Tag: Hope

Discussion Starter #38

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Complacency Kills

2 Corinthians 5:21 Christ didn’t have any sin. But God made him become sin for us. So we can be made right with God because of what Christ has done for us.

Before I involved God in recovery I belonged to Alcoholics Anonymous. I said all the right things, made all the right noises and mixed in all the right circles. I had achieved sobriety. I hadn’t gained recovery.

I learned the Twelve Steps, taught them to other people. I started numerous A.A. groups and attended others on a regular basis.

I remember an older member in A.A. saying to me “I hope I am around when you finally get serious about recovery.” You see he could see that I was still playing a game. A dangerous game but a game none the less. After about eighteen months I relapsed.

  • Are you aiming for sobriety or recovery?
  • What are you doing to avoid complacency?

#Learn #Hope #Search

What The Bible Says

Carelessness kills; complacency is murder. Proverbs 1:32

Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That’s just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? James 2:19

“It shall come to pass at that time That I will search ………and punish the men Who are settled in complacency, Who say in their heart, ‘The Lord will not do good, Nor will He do evil.’ Zephaniah 1:12

Prayer: Lord, help me to fix my aim on recovery not just sobriety.

Discussion Starter #30

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Cheer Up!

A happy heart cheers us up, whilst heartache crushes our spirit.

Recovery is a life-long process of spiritual growth. Remember that and Cheer Up!

  • Are you happy you are here?
  • If not, Why not?
  • What do you need to change?

Jesus said “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.”

He hears the longings of those who are hurting. He cheers them up and gives them hope

#Cheerful #Hope #Growth

Prayer: Lord help me to see the positives in the changes that have occurred in me through the last month.

What The Bible Says

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Just Be You!

We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  Having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them God in proportion to our faith;.

Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. #Future #Hope #Faith

The Word For Today

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Character

Romans 5:4  Patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.

  • None of us are born with Godly character. It is developed through a relationship with the Holy Spirit, reading God’s Word and doing what He prompts us to do.
  • We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient. Romans 5:3 #Character #Hope #Strength

Stop Feeling Sorry For Yourself

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Nehemiah 4:1-4 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall he exploded in anger, vilifying the Jews. In the company of his Samaritan cronies and military, he let loose: “What are these miserable Jews doing? Do they think they can get everything back to normal overnight? Make building stones out of make-believe?” At his side, Tobiah the Ammonite jumped in and said, “That’s right! What do they think they’re building? Why, if a fox climbed that wall, it would fall to pieces under his weight.” Nehemiah prayed, “Oh listen to us, dear God. We’re so despised: Boomerang their ridicule on their heads; have their enemies cart them off as war trophies to a land of no return.

Ridicule can cut deeply, causing discouragement and despair. Not everyone from our past is going to be pleased we are now in the process of ‘Life Recovery’ Some in fact (usually those who are living lives similar to the ones we have escaped) may ridicule in hope that we will turn back to our old way of living (where they feel more comfortable with us) When we find ourselves taunted by others for changing our lives. Are mocked for being different we need to God, remember His promises to us and be encouraged in His strength to keep moving forward.

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.”

Psalms 69:6 “Don’t let those who look to you in hope Be discouraged by what happens to me, Dear Lord! GOD of the armies! Don’t let those out looking for you Come to a dead end by following me.”

Galatians 6:9 “Let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time, we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.”

Hebrews 12:5 “Don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline but don’t be crushed by it either.
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Jesus gives us HOPE!

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Psalms 10:17 Lord, you hear the longings of those who are hurting. You cheer them up and give them hope. You listen to their cries.

 God understands our suffering and Jesus identifies with it. He was made perfect through suffering far greater than any of us will ever experience. He didn’t need to suffer, but He chose to for our benefit.

Through His suffering, He opened the way for us to be saved, to be changed and to recover.

Some of the most rewarding experiences in the process of my recovery have been times of suffering. Because in my suffering I have had to depend on God more than when everything has gone well. When we rely on God through trusting He has it all under control and works out our lives to benefit us we experience the greater things of God.

  • Is there a time in Your life when God’s hope was Your only hope?

 

Prayer: Lord help me to put my hope in You and not in myself, other people or circumstances.

 

Asking According to His Will

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1 John 5:14 How bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening.

The emphasis here is on God’s will, not our will. When we communicate with God, we don’t demand what we want; rather we discuss with Him what He wants for us. If we align our prayers to His will, He will listen; and we can be certain that if He listens, He will give us a definite answer.

Not always the answer we want but always the answer we need. I have often heard people say “I prayed but nothing is happening.” Really? Sometimes the inability to see God’s response is based on our own expectations and desires.

There are things in life we all want, some of which are not right for us according to God’s plan for our lives. A lesson I have had to learn in recovery is that God’s agenda doesn’t always match with mine and sometimes like any loving Father He chooses to say nothing. Not because He is speechless of has nothing to say but sometimes because He knows we aren’t listening anyway.

 

Talk to God then Listen

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There are more troubles all around me than I can count. My sins have caught up with me, and I can’t see any longer. My sins are more than the hairs of my head. I have lost all hope. Psalm 40:12

Sin creates a barrier between us and God. If we want to break down the barrier we need to understand God is greater than the barrier. Through the recovery process He gives us hope for reconciliation with Him.

#2332 Hope in Crisis

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“This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God.” John 3:19 

#2294 Verse For Today

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Hurry with your answer, God! I’m nearly at the end of my rope. Don’t turn away; don’t ignore me! That would be certain death. If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice, I’ll go to sleep each night trusting in you. Point out the road I must travel; I’m all ears, all eyes before you. Save me from my enemies, God— you’re my only hope! Teach me how to live to please you, because you’re my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland. Psalm 143:10