Filled With Courage and Understanding

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I do this in order that they may be filled with courage and may be drawn together in love, and so have the full wealth of assurance which true understanding brings. In this way they will know God’s secret, which is Christ himself. He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3 GNB

There are poverty-stricken fantasies peddled around which demote Christ. But Christ is the fullness of God, mighty and matchless, set majestically high against all the inferiorities offered by these fantasies. Whatever superiorities men may flaunt and fashion they are unable to redeem humans from sin-ravaged living or remove the inbuilt sin problem.

We may chose to follow notions which portray all sorts of escape routes from our addictions and compulsions but they lead nowhere. God does not force any of us to follow Him. He invites us to ‘turn our wills and our lives’ over to Him. Jesus Christ is the ‘WAY’ ‘In Him alone’ says scripture we find ‘ALL’ that we are looking for.

What The Bible Says

Psalms 25:14 Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises.

Psalms 91:1  We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods.

Daniel 2:22  He reveals things that are deep and secret; he knows what is hidden in darkness, and he himself is surrounded by light.

Matthew 13:35  This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet: “I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.”

A Safe Place

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Our integrity can be put on the line when it comes to recovery. In every area of our lives we need to work at making sure our integrity is maintained or our guilt may lead us to relapse.

I’m finding my way down the road of right living, but how long before you show up? I’m doing the very best I can, and I’m doing it at home, where it counts. Psalms 101:2

HOW MUCH CAN GOD TRUST YOU?

Don’t Judge Others

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My friends, if someone is caught in any kind of wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should set him right; but you must do it in a gentle way. And keep an eye on yourselves, so that you will not be tempted, too. Help carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2

The Bible is clear ‘we should never think we have it all together and don’t need help.’ Neither should we think in recovery ‘our way is the only way.’ God has a plan for each of us. He reveals himself to us all in different ways. What works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for others. The important part of this verse to me, right now is the part tat says “keep an eye on yourselves” Recovery is about working together with God and with others for our common good. It states later in this scripture Galatians 6:4  Let everyone be sure that he is doing his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work well done and won’t need to compare himself with someone else.

People make comparisons for many reasons. Some are happier to point out the mistakes of others in order to boost their own egos. Don’t be like that! EGO stands for ‘Edging God Out.’

As we move forward in the recovery process and grow spiritually we need to remember God is dealing with us all, individually. One of the greatest throw away lines I have heard in a Christian message (and I’ve heard a lot) was Pastor TD Jakes. I can’t even remember what the message was, but what he said was “What if God wants to do something totally different? And He wants to do it through you.”

DON’T ASSUME GOD WANTS TO DO THE SAME WITH OTHER PEOPLE AS HE DID WITH YOU!

Discussion Starter

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Are You In Recovery?

Someone may say, “I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.” But if he doesn’t do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar. But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did. 1 John 2:4-6

In the same way anyone who says “I am in recovery” and doesn’t do what God tells them to do (through prayer, meditation and reading the Bible I have never failed to discern God’s will for my life) is not in recovery. The may be abstaining from their drug of choice. They may even be living a cleaner, more productive life but unless they are doing what God has determined to be His will for their lives they are not in recovery.

Overwhelming Guilt

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Psalms 38:18 I admit that I have done wrong. I am troubled by my sin.

Overwhelmed by guilt I came to recovery. Not because I wanted to but because I had nowhere else to go. Trouble by the mess I had made of my life I wanted to do better. I didn’t want to keep living the lies and the crisis I existed in daily.

The only way out for me was God. Admitting what I had done wrong to Him was one of the greatest reliefs I have ever experienced in my life. To tell him about things I had never told anyone about, and seek His help in changing them was a saving grace in my recovery journey. I held nothing back because I was aware if I failed again I was finished.

Dramatic but true I was troubled by my sin. The solution to the my guilt was confession and repentance.

  • How are you dealing with the guilt?

Prayer: God help me to deal with the guilt. Help me to be honest with You about it and do whatever You prompt me to do to fix it.

Recovery changes lives

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Psalms 32:3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body became weak because I groaned all day long.

Suppressed guilt and shame in my life as a result of how I was living made it impossible for me to live a normal life. All day, every day I searched in vain for an answer to my problems.

Coming into recovery changed that. Just being able to talk about my problems openly and honestly in a safe environment helped me so much to open my mind and heart to God and others. There is nothing I enjoy more in my life today than opportunity to share my experience, strength and hope with people.

A number of years ago a Pastor in the church I attended used to ask me week after week “Archie are you RFA?” I never knew what he was talking about till I asked him weeks later. Ready for Anything!

  • Are you RFA?

Prayer: Lord today let me be ready for anything You prompt me to do and equip me to do it.

Coping With Isolation

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READ: Hebrews 10:22-25

vs22 LET US DRAW NEAR TO GOD

“Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” Romans 5:2

vs23 LET US HOLD ON TO HOPE

Hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Hebrews 6:19

vs24 LET US ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER

“God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13

vs25 LET US NOT GIVE UP MEETING

If we hope to build healthy, growing, spiritual relationships we need to meet with others further along the recovery road than we are. And others who are not as far along as we are. God has high moral standards and we are called to follow His standards.

What The Bible Says

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Psalm 25:10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

Let God change you drop your pride and become willing to let Him lead. When we do that we are ready to experience His healing work in every area of our lives.

Wishing Won’t Make It So

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Proverbs 3:3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.

Regret can be like a two-edged sword. It can pierce our soul and render us repentant sinners, acknowledging our sorrow for our wrongdoings. The other side of regret is getting caught harbouring a bitter spirit because we now we are guilty but unwilling to own up.

In our present circumstances regret is usually associated with our addictions and compulsions. We wish they didn’t exist. We hate the ugliness of it all. Regret lingers the bosom of self-pity.

Wishing life was different won’t make us change. Wishing you didn’t stumble won’t change what is. How serious are Yu about recovery? Are you willing? Ready and able to do what is required to grasp the blessings of God? Seeking joy but sorrow finding.

The Good News! Mercy and truth are found in Jesus Christ. He is the answer to your every need. All you need do is invite Him to help you and commit to following His lead.

Prayer: My prayer today is to be rid f all the nonsense, falseness and casualness. Lord help this prayer be serious and keep me sincere in my desire to know You more.

Change Your Old Habits

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Colossians 3:9 Don’t lie to each other. You have gotten rid of your old way of life and its habits.

Recovery calls for living in accordance with The Twelve Steps, which align with the Word of God.

Through the process of recovery, we have recognised defects and flaws in our character that need to be addressed and changed.

Now that we are telling the truth we need to start and look at ways of changing what we do to line up with our new way of living. God’s way.

People all the time say to me “I don’t know what God wants from me.” The answer is He wants you to love Him and love others. He wants you to listen to Him and to act according to His Word in every area of your life.

  • What bad habits have you changed so far in recovery?
  • What still needs changed?

Fools Despise Wisdom and Discipline. 

DANGEROUS IRRESPONSIBILITY

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Discussion Starter #107

Morning Harmony #109

Just For Today

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What The Bible Says

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