Tag: Faith

WE CAME TO BELIEVE

23rd April 2022 aeboyle 2022, April,, Step 2 Comments Off on WE CAME TO BELIEVE

Scripture Reading: Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side. The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.” Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?” But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.” But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.” Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.” Thomas said, “My Master! My God!” Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.” John 20:19-29

Focus Verse: John 20:29  Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”

If you are like Thomas, imagine what it would be like to ‘believe without seeing.’ – That’s faith. If you’re like the other disciples, remember to thank God for the faith He has given you.

BELIEF IN GOD SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY ACTION
Deuteronomy 27:10  Listen to the Voice of God, your God. Keep his commandments and regulations that I’m commanding you today.

BELIEF IN GOD SHOULD CHANGE HOW WE LIVE NOW
Mark 1:15  “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.”

BELIEF IN GOD IS PUTTING OUR TRUST COMPLETELY IN HIM
Romans 10:9  “Jesus is my Master”— God’s work of doing in us what He did in raising Jesus from the dead. That’s it. You’re not “doing” anything; you’re simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you.

The second part of Step Two talks about ‘believing God can and will restore us to sanity.” more on step two tomorrow.

#Thought for Today

4th April 2022 aeboyle 2022, April,, Podcast, Thought For Today Comments Off on #Thought for Today

Most times God has led me into something new it has been a surprise to me.

All my journey of spiritual growth people have suggested to me “you should do this.” “I think you would be good at ____________” the times I have paid attention, listened to them, and sometimes tried what they have suggested it has all gone pair shaped.

Why?

I have said many times and I believe strongly my faith has always been simple. God has opened doors. Usually doors I would never have tried to open on my own because I felt unequipped to. Doors that when He has opened them I have walked through, and in faith trusted Him to lead me in the right directions on the other side of them.

Proverbs 19:21 says “you can make plans, but the Lords purpose prevails,” To often in recovery we get ahead of where God has placed us. Plan the next step on our own, without including Him and are surprised things don’t work out the way we think they should.

We need to learn as we walk the recovery road to trust God, wait on Him and accept that if it hasn’t happened yet you are probably not ready for it.

2022 | Day Seventy-Eight | Have Faith In God

19th March 2022 aeboyle 2022, March, Podcast, Thought For Today Comments Off on 2022 | Day Seventy-Eight | Have Faith In God

We have been made right with God because of our faith. Now we have peace with Him because of our Lord Jesus Christ

Peace! and being happy were the only two things I ever wanted in life while using. I drank to forget and when I sobered up there was never any peace because of the things I did when I drank. For a number of years now in my life, I have experienced the ‘Peace of God’ ’The peace beyond understanding.’ I received it through putting my faith in my Higher Power, Jesus Christ. It is very real and it is indescribable. If you are like I was I feel for you and I am glad I don’t live inside your head. If you are like me and you want peace, then I encourage you to investigate your personal relationship with Jesus. If you really want Him to help you to regain control of your life at some stage, you are going to have to trust him.

MEDITATION
Shining on those in darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death. Showing us the way, one step at a time down the pathway to peace. God promises us peace. Jesus appeared and said ‘peace be with you.’ I am leaving you well and whole. That is my parting gift to you. I don’t leave you the way you are used to being left, Feeling abandoned. So don’t be distraught. Be a good citizen. Under God live God’s order, be responsible and the God of great hope will fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace so your believing lives will be filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER
Just for today Lord give me peace. Teach me to live under your order so I may be responsible and enjoy all You have in stor for me.

2022 | Thought for Today | Day Fifty-Five

24th February 2022 aeboyle 2022, February, Thought For Today Comments Off on 2022 | Thought for Today | Day Fifty-Five

We know very well that we are not set right with God by rule-keeping but only through personal faith in Jesus Christ.

2022 | Who is God? | Week One

13th February 2022 aeboyle 2022, February, Messages Comments Off on 2022 | Who is God? | Week One

Recovery is all about changing our character to be more Godlike. To do that I believe we need to take time in the process of recovery to study the character of God and what we need to do to align our character with His. Tonight I want to share week one of book two of the seven recovery guides I have put together based on my own experience of recovery, the strength of God in my life, and the hope He has given me for a better future.

week one is headed ‘God is trustworthy’ I want to begin by sharing from Living Life Recovery discussion starters.

TRUSTWORTHY

Trust often requires courage. There have been many times in my life since becoming a Christian where I have had to trust God. Times where I have been in conditions where I have thought “This is it! There is no way forward from here.” And because God loves me and trusts me, He has intervened and asked me “Are you finished? Now watch Me!” 

It has always amazed me and continues to do so when God gives me in the life things I never expected or deserved, In my experience, there is no greater feeling or faith builder available in this life.

Because of my faith in God and my decision in step three to turn my will and my life over to His care I have had more opportunities, and more breaks in my one life than anyone should have had. All because in 1987 I realized I had a problem with drugs and alcohol and needed help outside of myself to change my life.

God is good – ALL THE TIME 

I didn’t believe that. early in recovery, I could not see how God could help me to become a productive member of the society I lived in. How He could take the broken pieces of my life and make me a whole person. But He did and here I am 59 years old in May this year and still living the life He has led me to. Living each day appreciating and accepting what He has provided for me and He gives me the strength to do. Does it all align with what I want? No but it does align with what I need.

Tonight I want to ask you the question: Is there a time through this recovery process when God has intervened in your life and done amazing things? 

I could fill a book with the things that exist in my life because of His intervention.

Prayer: Just for today God help me to courageously follow You and do what You call me to do

GOD DOESN’T LIE

God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable. We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go.  Hebrews 6:18

Matthew 24:35 Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.

1 Samuel 15:29 God doesn’t deceive, and he doesn’t dither. He says what he means and means what he says.


GOD IS TRUTH
He manufactures truth and justice; All his products are guaranteed to last. Psalm 111:7

Psalms 19:7 The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.

James 1:17 Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle.


WE CAN TRUST GOD
Some give the credit for victory to their chariots and soldiers, but we honour the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7

Jeremiah 17:5 God’s Message: “Cursed is the strong one who depends on mere humans, Who thinks he can make it on muscle alone and sets God aside as dead weight.”

 Hebrews 3:12 Watch your step, friends. Make sure there’s no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God.


LET GOD HANDLE YOUR SITUATION BEFORE IT HANDLES YOU.

YOU’RE NO LONGER A SLAVE BUT A
CHILD OF GOD, AND EVERYTHING HE HAS BELONGS TO YOU.

2022 | Day Thirty-Six | Verse for Today

5th February 2022 aeboyle 2022, February, Verse For Today Comments Off on 2022 | Day Thirty-Six | Verse for Today

We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Romans 8:38-39 I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.


Paul says in these two verses when we believe Jesus is the One True Higher Power and put our faith in Him it is impossible to be separated from Him. His death for us is proof of His unconquerable love. Nothing can separate us from His presence.

The Bible demonstrates to us how great His love is for us and convinces us we have nothing to be afraid of.

Not only does He love us, but He also empowers us to overcome all obstacles we will face as we grow in our faith and apply what we learn.

2022 | Spiritual Foundations | Week Five

30th January 2022 aeboyle 2022, January, Messages Comments Off on 2022 | Spiritual Foundations | Week Five

2022 | Spiritual Foundations | Week Five

Episode Five | Growing in Faith

This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines. John 3:30

We are all sinners. Jesus is not! He came with one purpose: “To save us!”  Doesn’t that make Him more important than us?

Putting the purposes of God first in our lives is not always the easiest thing for us to do. Especially if we have been experiencing a lot of crises in our lives. But it is the wisest way for us to move forward in recovery. 

Successfully growing, continuing in spiritual recovery and maturity can only be achieved by putting our faith in Jesus. He is the One True Higher Power, and we need to learn to trust Him completely, in every area of our lives.

 –  What things are you holding onto right now because you don’t trust God enough with them?

Prayer: Just for Today Lord help me today to in faith. To put my trust completely in You and realize it is not about me but about You and Your purpose for my life. 

2022-Spiritual-Foundations-Week-FiveDownload
  1. FAITH IN GOD = BELIEF IN JESUS

Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. John 14:6

Hebrews 11:1 The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.

Hebrews 11:6 It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

2. HOW MUCH FAITH DO I NEED?

“Because you’re not yet taking God seriously,” said Jesus. “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.”   
                                        Matthew 17:20

Philippians 4:19 You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.

Romans 3:23-24  Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us,  God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity, he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.

3. (WIFM) – WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME

They said, “Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you’ll live as you were meant to live.”  
                 Acts 16:31

Psalms 37:4-6 Keep company with God, get in on the best. Open up before God, keep nothing back; he’ll do whatever needs to be done: He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval.

Proverbs 3:6 Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.

Joshua 1:9 Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. GOD, your God, is with you every step you take.”

2022 | Day Fourteen | Discussion Starter

14th January 2022 aeboyle 2022, Discussion Starters, January, Podcast Comments Off on 2022 | Day Fourteen | Discussion Starter

Legalism is faith gone wrong. It puts the emphasis on doing what you are allowed to do instead of following God.

2022 | Day Thirteen | Morning Harmony

13th January 2022 aeboyle 2021, January, Morning Harmony, Comments Off on 2022 | Day Thirteen | Morning Harmony

We can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. All praise to God and our One True Higher Power, Jesus Christ! God is the Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God, turn your backs on the world’s “sure thing,” ignore what the world worships; The world’s a huge stockpile of God-wonders and God-thoughts.

MEDITATION
When the Holy Spirit convinces us to receive Christ we get a new perspective and a new mindset on life, We trust that God has our lives planned and He will guide us and equip us for wherever He wants us to go. Faith in God helps us to face the truth about ourselves, our lives, and our need for change. Some of us believe because Godcomforts us our problems are going to go away. We need to understand God will give us the strength, encouragement, and hope to deal with our problems.

If today you are feeling overwhelmed at what lies ahead of you, I ask you to remember God is there to help. He places in our lives other people on the same path so we can help us and they can help us move forward in the recovery process. The passage above says ‘blessed are you who give yourselves to God.’ It also says we need to turn our backs on the world’s ‘sure thing’ ACTION IS THE MAGIC WORD!

PRAYER
Just for today, God help me to turn my back on the things that seem like a shortcut to solving my problems. Give me the strength, encouragement and, hope to listen to the people you place in my life. Help me to help them where I can as they also help me on the road to recovery.


2022 | Day Six | Morning Harmony

6th January 2022 aeboyle 2021, January, Morning Harmony, Comments Off on 2022 | Day Six | Morning Harmony

Throw yourself into this work for Christ. Think it over. God will make it all plain.  Fix this picture firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the dead. It’s what you’ve heard all along.  Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace,  faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. 

The Bible is not just a book we need to read. We need to understand it, what it means for us personally, and we need to apply it. When we don’t understand it we need to seek help from those who do. A good way of doing that is to get involved in a small group. Over the years I have been in a number of small groups and found them to be indispensable. Listening to others, and what God is saying to them is always helpful. It has always amazed me how people all around this world can read a passage of God’s Word and receive a different message from the Holy Spirit.

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