God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18
“Come to me, all of you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest. Become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls. Serving me is easy, and my load is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus is saying we no longer have to try to carry our heavy loads by ourselves. As we walk with Him, the burden of becoming His servant [DISCIPLESHIP] on our lives will be light compared with the pain we have tried to carry in the past.
I AM MAKING A DECISION TO LET GOD HELP ME CHANGE
AND COMMIT TO WORKING WITH HIM TO DO SO.
I. When you are committed to following God, he will lead you to discover his will for your life, the satisfying and fulfilling purpose for which he created you: Psalm 25:10 When we obey him, every path he guides us on is fragrant with his loving-kindness and his truth.
II. When you are committed to God, he is committed to watching out for you and caring for you: Psalms 31:3 You [God] are my Rock and my fortress; honor your name by leading me out of this peril.
A promise from God: If we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as we did when we first became Christians, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Hebrews 3:14
Throughout the month we are going to look a three specific aspects of step three.
We have admitted our life is a mess and out of control. Accepted that God cares about us, that He is willing and able to help us regain control of our lives. It is now time to start putting the steps into practice, placing our faith in God and committing to the process of change with His Help.
Psalm 109:26 Lord my God, help me. Save me because of your faithful love.
One of the things that led to my downfall previously in recovery was the need to tell the best stories in meetings, (the drunk a logs)
I remember an old-timer in an A.A. meeting in Western Australia asking me the questions “how old are you? What have you done in life?” When I told him I was 23 he said to me” You can’t be an alcoholic you are too young. Go and get some rungs on the board and then come back.” I did, relapsed a few times but never lost contact with A.A. Why? because I knew I was an alcoholic and I needed to do something about changing my life.
Recovery has nothing to do with where you have been and what you have done. Nothing to do with your age, gender, race or religion. Addiction doesn’t discriminate – it accepts everybody. Recovery is about where you are right now and realizing to move forward you need help – God’s help.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “How can a kid like you fight with a man like him? You are only a boy, and he has been in the army since he was a boy!” [1 Samuel 17:33.] David replied: “The Lord who saved me from the claws and teeth of the lion and the bear will save me from this Philistine!” [1 Samuel 17:37] Step Three says “I am making a decision to let God help me change and commit to working with Him to do so.” Join me tomorrow as we move forward in this wonderful, life-changing, miracle-working process called RECOVERY!
Prayer: Help me remember today God that You love me just the way I am.
