Playing The Fool
Nearly everyone suffering the negative effects of addiction and compulsion engages in deceitfulness. It is a practice we needed to live the way we lived
Tag: Control
2022 | Thought for Today | Day Fifty-Three
We can be ruled from within by our own sinful nature. Whilst detesting the bossiness of others we can fail to see character defects in ourselves that put us on a par with them.
Focus on God
Psalms 34:4 I looked to the Lord, and he answered me. He saved me from everything I was afraid of.
In the process of God changing our sinful habits and attitudes, it is important we keep our focus on Him.
If you ask ten different people in recovery the best way of achieving and maintaining recovery you will get ten different answers.
Recovery in my life is covered in prayer, meditation, and being led by God. I do have trusted people in my life whom I go to bounce things off but the final decision in everything I do lies with me and God. God gave us free will for a reason. I believe that reason is to see how much we have learned through our relationship with Him and how we implement it in our daily living. Don’t make any decisions you have not talked to God about.
Psalms 34:2-8 I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
I. FOCUS ON GOD – He changes our character.
Romans 5:4 Endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident
hope of salvation.
II. FOCUS ON GOD – He conquered our past.
Romans 8:37 Despite all this, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us.
III. FOCUS ON GOD – He controls our future.
1 Corinthians 2:9 It is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him. ¨
from today’s Scripture:
HEAR and REJOICE
Matthew 6:7 When you pray, don’t be like the people who don’t know God. They say the same things again and again. They think that if they say it enough, their god will hear them.
GLORIFY and EXALT
Psalms 99:9 Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.
CALL and BE SAVED
Luke 7:50 Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
MORNING HARMONY
MORNING HARMONY
By Brigadier Denis Gudgeon
WHO IS THE B0SS?
“Decide today whom you will serve, ………… As for my family and me, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
There is a fairly common resentment against the established management or lawful supervision today. Contrarily, those who fight against law and order often opposing those given top-grade managerial positions or responsible leadership are keen to assert themselves. They relish attaining this top-dog position and can delight in the bully tactics that are associated with a dictatorship image. Some of them become standover men. All in positions of authority and leadership are a target for criticism. There has been a marked increase in this attitude this century. Being volatile is abuse and outspoken derogatory remarks can boost the ego temporarily, but seldom sweetens the soul. We risk much if we choose to be mates with the fault finders. The person constantly ‘running down’ other people is sure to include you in their target audience before long.
MEDITATION
We can be ruled from within quite dogmatically by our own nature. Whilst detesting the seeming bossiness of individuals who employ us or run the affairs of society and or nation. we can fail to see how ruthlessly once demon within our makeup can virtually control our lives. What is it that provokes turmoil and incites radical behavior? Do you experience the agony of inward emotions taking control as if by the scruff-of-the-neck throwing you into a tantrum? Have you waylaid from the best of intentions simply by falling prey and succumbing to the pressures if self-will? Let the real boss please stand up! ‘The boss” is more likely to be housed within your own flesh than on the other side of the table or office desk.
PRAYER
God, save me from the sin of criticism, gossip, resentment, and pretense. Help me respect those in authority and give support to any who are my leaders.
Step Two ~ Week Two
I BELIEVE GOD EXISTS, THAT HE CARES ABOUT ME AND HE CAN HELP ME TO REGAIN CONTROL OF MY LIFE.
A Perfect Environment for Recovery
God planted a garden in Eden, in the east. He put the Man he had just made in it. GOD made all kinds of trees grow from the ground, trees beautiful to look at and good to eat. The Tree-of-Life was in the middle of the garden, also the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil. Genesis 2:8-9
God provided a perfect environment for us to grow and develop in.
Sometimes we blame our environment our life circumstances for us becoming the way we became. What we need to do in the process of #LivingLifeRecovery is acknowledge that in spite of who we are, how we were raised, our environment, or our circumstances we are now on a journey of Spiritual Growth. We now need to take personal responsibility for the mistakes and failures of our lives. Trust with God’s help He has provided a perfect environment for us to overcome our personal defects and move forward in our lives from today.
I admit that my life is a mess and I am out of control.
–Step One
IT’S OKAY TO FEEL
For those of us travelling the road of recovery revenge and resentment can drag us back down to our old ways faster than anything else
FAMILY ABUSE
Where the action is impossible, daily prayer for those we have hurt should be our prescribed order.
Discussion Starter #55
Rely on God
Matthew 6:34 Don’t worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Worry! Worry! Worry! It’s how I used to spend my life. It’s not anymore. Because I have learned to ‘Rely on God’ It wasn’t easy, it took time, it took practice, but I finally learned it.
Relying on God doesn’t mean do nothing. It means do the best you can with what you have available to you and leave the outcomes in His hands.
Most of the worry I experienced in life was about things I had no control over.
- What are you worried about?
- What can you change right now?
#Available #Outcome #Control
What The Bible Says
It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don’t even rank myself. 1 Corinthians 4:3
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. In all your ways remember him. Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Say just a simple ‘Yes, I will’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Your word is enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong. Matthew 5:37
Prayer: Lord help me today not to worry about the things I cannot change.
Discussion Starter #47
NOWHERE TO RUN
Psalms 139:7 How can I get away from your Spirit? Where can I go to escape from you?
Do you believe recovery is a choice? I ask that question because I read it somewhere once and I am not sure if I believe it. Another thing I heard about the twelve steps was ‘If they don’t stop you drinking they will spoil it for you.’
Today I believe that all of our lives God has His hand on us. Take a short inventory of your life. Do you think you would still be here if not for God’s intervention?
The verse above says “How can I get away from your Spirit?” The answer is you can’t. God is everywhere, He sees everything, He knows everything and He is involved in everything. Even if you die God is there!
Recovery is about regaining control of your life. You do that by giving up control.
- Are you willing to give up control of your life?
PRAYER
God today I had over control of my life to You. Help me to let go of it.
#Willing #Control #Regain