Tag: Rest

Discussion Starter #101

10th April 2020 aeboyle 2020, April,, Discussion Starters Comments Off on Discussion Starter #101

Action Is The Magic Word

Think straight. Awaken to the holiness of life. No more playing fast and loose with resurrection facts. Ignorance of God is a luxury you can’t afford in times like these. Aren’t you embarrassed that you’ve let this kind of thing go on as long as you have? 1 Corinthians 15:34

During the time I spent in Alcoholics Anonymous I learned how to talk right in the fellowship. How to say the right things, attend the right meetings and mix with the right people to be seen to be doing well. I wasn’t but anyone you asked about me would tell you “Archie, yeah he’s doing well.”

Recovery has nothing to do with what we say and everything to do with how we act and react.

Whilst in A.A. I read a very good book called ‘Sobriety and Beyond’ by Father John Doe. A book I am reading again at the moment There is a chapter in the book headed ‘Action is the Magic Word’ I believe that book is what set me on the path of looking for God’s inclusion in my recovery.

My own experience of recovery is that without His power there is no recovery.

#Work #Experience #Rest

Discussion Starter

How is God working in your recovery?


GOD CARES ABOUT WHAT WE DO
Ecclesiastes 12:14 Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it’s good or evil.

DO YOUR BEST WITH WHAT
YOU HAVE
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever you do, do well, for in death, where you are going, there is no working or planning, or knowing, or understanding.

TAKE TIME TO REST
Mark 6:31 Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.”

Prayer: Lord help me today to realise You are the power behind all recovery

What The Bible Says

29th February 2020 aeboyle 2020, February, Step 3 Comments Off on What The Bible Says

DISCIPLESHIP ~ What The Bible Says

“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.

#Rest #Burden #Discipleship

What The Bible Says

30th November 2019 aeboyle 2019, November, What The Bible Says Comments Off on What The Bible Says

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. . . . Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. We have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. #Right #Rest #Peace

Thought For Today

30th November 2019 aeboyle 2019, Living Life Recovery, November Comments Off on Thought For Today

Rest is Important

Psalms 127:2 It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?

  • Rest is an important ingredient in the recovery process.
  • Rest is important in maintaining balance in our lives. We live in a world where there always seems to be too much to do.
  • Rest is an important part of God’s plan for us. On the seventh day God rested not because He was tired, but to indicate the task was complete. Our full and complete rest begins when we trust Him to complete the task He has begun in our lives through the process of recovery. #Rest #Recovery #Balance

 

 

 

RELAPSE

22nd October 2019 aeboyle 2019, October, Recovery Comments Off on RELAPSE

We are all the most vulnerable to relapse when life is going well. When things are going well we tend to stop listening to God because we think we can now handle things on our own. We start to neglect to go to meetings, reading the Bible, praying and doing other things we used to do when we were first introduced to recovery.

Complacency leads to relapse. God is the source of power for all recovery; success in recovery needs to be accredited to Him and what He is doing in and through us and our lives. Failure to acknowledge Him will lead to relapse

Disappointment can lead to relapse. When things don’t go the way, we think they should we are left at a crossroads, with two choices. Keep moving forward or go backward. When things don’t go the way we think they should we need to become actively involved in changing them.

Pride leads to relapse. Arrogance disqualifies us from moving forward in recovery. Self-sufficiency and superiority are killers in the process.

 

PRIDE

  1.  Pride lures us away from God
  2. Pride undermines what we have learned
  3. Pride distorts our views of ourselves – God – others – recovery

 

SELFISHNESS

  1. Selfishness is a rejection of God and all He represents
  2. Selfishness is self-destructive
  3. Selfishness is at the heart of most of our problems

 

COMPLACENCY

  1. Stops us relying on God
  2. Stops us asking for help when we need it
  3. Removes us from the recovery process

 

DISTRACTION

  1. Distraction stops us being consistent
  2. Distraction lowers our awareness of our true position
  3. Distraction stops us trusting God

 

PREVENTING RELAPSE


COMMITMENT TO GOD

  1. Must be complete
  2. Must be consistent
  3. Must be lifelong
  4. Must put Him first and above all else

 

COMMITMENT TO OTHERS

  1. Should not compromise our recovery
  2. Should reflect our relationship with God
  3. Should encourage both us and those we are in relationship with

 

Scripture

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So, when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with You, and even to die with You.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know Me.” Luke 22:31-34

It is easy to lose faith when things go wrong. As we experience problems in recovery we may feel our recovery is worthless and no longer worthwhile. We may get angry at God because He is not doing what we think He should. Peter suffered the worst relapse. Complacently believing He would never do anything to deny his relationship with Jesus. “I’d rather die”, he said.

  • Why in the recovery process are we surprised when it gets difficult? Why do we think because we are in recovery and have God in our lives everything is going to be easy?

 

ACROSTIC

Reserve a daily quiet time

  • Time to pray
  • Time to read the Bible
  • Time to meditate on God’s Word

 

Evaluate

  • How are you going?
  • Where are you in the recovery process?
  • Is there something or things you need to change

 

Listen to Jesus

  • How’s your prayer life?
  • How’s your obedience
  • Are you avoiding something?

 

Alone and quiet time

  • Time to relax
  • Time to rest
  • Time to do something you enjoy

 

Plug into God’s power

  • How is your connection?
  • Are you letting God lead?
  • How’s your obedience?

 

Slow down

  • Are you doing too much?
  • When was your last day off?
  • How is your time balanced?

 

Enjoy your growth

  • How disciplined are you?
  • How have you changed in the last twelve months?
  • When did you last celebrate your recovery?

 

 

 

4o Days of Recovery ~ Day 31

7th March 2019 aeboyle 2019, March Comments Off on 4o Days of Recovery ~ Day 31

 

 

 

One day he [Jesus] was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” So he said, “When you pray, say, Father, Reveal who you are. Set the world right. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.” Luke 11:1-4 

 

Father reveal who you are. When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say, Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” He pressed them, “And how about you? Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:13-15

An old Scotsman I used to work with at the Salvation Army no matter what he was talking to people about always managed to ask the question of people “Where is God in your life?” Jesus asked His disciples “Who do you say I am?” Two great questions. When was the last time in your prayer life you asked God to Reveal who He is?

 

Set the world right. We spend so much time and energy trying to fix the world and failing. We continually beat ourselves up because we can’t be the person we should be, the person we want to be. Jesus said, “Come to me and I will give you rest.” When was the last time you went to Jesus and asked Him to Set the world right?

 

Keep us alive with three square meals. We skimp and we scrape wishing we had things we don’t need. We work to support lives dominated by things that bring us temporary satisfaction. “Woe to you, Pharisees, and you religious leaders—hypocrites! You are so careful to polish the outside of the cup, but the inside is foul with extortion and greed.
Matthew 23:25 When was the last time you depended on God instead of your own selfish desires and greed?

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. We spend so much time resenting life, resenting others and resenting God. Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 When was the last time you boldly stepped out in faith, knowing that God has you covered? When did you last forgive yourself? When did you last forgive someone else? Resentment kills!

 

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. The biggest stumbling block in most of our recoveries is ourselves/ Yes the devil plays a part but mostly he uses our own stinking thinking and unbelief to bring us unstuck.  When did you last ask God to keep you safe from self-destruction and the grasp of the devil?

 

 

 

 

#2080 My Daily Devotions

28th November 2018 aeboyle 2018, Devotions, November Comments Off on #2080 My Daily Devotions

SerenityThe Storm Forms

If you are easily offended, you’ll always struggle. All authority is God-sent. Most storms come when we’re offended by someone, especially those in authority over us. When acting as the hands and feet of Jesus, serving others, it’s critical to know you cannot be effective and offended at the same time. Offense will hinder you from seeing the truth and loving another into recovery.

Whenever you stumble over Jesus, you’re amid a self-induced storm. Your entire perspective changes and knocks you off track of what God has for you, and where he desires to take you.

It’s critical when feeling offended, and you will, to go directly to the source and talk to them about it. Don’t run to others and spread the poison. If rehearsed and enabled, offense will become part of your response to just about everything, and the only person it truly hurts is you.

Lord, I’m grateful to know storms come when I’m feeling offended. I pray I will go to the source whenever offense comes, to talk about it and give it to you. Amen.

 MATTHEW 11:6

 

Resting in God
Bible Reading: John 14:12-14 devotional


WE SOUGHT THROUGH PRAYER AND MEDITATION TO IMPROVE OUR CONSCIOUS CONTACT WITH GOD, PRAYING ONLY FOR KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL FOR US AND THE POWER TO CARRY IT OUT

We may have lived most of our lives trying to take care of our own needs. Our addictive behaviours may have been misplaced attempts to accomplish this very thing. Once we’ve given up our addictions, it’s still hard to rely on others to do things for us, even when we don’t have the power to handle them ourselves. This tendency to avoid reliance on others may come into play in our prayer lives, making it hard for us to depend on God.

Jesus told his disciples, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” (John 14:12-14)

Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and earth to do anything. He demonstrated this throughout his life by the mighty miracles he performed. We may feel that it would take a miracle to deal with some of our unresolved issues. But we may also be afraid of being disappointed if we rely on God to meet our needs. Jesus has given us an open door and strong assurances that there’s no need too big or too small. We really can rely on him for anything

When our requests are in line with God’s will, he promises to answer.

 

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DAY 328
Facing Our Fears

 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. ” JOSHUA 1:9

A while back, a woman in our recovery group told me that she had faced one of her fears. “It wasn’t a very big one,” she added. I urged her to tell me more, and she did.

“I’m afraid of bugs. I can’t even bear to touch one,” she told me. “But the other day there were some crickets in my house. I tried to shoo them out, which didn’t work. I thought about squashing them, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Finally, I couldn’t think of any other way to get them out except to catch them and carry them outside. That was so hard, but I did it. I could feel them moving in my closed hand, and I almost lost it, but I held on until I was outside. Afterward, I felt good about facing my fear, even if it was just a small one.” while back, a woman in our recovery group told me that she had faced one of her fears. “It wasn’t a very big one,” she added. I urged her to tell me more, and she did.

“There’s no such thing as a small fear,” I told her. “All our fears are big. Anytime we overcome one of them, we come away better prepared for the next hurdle in our lives. We know for a fact that victory is possible. I can’t wait to see what you’re going to tackle next!”

In a way, we grow by going from fear to fear. With each victory, we gain courage and confidence until we become fearless, able to do without hesitation all God asks of us.

PRAYER

Father, I want to be fearless, but I’m still pretty fearful. Help me as I strive to conquer one fear at a time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

#328 OBSERVE HOW YOU LIVE Daily Reflection Cover A5

1 John 1:7 We walk in the light, just as he is in the light. Then we share life with one another. And the blood of Jesus, his Son, makes us pure from all sin.

 Our light is a reflection of Christ’s presence in our lives. He helps us to see our way and God shows us how to walk in His way. In the process of recovery, we are never to present ourselves as the light to others, but to always point them to personal relationship with Jesus.

The light of Jesus truth is revealed in and through our lives as we put into practice all we have learned through recovery. The truth of His involvement in our lives becomes evident to others when they get to know us and observe how we live.

  • Do your actions align with what you say about your recovery?

 

Prayer:  Lord today as I mix with others let my actions marry up with what I say.

God Has a Plan

7th October 2018 aeboyle 2018, Living Life Recovery, October Comments Off on God Has a Plan

Jeremiah 29:11 says  “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Do you know God’s plan for your life? If you do What are you doing to make His plan your reality in daily living?

My name is Archie and I am recovered alcoholic. Recovered through the saving grace of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit living in and through my life on a daily basis. Words I have spoken thousands of times since I have been involved in recovery since 1987 and as a Christian since 1989. Words that I wonder “Do people really understand.” Do people realize what I have gone through to become the person I am today?

Right now in my life for the first time in many, many years I am not involved in or leading a recovery group. Circumstances in my life have led me to have to withdraw from involvement. Exhausted through the demands of my life I stopped and I prayed the same prayer I have prayed for many, many years “Lord show me the next step.”  What came was the verse 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.” So for the last few weeks, I have been resting, learning from Jesus how to “take a real rest.”

The last time I took such a rest was 3 years ago when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. During that time I learned to rely on God and lean on Him more than I have ever done in my life. At that time, inspired by the Holy Spirit I also wrote a book of 365 recovery thoughts. Initially written under the title ‘Discussion Starters for Recovery Leaders.’ The book now finished but never published is now the product of many of my blog posts on Living Life Recovery  under the topic heading ‘Living Life Recovery Reflections.’

Since taking that last rest, writing that book and learning from God how to‘recover my life.’ I now feel encouraged, with the Holy Spirits prompting to write another book. Based on the Twelve Steps of Living Life Recovery 

I also want, eventually to write my autobiography but that’s an ongoing project that will take more time than I have right now.

The title of the new book is Recovery is a Choice! Many, many people enter the recovery process, unaware of what it is all about, of what they need to do to achieve and maintain lasting successful recovery. My hope in writing this book is it will help me to fulfill God’s purpose for my life, which I believe is ‘to introduce others to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through understanding and applying the Twelve Steps of Living Life Recovery to their lives.’
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“I Will Give You Rest”

29th April 2018 aeboyle 2018, April,, Living Life Recovery Comments Off on “I Will Give You Rest”

You have created us for Yourself,
and our heart cannot be stilled till it finds rest in You.

logo_transparent_bgEverybody needs recovery. But recovery for us all looks different to that of other people. Some of us find it in Alcoholics Anonymous, some in Narcotics Anonymous. others in Celebrate Recovery some of us through other support groups. The bottom line, however, is “All groups lead to a relationship with God”

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Proverbs 16:9 says “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”
Proverbs 20:24  says “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?”

The Message Bible in Matthew 11:28-30 says “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. 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.”

I have heard people over many years of recovery use Matthew 11:28 like it’s a get out of jail free card. But it isn’t. Jesus is pretty clear when He says “I will show you how to do it.” “Walk with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”

Everyone needs recovery and many people get it in many different ways but if you want real rest through the process there is one way I know to get it and its found in John 14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.”

  • Rest is important to maintaining life balance
  • Rest is an important part of God’s ultimate plan
  • Rest is a gift from God

Hebrews 4:9-11 There is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

Emptiness sometimes follows spiritual success

23rd December 2017 aeboyle 2017, December Comments Off on Emptiness sometimes follows spiritual success

1 Kings 19:3-4 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

Elijah experienced emptiness after spiritual victory. Defeating the prophets of Baal and answered prayer for rain.

In our lives, emptiness sometimes also follows spiritual success. Yesterday was my last day at work for 2017. For the next couple of weeks, I don’t have work or recovery meetings to focus and leaving work today that made me feel a bit empty. And then I remembered Matthew 11:28  which says  “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” 

It is important for us all in the process of recovery to remember it is important to take time to rest and refresh. God’s plans and purpose for our lives are life-long and to accomplish it we need to take time to take care of our physical, spiritual and emotional health.

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