God knows our real intentions. He doesn’t confuse admission of guilt with selfish motive with true repentance. He know our hearts. Wrong intentions lead to relapse. In order to live right we must not only so right but also do it at the right time, with the right intentions.
God wants complete and instant obedience.
I do not pray for success. I pray for faithfulness. Mother Teresa
What do you pray for?
True
Deuteronomy 25:15 Use only one weight, a true and honest weight, and one measure, a true and honest measure, so that you will live a long time on the land that GOD, your God, is giving you.
Realistic
Exodus 29:46 They’ll realize that I am their GOD who brought them out of the land of Egypt so that I could live with them. I am GOD, your God.
Uncovered
Matthew 5:14 You’re here to be light, bringing out the God- colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
Tense
1 Chronicles 28:20 Don’t be anxious or get discouraged. GOD, my God, is with you in this; he won’t walk off and leave you in the lurch. He’s at your side until every last detail is completed for conducting the worship of GOD.
Honest
2 Kings 20:3 Remember, O GOD, who I am, what I’ve done!
I’ve lived an honest life before you, My heart’s been true and steady, I’ve lived to please you; lived for your approval.
I am acceptable to God because of Jesus. God will never disappoint me if I continually trust Him. This is my foundation. Through the Holy Spirit I can accept others and feel safe as I move forward in recovery.
When I first became a Christian I was already to old for youth events. Today I am glad I have two teenage sons and an excuse to visit some. On Friday night I took my two sons as part of the Belgrave South Baptist Church Youth Group to ‘Surrender’ at Belgrave Heights Convention Centre.
The speaker who was meant to be on didn’t arrive on time so Jarrod McKenna spoke instead. I must confess I did not expect much but am happy to say I was very, very wrong.
Jarrod began by talking about the need to fight or flee when you encounter danger, Then went on to share a personal story about his encounter with a guy who was down on his luck at a railway station in Western Australia. The fellow demanded Jarrod give him his wallet, Jarrod then proceeded to give the guy $10.00/ As he did he stuck out his hand and introduced himself ‘Jarrod’ he said, which to his surprise made the guy apologise for having to rob him and share the fact he was doing it tough. Jarrod then proceeded to get a Gideon’s Bible from his art bag and offer it to the guy, who said “what am I going to do with a Bible, I am going to hell” “We are all going to hell” Jarrod commented “that’s why Jesus came”
A girl (friend of the guy) then ran past saying “we have to get out of here” the guy told Jarrod he had to go began running off but returned to take the Bible. Going in the same direction as the thief Jarrod saw a car with numerous youth in (the crew of the guy who robbed him) the girl telling them “I got a handbag” Jarrods assailant stating “I got ten bucks and a Bible”
What happened to that guy and the Bible? Nobody knows! The point is Jarrod when confronted by fear decided to let God lead and the result was a lot more positive than if he hadn’t.
The youth in our churches have so much to teach us. A powerful witness by Jarrod on Friday night moved many young people to join him in the altar call at ‘Surrender’ youth need to see examples. Not examples of what Jesus has already done but examples of what He is doing in and through us.
Thankyou Jarrod for challenging me to be bolder in sharing my God walk with the young people I encounter in my life, including my two teenage sons.
Proverbs 26:18-19 Just as damaging
as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking. ”
Jesus warns us to be prepared because we don’t know when He will return. Daily obedience is our only choice. Matthew 24:46
Everyday I work with people who’s lives are in crisis. Crisis caused by many different circumstances. Crisis to which most see as the solution alcohol and drugs.
I was meeting with one of these people recently who was distressed and said to me ‘I don’t want to die’ to which I asked the questions ‘do you want to live?’ and ‘are you willing to go to any length to make it happen’
Many of us come to recovery to ‘stop using’ but not to get ‘clean’. Because getting clean requires life transformation.
Death casts a frightening shadow over us because we are entirely helpless in it’s presence. We can struggle with pain, disease, injury and even addiction. But cannot overcome death.
Eventually we are all going to die and we can do nothing about it. What we can do is change how we live here, right now and our final destination in eternity.
The Bible is clear. The only way to heaven is through personal relationship with Jesus Christ and obedience to God’s commandments here and now.
Do you want to live and not just exist? Turn your life over to God today through acceptance of Christ as your Saviour, repentance of your sin and commitment to obedience to His commandments here on earth.
Psalms 23:4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.
Addiction and compulsion creates personality problems. In a bid to escape uncomfortable feelings and face up to our responsibilities we invent complex and careless alter realities.
In order to correct our personality problems we need to turn to God. Only in relationship with Him can the refining personality corrections occur to help us change our lives and become the people He wants us to be.
2 Corinthians 4:2 We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.
‘He paid a debt He did not owe,
I owed a debt I could not pay’.
But Christ paid it for me.
Today this thought has occupied a large space in my mind and heart. Without Jesus I am nothing. He made me new. He gives me the resources and abilities to live life with and for Him.
Today I want to thank Him again for being God and allowing me the privilege of personal relationship with Him. THANK YOU JESUS!
