Day: 26 February 2020

Discussion Starter #49

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Discovering Recovery

Psalm 119:162 I’m filled with joy because of your promise. It’s like finding a great fortune.

I remember it like it was yesterday. My AHA! Moment. In that first meeting. When I discovered the importance of God and relationship with Him in the process of recovery.

I believe that was the day of my Salvation, not the day I became a Christian but the day I discovered I needed God. After that first meeting, I don’t think it mattered when I left the rehab I would still be here writing this now. Because that day Jesus became my One True Higher Power.

  • Have you had an AHA! moment?
  • What was it?
  • What did you do about it?

#Salvation #Need #Meeting

Prayer: Lord, today help me realize I need You. Not only believing but receiving and sharing in relationship with you.

Verse For Today

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“When you pray, do not keep talking on and on the way ungodly people do. They think they will be heard because they talk a lot. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need even before you ask him.” Matthew 6:7-8

This week I am going through Bill Hybels study ‘Too Busy Not To Pray” It is not the first time I have gone through this study but right now in my spiritual walk I feel I need to focus more on prayer as I also feel I am entering a new phase in my ministry and mission where I need the Holy Spirits guidance as I seek to know God’s will, His guidance of how it will evolve and trust Him to lead me in His timing.

In the book ‘Too Busy Not Pray’ Bill Hybels says of our ministry and mission.

  • Will it bring glory to God?
  • Will it advance the Kingdom?
  • Will it help people?
  • Will it help me grow spiritually?

To all of these questions I answer YES!

In his book Bill Hybels says their are some a number of reasons God isn’t answering our prayers.

  • Prayerlessness
    You want something, but you can’t get it. You kill and want what others have. But you can’t have what you want. You argue and fight. You don’t have what you want, because you don’t ask God. James 4:2
  • Unconfessed sin
    Your sins have separated you from your God. They have caused him to turn his face away from you. So he won’t listen to you. Isaiah 59:2
  • Unresolved relational conflict
    “Suppose you are offering your gift at the altar. And you remember that your brother has something against you. Leave your gift in front of the altar. First go and make peace with your brother. Then come back and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24
  • Selfishness
    When you do ask for something, you don’t receive it. Why? Because you ask for the wrong reason. You want to spend your money on your sinful pleasures. James 4:3
  • Uncaring attitudes
    If you refuse to listen to the cries of poor people, you too will cry out and not be answered. Proverbs 21:13
  • Inadequate faith
    What I’m about to tell you is true. Suppose one of you says to this mountain, ‘Go and throw yourself into the sea.’ You must not doubt in your heart. You must believe that what you say will happen. Then it will be done for you. Mark 11:23

pg 95 “If the truth be known, often you and I are the obstacles standing in the way of us receiving a desperately needed miracle.” I don’t want to be so today I am making a conscious to spend more time in the presence of my ‘One True Higher Power’ seeking His will for my life and His power to carry it out.

#Prayer #Truth #Faith

Morning Harmony #49

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FORWARD STEPS 6

Let’s recognize him as the LORD. Let’s keep trying to really know Him. Hosea 6:3

We may suffer from becoming a Christian and living our lives according to God’s Word. In explaining the parable of ‘The sower and the seed.’ Jesus indicated that some who receive ‘the Message’ and accept God’s word of salvation will not go on to spiritual maturity because tribulation and persecution will prove unbearable. They have no roots. So they last only a short time. They quickly fall away from the faith when trouble or suffering comes because of the message. Matthew 13:21

We may suffer in any number of different ways, sooner or later we may encounter a rejection of a former acquaintance, we may be treated in an unkind or hurtful manner. We may hear some uncomplimentary remarks or someone mocks us when it is going to hurt us most. We may not be free of physical danger; immune from the harm of accident because we have accepted Jesus as our One True Higher Power.

The Good News is we can count on the Holy Spirit’s Divine Presence with us in every situation we encounter pain, suffering or temptation. He is our asset and our advantage. He will bring us through whatever we encounter in life unscathed as we accept God’s Way of living.

We are to identify with Jesus, endure the hard times. “My grace is sufficient” is God’s answer to any feelings of dismay that might cause us to feel unable to cope with what lies ahead. Trusting Him and resting in His will we are assured He will never fail us, whatever happens. 1 Peter 4:10 God’s gifts of grace come in many forms. Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others. You should use it faithfully.

#Faith #Trust #Receive

PRAYER
Lord let me be encouraged by every word of Scripture that assures me I can overcome fear, resist temptation and enjoy victory.