Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity, to accept the things I can’t change:
Month: October 2014
Pick Jesus
Romans 10:13
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Understanding God is not a requirement of trusting Hm
Ephesians 3:19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Acknowledge your failures.
Joshua 5:9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt.” So that place has been called Gilgal to this day.
We have to go through the process of acknowledging our failures and allowing God to remove our shame to obtain true, lasting, growing recovery.
Trusting God
Titus 1:2 This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.
You can trust God because you know He never lies: He is truth – He is the source of truth and truth flows from Him.
That makes Him completely trustworthy! And, knowing His truths frees us from the lies and deception of what the world claims is true.
Our personal history can teach us about how God works.
Today I attended church The Salvation Melbourne Project 614. Before and after the service it was good to catch up with people (some of whom I haven’t talked to for many years)
As we met spoke and reminisced about the past, what God has done in each of our lives and what He is doing now, it was a good time of remembering and acknowledging God’s goodness, love and care.
It was also a time for me personally of remembering opportunities and blessings God has given me as I walk daily with Him.
In recovery and in life it is important for us all to be able to put into clear and concise words what God has done for us.
Telling others of our personal journey of faith helps is clearly understand our personal spiritual history and encourage others walking the road to discovery with us.
Excuse My Rant
This morning as I mowed my lawn at home my thoughts traveled to a different time. A time when as a Soldier in The Salvation Army, the State Manager of Family Stores in South Australia then Transport Manager of Family Stores for the Australian Southern Territory I was always guaranteed a platform one day a year (‘Social Services Sunday’) It always amazed me that one day a year the whole Territory focused on Social Services, yet for the resat of the year we were seen as the poor little brother. It also used to amaze me that during ‘Open Air Meetings’ I was always requested to share ‘My Story’ of God;s Saving Grace in my recovery from alcoholism and addiction.
Now, before everyone gets up in arms let me clarify one thing. “I LOVE THE SALVATION ARMY” and thank God for them everyday. One of the most influential influences in my spiritual walk (I’ve read all the books, studied the History of The Salvation Army) is The Founder, William Booth. Through His example of obedience to God I have been inspired and provoked to do a number of things through my spiritual involvement in The Army, other Churches and other ventures God has led me too.
Another influential influence on my life was Major John Henderson, possibly the best speaker of God’s Word I have ever heard (yet He was and chose to be a Social Officer of The Salvation Army) I have heard many a person say “I wish He was my Corps officer”
You are all probably saying at the moment “What is this post about?”
Here it is:
I asked a High Ranking Salvation Army recently. “If I decided I wanted to join The Salvation Army what would I have to do?”(I asked out of curiosity, God is not leading me in that direction at this point in time.) “And they replied “You would have to do recruitment because The Army has changed.” Which led me to ask The Holy Spirit – How has The Salvation Army changed and – why did The Salvation Army Change?
The Salvation Army I joined at the end of The Bridge Program in 1989, at the Mount Barker Corps in South Australia was a powerful weapon of change. A voice to be listened to and responded to. So why did it change? And also as someone who has lived ‘The Articles of War’, has led others in recruitment classes and been involved in numerous leadership positions within The Salvation Army would I need to take recruitment classes to tell me about The Salvation Army I know and love with a passion.
Question:
Is The Salvation Army still about Saving Souls, being different and making a difference or is it about looking right in the eyes of the world?
With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. Romans 9:1
Do You Remember?
Hi today I want to share with you a little game I play, infrequently with the Holy Spirit. That’s right the Holy Spirit likes to play games.. The game is called ‘Do you Remember?’ It’s a game where the Holy Spirit reminds me of certain thing along my spiritual walk. This game was prompted by me finding my Salvation Army Song book. Given to me by Captain’s Paul and Ruth Such in the day I made a commitment to be ‘God’s Soldier’
The message at the front is a personal message from the Such’s wishing me God’s blessings for my future and encouragement to grow in faith and strength. The book was given to me on 29.10.1989.
Anyway, last night at ‘Recovery at Melbourne 614′ whilst looking at Step One we somehow got talking about life changing choice. How we got to that subject when discussing step one? Holy Spirit intervention…
So today the Holy Spirit decided He wanted to play ‘Do you Remember’ And He asked me the question ‘Do you remember this song?” Song 244 in the Salvation Army Song Book “If you want it, it’s yours!” This song was the song we were singing at a Spiritual Retreat. Led by Brigadier Dennis Gudgen, on the Bridge Program at Eden Park in Mount Barker, where I decided to follow Jesus. Struggling with my pride after having a personal meeting with Jesus Christ at the side of my bed on the Bridge Program, as we sang the third verse of this song:
Is your mind mixed up and are your thoughts in turmoil? Are you tired of fighting, are you sick of wars? Would you like some peace instead of inner conflict? If you want it – it’s yours. (God’s personal invitation to Archie Boyle)
I found myself kneeling at the mercy seat, experiencing the joy that comes from personal relationship with Jesus and from that day to this I know ‘I’ve been changed’
Why do i love playing this game with the Holy Spirit? Not just because it reminds me of His involvement in my life but because it also reminds me of many fantastic people, events and opportunities I have been given in my spiritual walk simply by saying YES! to Him…..
Confidence Grows out of Reliance on God
2 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. 3 Therefore, tell the people, ‘Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain[a] and go home.’” So 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight. Judges 7:2-3
Self-sufficiency is an enemy that leads us to believe “I can do this on my own.” To prevent this attitude in Gideon’s soldiers God sent a lot of them home in order for them to know the task ahead was impossible without His help. In recovery we also need to recognize that we cannot achieve lasting, growing recovery in our own strength. We need God’s help! And, when we walk the recovery road with Him victory isn’t just a possibility it’s a sure thing….
Have Faith and Stay Focused
Luke 10:4 Don’t take along a moneybag or a traveling bag or sandals. And don’t waste time greeting people on the road.
Step 1: I admit that my life is a mess and I am out of control.
Podcasts
Living Life Recovery
Living Life Recovery is a safe place where people can come, share and investigate the realities of God’s promises for themselves.
We believe that as we investigate God’s promises for our lives and practice the ‘Spiritual Principles of Recovery’ as outlined in ‘God’s Word’ we will find the strength and freedom we need to live productive and peaceful lives.
We welcome anyone who has a sincere desire to change their lives. To rise above the pain and turmoil caused by dependencies and compulsive behaviors their own lives or the lives of a loved one or friend.
#ThougtForToday
Many of us wallow in our pasts and sink easily into the harbour of such memories. Ask forgiveness for allowing these feelings to overcome what you know is your new reality. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://livingliferecovery.com/2022/04/27/thougtfortoday/
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