Living Life Recovery

Came to believe!

2010-05-03T05:20:00.000-07:00

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!"

Recovery is not the goal

2010-04-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

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.

Commitment that overcomes obstacles

2010-04-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

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...

Problems - Character Building Blocks

2010-04-18T05:41:00.000-07:00

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.

Faith without works is dead!

2010-04-07T05:52:00.000-07:00

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.

Jesus Purpose!

2010-04-01T17:38:00.000-07:00

1 Tim. 1:15 Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.

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2010-03-28T04:13:00.000-07:00

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'A life long process'

2010-03-16T16:47:00.000-07:00

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/

One True Higher Power

2010-03-11T15:07:00.000-08:00

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

New Character Qualities

2010-02-22T16:48:00.000-08:00

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

When We Pray!

2010-02-12T19:10:00.000-08:00

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.

Quiet Please!

2010-01-31T14:34:00.000-08:00

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.

What do you value?

2010-01-28T16:50:00.000-08:00

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?

God never wastes a hurt

2010-01-25T04:58:00.000-08:00

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.

Creating your Identity

2010-01-21T03:36:00.000-08:00

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...

Help Each Other

2010-01-03T05:56:00.000-08:00

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.

Share in God's Glory

2010-01-01T00:29:00.000-08:00

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.

Recovery requires a new way of living,,

2009-12-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

Recovery without change is just abstinence:

Ephesian 4:22 (The Message) Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life.

Lying about others!

2009-10-17T05:15:00.001-07:00

Proverbs 25:18 (NLT) Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an axe, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.

Lying about others destroys our integrity. Dishonesty about others can lead to us believing the lies. We can lose the ability to tell the difference between truth and lies. By believing our own lies we deceive ourselves, alienate ourselves from God and lose credibility in our relationships with others.

Lying about others can lead to injustice. When we falsely accuse others of thing that are untrue others can hear and believe the lies we tell and treat the accused unjustly.

Lying about others can undo our new found way of living. It can create conflict in our relationships and destroy trust. Recovery requires honesty in our relationships (no matter how hard it may seem our how much it may hurt) To grow in recovery we need to our old way of living, which includes our lies and deception remain in the past. Through application of the steps we have accept Christ's gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10) and we need to renew our commitment to Him daily. Through His gift we need to develop a new character, head in a different direction and have a new way of thinking and acting through the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.

Our most important relationship!

2009-10-15T06:59:00.001-07:00

Friendship with God is a privilege. Jesus called His disciples – His friends. We too are invited to be His friends and share in the most important friendship we will ever share in. Friends talk face to face and God wants to talk to each of us face to face daily, not because we are perfect, gifted or powerful but because He loves us so much He sent His Son to die for us so we could enjoy everlasting friendship with Him.

John 16:23-24 (NLT)

At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy

Compromising Relationships

2009-10-14T06:00:00.001-07:00

Our relationships with others should never compromise our relationship with God. We should not form binding relationships with those who do not believe in our recovery (non believers) because it might weaken our commitment to recovery and to God. We must be active in our witness to what God has done in us, without locking ourselves into personal or business relationships that can lead to relapse and separation from God.

Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:14 (NLT)

RELAXED COMPOSURE

2009-10-01T05:41:00.001-07:00

"He makes me lie down in green pastures." (Psalm 23:2)

It is good to be alive, to feel the sun or rain on your face. Sure we still have 'bad days' but on the whole, life without the old hangovers, the old sickness, the old guilt feelings is just great. Peace of mind and a clear conscience are more important to us than any passing pleasure or personal gain. When we look back on our lives, we have to admit that there have been times when we have 'enjoyed' those things which were not good for us. At first our addictions and compulsive behaviour brought us a certain amount of pleasure, but in time we were to learn that there was a very high price to be paid.

Discussions with others will bring almost unanimous agreement that substance abuse and compulsion have robbed us of vision, appreciation, enjoyment. The wonderful world of nature was hidden from us. There was no time to relax and meditate upon the beauty which is everywhere in God's world. Submission to God enforces a laying down of previous compulsions so we can be encompassed within a new lay-out. One of calm, composure, contentment.

MEDITATION

Only through a right relationship with God can I enjoy life to the full. In following Him, "He makes me lie down in green pastures"; He brings lasting joys and pleasures into my life.
I will try to share these real joys with other people. I will not talk or boast of those things which look or sound great but which only brought me unhappiness.

PRAYER

I pray that I may maintain a right relationship with God, I pray that I may enjoy the green pastures He leads me through.

Stick with the Winners!

2009-09-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

Advice is often very cheap. Have you noticed how many people there are who are only too ready to tell you what is good for you? Or there are those who constantly want to tell you how you should live your life. Often we end up making a mess of our lives, not because we do not know what is right, but because we prefer to listen to the advice of those who are making a mess of their own lives. If you want to be winner, follow the example and advice of winners.

If you want advice about recovery, speak to those who are living successful, recovered lives, those who have put problem of addiction behind them. Ask yourself, "Do I really need to listen to the advice of losers in my life or can I be a winner by listening to and following the winners?"

MEDITATION
There are many voices in the world telling me what to do and what is good for me.May I always remember that God is also speaking to me and that He has something special to say to me. I can hear God speaking through His word, the Bible, and through the lives of those who are living victorious lives.He also speaks to me through His creation and during times of quiet meditation.

If I can learn to appreciate that there is goodness all around me in the world I can begin to view life differently.I will align to God's overtures of mercy and love. I will put myself within the ranks of those with a desire to know God.

The God for us all

2009-09-22T05:44:00.001-07:00

Acts 7:31-32 (New Living Translation)

When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight. As he went to take a closer look, the voice of the Lord called out to him, 'I am the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.' Moses shook with terror and did not dare to look.

Moses had a life-changing experience at the burning bush. God spoke, showing Himself supremely, and Moses trembled in awe. The bush that kept burning and was never consumed, reminded Moses that his God was indestructible, independent and indefinable. One of the statements made by Almighty God to His servant is of far-reaching consequence, "I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob". Not just an impersonal god for all seasons, for all time; for special occasions or impromptu meetings, for ceremonial recognition or interfering autocracy. No, No, NO! God in love and mercy revealed that He is God of the everyday and a God for everyman.

The God of the individual; your God and my God

WELCOME NEWS!

2009-09-18T04:37:00.001-07:00

"I will put a new spirit within you." (Ezekiel 11:19)

It is normal to welcome good news. Only abnormal, mentally unbalanced folk fail to be affected by something good that is announced or addressed in personal terms.

Almighty God could hardly have offered anything more startling, exciting or far-reaching, than when He announced His personal desire to 'put a new spirit within' any willing heart. What a great gesture? What a marvellous plan? With all the misery associated with our past life, why is it that we refuse this gracious provision? God has taken the initiative - the offer still stands! Now, if it's going to be - then it is up to me!

MEDITATION

I must first of all consider myself unworthy, then count the cost of a handover of everything - my past, my records; my guilt, my wretchedness, my foolishness, my failure, my treatment of others .. and MYSELF. I am willing to be specific in naming my sins, but must base my coming to God on the simple prayer, "God be merciful to me, a sinner".

This sets in motion the kind of change that is a pre-requisite for the wonder-working change God will make, when we are sincere about our desire for personal experience of His promised word, "I will put a new spirit within you". WE must will to have His will fulfilled in us. It is then a case for thanking Him, trusting and taking.

The old spirit has to be exposed: a spirit of rebellion, corruption, contradiction; and then it has to be expelled. Sometimes this bad news is a positive, but painful experience. GOOD NEWS! God is always waiting and willing. Are we?

PRAYER

"You are the God that does wonders", the Psalmist said. 0 Lord, let me not withstand Your sovereign rights to take me and remake me.

For or against?

2009-09-12T05:06:00.001-07:00

Matthew 12:30 (NLT)

"Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me

Whose side are we really on? Sometimes we want to be on the side of everything that is good, clean and wholesome and then at other times we still want to taste and experience those things which we know only hurt and harm us and those we love. It is as if there are two forces pulling us in different directions at the same time. We know that we cannot go in both directions and still remain the person God wants us to be; "Anyone who isn't with me opposes me ".

It is factual that we all become caught "between two opinions" at times. Opposing forces woo us. Human nature tends to want to sit on the fence, half-and-half, rather than make a firm decision. Jesus Christ demands we make a choice. Either we are for Him, or we are against Him. He is not seeking barrackers, or backers, but brave men and women ready to follow Him wholeheartedly, without any reserve or condition. It seems too difficult. Remember, Christ imparts what we require to do it!

MEDITATION

When temptations come to me, I know that my God is close at hand to help me overcome - even my greatest weakness. I want my life to be a witness to the power and love of God.

PRAYER

I pray that my life will speak for God and that I will be seen to be on His side. I pray that He will keep me from following other forces or powers that are in the world.

The temptations!

2009-09-09T06:19:00.000-07:00

Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Temptation is part of Satan's plan to separate us from God.
Temptation is an invitation to live a self-serving life that leads to rebellion against God.
Temptation usually hits hardest in our areas of weakness.
Temptation can strike at any time in any area of our lives.

Temptation leads to relapse: The Good News is none of us has a monopoly on temptation and if we let Him God will not only show us the way out but also give us what we need to overcome our temptations.

Remember - We all need a plan to overcome temptation - Most people fail because they don't plan not too.....

Never the Same Again

2009-09-07T06:33:00.001-07:00

'Freedom is what we have — Christ has set us free! Stand then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again.'
(Galatians 5:1 GNB)

The discovery that I was an alcoholic was a bitter pill to swallow. Public declaration of my addiction was even harder. Whilst I am convinced of the truth I was an alcoholic, I am also convinced God has created me new. Being honest about my addiction, finally, helped me to change my ways. I have admitted that my consumption of alcohol was symptomatic of personal complex problems which stem from my sinful nature. It took sometime to understand and accept this. It seemed such an alarming, and disarming fact. But, gradually, conviction which I believe was of God, made me bow to the inevitable. I'm glad now that I arrived at a moment of truth. I was faced with a realistic picture of myself. I knew then that totally, I needed to be put right, and that alcohol alone was not my problem.

MEDITATION

It was no good running away to try and set my life straight. Although repulsed some-what by my past, and shattered by the deepness of rottenness within me, I realised it would be stupid to deny my situation. Things had to change. Running away from a life of reality would mean destining me to live a life of camouflage, and pretence, whilst painfully sick within. I thank God for the humiliation of defeat, for the rough road to awareness, and for bringing me to a halt. I knew that there had to be a complete break with the past, and that my life had to be remade.

I knew I could not do it alone and so I reached up to God and submitted my life to doing it His way.

PRAYER

Thank you God for rescuing me and guiding me on the road to recovery. Help me to always seek and follow your path for my life.Because of your involvement in and through my life I know today I will never be the same again. Amen

NO SELF-WORTH

2009-08-30T05:36:00.001-07:00

Job 3:23 (The Life Recovery Bible) "Why is life given to those with no future, those God has surrounded with difficulties?"

It is a nagging horror — having no self-esteem. We all feel like `a nobody' at times. Deep-seated feelings of inferiority cannot easily be dispensed with. Dreams do not drive away such depression of spirits from loss of courage or hope. Possibility thinking fails to rid us of the `blues'. Doubt about ever overcoming our innermost downward slope only worsens the feelings, memories, and impulses that have usually affected our character psychologically and given rise to abnormal, compulsive behaviour..

Modem remedies offered to heal nagging self-images usually omit a crucial fact: we do not create a sense of self-worth simply by our own thoughts and actions. Self-assertion is not enough. Psychologists tell us that unfulfilled desires for self-esteem lead to bitterness and agonising frustration.

MEDITATION

When God has wanted something done, almost always He has taken hold of someone who felt inferior. The first step toward achieving better feelings about ourselves is to recognise our unworthiness in the sight of God. We become somebody, precisely at the moment we start realising God alone can make us somebody and wants to do so. We are valuable because Christ died for us. We are valuable because God made us in His own image. He sees us for what we are meant to be and can become. He is in the work of reclaiming those who have weakly surrendered unconditionally to error. Never forget that the Bible records that great heroes only became such with divine assistance. ` Their weakness was turned to strength.' (Hebrews 11:34) Jesus Christ can make something of our lives. He will accept us, allow us to belong, refine our feelings, all vital factors in rising above our `nobody', image of ourselves and our situations.

We do not need to resort to shameful tactics to gain attention. We do not need to remain isolated, feeling ignored. Burying ourselves in work, to prove capabilities, will not work this problem out. Try Jesus, the ONE TRUE HIGHER POWER as the WAY out, and up.

PRAYER

Lord, I'm sick of feeling ignored, unwanted, lonely, and inferior. Lift my sights to see You as my Saviour.

Responsible Responsiveness

2009-08-29T06:35:00.001-07:00

Malachi 1:2 (Life Recovery Bible)

"I have always loved you," says the Lord. But you retort, "Really? How have you loved us?"

We can take the granted for granted! The skies above, the air we breathe, the beauty of nature, things we use. God has granted us so much. What is our response to such provisions? There is something wrong with our chilling coldness of attitude when God gives us such lovely gifts, the gift of Jesus Christ, the gift of recovery, the gift of transformed lives. Our response reflects a poverty of soul and a personality problem. How do we react to compassionate kindness and caring concern? Are we afraid to display emotion? In the context of Recovery are we seeking to remain detached, not wanting to be too sensitive in or reaction to our new found way of living? Do we adopt a degree of hardness in refusing God's love?

MEDITATION

Today, please listen; don't turn a deaf ear as in "the bitter uprising," that time of wilderness testing! (Hebrews 3:8 the Message)

Israel provoked God by such an attitude, and He was displeased. Refusal of God's love is offensive to Him. Love should generate love. Strange moving of the emotions should result from acceptance of the divine openings given to us as sinful rebels. What amazing grace!

A Jewish Rabbi one day was told by a devoted student, "Master, I love you". The teacher looked up sadly and asked the young man, "Do you know what hurts me, my son" The student rather puzzled stammered a few reckless words, which was a confession of not understanding. The Rabbi concluded: "My question is neither confusing nor irrelevant: if you do not know what hurts me, how can you truly love me?"

Let us apply that to us, realising self-examination exposes inner attitudes as well as outward responses. What hurts God and hurts inflicted upon others, are relevant to our relationships. Sentimental response is not enough. From the deepest recesses of my being there has to be a real feeling for God. The first and great commandment - Deuteronomy 6:5 (The Life Recovery Bible) You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

PRAYER

Forgive me for stumbling and hesitating, Lord. Draw me by Your great love, to a responsible response to YOU as my God and my Saviour.

Reliance brings confidence

2009-08-11T04:05:00.001-07:00

1 Corinthians 2:4 (NLT)

And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Confidence grows out of reliance on God – In Judges 7:2-3
The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength. Therefore, tell the people, 'Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountainand go home.'" So 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight.

This reading serves to remind us we do not fight our battles in our own strength and we can be confident of victory over our addictions only when we put our confidence in God and not in ourselves, our groups or others.

The recovery story each of us knows best is our own (we lived it) and many of us know from personal experience and personal relationship with God through the power of the Holy Spirit living in and through us the truth of the verse Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. It is in Him we find confidence and learn to share our message (transformation through obedience) with others , we don't need fancy words all we need is our own experience and testimony, confidence to share it and confidence that God will use it to transform the lives of those He connects us with. Rely on the Power of the Holy Spirit and He will direct your path.

Complacency and Accountability

2009-07-18T06:53:00.001-07:00

That's why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go. 1 Corinthians 4:17 (The Life Recovery Bible)

One of the biggest stumbling blocks in recovery is complacency. We travel a distance down the recovery road and thin we have got it all together. We no longer need to attend meetings, apply the principles of recovery to our lives. We no longer need to fellowship with others or share our walk with them.

Complacency grows out of a false sense of security. Recovery can bring false security setting us to thinking all is well and when a problem arises or temptation is placed before us we fall, not meaning to- we just drop our guards. God has a plan for each of us, abandoning His plan mean we are also abandoning His help and can only lead to relapse.

Complacency is evidence we are not applying what we have learned. Often in recovery we begin well, learn all we need to learn, do all we need to do. But as we progress we stop applying what we have learned. We find easier, softer ways of living recovery, ways that are less inconvenient to our new found lifestyle. The principles of recovery require daily application in our lives. We must rededicate our lives to God daily, pray for Him to reveal His will for our lives and give us what we need to continually grow in our relationship with Him.

Complacency leads to relapse. Complacency leads to sin. Sin leads to relapse and relapse leads to death. In recovery we can become discouraged. It all seems too hard. We become complacent about our addictions and begin to believe we have got them beat. At these times we all need to remember where we came from, what we and God had to do to change that and that if we relapse we may never get back to where we are now.

One of the ways we can avoid complacency is through obtaining and accountability partner. Someone we trust in whom we can confide and be honest with. Someone who will identify complacency building in us and bring it to our attention. Someone who will remind us what we have learned and our need to apply it daily our lives.

Accountability means taking personal responsibility for our recovery. How easy it can be for us to overlook our own responsibilities in recovery and blame God when things go wrong. Unfortunately this attitude does not solve problems when they arise. When things go wrong in our lives the first place we need to look is within ourselves. What action or attitude is causing us to react the way we do? We then need to pray, wait on God's response and follow His direction in making things right.

In the scripture above Paul sent Timothy to the Corinthian believers to remind them of what he had taught them. He realized they needed someone to hold them accountable to the truth they had been taught. Someone to encourage them to persevere in their faith in God. Accountability in recovery is important. Accountability partners are there to help and remind us what works in recovery. They are also there to help us develop faithfulness as we grow in our relationship with God.

Let the inside match the outside

2009-07-11T07:03:00.001-07:00

My old self has been crucified with Christ.It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (The Life Recovery Bible)

Almost all of live two lives, what people see on the outside and what is really going on inside. Growing up we learn what outward signs will please others in our lives. Like putting on a mask, our clothes and body language are shaped to fit into whatever situations we find ourselves in. Over time we learn to hide serious issues such as addiction and other problems.

The world judges us on our outward appearances but God judges us on what's on the inside. What's in our hearts?

Today I want to highlight some things that we need to be aware of as we walk the recovery road.

Putting on masks can lead to self-deception
sometimes we live lies for so long we begin to believe them ourselves. In recovery we need to draw close to God and ask Him to 'reveal the real me to myself'. When He does we need to be prepared to go to any lengths to being the 'real me'

Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. Proverbs 12:19
We put on masks often because we know the truth but do not want to accept it – denial is a major stumbling block in recovery. To overcome it we must be willing to be completely honest in all things, no matter how much pain it may cost us in the short term it is always worth it in the long term.

But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.
James 5:12
We put on masks for self-serving reasons – we all want to be important in life. It is dangerous for us when we put the need of acceptance from others before our loyalty to God.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3
We put on masks to display outward conformity without inner reality – it is possible to be involved in recovery, going through the motions without actually achieving recovery.

I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. Galatians 3:5

It is my prayer for all who read this that we can stop living two lives and trust God to help us become the people He created us to be, achieving the purposes He has planned for us each through faith in Him and the power of the Holy Spirit living in and through us on a daily basis.

2009-07-04T23:45:00.000-07:00

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Life Recovery Bible)

God has made a way

2009-07-04T06:38:00.001-07:00

But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves James 1:22 (The Life Recovery Bible)

God has a purpose for all of us and He has made a way for all of us to achieve and sustain sobriety, which He reveals to us through His Word.

He has given it to us to make the way clear and He has given it to us intentionally so we will know how to respond to the issues of life as they arise without alcohol, drugs, gambling or what ever other addiction we may be overcoming.

God has a purpose for giving us His word.

To ensure His purposes will be accomplished in and through each of us.
My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. Isaiah 55:8-11 (The Life Recovery Bible)

To Tell Us We Are Lost
Through the Bible we learn about: heaven, hell and sin and our need for a Saviour.

Every effort we make to save ourselves fails and will continue to fail until we recognize we are lost and in need of salvation.

As the person who has a physical illness must know of that illness and that he is in need of medical attention, the addict must also know of their spiritual sickness and see his need for salvation.

Anyone can stop using as many of us have done time and time again yet nothing ion our lives change.

Until we recognize our need to be saved from our lost condition, we will never make the changes that we must make in life to accomplish effective salvation.

Sin dooms us to be lost.

God created man as a pure, upright being.
But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path. (Eccl. 7:29)

When man disobeyed God and sinned, he was separated from God.
So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. After sending them out, the Lord God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. (Gen. 3:23-24)

As sin separated the first man from God, sin separates man from God today.
In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope ( Eph. 2:12)

Separated, because of his sins, is lost and doomed to eternal death—separation from God in the place of eternal punishment.

When we apply the word of God to ourselves and live by it, we are fellowship with both the Father and Son, and thus has salvation.

Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with
both the Father and the Son. (2 John 9)

We must keep the commands of God being faithful even to the point of death and he will receive the crown of life at the final day.

Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you
remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. (Rev. 2:10)

The Solution

God's purpose in giving us His word is only fulfilled when each of learns its message and applies it to our live so that we might have the salvation of our souls

The Question

Have you obeyed the word of God so that you might have your sins forgiven, be saved and achieve lasting life transformation and recovery?

Right Choices

2009-06-28T04:33:00.001-07:00

You say, "I am allowed to do anything"—but not everything is good for you. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"—but not everything is beneficial. 1 Corinthians 10:23 (The Life Recovery Bible)

Recovery is not concerned with following rules. It is about developing responsibility, balance and good decision making practices on a
day-to-day basis. Practicing the principles of the Twelve Steps helps us grow, but instead of becoming regimental rule-keepers we need to
grow into the responsibility and fulfillment that can only be found through God and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Excuses

2009-06-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

Exodus 3:11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”

Early in recovery we sometime fail to attain the progress we expect and ask ourselves similar questions to the one Moses asked of God. "Who am I to deserve recovery? Who am I to lead a life any different to the one I have led up till now?

Sometimes as it says in the 'Big Book' of alcoholics anonymous we look for easier, softer ways. We allow doubt to get the better of us. Our hearts and minds become lured by lesser objectives. We gradually fade in our devotion to recovery and begin to settle for less-than-the-best:

We start out in recovery fired up only to fizzle out because things don't go according to our plans. The promise of long term transformation becomes an unreachable goal. Change is still inviting, but unwillingness to apply new disciplines to our lives causes us to continue to miss the mark.

It is always sad to see prospective winners settle for a second-rate effort in their recovery walks. When only the best will do, let us not be content with less than first rate efforts - recovery is not something we can fool around with. It is life or death. We need to give all and give away half-heartedness. The only way any of us can achieve complete sobriety and serenity is by total commitment.

In the scripture listed above Moses made excuses because He felt inadequate for the job God asked him to do. By himself he was inadequate. But God wasn't asking Moses to work alone. Neither does He ask us to travel the road of recovery alone. He offers us resources, just as he did Moses for each Step along the way. We should not hide behind our own inadequacies, but look beyond ourselves to the greatest recovery resource available, God Himself! Then we can allow Him to transform us into the people He created us to be...

Live by the Spirit

2009-06-06T06:26:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 5:15-18
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

Live Cautiously: It is impossible without the Holy Spirit living in and through you to maintain purity of heart and life. Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when we do not live according to his design

Live Wisely: Do not neglect you’re soul. Psalm 57:1 “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.” Rely on God to help you be all He has planned you to be.Live Soberly: Alcoholism is a disease but drunkenness is a sin. A sin that never goes alone, but carries men into other evils; it is a sin very provoking to God. When drunk we ignore our families and to the world are sad spectacles of a sinner hardened beyond what is common. When things don’t go our way, let us not raise our spirits by strong drink, which is hateful and hurtful, and only ends in making things worse.

Live Prayerfully: Through prayer let us seek to be filled with the Spirit, and to avoid whatever may offend our gracious Comforter. We all have reason to sing for joy. Though we are not always singing, we should be always be thankful.

Thankful that Jesus died for our sins:
Thankful that God gave us a way to overcome our addictions and compulsive lives (Read the Bible)
Thankful that He rose from the dead and because of that we have opportunity to a new way of living (Live by the Spirit)

God is watching us!

2009-05-29T06:44:00.000-07:00

You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights Psalm 56:8 The Message

This verse identifies that God is never on holiday, never asleep. He keeps a 24/7 watch on our lives.

Internal issues in our lives can cause us to have restless nights if we do not deal with them. Each day we must practice Step 10 'Continue to take personal inventory and when we are wrong promptly admit it' To God to ourselves and to those who have been effected by our wrong doing.

Recovery is a daily process and The Twelve Steps require Daily Application.

Common Sense Choices

2009-05-12T06:20:00.000-07:00

Proverbs is a book filled with a lot of common sense ideas for living. In this day and age because of the business if life – because we don’t communicate with one another as we should or because of our addictive and compulsive habits, hang-ups and hurts we can live lives that lack much common sense. Our lives can be driven by our own wants and desires or our ignorance, denial and pride and we can fail to make common sense choices in our lives that will improve not only our lives but also those we are closest too.

Written by Solomon because he was aware of the need for young people to develop proper priorities, boundaries and behaviour patterns in their lives.

Recovery is a common sense choice that requires

COMMITMENT – Complete – Consistent – Continuous

I. We can make attractive choices that sometimes lead to relapse.

Proverbs 1:10 NIV
My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.

For many of we have lived with our addictions and dependencies for a long time and even though we know the trouble they have caused us and our loved ones – they are a place where we feel comfortable. A place we have become accustomed too. And, for that reason when we stop using our drug of choice and start to get well some of the choices we see before us seem attractive. But we need to make sure that whatever direction we are going in, in recovery is a direction that is going to be good for us – a direction that is not going to jeopardize our new found sobriety.

When we come into recovery we need a life transformation which includes getting rid of and staying away from people and places in our lives that will attract us back to the old way of living and thinking.

II. We can remember that good choices have positive long-term results.

POSITIVE – Attitudes – Actions -Assumptions

Proverbs 13:6
A man’s goodness helps him all through life, while evil men are being destroyed by their wickedness.

It should not surprise us that evil deeds destroy good people and addiction and dependency result in painful consequences. Drug and alcohol abuse will destroy the body, lying will ruin a person’s reputation; gambling will put people in the poor house. To avoid the inevitable results of our addictions need to commit our lives to something different. If we have run our own life for so long with destructive results, we need to find a new way of doing things. The only way I know that works is by learning to live life God’s way, instead of my own, Following God’s direction for your life leads to happiness and gives us positive attitudes – actions and assumptions.

III. We need to remember that right choices are sometimes difficult.

Matthew 9:9 NLT
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.

When Jesus called Matthew to be one of his disciples, Matthew got up and followed him. Leaving behind a lucrative career. Matthew was a tax collector who agreed to pay Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee a certain amount in advance; so anything he collected from people in tax over tax amount went into his own pocket. It was common in that time for tax collectors to add their own charges to the established tax levies.

So here is a guy who had a good job, was probably living pretty comfortable and along comes Jesus and says “Follow me” and he does.

In step 3 of the Twelve Steps we are presented with a life changing decision ‘turn our will and our lives over to God’s care’

Sometimes this can be a painful decision but if we want to overcome our addictions and dependencies we need to make the common sense decision.

I CAN’T – HE CAN – I THINK I WILL LET HIM

Jacob's life changed

2009-04-25T23:12:00.000-07:00

Read Genesis 27 http://tinyurl.com/dbx5c2

Jacob was deceitful and disagreeable. He manipulated circumstances in his life for his own gain. As a result of his deception he was forced to run away from his family in order to survive. God revealed himself in a night vision. Read Genesis 28:10-20 http://tinyurl.com/dhtrf6 As a result of this encounter Jacob knew he had a personal encounter withe God and his life would never be the same.

John 1:51 Before this is over you're going to see heaven open and God's angels descending to the Son of Man and ascending again."

This scripture promises hope for all. Many of us in our dependencies manipulate our life circumstances for our own gain and because things don't always go according to our plans like Jacob retreat (run away from reality). The Good NeWS for all of us is like Jacob we can also have personal encounters with God and through those encounters have our lives changed so we too can see God plan for us through Jesus ascension to Heaven.

Why do you continue to rebel?

2009-04-13T05:17:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 1:5-6
“Why do you still want to be beaten? Why do you continue to rebel? Your whole head is infected. Your whole heart is failing. From the bottom of your feet to the top of your head there is no healthy spotleft on your body only bruises, sores, and fresh wounds. They haven’t been cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil."

STEP1. We admit we were powerless over the effects of our sin and that our lives have become unmanageable.

Because the people of Judah were in denial and refused to admit their sins they continued to suffer. In our dependencies we deny our sins and refuse to admit our need of God, His cleansing and His forgiveness. In our addictions we often create destructive consequences as we try to manage our own lives. God wants us to know in the first step of recovery that we can rely on Him, face the truth and come out of denial.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth. Proverbs 3:6

2009-04-12T05:06:00.000-07:00

Romans 5:6-11
6Look at it this way: At the right time, while we were still helpless, Christ died for ungodly people. 7Finding someone who would die for a godly person is rare. Maybe someone would have the courage to die for a good person. 8Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God’s love for us.
9Since Christ’s blood has now given us God’s approval, we are even more certain that Christ will save us from God’s anger. 10If the death of his Son restored our relationship with God while we were still his enemies, we are even more certain that, because of this restored relationship, the life of his Son will save us. 11In addition, our Lord Jesus Christ lets us continue to brag about God. After all, it is through Christ that we now have this restored relationship with God.

I. WHILST WE WERE HELPLESS (POWERLESS) GOD SHOWED US LOVE

God’s love is forgiving: Luke 15:7
I can guarantee that there will be more happiness in heaven over one person who turns to God and changes the way he thinks and acts than over 99 people who already have turned to God and have his approval

God’s love is beyond measure: Romans 8:38-39
I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us. We can’t be separated by death or life, by angels or rulers, by anything in the present or anything in the future, by forces or powers in the world above or in the world below, or by anything else in creation.

God’s love is sacrificial: John 3:16-17
God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world

George Eliot wrote, “The first condition of human goodness is something to love; the second is something to worship.”

Love is a command from God: James 2:8
You are doing right if you obey this law from the highest authority: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself

II. JESUS SACRIFICIAL DEATH (“HIS BLOOD”) MEANS WE ARE NOW APPROVED BY GOD.

God’s approval should be our highest priority: John 5:41-44
“I don’t accept praise from humans. But I know what kind of people you are. You don’t have any love for God. I have come with the authority my Father has given me, but you don’t accept me. If someone else comes with his own authority, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept each other’s praise and don’t look for the praise that comes from the only God?

God’s approval comes through obedience to Christ: John 8:31-32
”If you live by what I say, you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Other people’s approval is not the same as God’s approval: When many people approve of us, we feel good, but that should never cloud our thinking or affect our decisions. We should not live to please the crowd - especially in our spiritual lives. We should also put our trust in God alone.

III. APPROVAL FROM GOD LEADS US TO REPENTANCE OF SIN.

Repentance demonstrates real faith: Romans 2:4
Do you have contempt for God, who is very kind to you, puts up with you, and deals patiently with you? Don’t you realize that it is God’s kindness that is trying to lead you to him and change the way you think and act?

Repentance makes inward changes a visible reality: Mark 2:22
People don’t pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the wine will make the skins burst, and both the wine and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine is to be poured into fresh skins.”

Repentance breaks the bondage of sin and sets us free:Psalm 68:6
God places lonely people in families. He leads prisoners out of prison into productive lives.

Things don’t change, we change - Henry David Thoreau

IV. REPENTANCE LEADS TO NEW LIFE.

New life is demonstrated through transformed life: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence

Leaving Loserville

2009-04-04T22:51:00.000-07:00

Loserville Is State of Mind

A place where you retreat to when life seems to hard.
An addiction you turn to to cope with daily living.
A mask that you wear because you eother don't know or don't like the real you.

How do you leave Loserville?

Face the truth about your self.
Get involved in a good 12 Step Recovery group.
Apply the 12 Steps to your daily living.
Acknowldege Jesus Christ as your one true Higher Power.
Accept that He can and will help you recover.

How do you stay away from Loserville?

Daily conversation with Jesus Christ.
Regular attendance at meetings.
Obedience to God's leading in your life.
Sharing your faith in Him with others in need of recovery.

Follwing through in Recovery

2009-02-06T21:30:00.001-08:00

As we grow spiritually in recovery God expects us to follow-through.

Follow Through - on the decision we made in Step 3 to turn our will and life over to His care.

Decisions to: let Him be in Charge - let Him lead the way - to love Him - to trust Him and to live our lives in service for Him.

Follow Through - on the promise we made in Step 11 to seek through daily prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with Him in order to discover His will for us and ask Him to provide all we need to carry out His will.

Psalm 138:8 (The Message)
Finish what you started in me, God. Your love is eternal—don't quit on me now.

Recovery requires daily communication in order for us to obtain daily spiritual growth. God will not give up on us and we must not give up on Him. Recovery is a lifelong growth process.

Follow Through - on our commitment in Step 12 - That having had a spiritual awakening (through personal relationship with Him and the power of the Holy Spirit living in and through us) We will tell others not only about recovery but about the love God expressed for each of us through sending His only Son to die for our sin. To this end we commit to seeking and finding and sharing the 'Good News' with others so the too can come to know God as their loving Heavenly Father and follow through on the decisions and coommitments they too will be called to make as they travel the road of recovery and spiritual growth.

2009 Meeting Changes

2009-02-05T06:46:00.001-08:00

Living Life Recovery is now "Church for People with Addictions"

Flyer will be launched on Web Site soon with all the details

A Changed Life!

2009-01-24T21:02:00.000-08:00

In our Church meeting this morning at Belgrave South Baptist church the speaker spoke of the book of Romans Concentrating on Romans 8:5-17 on the subject of The Holy Spirit. As he spoke the Holy Spirit intervened and revealed to me the following from this reading in the New Living Translation:

Recovery is based on or choice to have faith in God and put our trust in Him and live changed lives or not too: In Step 3 we make a decision to turn our will and life over to His care. We need to daily consciously make a decision to follow His ways and allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us in order to achieve healthy sustainable sobriety.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New Living Translation)
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

When we honestly and vigorously take Step 3 we become a new person

Romans 8:12-14 (New Living Translation)
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters,you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

I we want to truly live changed lives and have God remove our defects of Character we must be obedient to the leading of The Holy Spirit in our lives, otherwise we will relapse.

Romans 8:16 (New Living Translation)
For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children

Through faith we are changed and when the holy Spirit joins our spirit we not only get what we need to live new lives but He also affirms us as God's children and as such we should behave like His children with changed attitudes - changed actions and as a result Changed lives.

Romans 12:2 (New Living Translation)
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

A New Year! New Beginning! New Life

2009-01-02T02:33:00.000-08:00

2 Corinthians 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! Look at it!

Becoming a Christian is not making a new start in life; it is receiving a new life to start with.”

—Anonymous, from Men of Integrity, (September/October ‘99).

The hope of New Life begins with Jesus-

Matthew 1:21

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Jesus means "The Lord Saves" Jesus came to earth to save us because we can't save ourselves from our sin and it's consequences.

The hope of new life is guaranteed by Jesus' resurrection -

Romans 6:5

If we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

We can enjoy our new life in Christ as we are united with Him in His death and resurrection. Our evil desires, our bondage to our dependencies and our live for for sin died with Him. Now resurrected with Him through faith we have unbroken fellowship with God.

The hope of new life is freedom from bondage to our dependencies -

Colossians 2:13-14

When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's Cross.

Before we believed (Steps 2&3) and committed our lives to God our nature was evil. We disobeyed, rebelled and ignored God. In recovery, living our new lives God has crucified the old rebellious nature and replaced it with a new loving one. God doesn't take us out of the world or make us robots - we will feel like going back some times to the old life. The difference now is that through faith we are equipped to cope with whatever comes our way.

God Understands!

2008-12-02T03:49:00.000-08:00

Psalm 147:5 (Life Recovery Bible)
How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!

God created all things and cares about all creation, even the most lowly. We may think no one cares about us, but we can be assured that God does. He even watches over those who have no one else to care for them.

We can never understand all about ourselves, but God understands us completely - Sometime we don't know what we want, how we feel, what's wrong us, or what action we should take on particular things. but God's understanding has no limit, and for that reason He understands us fully.

With Christ's help, our understanding will grow - We hear with our ears, but their is a deeper kind of listening with the mind and heart that is necessary in order to gain spiritual understanding from Jesus.

God reveals truth to people who will act on it - Some people do not understand God's truth because they are not ready for it. Be patient take every chance to ask God for the Holy Spirit to open your mind and your heart to receive the truth and act on it.

Action is the Magic Word - Sobriety and Beyond (Father John Doe)

Discernment

2008-12-01T03:29:00.000-08:00

James 1:5
If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it.

Discernment is essential in making wise decisions - Whenever we need the way to go in recovery we can pray to God, and He will supply the answers we need. I know it sounds too easy but it is true. We don't have to grope around in the dark looking for answers to our recovery questions all we have to do is ask God to guide us in our choices and He will.

Having discernment means judging correctly - Jesus said, "Do not judge" Matthew 7:2 he is talking about us having judgmental attitudes that tear others down in order to make ourselves look good. Paul taught us we should exercise discipline and let God be the final Judge 1 Corinthians 4:3-5

Discernment is essential for spiritual growth - In order to mature in recovery we must learn discernment. We must train our consciences, our senses and our minds to distinguish between good and evil. Can you recognise temptation before it grabs you?

Alcoholics Anonymous tells us our dependencies are cunning, baffling and powerful - In order to overcome them we must learn to Want what God wants! That is true discernment...

Prayer and Meditation

2008-11-24T05:47:00.000-08:00

Prayer is an opportunity to bring our will into line with God’s plan – Our prayers won’t change God’s mind, but they may change ours. Prayer helps us to understand the mind of God.

Prayer is speaking with God – We can be confident that God hears our prayers and answers when we call on Him. When we feel our prayers are bouncing off the ceiling God loves you. He hears and answers when we speak to Him but the answers may not always be what we expect.

Prayer reflects dependence on God- In recovery we are asked to turn our wills and lives over to Gods care. To do that we must depend on God to answer when He feels it is appropriate – with what He feels we need – knowing that He only has our best interests at heart,

Prayer is better than complaining to each other – We should make a conscious effort to pray when we feel like complaining. Complaining leads to stinking thinking, which leads us back on a downward spiral. Prayer quiets our thoughts and emotions and prepares us to listen.

Meditation is obedient reflection on God’s Word - To be successful in recovery, follow God’s Word. You may not succeed by the World’s standards, but you will be a success in God’s eyes – and His opinion last forever.

Meditation is consistent reflection on God’s Word – Meditation means spending time reading God’s Word and thinking about what you have read. It means asking ourselves how we need to change our attitudes and actions so we are living the way God wants.

Meditation is careful reflection on God’s Word – As we read God’s Word we need to be open and receptive to Him. The mind is like a parachute – it works better when it is open. We need in our personal prayer time ask God to reveal the His truths to us and how He wants us to apply them to our lives.

2008-11-16T03:08:00.000-08:00

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Mark 14:38 (NIV)

If we are to achieve real sobriety in our lives we must continue to grow. A person who does not continue to grow will slip back.

Spiritual Growth results from listening to God and obeying His Word: Hearing includes absorbing and accepting information from God through daily prayer, reading and meditation of His Word.

Spiritual Growth results from learning more about God: Learning includes understanding God's purpose for our lives and the implications of failing to apply the 12 Step principles in our lives daily.

Spiritual Growth results from following God's leading in our lives: Following is putting into action the things we learn and understand through daily relationship with God, attendance at meetings and sharing with others in recovery.

Hearing, Learning and Following are essential to Spiritual Growth if we fail to apply any of them in our recovery then we are in danger of relapse.

Forgiving Others

2008-11-12T04:29:00.000-08:00

Proverbs:24:29 And don’t say” Now I can pay them back for all their meanness to me! I’ll get even”!

Forgiveness is a mark of a changed life: If we have really changed and experienced true recovery (a gift from God) we will want to share it with others. By forgiving those who have harmed us we are not excusing their misdeeds. But we are recognizing that they are human, in spite of their failings they are created in God’s image and we need to love them as God loves us.

Forgiveness is not the pattern of the world: In these times of constant lawsuits and demand for legal rights. When someone hurts us the Bible tells us we must forgive them. Forgiving them may:

Break the cycle of retaliation and lead to mutual reconciliation
Cause the other person to feel ashamed and change their ways
Hurt us just as much, maybe more than it does them

Forgiveness is an act of willingness: It involves both our attitudes and actions. How we feel and act towards someone who has hurt us. By telling the person how you feel and that you wish to heal the relationship can lead to the right attitudes and actions being followed by both parties.

Matthew 6:14-15 “if you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you, But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

If we want to be forgiven by God and by others we must begin by forgiving others. It’s what the Bible commands us to

Complacency

2008-11-06T04:25:00.000-08:00

James 4:13-14 NIV
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

Complacency grows out of a false security in our new found lives:
When are on the road to recovery we can get into a false sense of security, Where we feel we have got it beat and life is going to be great from here on in. We can take God for granted and forget it is Him who has blessed us with the gift of recovery and transformed lives.

Complacency is evidence of failing to apply the principles of the Twelve Steps to our lives:
We must never believe that knowledge of the principles of recovery is enough to keep us clean. Recovery is daily reliance on God - daily commitment to live by His principles - daily application of what we have learned through prayer and meditation.

Complacency often degenerates into relapse:
When we first get recovery we are excited and keen to grow but as we grow it is easy for us to become lazy and cease practicing the things that keep us on the recovery road. Attendance at meetings - daily devotions and prayer - listening to and following the directions of God - seeking counsel from our sponsor.

Complacency brings God's loving discipline:
God doesn't forget us - though He doesn't always rescue us at the time we want. He does act in His time and sometimes that action is discipline. Discipline not to punish us but to bring us back to Him. The Holy Spirit can reignite the excitement and desire to grow in all areas of our lives if we allow Him to work in our hearts.

Have a God Consciuous Day!

2008-11-03T00:46:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 27:1
Don't brashly announce what you're going to do tomorrow; you don't know the first thing about tomorrow.

Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

It has become the norm in customer service for shop keepers to close a sale with the comment "Have a nice day" But wishing it won't make it happen. In the Twelve Steps we are taught to live 'One day at a Time' None of us can know what another day is going to bring us, but within the principles of faith, love and hope we have a strong foundation when surprises or crisis arise. Strong people of God experience a child-like trust in Him which no or mishap can destroy.

God consciousness at the beginning of each day will start us off well each day. Practicing the presence of God in everything that occurs in our day helps us to grow in our Spiritual walk and demonstrate that we are truly changed through His Saving Grace.

Next time someone suggests you "Have a nice day" try replying with "You have a God conscious one too!"

DON'T FORGET THE PAST!

2008-10-25T06:19:00.000-07:00

Today I want to thank God for my past!

As a recovered alcoholic it is sometimes easy to forget where we came from, where we are now and how we got here!

Recently in my Spiritual life I am experiencing changes. Changes I am not necessarily comfortable with but I know are necessary. I also know God has it all under control and the changes will become 'The Norm' in His time.

Our past is important because:

It influences our future - I spoke with someone today about the incredible difference God has made in my life since I became a Christian and the fact that because they were so big I know God expects big things from me. Once upon a time that would have terrified me but today, even though sometimes it makes me uneasy, I am content in knowing that when the time comes He will give me all that I need to do whatever it is He wants me to do.
It is a reminder of the Grace of God in my life - knowing where I am now and where I was is a very humbling experience because I know by myself I would not be here living the life I am today. It by His Grace that I get to live daily and experience life daily.
It is a helpful lesson for today - There are times in all of our lives where we drift back into the old way of thinking, old way of acting and at those times the Holy Spirit can intervene in our lives and teach us how God wants us to live.

Today I thank God for my past because it was that past that led me to be the person I am today!

CONFESSIONS

2008-10-11T23:47:00.000-07:00

My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.

This I know: God is on my side!

Psalm 56:9

There is a misconception that being a nice person is all we can aim for. Some obtain this through concentration on their churchianity. Some try turning their back on the nastiness of the past and make niceness their main aim. It is hard to work out the bad and good within ourselves. Ever since Adam and Eve fell for the notion of being 'as gods' and pulled away from the true God all of us have the same desire and are ready to try and achieve it. Self-reliance in deciding what is good and what is evil either achieves self-glorification or confusion which can cause us to turn to God. God directs us to the mirror, where we view of our ugly selves. beyond that view He shows us a view of the life-changing Saviour, Jesus Christ. In Romans 7:18, Paul says " I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.I want to do what is right, but I can’t" He made this confession knowing his need of Jesus Christ. Like Paul we too need to confess our inability to change on our own and put our trust in Jesus. Once we begin to call for God's help and keep turning to Him our lives begin to be transformed into the lives that He wanst us to live.

God can and will overcome all the hurdles that we face in recovery. But he requires that we confess our sins to Him. Not for His benefit but for ours - by speaking it we understand it and by understanding it we can know how to overcome it with His help.

Running Away

2008-10-04T07:01:00.000-07:00

Jonah 1:1,3 One day long ago, God's Word came to Jonah, Amittai's son: But Jonah got up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from God. He went down to the port of Joppa and found a ship headed for Tarshish. He paid the fare and went on board, joining those going to Tarshish—as far away from God as he could get.

When we decide to let God have His way with us, big things are going to happen, some of them uncomfortable. After a few of them happen, many of us opt to go back to our comfort zones, afraid to continue God's way because we don't understand what is happening.

Jonah clearly heard God and knew what was required; instead of following God he chose to run in the opposite direction.

In life also sometimes watch unhappily as others run away from life's responsibilities. When we do we are like Jonah caught in a storm and feel any move we make will be unsafe. We expect something to swallow us up and cause us to have a turbulent future. Or we can feel like we want to quit, want to be thrown overboard. The reality of life is. it is uncomfortable.

Jonah ran away because he didn't want to be what God wanted him to be. He thought by hiding he could avoid making any tough decisions and avoid his responsibilities. But there is nowhere we can hide from God! Where can you hide from the One who made everything?

As we travel through recovery, 'come to believe in a Power Greater than ourselves' and 'turn our wills and lives over to His care' Let us not hide and shirk our responsibilities but 'accept God's plan for us' and 'enjoy every good thing He has ins store for us'

About Living Life Recovery

2008-10-01T06:33:00.000-07:00

Whilst a member at the Ferntree Gully Salvation Army I participated with the Church in the '40 Days Of Purpose' series designed by Pastor Rick Warren.

As part of the 40 Days I was given the position of 'Small Group Coordinator' and in that capacity was invited by a member of the Church who stuttered to come to his stutter support group and talk to his small group about them attending his small group during the campaign.

During the meeting a time was given to pause and reflect on 'how to deal with their stutter and overcome obstacles in their lives'. During this time I had time to reflect on my own life and God spoke to me and and asked "Why are you not helping people with addictions?"

Following that meeting I committed to God to do something to reach those still suffering from the negative effects of addiction and other compulsive behaviours. I then began looking for Christian Recovery material to use for this purpose. I purchased Christian Recovery material from Saddleback Church in the form of Celebrate Recovery material and proceeded to prepare to begin a Christian Recovery Ministry. During preparation God made it clear he wanted to do something different and so one day sitting at the kitchen table at home God gave me the vision for Living Life Recovery. At that time he also gave me the Logo and the slogan 'Recovery is about living life.. Living life is more than just recovery..'

Since then I have been preparing for LLR and waiting on God to show me the steps He wanted taken with it. In 2008 Living Life Recovery is now a reality.

Run every Wednesday night from 6:30pm at my current church
Belgrave South Baptist Church

We join together for:

Fellowship (sharing soup)
Worship (singing songs together)
Teaching (studying the Twelve Steps and their daily application in our lives)
Sharing (talking about the One true Higher Power and how we intereact with him personally

Today I am glad that a number of years ago I committed to God to do what He wants me to do and because of it the lives of others will be changed.

If you want to know more visit http://livingliferecovery.com
or email me at aeboye@livingliferecovery.com

Living Life Recovery

Came to believe!

Recovery is not the goal

Commitment that overcomes obstacles

Problems - Character Building Blocks

Faith without works is dead!

Jesus Purpose!

Facebook | Living Life Recovery

'A life long process'

One True Higher Power

New Character Qualities

When We Pray!

Quiet Please!

What do you value?

God never wastes a hurt

Creating your Identity

Help Each Other

Share in God's Glory

Recovery requires a new way of living,,

Lying about others!

Our most important relationship!

Compromising Relationships

RELAXED COMPOSURE

Stick with the Winners!

The God for us all

WELCOME NEWS!

For or against?

The temptations!

Never the Same Again

NO SELF-WORTH

Responsible Responsiveness

Reliance brings confidence

Complacency and Accountability

Let the inside match the outside

God has made a way

Right Choices

Excuses

Live by the Spirit

God is watching us!

Common Sense Choices

Jacob's life changed

Why do you continue to rebel?

Leaving Loserville

Follwing through in Recovery

2009 Meeting Changes

A Changed Life!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New Living Translation)This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Romans 8:16 (New Living Translation)For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children

Romans 12:2 (New Living Translation)Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

A New Year! New Beginning! New Life

Romans 6:5

God Understands!

Psalm 147:5 (Life Recovery Bible)How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!

God created all things and cares about all creation, even the most lowly. We may think no one cares about us, but we can be assured that God does. He even watches over those who have no one else to care for them.

We can never understand all about ourselves, but God understands us completely - Sometime we don't know what we want, how we feel, what's wrong us, or what action we should take on particular things. but God's understanding has no limit, and for that reason He understands us fully.

With Christ's help, our understanding will grow - We hear with our ears, but their is a deeper kind of listening with the mind and heart that is necessary in order to gain spiritual understanding from Jesus.

God reveals truth to people who will act on it - Some people do not understand God's truth because they are not ready for it. Be patient take every chance to ask God for the Holy Spirit to open your mind and your heart to receive the truth and act on it.

Action is the Magic Word - Sobriety and Beyond (Father John Doe)

Discernment

Prayer and Meditation

Forgiving Others

Complacency

Have a God Consciuous Day!

DON'T FORGET THE PAST!

CONFESSIONS

Psalm 56:9

Running Away

About Living Life Recovery

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New Living Translation)
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Romans 8:16 (New Living Translation)
For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children

Romans 12:2 (New Living Translation)
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Psalm 147:5 (Life Recovery Bible)
How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!