thursday, March 11, 2010
One True Higher Power
1 Cor. 15:34 Think straight. Awaken to the holiness of life. No more playing fast and loose with resurrection facts. Ignorance of God is a luxury you can't afford in times like these. Aren't you embarrassed that you've let this kind of thing go on as long as you have?
RecogniseThat Jesus is the One True Higher Power John 14:6
Realise He can and will help you to recover from your addictions and compulsive behaviours 2 Corinthians 5:17
Remember in order for Him to continue to help you, you must be in constant relationship with Him Proverbs 3:6
RecogniseThat Jesus is the One True Higher Power John 14:6
Realise He can and will help you to recover from your addictions and compulsive behaviours 2 Corinthians 5:17
Remember in order for Him to continue to help you, you must be in constant relationship with Him Proverbs 3:6
Monday, February 22, 2010
New Character Qualities
Galatians 5:22-23 But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments,not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.
Ask God to develop new chareacter qualities in you!
Step 7 - Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings
Ask God to develop new chareacter qualities in you!
Step 7 - Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings
Friday, February 12, 2010
When We Pray!
Ephes. 6:18 In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
"Prayer is not conquering God's reluctance, but taking hold of His willingness.' What a great quote! God is always waiting on our calling. our requesting, our summoning.
Praise Him for being so readily available
Reach our regularly, rely on Him.
Allow Him to communicate with you.
Yield everything to His persuasions
Enlist His help, entrust yourself to Him.
Retain constantly your deepest hopes in Him.
"Prayer is not conquering God's reluctance, but taking hold of His willingness.' What a great quote! God is always waiting on our calling. our requesting, our summoning.
Praise Him for being so readily available
Reach our regularly, rely on Him.
Allow Him to communicate with you.
Yield everything to His persuasions
Enlist His help, entrust yourself to Him.
Retain constantly your deepest hopes in Him.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Quiet Please!
Matthew 6:6 "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
Quiet time, alone with God is important for us all in recovery. As we get further and further away from our last drink or drug we need to fill the void left. It is through quiet times of prayer and meditation we learn more of His will for us, get to know Him better through personal communication and become stronger to do the things He has in store for us.
In quiet time we can hear Him speak. When we just look for God in the big things we can sometimes miss Him. Because he is often found whispering in the quietness of a humble heart. We must all take time to step back from the business of life and and listen humbly for His guidance.
In quiet time we can recognise His Majesty. God's final victory is inevitable. At that time we will all stand quietly before Him. How important it is now then for us to be still and honour His Majesty. We need to take time each day to exalt God.
Practice Step 11 daily, it is your way to know Him better each day.
Quiet time, alone with God is important for us all in recovery. As we get further and further away from our last drink or drug we need to fill the void left. It is through quiet times of prayer and meditation we learn more of His will for us, get to know Him better through personal communication and become stronger to do the things He has in store for us.
In quiet time we can hear Him speak. When we just look for God in the big things we can sometimes miss Him. Because he is often found whispering in the quietness of a humble heart. We must all take time to step back from the business of life and and listen humbly for His guidance.
In quiet time we can recognise His Majesty. God's final victory is inevitable. At that time we will all stand quietly before Him. How important it is now then for us to be still and honour His Majesty. We need to take time each day to exalt God.
Practice Step 11 daily, it is your way to know Him better each day.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
What do you value?
What men value in the world is not right, but privileges. — H. L. Mencken
1 John 5:9 If we take human testimony at face value, how much more should we be reassured when God gives testimony?
Monday, January 25, 2010
God never wastes a hurt
Acts 8:1-3 That set off a terrific persecution of the church in Jerusalem. The believers were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. All, that is, but the apostles. Good and brave men buried Stephen, giving him a solemn funeral—not many dry eyes that day! And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail.
God sometimes uses the most unlikely people Saul (later called Paul) was a persecutor of Christians. He went to peoples houses dragging Christian men and women to jail. Yet, Saul the persecutor became Paul the apostle, one of the greatest leaders in Christian history.
God can and does use terrible circumstances of persecution for His Glory. Even though the Christians were driven from their homes, they shared 'Good News' where ever they went.
Coming to recovery for many of us is a result of suffering caused by addiction and disfunction in our lives. Our pain opened an opportunity to build a new life. Through this opportunity we are able to rebuild broken relationships and make amends to those we have harmed.
God never wastes a hurt From them He builds a new character in us and helps us to find and fulfill His purpose for us.
God sometimes uses the most unlikely people Saul (later called Paul) was a persecutor of Christians. He went to peoples houses dragging Christian men and women to jail. Yet, Saul the persecutor became Paul the apostle, one of the greatest leaders in Christian history.
God can and does use terrible circumstances of persecution for His Glory. Even though the Christians were driven from their homes, they shared 'Good News' where ever they went.
Coming to recovery for many of us is a result of suffering caused by addiction and disfunction in our lives. Our pain opened an opportunity to build a new life. Through this opportunity we are able to rebuild broken relationships and make amends to those we have harmed.
God never wastes a hurt From them He builds a new character in us and helps us to find and fulfill His purpose for us.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Creating your Identity
People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself. But the self is not something one finds, it is something one creates. —Thomas Szasz
The above mentioned quote suggests we each make our own identity.Recently I heard someone testify to how being involved in a Christian workplace, with people who loved and cared for them had not only assisted them to recovery and overcoming their old self but had also helped them to establish their God-created identity.
As I listened to this person share their story I reflected on the similarities of my own recovery and Christian walk and realised how much God had shaped me through the relationships and circumstances He has granted me in my life.
Matthew 5:48 "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you,
For each of us, as we travel the recovery road and become the people God created us to be it is imperative we heed the verse above from Matthew - Grow up and accept as we mature in our recovery and faith we are not the same people who lived the lives of failure and destruction. We are a 'New Creation'
2 Cor. 5:17 Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!
Recovered not recovering...
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Help Each Other
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (The Life Recovery Bible)
This site is designed as a fellowship network for those in recovery, those still suffering from their addictions and other compulsive behaviours and their families.
God desires fellowship with us
* Sin breaks our relationship with God
* Jesus opens the way to renewed fellowship with God.
* God longs for fellowship us and he offers us unconditional love in our relationship with Him.
Our natural instinct when we consider relationship with God is fear that we will not be able to maintain His standards. Understanding that He loves us unconditionally, regardless of our faults can help remove that fear. There are 12 Steps to recovery, numbered 1 to 12 as the need to be done in order. Each one prepares us for the next and we cannot truthfully move to the next until we have done each one.
Through this fellowship it is our purpose to enlighten people on the Twelve Steps, there Biblical significance and application to their daily living. Each week their will be a post on a step or a particular issue related to a step. Please visit regularly and share your thoughts on the posts.
This site is designed as a fellowship network for those in recovery, those still suffering from their addictions and other compulsive behaviours and their families.
God desires fellowship with us
* Sin breaks our relationship with God
* Jesus opens the way to renewed fellowship with God.
* God longs for fellowship us and he offers us unconditional love in our relationship with Him.
Our natural instinct when we consider relationship with God is fear that we will not be able to maintain His standards. Understanding that He loves us unconditionally, regardless of our faults can help remove that fear. There are 12 Steps to recovery, numbered 1 to 12 as the need to be done in order. Each one prepares us for the next and we cannot truthfully move to the next until we have done each one.
Through this fellowship it is our purpose to enlighten people on the Twelve Steps, there Biblical significance and application to their daily living. Each week their will be a post on a step or a particular issue related to a step. Please visit regularly and share your thoughts on the posts.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Share in God's Glory
Col. 1:27 God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message.
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