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.

Honour Each Other

Romans 12:10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other.

Giving honour is better than receiving it.

We can honour each other in one of two ways. One involves ulterior motives. Honouring our superiors so they will reward us, out employees so they will work harder, the wealthy so they will contribute to a cause, the powerful so they will use their power for us not against us .

The other way is God's way, which involves love. In recovery we are called to honour people because they have been created in God's image. Because they are a unique contribution to our lives.

If God's way sounds to difficult why not try putting others first for a while and see what happens.

Honesty breeds Trust.

James 5:12 Just say yes or no. Just say what is true. That way, your language can't be used against you.

In our previous existence (living with addiction and compulsion) we obtained reputations for exaggerating or being careless with the truth. Now we have a set of rules (the principles if recovery) which require we always be honest.

Through being honest others will believe us when we offer a simple yes or no. When we avoid lying, carelessness with the truth and omission of facts we become known as someone who is trustworthy.

I'm sure we all want to be trusted. The only way to achieve trust is to live honestly.

Genuine Faith

Matthew 5:20 “I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

There must be genuine faith behind our actions. We must not allow our weaknesses to prevent God from changing our hearts.

God judges our hearts as well as our deeds. It is our heart that determines our true allegiance.

Be just as concerned about you attitudes, which others don't see as you are about your actions they do.

Real caring is returned

Acts 20:36-37 When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good- bye.

You can build strong relationships with others in recovery by sharing, caring, rejoicing and praying with them. You will attract others only by giving yourself to them.

God expects us to care for those in need.

Galatians 4:14 even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself.

The world is often callous to people's pain and misery. Jesus called us to serve the homeless, hungry, sick and imprisoned as if we were serving Him.

In recovery we are called to take special care of those not as far down the road as we are. Sticking with the winners is good advice we all receive in early recovery.

As we grow we become the winners and need to make time for others as they seek to learn from us.

Do you avoid the pain of others or are you willing to care for them as if they we Jesus?

God expects caring that encourages.

Romans 1:6 You are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.

To have an effect in peoples lives, you first need to love them and believe in them. People still caught up in addiction and compulsion won't care how much you know, until they first know how much you care.

As we meet together, share together and walk the road of recovery together we need to let others know how deeply we care about their continued growth.

God cares about us

John 11:35 Then Jesus wept.

John stresses that we have a God who cares. Jesus showed God's concern for us when He wept. Demonstrating that our sorrow and pain effects God. He wants us as an act of recovery to reveal our true feelings to Him, not to hide behind a mask but to be real.

Through facing and sharing our reality God will supply what we need to overcome every hurt we have and will experience. Why? Because He cares!

Caring requires action!

James 1:22 don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Caring is active. It is important to know what God's word says, but it is much more important to obey it. We can measure the effectiveness of our recovery by asking ourselves "does this align with God's word?", "what effect will this have on my attitude and behaviour towards others?.

If the answers are 'YES' and 'POSITIVE' then we are on the right track and should give thanks to God for the changes He us making in us.

Who's the Boss?

Joshua 24:15 If you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve.

Today there is a fairly common resentment towards those in authority and power. Usually those with the resentment desire positions of authority themselves, where they can call the shots and bully others into living life their way.

Having a position of authority however makes you a target for criticism. Criticism that is not always warranted but is a result of our 'human nature'. The best intentions of most of us fail when we succumb to the pressures of self-will.

In recovery we must acknowledge and accept their is only One Boss, and it is not us. It is Jesus Christ. The Boss who lives in our hearts, walks with us daily and guides us continually on the path to sobriety and wholeness.

Choose today to follow Him, if you don't already.

Step 2: God cares about me (1)

John 5:19 the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing.

Caring is a choice. Because He cares about us God made a choice to send Jesus to live out His purpose to 'Save Sinners' via death on the cross. Through unity to God, Jesus lived and died and was raised the way God wanted Him to be.

The first part of Step 2 was about believing and becoming a believer. The second part is about God's care for us in providing Jesus as a means of restoration and identification to Him.

As we identify with Jesus in this step through faith (believing) we must honour Him for who He is and live as He wants us to live. The question is not 'what would Jesus do?' but 'what does Jesus want me to do?'

This Week - B.E.L.I.E.V.E.

☀ BENEFICIAL

1 Corinthians 1:30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.

☀ ENTHUSIASTIC

Ephesians 6:7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

☀ LIVING

1 Corinthians 4:20 the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

☀ INTERNAL
Matthew 5:8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world-- your mind and heart-- put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

☀ ENCOURAGING

Romans 1:12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

☀ VICTORIOUS

1 Corinthians 15:57 Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

☀ EASY

Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light

Are you a believer?

Romans 8:9 if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about.

If you have sincerely trusted God for your recovery and acknowledged Jesus is the One True Higher Power, then the Holy Spirit has come into your life. You won't know He has come if you are waiting for a certain feeling, you will know He has come because Jesus promised He would.

When the Holy Spirit is working in your life you will believe that Jesus is God's Son and eternal life comes through Him (1 John 5:5) you will begin to act as He directs (Romans 8:5). You will find help in daily living through reliance on Him. You will be empowered by Him for service and become a follower of His purpose for your life.

As you do this you will begin to understand how much God's cares about you and will want to give Glory to Him for all He has done, is doing and will do.

Believing doesn't mean a trouble free ride

"In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world." John 16:33

Jesus tells us to expect difficulties in life, but it is possible to grow from them if we 'Depend On God'. Depending on God doesn't mean we have to pretend to be happy when we face difficulty but we should have a positive attitude and outlook to the possibilities for personal growth through it. Tough times teach us perserverance and patience, two essential characteristics to lasting, growing recovery.

Believing doesn't guarantee an easy life.

Job 1:11 Put out your hand against all He has, and He will be cursing you to your face.

Satan attacked Job's motives. Trying to prove Job worshipped God not out of love, but because God had given him so much.

Satan accurately analysed why many people trust God. Fair weather believers follow God only when things are going their way. They live life in WIIFM, 'What's In It For Me'.

Adversity destroys superficial faith. But it also makes true believers dig their roots deeper into God in order to withstand the storms.

To enjoy healthy, growing recovery put you faith firmly into God so you can withstand the storms that will come as you learn this new way if living called - RECOVERY

What we believe is expressed in how we treat outsiders

Ephesians 2:14pFor Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

The circles we mixed in when using were sometimes exclusive. Only admitting others like ourselves. Recovery breaks down those barriers and accepts all people who come seeking to find and maintain spiritual growth. Nothing should keep us from telling others about our 'recovery walk' and the things God has and is doing in and through us.

Build bridges not walls.

God is watching us..

If you knew the most important person in the world was watching you, would you act different? Guess what? He is!

2 Corinthians 2:17 we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.

What we believe is expressed in how we treat each other.

Acts 10:36 This is the message of Good News —that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

The Bible tells us to 'live in peace'. This doesn't eliminate differences of opinion. But through our 'new lives' of faith we should be able to work together despite our differences. In recovery we should be committed to meeting the needs of 'others'.

This commitment to others leads to peace between individuals and in whatever fellowship body we find ourselves in.

Are you at peace with others? If not consider what you can do , with God's help to heal those relatoonahips.

Believing leads to Christ like living.

Colossians 3:17 whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

As we grow in recovery believe more, doubt less we change. Our behaviour becomes more rational. It begins to bring honour to God for what He is doing for us.

In Colossians 3 Paul offers us strategies to help us live for God daily.

1. Imitate Christ's forgiving attitude 3:12
2. Let love guide your life. 3:14
3. Let the peace of Christ rule in your
heart. 3:15
4. Always be thankful. 3:15
5. Keep God's Word in you at all
times. 3:16
6. Live as Christ's representative.

Doing everything in the name of Jesus Christ means bringing honour to God in every aspect of our daily living.

Welcome News

Ezekiel 11:19 I will put a new spirit within you.

It is normal to welcome good news. Only abnormal mentally unbalanced people fail to be affected by something good that is announced that is to their advantage.

God could not have offered anything better than when He announced His personal desire to put a new spirit within any willing heart. With all the misery associated with our past, why do we refuse this gracious position? God has taken the initiative - the offer still stands! Now, if it is going to be - then it is up to me.

It's not enough to believe God exists.

James 2:19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.

It is true good deeds cannot earn salvation, true faith always results in changed life. In recovery we can be led to believe if we just attend meetings, learn the principles of recovery, share our story and acknowledge belief in a Higher Power we will be okay. But the reality is even those who are still using can do those things. True faith involves commitment of your whole self to God.

Believing is more than action

Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.

Our outward actions will not by themselves make us right with God. A right relationship is based on faith - heartfelt inner confidence that God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do. Through continued trust in Him right. attitudes and actions will naturally follow.

Believing includes action

Deuteronomy 27:10 Listen to the Voice of GOD, your God. Keep his commandments.

When we decide to believe in God, we must also decide to follow His ways. Attitude and character changes that occur as a result of learning and applying the principles of recovery also show that we believe in God. Can people see in you the changes God has and is making?

Believing is a confession of the heart

If you declare that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God brought him back to life, you will be savedRomans 10:9

As you grow in recovery and desire to know God better you may ask the question "How do I become a Chrsitian" The verse above gives you a beautiful answer. Declare with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is a risen Lord and you will be saved.

Love is not self-centred

Now you can have real love for everyone because your souls have been cleansed from selfishness and hatred when you trusted Christ to save you: so see to it that you really do love each other warmly, with all your hearts. 1 Peter 1:22

Sincere love involves selfless giving: a self-centred person can't truly love. God's love and forgiveness frees us to take our eyes off of ourselves and helps us to meet the needs of others. By His sacrifice on the cross Jesus showed that He truly loves us. Now that we are in recovery from selfishness we need to follow his example and give ourselves sacrificially to His purpose.

Listen, hear and obey God's commands

Deuteronomy 5:1 “Listen carefully, Israel. Hear the decrees and regulations I am giving you today, so you may learn them and obey them!

Listening carefully involves having quiet time with God, to pray and await His response.

Hearing includes absorbing and accepting information from and about God. Which includes truth we sometimes don't want to absorb and accept.

Obeying means understanding the meaning of God's commands and their implications. Then putting them into action in our daily lives.

All three are essential to a growing relationship with God.

Approved by faith..

Then Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD regarded that faith to be his approval of Abram.Genisis 15:6

It was Abram's faith, not his works that earned him God's approval.Continuation in recovery requires us to trust God more than we trust our ability to do good works.We are all powerless over the pressure of sin, but God can help us with everything if we trust Him. Like Abram, He will approve of us because of our trust in Him, not because we are perfect.

Do you believe?

1 John 5:10 Whoever believes in the Son of God inwardly confirms God's testimony. Whoever refuses to believe in effect calls God a liar, refusing to believe God's own testimony regarding his Son.

When we are caught up in addiction and compulsion we have selective belief. We believe what justifies our using.

Yesterday's post was about sharing what God is doing through testimony. Testimonies, like addictions and compulsions can be used to justify us.

We must be truthful when sharing with others the things God has done otherwise we can lead them the wrong way with good intentions.

Our scripture today tells us if we believe inwardly we confirm the testimony of God. More importantly we must also believe inwardly in our own testimonies in order to be the people God calls us to be.

Share what God is doing!

Jonah entered the city and walked for about a day. Then he said, “In forty days Nineveh will be destroyed.”The people of Nineveh believed God. They decided to fast, and everyone, from the most important to the least important, dressed in sackcloth. Jonah 3:4-5

If we simply acknowledge what God has and is doing in our lives we ay be surprised how many people and who might listen. When we first arrive in recovery we want to keep what we are learning and what is happening to ourselves. Sometime from embarassment that we are now relying on God and not on ourselves. Sometime from selfishness and fear 'if we share it we will lose it'.

But God wants us to share what He is doing in and through us with others. There are people whom He is bringing into our lives so we can 'make a difference' for in their lives bt introducing them to personal relationship with Him.

Who are we that we should prevent someone from having the opportunity to experience God's love for themselves?

We need friends

Proverbs 27:10 Never abandon a friend.

Friends are an important recovery resource. We all need people we can be honest with, knowing they won't abandon us. People who will stick by is in times of crisis. We should also be there for them when they need us. Friends are our own support network in recovery. The people who have our best interest at heart.

Spiritual preparation is active

Therefore, be alert, because you don’t know on what day your Lord will return.Matthew 24:42

God asks us to spend time taking care of His people and doing His work both in recovery and outside it. Living responsibly makes others want what we have. Telling our story is good spiritual preparation for God to use us outside of recovery in influencing others for Him.

No shame on change.

Isaiah 50:7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.

We are encouraged to persevere in recovery because God is close to us, defending us. As we grow others with whom we are in relationship may become uncomfortable with the changes they see in us. They may even oppose the changes. It is important that we stand firm in our resolve to follow God and not be ashamed of the people we are becoming through relationship with Him. We will triumph because God is on our side. (Isaiah 50:9)

God's escape plan!

Exodus 14:13 Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today.

Moses had a positive attitude. When his people were hostile and despairing he encouraged them to stop! watch! and wait on God! As we move forward in recovery we are chased by many things from our past and can feel trapped by them, instead of giving on to despair, we should adopt Moses' attitude to 'stand firm' and watch as God opens up His escape plans to us.

Helpful Affirmation

1 Corinthians 1:4 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.

It is important in recovery for us to have an accountability partner. That person needs to be someone who will give us helpful affirmation. Acknowledging what we are doing right, as well as areas where we may be struggling.

If we are in the position of being that person for another and we have to point out areas of concern we should always lead with what God has already accomplished in them.

Comfort in Trials

Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, comfort my people,”
says your God.

When your life seems to be falling apart, ask God to comfort you. You may not escape pain and suffering but to may find God's comfort as you go through it. Appreciate the comfort and encouragement found in God's word, His presence and His people.

Warning Signs

Isaiah 8:18 I stand my ground and hope,
I and the children GOD gave me as signs to Israel, Warning signs and hope signs from GOD- of- the- Angel- Armies.

All of us receive 'warning signs' things are not right on our lives. When we do we need to take notice of them. Denial of the truth can be disastrous. When we are honest with ourselves and others we can see what we are doing wrong and with God's help make it right.

Honesty breedsTrust

James 5:12 brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

If we have constantly lied it will be difficult to get others to believe we have changed based on our word alone. But, we must continue honestly on recovery.

Through commitment to recovery and honesty others will believe what has occurred in and through and come to see us as trustworthy people.

Live a disciplined life.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

The essential disciplines of prayer, studying God's word and worship equip us to grow with vigor and stamina. Don't just watch others seek and obtain lasting recovery through personal relationship with God. Don't begin recovery and give up before you experience the joy and peace God has in store for you. Live a disciplined, intentional life of recovery.

Your spiritual progress depends on it.

If things are moving to slow - just let go

Matthew 10:39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

The only way to find life and get control of it is to submit to God. Living for self will enslave us in destructive attitudes and behaviours. By turning to God we allow Him to cleanse our past and show us a way forward to future success. As we obey Him we will find meaning.

Respect one another

Proverbs 19:11 Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.

We are not in control of others. Sometimes behaviour we don't agree with displayed by others can cause us to be disrespectful or unkind.

In recovery we will come across all sorts of people in all sorts of circumstances. We need to learn to look upon them, regardless of their condition or circumstances as fellow travellers on the road to recovery. We must show them the same love and respect that God and others have shown to us. Be kind to them as we grow together spiritually.

Let God Lead

Psalms 25:9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.

When we come into recovery we set our lives on a totally different direction than we are used to. Learning to think differently, act differently and live differently is not easy for most of us. Following God's plan requires us to live lives that are responsive and obedient to His word. Are you ready to let God lead?

The Golden Rule

Matthew 7:12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

Recovery is for everybody. We need to welcome everyone who is honestly struggling with their problems. The Bible calls us to treat others how we want them to treat us.

Confess sin rather than excuse it.

It is easier to blame others or our circumstances for our wrong doings. Trying to excuse sin rather than confess it is just avoiding responsibility for our actions and attitudes. God wants us to display rigorous honesty on recovery. To do so we must become willing to confess our sin, accept responsibility for our wrongs and ask God for forgiveness.

James 1:13-14 remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me. ” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

Misunderstood

1 Timothy 3:16 Christian life is a great mystery, far exceeding our understanding, but some things are clear enough: He appeared in a human body,
was proved right by the invisible Spirit,
was seen by angels. He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, believed in all over the world, taken up into heavenly glory.

Jesus Christ was misunderstood and misread. He was not only a perfect Man, but perfect God. He was incarnate goodness. If we esteem Him highly and properly we will want to imitate Him. Self effort alone will not be enough in this task. It is only possible to achieve Christ likeness by receiving the Holy Spirit into our very being.

In recovery we to will find ourselves misunderstood and misread. The Good News for us is God understands all about us and He will supply everything we need to become the people He created us to be.

Believe what the Bible says

Romans 8:1 With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being- here- for- us no longer have to live under a continuous, low- lying black cloud.

It is necessary for personal relationship with God that we believe what the Word of God says. We can take to heart His promises and be relieved of that black cloud that has been troubling us.

Faith on God gives us a sense of freedom we have never experienced before.

Never Give Up

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

Sometimes we are tempted to give up on people or situations that have not changed for a long time. God can change the unchangeable, giving new purpose and hope.

Learn from opposition

Luke 10:3 Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.

Evil forces are always working against us. Uncertainty is one of Satan's favorite tools. We are sent by God into situations where we are like lambs among wolves. In these situations God wants us to stand firm and be committed to the task at hand . We will be victorious if we constantly depend on God.

What is the source of your confidence?

We can be confident of victory only if we put our trust in God and not in ourselves. Because God places such value on us we need never fear personal threats or difficult trials. God will supply all we need to overcome. Expect some negative reaction to your recovery and remember to be more concerned about serving God and others than we are with the negative reactions. We are on a new path. God's path to recovery.

2 Corinthians 1:10 He rescued us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.

God is our helper.

Psalms 121:2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

Romans 10:14 But how can I call on him to save me unless I believe in him? And how can I believe in him if I have never heard about him? And how can I hear about him unless someone tells me about Him?

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.

God alone gives us victory.

God watches over us day and night.

God guards us against threats of destruction in our recovery.

God is our helper!

Put yourself in God's hands!

2 Samuel 16:5-8 As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, “Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel! ” he shouted at David. “The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul’s clan. You stole his throne, and now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer! ”

For thirty years of successful, sacrificial leadership David got stones and curses. But He put himself in God's hands, trusting that God would do what was right. As we experience failure in life we to need to put ourselves in God's hands believing He will always do what is best for us.

Who is your Master?

Amos 8:4-6 Listen to this, you who rob the poor and trample down the needy! You can’t wait for the Sabbath day to be over and the religious festivals to end so you can get back to cheating the helpless. You measure out grain with dishonest measures and cheat the buyer with dishonest scales. And you mix the grain you sell with chaff swept from the floor. Then you enslave poor people for one piece of silver or a pair of sandals.

We must decide who our master will be. God who offers eternal life and peace or money and material possessions.

Resist Temptation

Stay awake, and pray that you won’t be tempted. You want to do what’s right, but you’re weak. Matthew 26:41

Stumbling in recovery is normal and can be character building. At first we may stumble a lot, but as we grow we stronger. As we get stronger the frequency of stumbling lessens. Eventually we are able to resist temptation and be transformed from weakling to people of strong character.

When you stumble remember you have not failed. Failure only occurs when you give up on recovery and stop trying to change.

I remember a time whilst on the 'Bridge Programme' in 1988 I drank. We had gone as a group to Strathalbyn and three of us went to the local pub. I knew it was wrong, but did it anyway. After 2 or 3 drinks I stopped and went back to the programme. The other 2 guys didn't. A counsellor on the programme knew I had drank but really didn't want to go back to that life and gave me a chance.As a result I am still sober today, living God's plan for my life. The other two guys? Who knows .........

Work the steps - THEY WORK!!

"Blessed are those whose disobedience is forgiven and whose sins are pardoned. Blessed is the person whom the Lord no longer considers sinful.” Romans 4:7-8

Each of the steps we take in recovery are an act of faith. As we faithfully work each step we experience God's forgivenss and joy.

The LORD says,“I will instruct you.I will teach you the way that you should go.I will advise you as my eyes watch over you.Psalm 32:8

God is essential

God is essential in recovery in our lives. If you remove Him from the twelve steps you are life with one. Admittance you have a problem and life is unmanageable. All of us need to accept responsfor the things we have done in the past, Then, turn to God for forgiveness and restoration.

Psalm 69: 5-8 God, you know my stupidity,and the things of which I am guilty are not hidden from you. Do not let those who wait with hope for you be put to shame because of me, O Almighty LORD of Armies.Do not let those who come to you for help be humiliated because of me, O God of Israel. Indeed, for your sake I have endured insults.Humiliation has covered my face.I have become a stranger to my own brothers,a foreigner to my mother’s sons.