Use the gifts God gives you wisely.

1 Corinthians 14:1 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives.

Using our God-given gifts for our own purposes shows we have forgotten who gave them to us. This kind of attitude leads to relapse. We will succeed in recovery only through acknowledging what God has done for us, is doing for us and has given to us.

Use your God-given gifts and abilities wisely. Give glory to Him for His daily provision in your daily recovery.

Peer Pressure

John 12:42-43 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

It takes wisdom and patience to survive in a world that doesn't acknowledge God or is concerned with the recovery process. We need to resist the pressures around us. We must not compromise our new found integrity when our friends and associates mock us or tempt us to return to our old ways.

Obedience to the God of all truth needs to become our daily priority as we face everyday pressures.

The consequences of irresponsibility.

Romans 12:8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Many of our troubles are direct consequences of our irresponsibility. When we are irresponsible on our relationship to God and others not only will our own life situation deteriorate but others will also suffer as we fail to do what God created us to do.

As we learn to live responsibly and take responsibility for our own recovery, life and action we will begin to experience the blessing of God and begin sharing them with others.

Learn to live God's way...

2 Timothy 3:16 Every part of Scripture is God- breathed and useful one way or another-- showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way.

Fear and dishonesty

Proverbs 11:3 Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.

Fear and dishonesty are closely related. How we react to moral dilemma often exposes our real motives. We are frequently more worried about getting caught than we are about doing what is right.

If you are worried about getting caught you are probably doing something you shouldn't. Let fear of getting caught be a warning to do 'the right thing'.

Wise Planning

Romans 16:25 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time.

Planning is a responsibility not an option. The only way to avoid relapse is careful planning not to. Without a plan our best laid intentions will be turned to ruin.

God has a plan for every individual and every group of individuals. Taking time to translate His plan into our daily living is a practical action we all must learn and use.

Obeying God

Deuteronomy 30:16 I command you today: Love GOD, your God. Walk in his ways.

Obeying God is on our best interest. God calls us to keep His commands, while reminding us that His laws are not hidden from us or beyond our reach. There are no acceptable excuses for ignoring God's commandments now we know what they are. His laws are written in the Bible and clearly evident in the world around us . Obeying them is reasonable, sensible and beneficial. The most difficult part of obeying God is making the decision to start now.