Step 12
Deuteronomy 16:17 Each man must bring as much as he can manage, giving generously in response to the blessings of God, your God. #Blessing #Manage #Response
Tag: Manage
The Process of Change
NOW THAT I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGE, I WILL CHECK MYSELF DAILY TO MAKE SURE I AM NOT SLIPPING BACK INTO MY OLD WAYS AND IF I AM, I WILL TAKE STEPS TO RECTIFY IT.
Recovery is a long race, not a sprint. It takes time and it takes practice. To many people involved in recovery give up because things don’t go as they think they should.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 “You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes’ race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.”
Paul points out in this scripture winning (succeeding) requires hard work and training. Progression in recovery is a daily exercise of handing our wills and lives over to the care of God, evaluating our motives, attitudes, and actions and growing spiritually ‘One Day at a Time’ Recovery requires daily discipline in Bible study, prayer, and meditation.
Paul also recognizes that spiritual growth starts with self. “You can’t share with people what you don’t have and you certainly can’t give it away.’
James 1:12 says “Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.”
The process of change for and with God is loving Him, obeying Him and persevering under pressure.
Are You Ready?
I have been away! Visiting family and getting ready for the ‘Next Stage’ of my spiritual walk. In the past, I have continued my blog whilst on holiday but this time I made a conscious decision to ‘Rest’ Because like so many other people I know I can be good at telling others what to do without following through on my own advice.
The Bible Jesus says Matthew 11:28 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.”
The next two verses of that passage of scripture say v 29-30 “Walk with me and work with me–watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Recovery requires work! It is not always going to be easy. Things are not always going to work out according to our agendas and plans.
Recovery requires prayer! Matthew 6:6 says“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.” We all need to take time out to talk to God, get alone with Him, seek and understand what it is He wants us to do next. Because even when we think we know what we are doing we still may not be on the right track.
My focus verse for today is; Matthew 26:2 “You know that Passover comes in two days. That’s when the Son of Man will be betrayed and handed over for crucifixion.”
JESUS KNEW WAS READY In one sense the Son of Man is entering into a way of treachery well-marked by the Scriptures–no surprises here. Matthew 26:24 He knew what was coming! For many of us entering the recovery process, we have an idea of what is expected of us. We know we are going to have to give up many of the things that have been our comforts through our addictions and compulsions.
KNOWING WHAT IS COMING DOESN’T NECESSARILY MAKE IT EASIER Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, “My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?” Matthew 26:39 None of us set out in life to live addictive, dysfunctional lives. And, when we get to recovery none of us, if we admit it really want to STOP! and change our lives. But it is necessary, just like the cross was a necessary path for Jesus to take for our sake.
GOD HAS A PLAN AND A PURPOSE FOR US EACH “The Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.” Luke 19:10 This Easter remember Jesus came for a purpose. To open the way to each of us to have direct access to God and for those of us caught up in lives of addiction and compulsion ‘The Way’ is discovered through ‘The Principles of Recovery’ outlined in ‘God’s Word’
John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me.”
This Easter don’t forget:
- JESUS CAME TO EARTH WITH A PURPOSE
- HE COMMITTED TO GOD TO CARRYING OUT THAT PURPOSE
- BECAUSE OF HIS COMMITMENT TO THAT PURPOSE WE ALL HAVE ACCESS TO LIVING LIFE RECOVERY.
The Word For Recovery
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life. James 1:12
#9-Remember the chaos
Proverbs 25:28 A man who can’t control himself is like a city whose walls are broken down.
Time and time again I have sat in meetings and heard people talk about the ‘insanity’ I want to talk today about the chaos.
The chaos of waking in the morning and having to drink just to go to work. The chaos of working out what stories to make up for being late home because I had stopped at the pub, and sometimes having spent all my wages.
You know addicts are clever people. We can come up with excuses in an instant, justify the worst behaviour without batting an eye-lid.
- Consider the chaos of your using and how you managed it.
- Are you glad the chaos has stopped?
Prayer: God let me put some order onto my chaos today.
