John 3:1-21 (NLT)
There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”
Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
“How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.
Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Power of the Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self control. This reads like a wish list for those of us in recovery. We have spent years either chasing down these things in vain or arrogantly pushing them away. Some of us choose to begin drinking or using because we (or someone we cared for) lacked these things. So we looked to find them in our addictions. If you’re reading this now, you know all too well that you can’t achieve these things with self will or by your own power. You can’t even achieve them through a person or a particular group. And the reason we can’t is this- we are all human. And we suffer from the human condition.
There is good news though! We are able both to get and give these things when we allow God to fully redeem us and take control of our lives. The most beautiful gift we’re offered, salvation, goes hand and hand with another promise- the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, or God’s Spirit within us, will come in and dwell where welcomed. While this may sound scary (or you’ve seen the Spirit and its gifts abused by religious reprobates), it’s the greatest thing you can receive in this life. It means God is in control of your life. You can love unconditionally. You can have joy in the midst of ALL circumstances. You can have peace regardless of your past. You can personify patience to yourself and others. You can display kindness to your enemies. You can be gentle in situations smothered by pain. And you can possess self control of the cravings, desires, and lusts of this weak flesh.
That alone is cause enough to seek His Spirit in your life. And the power of the Holy Spirit residing in you and doing these things is but the tip of the iceberg. His Spirit is strongest when we are at our weakest. It will give you the courage to do anything. Ask Charles, who could never read that well. But empowered by the Holy Spirit, boldly volunteered to read the Scripture and devotional daily. Imagine what you could do if you truly sought, and listened to, God’s Spirit.
Discussion Questions:
1. Write down the fruits of the Spirit and place it where you look the most (desk, car dashboard, tool box, the mirror, the tv…)
2. Every time you look at them, say a quiet prayer that the Holy Spirit plant their seeds in your life
3. After looking and praying, get about the business of practicing them in your every -day- walking -around life
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self control. This reads like a wish list for those of us in recovery. We have spent years either chasing down these things in vain or arrogantly pushing them away. Some of us choose to begin drinking or using because we (or someone we cared for) lacked these things. So we looked to find them in our addictions. If you’re reading this now, you know all too well that you can’t achieve these things with self will or by your own power. You can’t even achieve them through a person or a particular group. And the reason we can’t is this- we are all human. And we suffer from the human condition.
There is good news though! We are able both to get and give these things when we allow God to fully redeem us and take control of our lives. The most beautiful gift we’re offered, salvation, goes hand and hand with another promise- the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, or God’s Spirit within us, will come in and dwell where welcomed. While this may sound scary (or you’ve seen the Spirit and its gifts abused by religious reprobates), it’s the greatest thing you can receive in this life. It means God is in control of your life. You can love unconditionally. You can have joy in the midst of ALL circumstances. You can have peace regardless of your past. You can personify patience to yourself and others. You can display kindness to your enemies. You can be gentle in situations smothered by pain. And you can possess self control of the cravings, desires, and lusts of this weak flesh.
That alone is cause enough to seek His Spirit in your life. And the power of the Holy Spirit residing in you and doing these things is but the tip of the iceberg. His Spirit is strongest when we are at our weakest. It will give you the courage to do anything. Ask Charles, who could never read that well. But empowered by the Holy Spirit, boldly volunteered to read the Scripture and devotional daily. Imagine what you could do if you truly sought, and listened to, God’s Spirit.
Discussion Questions:
1. Write down the fruits of the Spirit and place it where you look the most (desk, car dashboard, tool box, the mirror, the tv…)
2. Every time you look at them, say a quiet prayer that the Holy Spirit plant their seeds in your life
3. After looking and praying, get about the business of practicing them in your every -day- walking -around life
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Forgiveness, Humility, Mercy
James 4:6-10 (NLT)
But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
From your time in recovery (whether you are just beginning the journey or are a life-long seeker), you’re aware most stories end tragically. A worst case scenario is overdose, death, or suicide. Most simply relapse back into the cycle of addiction, go homeless, or suffer with severe depression. A few, however, manage to truly change and, with the help of Jesus, come to understand the full extent of His love, mercy, and forgiveness. These are the stories I enjoy hearing and sharing the most.
Several of the guys who have come through the program failed to finish and are thus welcomed back a second time. Among those was Joel. The first time around, Joel knew all the right answers and did what he had to get by. The result: he left early, wrestling with his pride and its deceiving him into believing he was ready for the world. The second time Joel walked through the Arms of Mercy’s doors was a completely different story. Refusing to fall prey to pride, he returned like the prodigal son, humbled by a compassionate God and a cruel world. It was the genuine humility of a broken man. Not someone expending energy to hide things. He read about, was shown, and lived in the forgiveness of Jesus. This Jesus who will forgive you as many times as necessary. This Jesus who shows mercy, not judgment, to us in our time of weakness. This Jesus who loves you just as you are- but also loves you too much to let you stay that way.
The most beautiful thing about these three things is that they’re free through Jesus. Or rather, the price has already been paid. When sin demanded a death, Jesus willing laid his life down for you and your recovery. When blood had to be shed, Jesus stepped up and removed his divine robe. When a sacrifice was required, he stretched out his arms and refused to hide or run away. Three days later, the victory was won. Now all we must do is open our hands and hearts.
Discussion Questions:
1. In your own words, define humility.
2. Is humility part of your relationship with Jesus? Others?
3. What are some things you can do today to make you a more humble person?
But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
From your time in recovery (whether you are just beginning the journey or are a life-long seeker), you’re aware most stories end tragically. A worst case scenario is overdose, death, or suicide. Most simply relapse back into the cycle of addiction, go homeless, or suffer with severe depression. A few, however, manage to truly change and, with the help of Jesus, come to understand the full extent of His love, mercy, and forgiveness. These are the stories I enjoy hearing and sharing the most.
Several of the guys who have come through the program failed to finish and are thus welcomed back a second time. Among those was Joel. The first time around, Joel knew all the right answers and did what he had to get by. The result: he left early, wrestling with his pride and its deceiving him into believing he was ready for the world. The second time Joel walked through the Arms of Mercy’s doors was a completely different story. Refusing to fall prey to pride, he returned like the prodigal son, humbled by a compassionate God and a cruel world. It was the genuine humility of a broken man. Not someone expending energy to hide things. He read about, was shown, and lived in the forgiveness of Jesus. This Jesus who will forgive you as many times as necessary. This Jesus who shows mercy, not judgment, to us in our time of weakness. This Jesus who loves you just as you are- but also loves you too much to let you stay that way.
The most beautiful thing about these three things is that they’re free through Jesus. Or rather, the price has already been paid. When sin demanded a death, Jesus willing laid his life down for you and your recovery. When blood had to be shed, Jesus stepped up and removed his divine robe. When a sacrifice was required, he stretched out his arms and refused to hide or run away. Three days later, the victory was won. Now all we must do is open our hands and hearts.
Discussion Questions:
1. In your own words, define humility.
2. Is humility part of your relationship with Jesus? Others?
3. What are some things you can do today to make you a more humble person?
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Making Excuses
Luke 6:39-42 (NLT)
Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
Of the many blind spots I once possessed (and sometimes still do) and one I witness almost daily at the shelter, is the need to make excuses. As addicts and alcoholics, we make excuses constantly to escape, or remain in, the comfortable throes of our addictions. We claim it isn’t our fault, we were innocent victims of dysfunctional families, circumstances spiraled beyond our control and shaped us, an overbearing spouse or the unsympathetic employer who drove us to it, life expects too much, God has abandoned us to our fate. We say and do anything to excuse our self-inflicted misery to avoid confession and accountability.
The excuses we use to wreak havoc on our recovery never cease to amaze me. To show how petty we can be, consider the story of Stan. The Louisiana native came to us hooked on a pharmacy full of pills. Making matters worse, he worked in the medical community before getting addicted and getting his license revoked. On entering, he left us for three days of detox at Solutions. Upon his return, he had a couple of good days before the itch hit again. As we watched with sadness, he fell into a freefall. He would talk about his allergies and how bad they were and how he desperately needed Benedryl to ease his suffering. In his predicament, the meds would have only done him damage and Major disallowed his use of the drug. This only exacerbated the problem- in his eyes. And the excuses followed: Major was inhumane not to give him medicine, his system would shut down without the soothing sweetness of the pink liquid, this program wasn’t doing him any good anyway, Jason didn’t know as much as he thinks he does. These types of things. It’s no real surprise he left a few days later.
Making excuses was part of our old way of life. If we find ourselves starting down that path, it should send up red flags of warning, showing us the danger of our situation. To combat our excuses, we should instead accept responsibility, confess our true powerlessness, and humbly seek help- from God first and then from others We can find the strength to stop letting the excuses roll and allow the healing to continue.
Discussion Questions:
1. How do you respond to adversity? Do you make excuses or point fingers?
2. Describe the last situation in which you had the opportunity to take responsibility or make excuses. Which did you choose?
3. List three excuses you’ve been making and pray that GOD help you take responsibility for those. Then follow through. (Example: Excuse-The Bible seems overwhelming to read. Accepting Responsibility- I will read small parts of the Bible daily. Like one Psalm a day.)
Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
Of the many blind spots I once possessed (and sometimes still do) and one I witness almost daily at the shelter, is the need to make excuses. As addicts and alcoholics, we make excuses constantly to escape, or remain in, the comfortable throes of our addictions. We claim it isn’t our fault, we were innocent victims of dysfunctional families, circumstances spiraled beyond our control and shaped us, an overbearing spouse or the unsympathetic employer who drove us to it, life expects too much, God has abandoned us to our fate. We say and do anything to excuse our self-inflicted misery to avoid confession and accountability.
The excuses we use to wreak havoc on our recovery never cease to amaze me. To show how petty we can be, consider the story of Stan. The Louisiana native came to us hooked on a pharmacy full of pills. Making matters worse, he worked in the medical community before getting addicted and getting his license revoked. On entering, he left us for three days of detox at Solutions. Upon his return, he had a couple of good days before the itch hit again. As we watched with sadness, he fell into a freefall. He would talk about his allergies and how bad they were and how he desperately needed Benedryl to ease his suffering. In his predicament, the meds would have only done him damage and Major disallowed his use of the drug. This only exacerbated the problem- in his eyes. And the excuses followed: Major was inhumane not to give him medicine, his system would shut down without the soothing sweetness of the pink liquid, this program wasn’t doing him any good anyway, Jason didn’t know as much as he thinks he does. These types of things. It’s no real surprise he left a few days later.
Making excuses was part of our old way of life. If we find ourselves starting down that path, it should send up red flags of warning, showing us the danger of our situation. To combat our excuses, we should instead accept responsibility, confess our true powerlessness, and humbly seek help- from God first and then from others We can find the strength to stop letting the excuses roll and allow the healing to continue.
Discussion Questions:
1. How do you respond to adversity? Do you make excuses or point fingers?
2. Describe the last situation in which you had the opportunity to take responsibility or make excuses. Which did you choose?
3. List three excuses you’ve been making and pray that GOD help you take responsibility for those. Then follow through. (Example: Excuse-The Bible seems overwhelming to read. Accepting Responsibility- I will read small parts of the Bible daily. Like one Psalm a day.)
Monday, August 27, 2012
Connecting with God in “Other” Ways
John 4:7-14 (NLT)
Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”
Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
We are all different. Different people. Different backgrounds. Different flaws. Different gifts. Different addictions. You get the picture…
Because we are different, our recoveries and the aspects that make them up can also be very different. Twelve Steps works for some people. While others find healing in the Biblical principles. Like Jesus Himself, we cannot assume our recovery is going to fit in a nice little box or be exactly like another man’s who is sitting across the table from you. Jesus learned and shared the Gospel using different methods so that all might find hope. Remember how you came to know Christ (or at least heard of Him)? Maybe it was because you saw someone living it out in front of you. Perhaps you have witnessed colorful pictures during a Sunday School lesson. Maybe you heard somebody use His name in an explicative laced tirade. Perhaps you saw His battered visage on the "Passion of the Christ" film. However you came to know him, it’s not likely it's exactly the same as those around you.
Geared toward all things musical, Caleb found Jesus first in music. And it was in this avenue the Lord drew Caleb to himself and how He continued to speak to him. While Caleb listened and actively participated in Bible studies, it was Doug Hallock and Broken Band’s album we have in the meeting room which helped Caleb grow the most in his time with us. Doug Hallock is a former alcoholic and addict who the Lord cleaned up, inspired musically, and sent out to share the hope Jesus offers. Though his gritty music and gut wrenching lyrics, he does just that. And he does so effectively.
Caleb would come to me apologetic that he was able to draw more from one Hallock song than from our study. I reassured him that not only was this okay, it was great! I even encouraged him to begin writing his own story through music. (He, like Doug, was also a gifted guitarist). God doesn’t always speak through a cookie-cutter, step-study type of Bible study. He is the Creator, and as such, creatively speaks to us and enables us to use own creativity to share His love with others. Praise God for His love for creativity and diversity!
Discussion Questions:
1. List some “outside-of-the-box” ways the LORD has spoken to you?
2. What are some creative ways in which you can share the Gospel with others?
3. Are there any untapped talents or passions within you that can be used for the glory of GOD?
Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”
Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
We are all different. Different people. Different backgrounds. Different flaws. Different gifts. Different addictions. You get the picture…
Because we are different, our recoveries and the aspects that make them up can also be very different. Twelve Steps works for some people. While others find healing in the Biblical principles. Like Jesus Himself, we cannot assume our recovery is going to fit in a nice little box or be exactly like another man’s who is sitting across the table from you. Jesus learned and shared the Gospel using different methods so that all might find hope. Remember how you came to know Christ (or at least heard of Him)? Maybe it was because you saw someone living it out in front of you. Perhaps you have witnessed colorful pictures during a Sunday School lesson. Maybe you heard somebody use His name in an explicative laced tirade. Perhaps you saw His battered visage on the "Passion of the Christ" film. However you came to know him, it’s not likely it's exactly the same as those around you.
Geared toward all things musical, Caleb found Jesus first in music. And it was in this avenue the Lord drew Caleb to himself and how He continued to speak to him. While Caleb listened and actively participated in Bible studies, it was Doug Hallock and Broken Band’s album we have in the meeting room which helped Caleb grow the most in his time with us. Doug Hallock is a former alcoholic and addict who the Lord cleaned up, inspired musically, and sent out to share the hope Jesus offers. Though his gritty music and gut wrenching lyrics, he does just that. And he does so effectively.
Caleb would come to me apologetic that he was able to draw more from one Hallock song than from our study. I reassured him that not only was this okay, it was great! I even encouraged him to begin writing his own story through music. (He, like Doug, was also a gifted guitarist). God doesn’t always speak through a cookie-cutter, step-study type of Bible study. He is the Creator, and as such, creatively speaks to us and enables us to use own creativity to share His love with others. Praise God for His love for creativity and diversity!
Discussion Questions:
1. List some “outside-of-the-box” ways the LORD has spoken to you?
2. What are some creative ways in which you can share the Gospel with others?
3. Are there any untapped talents or passions within you that can be used for the glory of GOD?
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Pressing On
Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
During my time at the shelter, I have found great value in continuing to build relationships with guys who have graduated or left the program. This is why God designed it so that we could join together. The time offers a renewal of hope, encouragement, friendship, fellowship, and accountability. Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. The Scripture rings true. Which also means the flip side is obvious. If you hang around negative influences, or seek too much solitude, you will be dragged back down from whence you came. Build positive relationships and they will make you a more spiritually healthy person.
Stephen and I have such a relationship. Stephen graduated our program and continued to stay in touch. Sometimes with positive news; sometimes not. Point is, he stayed connected. During a lull in shelter life, I had no one there to minister to. Seizing the opportunity, I began going to Stephen’s lake house on mornings I’d already reserved for the shelter. There, on his screened in back porch, we would have Bible study, share thoughts and stories, and sip on massive quantities of coffee. By the end of our time together, the sun peeked over the distant trees, illuminating the lake and surrounding us with its glorious light. Weekly, I would be reminded not only of the value of brotherly fellowship, but of God’s beauty and creativity in nature. Perhaps the most beautiful things about the visits was the circle of God’s love being completed. When you reach out to bless others, God (and they) always end up blessing you more. It did me as much good (maybe more) than it did for Stephen.
You will not always be in the program surrounded by other soul-seeking men and positive influences all of the time. But it is important for both you and your recovery to seek out people and times where mutual relationship, encouragement, and compassion are displayed. This is what made Jesus and the disciples close and strong. And it will be what will keep us close and strong.
Discussion Questions
1. What type of influence are you on others? Do people draw encouragement (or discouragement) from you?
2. What are some practical ways to surround yourself with positive people and influences?
3. What, if anything, prevents you from reaching out and meeting with others? Pray that GOD remove those hindrances so you may do so.
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
During my time at the shelter, I have found great value in continuing to build relationships with guys who have graduated or left the program. This is why God designed it so that we could join together. The time offers a renewal of hope, encouragement, friendship, fellowship, and accountability. Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. The Scripture rings true. Which also means the flip side is obvious. If you hang around negative influences, or seek too much solitude, you will be dragged back down from whence you came. Build positive relationships and they will make you a more spiritually healthy person.
Stephen and I have such a relationship. Stephen graduated our program and continued to stay in touch. Sometimes with positive news; sometimes not. Point is, he stayed connected. During a lull in shelter life, I had no one there to minister to. Seizing the opportunity, I began going to Stephen’s lake house on mornings I’d already reserved for the shelter. There, on his screened in back porch, we would have Bible study, share thoughts and stories, and sip on massive quantities of coffee. By the end of our time together, the sun peeked over the distant trees, illuminating the lake and surrounding us with its glorious light. Weekly, I would be reminded not only of the value of brotherly fellowship, but of God’s beauty and creativity in nature. Perhaps the most beautiful things about the visits was the circle of God’s love being completed. When you reach out to bless others, God (and they) always end up blessing you more. It did me as much good (maybe more) than it did for Stephen.
You will not always be in the program surrounded by other soul-seeking men and positive influences all of the time. But it is important for both you and your recovery to seek out people and times where mutual relationship, encouragement, and compassion are displayed. This is what made Jesus and the disciples close and strong. And it will be what will keep us close and strong.
Discussion Questions
1. What type of influence are you on others? Do people draw encouragement (or discouragement) from you?
2. What are some practical ways to surround yourself with positive people and influences?
3. What, if anything, prevents you from reaching out and meeting with others? Pray that GOD remove those hindrances so you may do so.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Morning Message
Scripture References:
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Friday, August 24, 2012
Denial
Matthew 7:1-5 (NLT)
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others.The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
“I’m not an alcoholic.” “I don’t have a drug problem.” “I can stop anytime.” “I'm not that bad of a person.”
All of these are lines we’ve either said or heard at some point during our times as abusers. It is called by many names, but the one which perhaps best explains it best is denial. Denial possesses the potential to manipulate us into believing that everything is fine. That we are fine. The damage it wreaks is often deadly, because the whole time we deceive ourselves into thinking we have control. Nothing can be further from the truth.
Alex was in the throes of denial from the moment he stepped off the bus and into our program. He thought getting away from his home, family, friends, and influences alone were enough. He was convinced his problem wasn’t sin or drinking too much. Rather, he claimed his experiences caused him to become someone he wasn’t. While there may be some truth in that philosophy, he never admitted that he was a cause. And furthermore, that he was powerless to control himself. He fooled himself, aided by the clever and cunning deception of the devil, into believing the problem could be sorted out without admitting anything, especially helplessness and defeat. Sadly, he was drunk within a week of graduating.
Denial only compounds our problems and makes recovery, already a difficult task, more excruciatingly painful. We must admit our powerlessness over our sin problem, confess the nature of our wrongs, and beg mercy from a loving Savior, Jesus Christ. When we give up and give out, a miraculous thing occurs. Freedom and peace permeate our lives. We no longer have to expend energy making excuses or covering up our lies with more lies. We can become responsible and humble people, admitting we’re not perfect, but running to the very One who is. In Jesus, we have no fear. For His perfect love casts out fear. So what is stopping you from admitting and confessing your weakness? From coming out of denial and into His glorious light?
Discussion Questions:
1. Are there any issues in your life in which you live in denial?
2. How is denial unhealthy (spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically) for us?
3. What are some steps you can take TODAY to come out of denial and into the light of Jesus?
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others.The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
“I’m not an alcoholic.” “I don’t have a drug problem.” “I can stop anytime.” “I'm not that bad of a person.”
All of these are lines we’ve either said or heard at some point during our times as abusers. It is called by many names, but the one which perhaps best explains it best is denial. Denial possesses the potential to manipulate us into believing that everything is fine. That we are fine. The damage it wreaks is often deadly, because the whole time we deceive ourselves into thinking we have control. Nothing can be further from the truth.
Alex was in the throes of denial from the moment he stepped off the bus and into our program. He thought getting away from his home, family, friends, and influences alone were enough. He was convinced his problem wasn’t sin or drinking too much. Rather, he claimed his experiences caused him to become someone he wasn’t. While there may be some truth in that philosophy, he never admitted that he was a cause. And furthermore, that he was powerless to control himself. He fooled himself, aided by the clever and cunning deception of the devil, into believing the problem could be sorted out without admitting anything, especially helplessness and defeat. Sadly, he was drunk within a week of graduating.
Denial only compounds our problems and makes recovery, already a difficult task, more excruciatingly painful. We must admit our powerlessness over our sin problem, confess the nature of our wrongs, and beg mercy from a loving Savior, Jesus Christ. When we give up and give out, a miraculous thing occurs. Freedom and peace permeate our lives. We no longer have to expend energy making excuses or covering up our lies with more lies. We can become responsible and humble people, admitting we’re not perfect, but running to the very One who is. In Jesus, we have no fear. For His perfect love casts out fear. So what is stopping you from admitting and confessing your weakness? From coming out of denial and into His glorious light?
Discussion Questions:
1. Are there any issues in your life in which you live in denial?
2. How is denial unhealthy (spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically) for us?
3. What are some steps you can take TODAY to come out of denial and into the light of Jesus?
Thursday, August 23, 2012
From the Inside Out
John 16:8-15 (NLT)
And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’
Some of us, especially in recovery, are good about cleaning up the outside. Free from the glossy effect of our addictions, we practice proper hygiene, wear decent clothes, exercise, go to church, attend meetings, and generally appear as if we have it all together. But if our change is focused on the outward appearance only, we are in grave danger of either relapsing or only dealing with the symptoms of our addictive problems and not with the original issue itself. Ask the guy in AA who has been sober for 30 years but is still telling the same story he always has. Or the guy from Celebrate Recovery who is clean from drugs but is still a raging mess within. Or worse still, the man who acts the part at church service but is rotten to the core.
Any permanent, meaningful change taking place in those of us in recovery must begin on the inside and make its way outward. When Jesus enters your heart and fills you with His Spirit, the transformation comes from within. You have a Counselor in your very soul, guiding you into making better choices and decisions. Your perceptions change. You realize the hope you have in Christ. And then you act outwardly on the inward changes. Out of your belly (inside) shall flow rivers of living water (outside).
Here are two scenarios for consideration:
1. After spending any amount of time with Keith, it was evident to everyone he was simply a white washed fence, newly painted but the same rotten wood beneath. Upon cleaning up, he took great pride in his appearance- fixing his hair, wearing stylish clothes, smiling a lot, talking up all the changes in his life. And perhaps the casual observer might have thought he truly changed. Those of us who knew him well, however, saw a broken man struggling to hold up his mask in the charade. He said all the right words, but when he thought no one was listening or watching, the directionless void within reared its ugly head and relapse followed.
2. In contrast, Will was the quiet, unassuming type of recovering addict. Most of his struggle came from within. We often thought maybe he was contemplating an exit. But the Lord was just working in Him and Will was allowing the work, however painful, to be done. Once he found out who he was in Jesus, the outward change flowed. Family and friends noted this, and in my experiences at the shelter, these changes tend to last.
Discussion Questions:
1. Does your “inside” and outside” match?
2. Are the changes being made in your life coming from the inside out?
3. What are some of the dangers of cleaning up the outside without scraping the inside?
And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’
Some of us, especially in recovery, are good about cleaning up the outside. Free from the glossy effect of our addictions, we practice proper hygiene, wear decent clothes, exercise, go to church, attend meetings, and generally appear as if we have it all together. But if our change is focused on the outward appearance only, we are in grave danger of either relapsing or only dealing with the symptoms of our addictive problems and not with the original issue itself. Ask the guy in AA who has been sober for 30 years but is still telling the same story he always has. Or the guy from Celebrate Recovery who is clean from drugs but is still a raging mess within. Or worse still, the man who acts the part at church service but is rotten to the core.
Any permanent, meaningful change taking place in those of us in recovery must begin on the inside and make its way outward. When Jesus enters your heart and fills you with His Spirit, the transformation comes from within. You have a Counselor in your very soul, guiding you into making better choices and decisions. Your perceptions change. You realize the hope you have in Christ. And then you act outwardly on the inward changes. Out of your belly (inside) shall flow rivers of living water (outside).
Here are two scenarios for consideration:
1. After spending any amount of time with Keith, it was evident to everyone he was simply a white washed fence, newly painted but the same rotten wood beneath. Upon cleaning up, he took great pride in his appearance- fixing his hair, wearing stylish clothes, smiling a lot, talking up all the changes in his life. And perhaps the casual observer might have thought he truly changed. Those of us who knew him well, however, saw a broken man struggling to hold up his mask in the charade. He said all the right words, but when he thought no one was listening or watching, the directionless void within reared its ugly head and relapse followed.
2. In contrast, Will was the quiet, unassuming type of recovering addict. Most of his struggle came from within. We often thought maybe he was contemplating an exit. But the Lord was just working in Him and Will was allowing the work, however painful, to be done. Once he found out who he was in Jesus, the outward change flowed. Family and friends noted this, and in my experiences at the shelter, these changes tend to last.
Discussion Questions:
1. Does your “inside” and outside” match?
2. Are the changes being made in your life coming from the inside out?
3. What are some of the dangers of cleaning up the outside without scraping the inside?
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Of Hope and Healing
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Often one of the most overlooked areas in recovery, humor goes hand in hand with hope. While the purpose of the Gospels wasn’t to record outburst of hilarity, one can imagine Jesus and his twelve closest friends enjoying moments of humor- practical jokes, Peter stepping in camel crap, John hitting his funny bone, the donkey gumming James’s hair as he slept. If you read between the lines, you can see the joy of the Lord and the freedom and peace that rejoicing and laughter bring.
The thought reminds me of Trent, an Arms of Mercy graduate who we sent to the Mission of Hope for some additional time. When it came time for him to graduate their program, Major and I drove down to Mobile to make a surprise visit. Upon arriving, we approached a group of men loitering on the dorm’s porch. We asked where James was and, apparently thinking we’re law enforcement, gave us vague directions to him. This is after first denying that they even knew him. We walk in the direction they pointed and stumble into a softball game. We spot Trent sitting on the bench with five or six friends. We approached from behind and Major summons his authoritative and booms, “You know why we’re here. Come with us please.” Everybody but James leaps from the bench and sprints away, apparently thinking we’re issuing arrest warrants or something. Accepting his fate, Trent simply lowered his head. Then, with a sudden jerk of recognition, Trent spun around and jumped up to hug us. We laughed and laughed as he told us how his heart stopped, then he remembered he had nothing to be guilty of any longer. Maybe you had to be there, but the humor increased the hope of the moment.
Discussion Questions:
1. How is joy and laughter vital to the recovery process?
2. What are some stories that you could perceive as joyful experiences now?
3. Why should we rejoice when one sinner comes to walk with Jesus?
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Often one of the most overlooked areas in recovery, humor goes hand in hand with hope. While the purpose of the Gospels wasn’t to record outburst of hilarity, one can imagine Jesus and his twelve closest friends enjoying moments of humor- practical jokes, Peter stepping in camel crap, John hitting his funny bone, the donkey gumming James’s hair as he slept. If you read between the lines, you can see the joy of the Lord and the freedom and peace that rejoicing and laughter bring.
The thought reminds me of Trent, an Arms of Mercy graduate who we sent to the Mission of Hope for some additional time. When it came time for him to graduate their program, Major and I drove down to Mobile to make a surprise visit. Upon arriving, we approached a group of men loitering on the dorm’s porch. We asked where James was and, apparently thinking we’re law enforcement, gave us vague directions to him. This is after first denying that they even knew him. We walk in the direction they pointed and stumble into a softball game. We spot Trent sitting on the bench with five or six friends. We approached from behind and Major summons his authoritative and booms, “You know why we’re here. Come with us please.” Everybody but James leaps from the bench and sprints away, apparently thinking we’re issuing arrest warrants or something. Accepting his fate, Trent simply lowered his head. Then, with a sudden jerk of recognition, Trent spun around and jumped up to hug us. We laughed and laughed as he told us how his heart stopped, then he remembered he had nothing to be guilty of any longer. Maybe you had to be there, but the humor increased the hope of the moment.
Discussion Questions:
1. How is joy and laughter vital to the recovery process?
2. What are some stories that you could perceive as joyful experiences now?
3. Why should we rejoice when one sinner comes to walk with Jesus?
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Partial Healing
Luke 17:11-19 (NLT)
As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”
Among my favorite stories in the Gospels are those in which Jesus healed lepers. Leprosy, like our addictions, is a disease that ravages the body, mind, and soul of its afflicted. It painfully eats away the flesh and tissue of the body, destroys the psychological fabric of the mind, and ultimately makes the individual unclean and disallowed them, in those days, from the place of worship (think church building). It also forced them into isolation, away from their families and causing them to lose everything else they held dear.( Sound familiar?) Just the fact that Jesus talked to them was radical and blasphemous; him actually healing them by touching them was unfathomable. And yet he did, time and time again.
One time, he even healed an entire group of lepers all at once.( Makes you think of the shelter). Once healed, away they ran, each forgetting the source of their healing as quick as we forget those who help us along our journey. All but one of them that is. Once he noticed he had been made whole, one turned around, sought Jesus out, and thanked him not only for touching his body but his soul as well. He praised God with a loud voice, indicating not only his joy and gratitude but his enthusiasm in following Christ. And because of this, Jesus told him his faith had made him completely whole. What encouraging words!
Unfortunately, too often in recovery, we witness partial healings. We see people sober up from alcohol, clean up from drugs, get yearly AA and NA chips and good jobs, even
graduate programs, only to fall down immediately or shortly thereafter. I tend to believe this happens because we get only partially healed. We may be free from the physical aspects of our addiction- even stay sober for 50 years- but we are never fully delivered because we fail to recognize, or give glory to, The God who loves us enough to heal us. We stop short. Think we had something to do with it. We are satisfied with holding the full cup of water but never drinking long and deep of its contents. And what a tragedy! Let us find hope and healing. And a heart of gratitude. Only then will we find healing, complete and absolute.
Discussion Questions:
1. How are our addictions like leprosy?
2. What made the man who returned to thank Jesus different from the other nine?
3. Where do you fall in relation to the story, the Thankful One or the Not-so-thankful Nine?
4. How does it make you feel that Jesus would not only talk to you, but touch you?
As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”
Among my favorite stories in the Gospels are those in which Jesus healed lepers. Leprosy, like our addictions, is a disease that ravages the body, mind, and soul of its afflicted. It painfully eats away the flesh and tissue of the body, destroys the psychological fabric of the mind, and ultimately makes the individual unclean and disallowed them, in those days, from the place of worship (think church building). It also forced them into isolation, away from their families and causing them to lose everything else they held dear.( Sound familiar?) Just the fact that Jesus talked to them was radical and blasphemous; him actually healing them by touching them was unfathomable. And yet he did, time and time again.
One time, he even healed an entire group of lepers all at once.( Makes you think of the shelter). Once healed, away they ran, each forgetting the source of their healing as quick as we forget those who help us along our journey. All but one of them that is. Once he noticed he had been made whole, one turned around, sought Jesus out, and thanked him not only for touching his body but his soul as well. He praised God with a loud voice, indicating not only his joy and gratitude but his enthusiasm in following Christ. And because of this, Jesus told him his faith had made him completely whole. What encouraging words!
Unfortunately, too often in recovery, we witness partial healings. We see people sober up from alcohol, clean up from drugs, get yearly AA and NA chips and good jobs, even
graduate programs, only to fall down immediately or shortly thereafter. I tend to believe this happens because we get only partially healed. We may be free from the physical aspects of our addiction- even stay sober for 50 years- but we are never fully delivered because we fail to recognize, or give glory to, The God who loves us enough to heal us. We stop short. Think we had something to do with it. We are satisfied with holding the full cup of water but never drinking long and deep of its contents. And what a tragedy! Let us find hope and healing. And a heart of gratitude. Only then will we find healing, complete and absolute.
Discussion Questions:
1. How are our addictions like leprosy?
2. What made the man who returned to thank Jesus different from the other nine?
3. Where do you fall in relation to the story, the Thankful One or the Not-so-thankful Nine?
4. How does it make you feel that Jesus would not only talk to you, but touch you?
Monday, August 20, 2012
Anger and Bitterness
Matthew 5:21-26 (NLT)
“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
“When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage. So wails Billy Corgan, lead singer and guitarist for the Smashing Pumpkins in what was once my favorite song. Simple as the words are, their message was none the less profound, for they have stuck with me all these years, much longer than my angst-ridden youth. And the words still ring true to many today. Music may have changed now, but the observation is still true. Many people, including those in recovery are trapped within deep feelings of anger and bitterness. It is directed at God, ourselves, or anyone we come in contact with. The anger can originate from anything- the pain of a broken home, life not going the way we planned, jealously over what others have or are, searching but never finding peace, feeling alone even around people, not being the center of attention.
Whatever the reason, anger eats away at us until it spills out. And there is nothing- short of giving it to God- that can contain it or the destruction it reaps. Debo arrived at the shelter after a short period of us having no one else, so it was just he and I one early morning. He sat at one end of the table, me at the other. Although he began the devotion cordially enough, his attitude quickly deteriorated. When the share time came, his face contorted in anger and his voice rose higher than necessary. He told me of his sad life, of gang banging, of being shot several times, of being profiled and locked away. Then he turned his rant onto Arms of Mercy, explaining that we had everyone fooled, that we tore him down with our words and actions. He called Major the devil and me, his demon.
I wanted to laugh or make a joking jab, but sadness filled me instead. Debo’s anger consumed him and caused him to shake. Pent-up tears spilled from his eyes before he swiped them away in agitation. My heart broke for him and I allowed him to continue until he finally let go. And at that moment, there was a flicker of peace.
Our lives are the same way. We can continue to be imprisoned by our anger and walk through our entire lives in misery. Whether that misery is lashing out at others or burying it within and blaming ourselves. But if we drop the burden at the feet of Jesus and allow him to help us let go and forgive, we can find that peace that we thought was so elusive. He that the Son sets free is free indeed!
Discussion questions:
1. Search yourself. Is anger and bitterness an issue you struggle with?
2. What are the causes and effects of your anger?
3. Why do you choose to hang on to your anger?
4. Anger and bitterness are like a strong tree with deep roots. The longer we hold onto things, the deeper the roots are and the tougher the tree is to pull up. What can you do today to begin to dig these roots up?
“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
“When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage. So wails Billy Corgan, lead singer and guitarist for the Smashing Pumpkins in what was once my favorite song. Simple as the words are, their message was none the less profound, for they have stuck with me all these years, much longer than my angst-ridden youth. And the words still ring true to many today. Music may have changed now, but the observation is still true. Many people, including those in recovery are trapped within deep feelings of anger and bitterness. It is directed at God, ourselves, or anyone we come in contact with. The anger can originate from anything- the pain of a broken home, life not going the way we planned, jealously over what others have or are, searching but never finding peace, feeling alone even around people, not being the center of attention.
Whatever the reason, anger eats away at us until it spills out. And there is nothing- short of giving it to God- that can contain it or the destruction it reaps. Debo arrived at the shelter after a short period of us having no one else, so it was just he and I one early morning. He sat at one end of the table, me at the other. Although he began the devotion cordially enough, his attitude quickly deteriorated. When the share time came, his face contorted in anger and his voice rose higher than necessary. He told me of his sad life, of gang banging, of being shot several times, of being profiled and locked away. Then he turned his rant onto Arms of Mercy, explaining that we had everyone fooled, that we tore him down with our words and actions. He called Major the devil and me, his demon.
I wanted to laugh or make a joking jab, but sadness filled me instead. Debo’s anger consumed him and caused him to shake. Pent-up tears spilled from his eyes before he swiped them away in agitation. My heart broke for him and I allowed him to continue until he finally let go. And at that moment, there was a flicker of peace.
Our lives are the same way. We can continue to be imprisoned by our anger and walk through our entire lives in misery. Whether that misery is lashing out at others or burying it within and blaming ourselves. But if we drop the burden at the feet of Jesus and allow him to help us let go and forgive, we can find that peace that we thought was so elusive. He that the Son sets free is free indeed!
Discussion questions:
1. Search yourself. Is anger and bitterness an issue you struggle with?
2. What are the causes and effects of your anger?
3. Why do you choose to hang on to your anger?
4. Anger and bitterness are like a strong tree with deep roots. The longer we hold onto things, the deeper the roots are and the tougher the tree is to pull up. What can you do today to begin to dig these roots up?
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Worry
Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of Godabove all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Worry is like a cancer that eats away at life. (And for some us, it literally comes in the form of ulcers, chomping their way through our stomach lining and making life miserable). One of the most common discussions around the shelter deals with this issue. I’m often deluged with questions such as: What am I going to do when I get out? Where will I live? Where will I work? How can I make this trip to rehab really work?
These are just a few; I could go on for pages. These questions, along with the unbalanced emotions and lingering withdrawal symptoms, usually cause such a burden in the guys until they’re ready to crumble or duck and run. And all before they even truly start down the path of recovery.
Michael, a thoughtful crack addict from northeast Mississippi, was one such example of the dangers of worrying about tomorrow and not living one day at a time. Despite the overwhelming spiritual growth within, he began to worry about a court case that was scheduled to happen before his 90 days at the Arms of Mercy ended. It weighed heavy on his mind for weeks before he started dropping subtle, then clear, hints that he would be departing. He approached both Major and I to talk about it and left downcast because of what we had to say, “Trust God. Don’t worry about it. It will work out. We’ve had stuff like that happen before, and the judge, seeing how good they’re doing, will postpone the trial or allow them to come back to the shelter afterwards.” Again, not what he wanted to hear. So much so that he went up stairs, packed his belongings, and walked down to the gas station to use the phone.
Another hope-filled recovery thrown away. All because of worrying about something that may or may not even happen.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is worry one of the greatest causes of relapse in recovery?
2. What causes you to worry? Why?
3. Reread verse 27. What does Christ’s statement mean to you?
4. What constructive things can you do TODAY to avoid worrying?
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of Godabove all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Worry is like a cancer that eats away at life. (And for some us, it literally comes in the form of ulcers, chomping their way through our stomach lining and making life miserable). One of the most common discussions around the shelter deals with this issue. I’m often deluged with questions such as: What am I going to do when I get out? Where will I live? Where will I work? How can I make this trip to rehab really work?
These are just a few; I could go on for pages. These questions, along with the unbalanced emotions and lingering withdrawal symptoms, usually cause such a burden in the guys until they’re ready to crumble or duck and run. And all before they even truly start down the path of recovery.
Michael, a thoughtful crack addict from northeast Mississippi, was one such example of the dangers of worrying about tomorrow and not living one day at a time. Despite the overwhelming spiritual growth within, he began to worry about a court case that was scheduled to happen before his 90 days at the Arms of Mercy ended. It weighed heavy on his mind for weeks before he started dropping subtle, then clear, hints that he would be departing. He approached both Major and I to talk about it and left downcast because of what we had to say, “Trust God. Don’t worry about it. It will work out. We’ve had stuff like that happen before, and the judge, seeing how good they’re doing, will postpone the trial or allow them to come back to the shelter afterwards.” Again, not what he wanted to hear. So much so that he went up stairs, packed his belongings, and walked down to the gas station to use the phone.
Another hope-filled recovery thrown away. All because of worrying about something that may or may not even happen.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is worry one of the greatest causes of relapse in recovery?
2. What causes you to worry? Why?
3. Reread verse 27. What does Christ’s statement mean to you?
4. What constructive things can you do TODAY to avoid worrying?
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Morning Message
Scripture References:
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Friday, August 17, 2012
The Wilderness of Recovery
Matthew 4:1-11 (NLT)
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
Lonely. Desolate. Harsh. Unforgiving.
The wilderness brings a variety of emotions to mind. Anybody who has spent any time there- whether in a literal, physical area or in a metaphorical, spiritual place can attest to the gut-wrenching difficulties. It breaks most people, paralyzing them with doubt and fear until they fold, pack up camp, and return to the comfort of their former life. For us, recovery is a type of wilderness. The withdrawals and our issues are the lack of water and overwhelming heat. But we don’t have to see the desert that way. When we change our perception of the wilderness, our lives will change also.
The Scripture uses the images of a literal and symbolic wilderness numerous times. Perhaps none so powerful as the Gospel account of Jesus and his time there. Allow me to put the story into perspective briefly. Jesus had just come off a spiritual high. He had been announced as the Savior by John the Baptist, humbled himself in baptism, and been affirmed by God the Father. Refusing to be content with the one experience, he focused further through 40 days of prayer and fasting. Then came the wilderness.
Little, if any water. Heat. Sweat. Uncomfort. Tricks of the mind. Wild animals. Satan shows up with easy ways out. Does all this sound familiar?
We tend to be our weakest in this environment. Vulnerable to relapse. Jesus was no different from us- except that he refused to sacrifice a pure life for one marked by bondage. He refused to be bound by chains. In his weakness, he reverted back to what he had put in his heart. The Word of God. When he was unable to fight on his own, he allowed God to fight on his behalf. And he emerged from wilderness stronger than ever before.
We, on the other hand, tend to be more like Bob. Unlike Christ, Bob entered his wilderness (the program) by indulging not in a spiritual high, but in a chemical one. He then spent 90 days smoking cigarettes at the smoke shed, sitting silently during meetings, and it was no surprise that shortly after his graduation, he relapsed. You, like Bob, can go through the wilderness and come out unchanged. And go right back to the vomit of the world. Or you can be like the Savior, Jesus Christ, who held the faith and used the wilderness experience as a time of incomparable growth. The choice is yours.
Discussion Questions
1. Have you had a “wilderness” experience? Are you currently in one? Explain.
2. Did your perception of God and your circumstances change during this time?
3. What are some of the lessons you can learn from the wilderness?
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
Lonely. Desolate. Harsh. Unforgiving.
The wilderness brings a variety of emotions to mind. Anybody who has spent any time there- whether in a literal, physical area or in a metaphorical, spiritual place can attest to the gut-wrenching difficulties. It breaks most people, paralyzing them with doubt and fear until they fold, pack up camp, and return to the comfort of their former life. For us, recovery is a type of wilderness. The withdrawals and our issues are the lack of water and overwhelming heat. But we don’t have to see the desert that way. When we change our perception of the wilderness, our lives will change also.
The Scripture uses the images of a literal and symbolic wilderness numerous times. Perhaps none so powerful as the Gospel account of Jesus and his time there. Allow me to put the story into perspective briefly. Jesus had just come off a spiritual high. He had been announced as the Savior by John the Baptist, humbled himself in baptism, and been affirmed by God the Father. Refusing to be content with the one experience, he focused further through 40 days of prayer and fasting. Then came the wilderness.
Little, if any water. Heat. Sweat. Uncomfort. Tricks of the mind. Wild animals. Satan shows up with easy ways out. Does all this sound familiar?
We tend to be our weakest in this environment. Vulnerable to relapse. Jesus was no different from us- except that he refused to sacrifice a pure life for one marked by bondage. He refused to be bound by chains. In his weakness, he reverted back to what he had put in his heart. The Word of God. When he was unable to fight on his own, he allowed God to fight on his behalf. And he emerged from wilderness stronger than ever before.
We, on the other hand, tend to be more like Bob. Unlike Christ, Bob entered his wilderness (the program) by indulging not in a spiritual high, but in a chemical one. He then spent 90 days smoking cigarettes at the smoke shed, sitting silently during meetings, and it was no surprise that shortly after his graduation, he relapsed. You, like Bob, can go through the wilderness and come out unchanged. And go right back to the vomit of the world. Or you can be like the Savior, Jesus Christ, who held the faith and used the wilderness experience as a time of incomparable growth. The choice is yours.
Discussion Questions
1. Have you had a “wilderness” experience? Are you currently in one? Explain.
2. Did your perception of God and your circumstances change during this time?
3. What are some of the lessons you can learn from the wilderness?
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Wasted Years
Luke 23:39-43 (NLT)
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn't done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Other than Jesus, one of the most enduring people in the Gospels to those of us in recovery is the penitent criminal hanging next to Christ on the cross. What we find here in this brief, but powerful passage is a man, much like us, who squandered years in sin and criminal activity. While the exact nature of his wrongs aren't recorded, we can assume it was bad if he was being crucified for it. User. Addict. Alcoholic. Murderer. His lifestyle had taken everything from him- family, friends, and now, his life. He had wasted all his years and was now poised to waste his final moment.
Then he had finally seen and heard and hurt enough. He watched in wonder as Jesus willingly laid down his life for an unexplainable love. He heard Jesus ask the Father to forgive those who were violently lashing out at him. And something within him snapped. He had had enough of his sin and the damage done. The nameless criminal couldn't say much, so he simply uttered the words, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
As he did so, we not only witness Jesus' gracious reply, but a prevailing principle in the Scripture. We see Jesus do what the dying, desperate man could not do for himself. He had taken all the wasted years and restored his life in a matter of seconds. In the time span of a statement, Jesus brought more love, forgiveness, and peace than the man struggled for in years.
Nolan’s first Bible study at the shelter was a memorable one. Despite his feverish shaking from the withdrawals, he, like the hurting man next to Jesus, poured his broken heart out. And during his share time, he continually mentioned the gnawing pain of wasting 28 years in addiction. It weighed on him so heavily that it very well could have derailed his recovery. He found the strength, however, to cry out to God in desperation and his life, like that of the nameless man, was forever changed.
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you had an experience similar to that of the man on the cross?
2. What was the man’s breaking point? What was your breaking point?
3. How does the following statement make you feel: Jesus can do more for you in seconds than you could do for yourself in years.
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn't done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Other than Jesus, one of the most enduring people in the Gospels to those of us in recovery is the penitent criminal hanging next to Christ on the cross. What we find here in this brief, but powerful passage is a man, much like us, who squandered years in sin and criminal activity. While the exact nature of his wrongs aren't recorded, we can assume it was bad if he was being crucified for it. User. Addict. Alcoholic. Murderer. His lifestyle had taken everything from him- family, friends, and now, his life. He had wasted all his years and was now poised to waste his final moment.
Then he had finally seen and heard and hurt enough. He watched in wonder as Jesus willingly laid down his life for an unexplainable love. He heard Jesus ask the Father to forgive those who were violently lashing out at him. And something within him snapped. He had had enough of his sin and the damage done. The nameless criminal couldn't say much, so he simply uttered the words, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
As he did so, we not only witness Jesus' gracious reply, but a prevailing principle in the Scripture. We see Jesus do what the dying, desperate man could not do for himself. He had taken all the wasted years and restored his life in a matter of seconds. In the time span of a statement, Jesus brought more love, forgiveness, and peace than the man struggled for in years.
Nolan’s first Bible study at the shelter was a memorable one. Despite his feverish shaking from the withdrawals, he, like the hurting man next to Jesus, poured his broken heart out. And during his share time, he continually mentioned the gnawing pain of wasting 28 years in addiction. It weighed on him so heavily that it very well could have derailed his recovery. He found the strength, however, to cry out to God in desperation and his life, like that of the nameless man, was forever changed.
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you had an experience similar to that of the man on the cross?
2. What was the man’s breaking point? What was your breaking point?
3. How does the following statement make you feel: Jesus can do more for you in seconds than you could do for yourself in years.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Seeking a Better Way
Matthew 7:7-12 (NLT)
Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
I went through a devotional, much like you are now, and it dealt overall with the mystery of God. The author, Dr. Steve Stephens, was discussing the transforming power we experience when God answers our questions. But he went on to say, the questions themselves, and the search involved in them, is perhaps as powerful as the answer itself. I am inclined to side with him. Questions, more so than knowledge itself, are the greatest power in the world short of love. Like hitting bottom, questions help us realize that we are powerless and in need of Jesus (The Way, The Truth, The Life).
Yet, questions usually get a negative reception. As a teacher, I’m amazed by the lack of questions in the classroom at school or in the meeting room at the shelter. I’m not so naive as to believe that I’m so great a teacher that there are no questions. Rather kids (and addicts) falsely believe asking questions will blemish their reputation. It’s not cool. It makes you look foolish, slow, or stupid. This is what they believe- even when they know others don’t understand either. Sadly, what I witness in the classroom and meeting room is not the exception to the rule. Rather, people in all walks of life- especially people in recovery- tend to shun the attention shone upon anyone asking questions.
But, oh, how I long to ask question after question. And I am not alone. Warren, one of the most memorable characters to come through our program was a questioner, a seeker. He was wise enough to know that he didn’t know everything and humble enough not to care what others thought of him. During the “Faith Like Children” section in our Life Recovery Devotional one early morning, Warren stopped us mid-thought with his raspy voice, a mix of gravel and phlegm, like he’d smoked too long.
“I don’t want to interrupt or waste your time, but what in the world is this talking about? How can we be like little kids again?”
I stopped and smiled. He at first thought I was laughing at him until I said, “Another wise man once asked Jesus how a man could be born again. (See John 3). So you’re in good company.”
And so is anyone who seeks the answers, whether they find them or not.
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you perceive questions as opportunities for growth or difficulties you don’t want to deal with?
2. What does the phrase “faith like children” mean to you?
3. Would you consider yourself a “seeker”?
Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
I went through a devotional, much like you are now, and it dealt overall with the mystery of God. The author, Dr. Steve Stephens, was discussing the transforming power we experience when God answers our questions. But he went on to say, the questions themselves, and the search involved in them, is perhaps as powerful as the answer itself. I am inclined to side with him. Questions, more so than knowledge itself, are the greatest power in the world short of love. Like hitting bottom, questions help us realize that we are powerless and in need of Jesus (The Way, The Truth, The Life).
Yet, questions usually get a negative reception. As a teacher, I’m amazed by the lack of questions in the classroom at school or in the meeting room at the shelter. I’m not so naive as to believe that I’m so great a teacher that there are no questions. Rather kids (and addicts) falsely believe asking questions will blemish their reputation. It’s not cool. It makes you look foolish, slow, or stupid. This is what they believe- even when they know others don’t understand either. Sadly, what I witness in the classroom and meeting room is not the exception to the rule. Rather, people in all walks of life- especially people in recovery- tend to shun the attention shone upon anyone asking questions.
But, oh, how I long to ask question after question. And I am not alone. Warren, one of the most memorable characters to come through our program was a questioner, a seeker. He was wise enough to know that he didn’t know everything and humble enough not to care what others thought of him. During the “Faith Like Children” section in our Life Recovery Devotional one early morning, Warren stopped us mid-thought with his raspy voice, a mix of gravel and phlegm, like he’d smoked too long.
“I don’t want to interrupt or waste your time, but what in the world is this talking about? How can we be like little kids again?”
I stopped and smiled. He at first thought I was laughing at him until I said, “Another wise man once asked Jesus how a man could be born again. (See John 3). So you’re in good company.”
And so is anyone who seeks the answers, whether they find them or not.
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you perceive questions as opportunities for growth or difficulties you don’t want to deal with?
2. What does the phrase “faith like children” mean to you?
3. Would you consider yourself a “seeker”?
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Hitting Bottom
Matthew 5:3 (NLT)
God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
In order to find the hope and healing of Jesus Christ, we must first hit bottom. Some of us even feel like we've broken through the bottom. We hurt and flail so much in the struggle of the human condition that many of us want to die. Some even take their lives into their own hands. But as hard as this pill is to swallow, listen to this. Our bottom, and the excruciating pain accompanying it, is one of the greatest gifts from a loving God. For when we are there, we can witness our powerlessness and weakness. We are able to recognize our need for something, someone greater than ourselves. We see we need a Savior.
Enter Jesus Christ. He is not the Higher Power, but the Most High. Where we see a broken person (or ourself), Jesus sees cracked and frail human pottery waiting to be restored with his healing hands. He has compassion on us, empathizing to the point of remembering his own humanness and longing to reach out in love. And many times, he uses us as his hand and feet, helping the others to see his love.
Jack had come to us a broken man. An out-of-control addict with dozens of rehabs on his resume, he entered the shelter at the lowest point of life. No other guys were in the program at the time so it meant a great deal of one-on-one time. Jesus met Jack that first day. After hearing devastating news, he broke through his bottom and broke down. All the depression. All the addictions. All the feelings of inadequacy and insignificance. All of the scars of a broken home and relationships. All the weight of past sins and failures. All of the strain of the human condition. All the fighting and struggling and clawing to escape the flesh and its cravings. All came crashing down. He cried like a baby in the comforting arms of Major. It was there in that humble, insignificant hallway that Jack not only recognized a need for Christ but fell headlong into his grace. Oh, that we could all feel so much freedom, so much release.
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you hit your bottom yet? What will it take for you to hit it?
2. How can hitting bottom be one of the greatest events in your life?
3. Once you've hit bottom, what are the next steps you can take?
God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
In order to find the hope and healing of Jesus Christ, we must first hit bottom. Some of us even feel like we've broken through the bottom. We hurt and flail so much in the struggle of the human condition that many of us want to die. Some even take their lives into their own hands. But as hard as this pill is to swallow, listen to this. Our bottom, and the excruciating pain accompanying it, is one of the greatest gifts from a loving God. For when we are there, we can witness our powerlessness and weakness. We are able to recognize our need for something, someone greater than ourselves. We see we need a Savior.
Enter Jesus Christ. He is not the Higher Power, but the Most High. Where we see a broken person (or ourself), Jesus sees cracked and frail human pottery waiting to be restored with his healing hands. He has compassion on us, empathizing to the point of remembering his own humanness and longing to reach out in love. And many times, he uses us as his hand and feet, helping the others to see his love.
Jack had come to us a broken man. An out-of-control addict with dozens of rehabs on his resume, he entered the shelter at the lowest point of life. No other guys were in the program at the time so it meant a great deal of one-on-one time. Jesus met Jack that first day. After hearing devastating news, he broke through his bottom and broke down. All the depression. All the addictions. All the feelings of inadequacy and insignificance. All of the scars of a broken home and relationships. All the weight of past sins and failures. All of the strain of the human condition. All the fighting and struggling and clawing to escape the flesh and its cravings. All came crashing down. He cried like a baby in the comforting arms of Major. It was there in that humble, insignificant hallway that Jack not only recognized a need for Christ but fell headlong into his grace. Oh, that we could all feel so much freedom, so much release.
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you hit your bottom yet? What will it take for you to hit it?
2. How can hitting bottom be one of the greatest events in your life?
3. Once you've hit bottom, what are the next steps you can take?
Monday, August 13, 2012
Relationship Not Religion
Author’s Note: I've been working on a devotional book for the Arms of Mercy guys off and on for about a year. Although it's geared toward an audience struggling with alcohol and drug addiction, it also deals with the underlying sickness that leads to those symptoms- sin. And sin is something we all struggle with. So without remorse, I will use my LifeTogether platform as a Petri dish to see if they connect with a broader audience. Each contains a Scripture, topic, devotional, personal story from my time at the shelter, and discussion questions. Feel free to share your thoughts when I see you. As always, it's all about Jesus…
Matthew 12:6-7 (NLT)
I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices."
If you get easily offended, please pardon the following words, but… Religion can go to hell. Before you burn this book as sacrilegious heresy, allow me to explain. Religion is man’s attempt to get to God. To get Him (and others) to notice us. It’s a system of rules, regulations, and rituals which tend to take the focus off of Jesus and onto a symbol or shadow of Him. Religion begets generations of people who are angry and dissatisfied because religions can meet no one’s needs, nor can it heal anyone in recovery. Religion rapes the Scripture, using and abusing the principles to control people, justify “holiness” standards, and judge those Christ actually came to serve. Religion also blinds people to God’s grace. Or even the need for it.
Numerous guys that have come through the shelter have been modern-day Pharisees. Two in particular- Allen and Tarrione- were so programmed from years of religious indoctrination that it derailed their recovery. They were all too willing to put on an outward display, participating in all the required rituals associated with their denomination. They could quote the Scriptures more eloquently than Major and I. They were experienced enough, by their own admissions, to place themselves in seats of judgment.
Sadly however, there was no willingness to develop a real, personal relationship with Jesus. There was no room for grace and mercy, no room to grow in love. It was not about a free gift from God, but what they did to earn it or catch God’s attention. Part of knowing Christ is learning humility. Learning we (and religion) can do nothing in and of ourselves. I, like most of the guys, tried some form of religion in an effort to find hope and healing. But religion only left me more damaged, frustrated, and suicidal than when I was in the world. Then I encountered Jesus in a real, personal way. I didn't have to pray a certain way or read the entire Bible or get baptized with the right words. I simply cried out. Won’t you do the same?
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you tried religion as a way of hope and healing? What happened?
2. What are differences between “religion” and a “relationship” with Jesus?
3. Have you begun a relationship with Jesus? If not, would you like to? If so, share what that relationship means to you.
4. What characteristics should we include in our life that would prevent us from falling into “religion”?
Matthew 12:6-7 (NLT)
I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices."
If you get easily offended, please pardon the following words, but… Religion can go to hell. Before you burn this book as sacrilegious heresy, allow me to explain. Religion is man’s attempt to get to God. To get Him (and others) to notice us. It’s a system of rules, regulations, and rituals which tend to take the focus off of Jesus and onto a symbol or shadow of Him. Religion begets generations of people who are angry and dissatisfied because religions can meet no one’s needs, nor can it heal anyone in recovery. Religion rapes the Scripture, using and abusing the principles to control people, justify “holiness” standards, and judge those Christ actually came to serve. Religion also blinds people to God’s grace. Or even the need for it.
Numerous guys that have come through the shelter have been modern-day Pharisees. Two in particular- Allen and Tarrione- were so programmed from years of religious indoctrination that it derailed their recovery. They were all too willing to put on an outward display, participating in all the required rituals associated with their denomination. They could quote the Scriptures more eloquently than Major and I. They were experienced enough, by their own admissions, to place themselves in seats of judgment.
Sadly however, there was no willingness to develop a real, personal relationship with Jesus. There was no room for grace and mercy, no room to grow in love. It was not about a free gift from God, but what they did to earn it or catch God’s attention. Part of knowing Christ is learning humility. Learning we (and religion) can do nothing in and of ourselves. I, like most of the guys, tried some form of religion in an effort to find hope and healing. But religion only left me more damaged, frustrated, and suicidal than when I was in the world. Then I encountered Jesus in a real, personal way. I didn't have to pray a certain way or read the entire Bible or get baptized with the right words. I simply cried out. Won’t you do the same?
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you tried religion as a way of hope and healing? What happened?
2. What are differences between “religion” and a “relationship” with Jesus?
3. Have you begun a relationship with Jesus? If not, would you like to? If so, share what that relationship means to you.
4. What characteristics should we include in our life that would prevent us from falling into “religion”?
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Interruption or Invitation?
Mark 10:46-52 (NLT)
Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My rabbi, ” the blind man said, “I want to see!”
And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.
I’m what some people refer to as a church-hopper. Not content to be confined to the clutches of congregational conformity, I’ve been known to show up at any group where Jesus is praised. (I was a refugee long before landing at Refuge.) Now that I’ve found a home at Refuge, it's allowed me to reflect on many of my experiences. And in all my experiences, Refuge is a unique part of the body. This isn’t to say Refuge is “the church” or “the greatest” or “it.” But it’s a breath of fresh air when it comes to people and their desire for everything Jesus. One that sticks out the most (and that I’ve never experienced in all my wanderings) is the dire hunger of the people for the Word.
Verse 48 in The Message reads, “Many tried to hush him up, but he yelled all the louder, “Son of David [Jesus], have mercy on me!””
The desperate plea of Bartimaeus here reminds me of the hunger and enthusiasm for the Word that Marla and Mary display during the sermons many times. While their inquisitive outbursts may be seen as interruptions in many churches, to me they’re evidence of hearts crying out and reaching out for every word from GOD. They aren’t content to wait until after the sermon to jot down the note. They’re not satisfied with hearing a verse or quote on the website later. Their desire is to capture every word from GOD coming through John (the Pastor, not the Baptist) or any other speaker. They’re modern day versions of Bartimaeus, who want a touch from the LORD so bad, they’re willing to forgo what social protocol or entrenched religious tradition dictates. To them (and hopefully all of us), its an invitation to experience GOD on a deeper level, not an interruption messing with the “flow” of a service.
May we all have a heart as hungry.
Application: Take inventory. When is the last time you threw caution and reputation to the wind and simply cried out to GOD. If it wasn’t this morning, there’s no day like today.
Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My rabbi, ” the blind man said, “I want to see!”
And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.
I’m what some people refer to as a church-hopper. Not content to be confined to the clutches of congregational conformity, I’ve been known to show up at any group where Jesus is praised. (I was a refugee long before landing at Refuge.) Now that I’ve found a home at Refuge, it's allowed me to reflect on many of my experiences. And in all my experiences, Refuge is a unique part of the body. This isn’t to say Refuge is “the church” or “the greatest” or “it.” But it’s a breath of fresh air when it comes to people and their desire for everything Jesus. One that sticks out the most (and that I’ve never experienced in all my wanderings) is the dire hunger of the people for the Word.
Verse 48 in The Message reads, “Many tried to hush him up, but he yelled all the louder, “Son of David [Jesus], have mercy on me!””
The desperate plea of Bartimaeus here reminds me of the hunger and enthusiasm for the Word that Marla and Mary display during the sermons many times. While their inquisitive outbursts may be seen as interruptions in many churches, to me they’re evidence of hearts crying out and reaching out for every word from GOD. They aren’t content to wait until after the sermon to jot down the note. They’re not satisfied with hearing a verse or quote on the website later. Their desire is to capture every word from GOD coming through John (the Pastor, not the Baptist) or any other speaker. They’re modern day versions of Bartimaeus, who want a touch from the LORD so bad, they’re willing to forgo what social protocol or entrenched religious tradition dictates. To them (and hopefully all of us), its an invitation to experience GOD on a deeper level, not an interruption messing with the “flow” of a service.
May we all have a heart as hungry.
Application: Take inventory. When is the last time you threw caution and reputation to the wind and simply cried out to GOD. If it wasn’t this morning, there’s no day like today.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Morning Message
Scripture References:
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Friday, August 10, 2012
Reflection and Meditation
1. Take an honest appraisal of your life. How attached are you to things or ideas of this world? If one thing is holding you back from a complete and clear relationship with Jesus, what is that one thing? Share that thing with both GOD and someone you trust. Then begin the weed pulling…
2. Interpret the Great Reversal in your own words: “This is once again the Great Reversal: many who are first will end up last, and the last first.” Then ask yourself if you’re living it out.
3. Do you find comfort in knowing that GOD has laid out the answers to our choices for us? Think about a big decision you are facing right now. What is GOD’s solution? [If you need guidance, consult John, the snake-handling Pastor, not the Baptist]
4. Have you ever asked for something having no idea why you were really asking for? What lesson(s) did you learn as a result?
5. Which of the servant-leadership highlights hit you the hardest? Which one are you weakest at? Strongest at?
2. Interpret the Great Reversal in your own words: “This is once again the Great Reversal: many who are first will end up last, and the last first.” Then ask yourself if you’re living it out.
3. Do you find comfort in knowing that GOD has laid out the answers to our choices for us? Think about a big decision you are facing right now. What is GOD’s solution? [If you need guidance, consult John, the snake-handling Pastor, not the Baptist]
4. Have you ever asked for something having no idea why you were really asking for? What lesson(s) did you learn as a result?
5. Which of the servant-leadership highlights hit you the hardest? Which one are you weakest at? Strongest at?
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Places of Honor (Part 2)
Mark 10: 41-45 (NLT)
When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Yesterday, I bared my honest, egotistical soul when it came to serving in places of honor. My final note dealt with learning humility. Genuine-heart-after-Christ-humility. During the course of learning this (because it’s a life-long process after all), I took my students through a study on servant leadership. The Scripture inspiring the series was Mark 10:43, “Whoever wants to be great among you must become a servant to all.” To layout the entire six-week course would take too long for the devotional. So here is a compilation of the highlights:
-To aspire to servant-leadership is an honorable ambition (1 Timothy 3:1)
-Seek leadership to glorify GOD and encourage others, not to promote yourself
-A servant-leader demonstrates the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:1-4)
-A servant-leader doesn’t want the position
-Qualities of servant-leadership include: vision, discipline, decision-making, wisdom, humility, integrity, courage, and sincerity
-Prayer is the dominant feature of the servant-leader’s life
-The servant-leader must be willing to accept the costs (self-sacrifice, bouts of loneliness, fatigue, criticism, rejection, pressure)
-The servant-leader only desires to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 35:23)
Application: Take the aspect of servant-leadership that you lack and practice it today. Example: Make prayer the “dominate feature” of your day.
When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Yesterday, I bared my honest, egotistical soul when it came to serving in places of honor. My final note dealt with learning humility. Genuine-heart-after-Christ-humility. During the course of learning this (because it’s a life-long process after all), I took my students through a study on servant leadership. The Scripture inspiring the series was Mark 10:43, “Whoever wants to be great among you must become a servant to all.” To layout the entire six-week course would take too long for the devotional. So here is a compilation of the highlights:
-To aspire to servant-leadership is an honorable ambition (1 Timothy 3:1)
-Seek leadership to glorify GOD and encourage others, not to promote yourself
-A servant-leader demonstrates the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:1-4)
-A servant-leader doesn’t want the position
-Qualities of servant-leadership include: vision, discipline, decision-making, wisdom, humility, integrity, courage, and sincerity
-Prayer is the dominant feature of the servant-leader’s life
-The servant-leader must be willing to accept the costs (self-sacrifice, bouts of loneliness, fatigue, criticism, rejection, pressure)
-The servant-leader only desires to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 35:23)
Application: Take the aspect of servant-leadership that you lack and practice it today. Example: Make prayer the “dominate feature” of your day.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Places of Honor (Part 1)
Mark 10:35-40 (NLT)
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”
“What is your request?” he asked.
They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”
“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”
Have you ever had to stick your foot in your mouth when the filter between your brain and tongue malfunctioned? If there was ever an example of this in the Gospels, it's here. Driven by a misplaced perception of honorary positions, they ask Jesus to place them in the highest places of honor. Rather than lambasting them into embarrassment, Jesus simply says, “You don’t know what you’re asking for…”
If we were all honest, we’d all have to agree that we’ve been through something similar. Since I’m the author this month, allow me to share an episode from my own walk. I must preface this story by saying I struggle with a voracious ego almost daily. (Which is better than my pre-Jesus days where there was no struggle, only submission and slavery). Years ago, I was asked to fill the position of youth pastor at another church. Immediately upon the request, the monster within foamed at the mouth. Although I hadn’t asked for the spot verbally, my actions pined for the post. Despite trying to act surprised and humble, my head swelled three hat sizes. My chest puffed out. I strutted down the church aisle in a glimmering halo of glory, the captivated masses swaying in worshipful adoration. How haughty I was.
Like the disciples however, I had absolutely no idea what I’d “asked” for. I thought youth ministry would be having a hundred kids who loved me and hung on my every word. I thought it was a place at the front of the church, a title demanding respect both in the church body and the community, speaking engagements, and a small-scale taste of fame. I had no idea. All of that may have been a part of that. But I couldn’t even see it from all the gossip and drama of hormonal adolescents, parents wondering what was wrong with their young people, pastors questioning my methods, youth workers looking for an example all the while bickering and back-biting, kids sleeping on my couch, balancing ministry and family, picking students up from the police, working my “real” job, running kids out of the gym for doing drugs in the bathroom, spending one-on-one time with everyone, planning, organizing, implementing special services and events…
And this was only the first week!
Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade that life and lessons for anything. The most profound lesson being- humility.
May any honor we seek be for the glory of GOD…and not about ourselves.
Application: Heart check. Why are you serving in the ministry you’re serving in? Question your motives to ensure you’re serving for his glory…and not our own.
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”
“What is your request?” he asked.
They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”
“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”
Have you ever had to stick your foot in your mouth when the filter between your brain and tongue malfunctioned? If there was ever an example of this in the Gospels, it's here. Driven by a misplaced perception of honorary positions, they ask Jesus to place them in the highest places of honor. Rather than lambasting them into embarrassment, Jesus simply says, “You don’t know what you’re asking for…”
If we were all honest, we’d all have to agree that we’ve been through something similar. Since I’m the author this month, allow me to share an episode from my own walk. I must preface this story by saying I struggle with a voracious ego almost daily. (Which is better than my pre-Jesus days where there was no struggle, only submission and slavery). Years ago, I was asked to fill the position of youth pastor at another church. Immediately upon the request, the monster within foamed at the mouth. Although I hadn’t asked for the spot verbally, my actions pined for the post. Despite trying to act surprised and humble, my head swelled three hat sizes. My chest puffed out. I strutted down the church aisle in a glimmering halo of glory, the captivated masses swaying in worshipful adoration. How haughty I was.
Like the disciples however, I had absolutely no idea what I’d “asked” for. I thought youth ministry would be having a hundred kids who loved me and hung on my every word. I thought it was a place at the front of the church, a title demanding respect both in the church body and the community, speaking engagements, and a small-scale taste of fame. I had no idea. All of that may have been a part of that. But I couldn’t even see it from all the gossip and drama of hormonal adolescents, parents wondering what was wrong with their young people, pastors questioning my methods, youth workers looking for an example all the while bickering and back-biting, kids sleeping on my couch, balancing ministry and family, picking students up from the police, working my “real” job, running kids out of the gym for doing drugs in the bathroom, spending one-on-one time with everyone, planning, organizing, implementing special services and events…
And this was only the first week!
Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade that life and lessons for anything. The most profound lesson being- humility.
May any honor we seek be for the glory of GOD…and not about ourselves.
Application: Heart check. Why are you serving in the ministry you’re serving in? Question your motives to ensure you’re serving for his glory…and not our own.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The Cheat Sheet
Mark 10:32-34 (NLT)
They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe, and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear. Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus once more began to describe everything that was about to happen to him. “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”
Yesterday, we discussed the Biblical principle The Message refers to as the Great Reversal- when you give up your life, you actually find it. While today’s Biblical principle has no catchy moniker (other than the one I used in the title), it nonetheless permeates all of Scripture and once again displays GOD’s divine love for us. The principle is as follows: GOD always tells us what to expect. Always dishes the consequences our choices make. Always gives us a cheat sheet- or the answers- to this test we call life.
In the reading today, Jesus sees that the disciples are “puzzled and not just a little afraid (verse 32, The Message) about all they were experiencing and involved in. They were following a radical teacher who was speaking things like, “To live, you got to die” and “to be first, you got to be last” and “eat my body and drink my blood.” They were hearing whispers about people out to get them. They were being probed for information and asked why they were following him. They weren’t aware of the end-game. They needed answers. Seeing this, Jesus offered them clarity- maybe just not the way they wanted to hear it though. Jesus says (my paraphrase), “Here’s the end-game. I will be beaten and killed. But will rise again and make all things right.”
While this may not have sounded very comforting, Jesus provided answers to ease their mind. Much like he’d been doing throughout Scripture. Starting with Adam and Eve: Don’t eat from the tree of good and evil. When you do, you’re dead. (Genesis 2:16-17). Continuing with the Israelites: You have two choices in life. Choose me and find life or choose rebellion and find death (Deuteronomy 11:26-32). Culminating with Jesus: In this world, you will have troubles. But be encouraged knowing I’ve already overcome them (John 14:29-30).
*all the Scriptures I’ve paraphrased. I’d encourage you to look them up- along with other examples- and read them on your own.*
You get the picture. GOD never leaves us hanging. Never forsakes us. Always gives us an answer- whether we see it as such or not.
Application: Using your Bible, find for yourself (or with the help of your pastors) the answer to the question troubling you the most right now.
They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe, and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear. Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus once more began to describe everything that was about to happen to him. “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”
Yesterday, we discussed the Biblical principle The Message refers to as the Great Reversal- when you give up your life, you actually find it. While today’s Biblical principle has no catchy moniker (other than the one I used in the title), it nonetheless permeates all of Scripture and once again displays GOD’s divine love for us. The principle is as follows: GOD always tells us what to expect. Always dishes the consequences our choices make. Always gives us a cheat sheet- or the answers- to this test we call life.
In the reading today, Jesus sees that the disciples are “puzzled and not just a little afraid (verse 32, The Message) about all they were experiencing and involved in. They were following a radical teacher who was speaking things like, “To live, you got to die” and “to be first, you got to be last” and “eat my body and drink my blood.” They were hearing whispers about people out to get them. They were being probed for information and asked why they were following him. They weren’t aware of the end-game. They needed answers. Seeing this, Jesus offered them clarity- maybe just not the way they wanted to hear it though. Jesus says (my paraphrase), “Here’s the end-game. I will be beaten and killed. But will rise again and make all things right.”
While this may not have sounded very comforting, Jesus provided answers to ease their mind. Much like he’d been doing throughout Scripture. Starting with Adam and Eve: Don’t eat from the tree of good and evil. When you do, you’re dead. (Genesis 2:16-17). Continuing with the Israelites: You have two choices in life. Choose me and find life or choose rebellion and find death (Deuteronomy 11:26-32). Culminating with Jesus: In this world, you will have troubles. But be encouraged knowing I’ve already overcome them (John 14:29-30).
*all the Scriptures I’ve paraphrased. I’d encourage you to look them up- along with other examples- and read them on your own.*
You get the picture. GOD never leaves us hanging. Never forsakes us. Always gives us an answer- whether we see it as such or not.
Application: Using your Bible, find for yourself (or with the help of your pastors) the answer to the question troubling you the most right now.
Monday, August 6, 2012
GOD’s Kingdom #2 (Having It All)
Mark 10:23-31 (NLT)
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.
“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
My knee-jerk reaction to conversations about money always goes something like this: “I’m a public school teacher in the state of Mississippi. I don’t know what money looks like nor do I think I’ll see any in the foreseeable future.”
While this is a joke (sort of), when I read Scriptures like this and actually pull my selfish head from the ground, I see how great we really have it. I’m so willing to write myself off as poor because of my bank statement and the fact we live in the Mississippi Delta that in reality, we live better than most of the rest of the world. To prove this, consider these staggering stats compiled by Majorie “Mae” Jones in her booklet If. She writes, “If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, or spare change in a dish some place, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy… If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on you back, a roof overhead, and a permanent place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the world.” …And on it goes.
Now that we’ve established we’re all “rich,” let’s return back to the passage. We- as newfound rich people- have no chance of entering GOD’s kingdom without allowing GOD to work in us. Allow me to repeat: we have no chance without GOD! We can’t buy it, throw enough money in a basket, serve in enough ministries, stir up enough emotions, or toss it in a spiritual microwave to retrieve it a radiated minute later. Again, these are good things. But it's not what we do that gets us into GOD’s kingdom; it's who we know and, more importantly, Who knows us. We must choose knowing him fully over doing things for him or following a list of rules as the man did here.
So what’s in it for those of us willing to give up everything to follow Christ? I’m glad you ask. Jesus reinforced GOD’s uncanny principle of giving it back…plus some. Your time, talents, family, and other things will be blessed in this life…plus- and this is the best part- , you’ll get “the bonus of eternal life (verse 31, The Message). The Great Reversal strikes again! We who give up our lives (and the things that dominate them) will find real life through Jesus Christ. Make no mistake, we all at Refuge are rich. And since its harder for the rich to enter the Kingdom of GOD, may we seek him all the more.
Application: Sell all you have and give it to the poor… just kidding (sort of). Practice the Great Reversal in at least three situations today.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.
“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
My knee-jerk reaction to conversations about money always goes something like this: “I’m a public school teacher in the state of Mississippi. I don’t know what money looks like nor do I think I’ll see any in the foreseeable future.”
While this is a joke (sort of), when I read Scriptures like this and actually pull my selfish head from the ground, I see how great we really have it. I’m so willing to write myself off as poor because of my bank statement and the fact we live in the Mississippi Delta that in reality, we live better than most of the rest of the world. To prove this, consider these staggering stats compiled by Majorie “Mae” Jones in her booklet If. She writes, “If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, or spare change in a dish some place, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy… If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on you back, a roof overhead, and a permanent place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the world.” …And on it goes.
Now that we’ve established we’re all “rich,” let’s return back to the passage. We- as newfound rich people- have no chance of entering GOD’s kingdom without allowing GOD to work in us. Allow me to repeat: we have no chance without GOD! We can’t buy it, throw enough money in a basket, serve in enough ministries, stir up enough emotions, or toss it in a spiritual microwave to retrieve it a radiated minute later. Again, these are good things. But it's not what we do that gets us into GOD’s kingdom; it's who we know and, more importantly, Who knows us. We must choose knowing him fully over doing things for him or following a list of rules as the man did here.
So what’s in it for those of us willing to give up everything to follow Christ? I’m glad you ask. Jesus reinforced GOD’s uncanny principle of giving it back…plus some. Your time, talents, family, and other things will be blessed in this life…plus- and this is the best part- , you’ll get “the bonus of eternal life (verse 31, The Message). The Great Reversal strikes again! We who give up our lives (and the things that dominate them) will find real life through Jesus Christ. Make no mistake, we all at Refuge are rich. And since its harder for the rich to enter the Kingdom of GOD, may we seek him all the more.
Application: Sell all you have and give it to the poor… just kidding (sort of). Practice the Great Reversal in at least three situations today.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
GOD’s Kingdom #1 (Letting Go)
Mark 10:17-22 (NLT)
As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”
“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Many of us at Refuge are outdoor enthusiasts in one form or another. We hunt, camp, hike, canoe, or sunbathe around the pool. When I read the book (which later became the film) Into the Wild, I fell in greater love with nature. This is primarily because I put myself in the shoes of protagonist Chris McCandliss. Not only did he value nature, he spurned worldly comforts and the trappings of a materialistic society. In an endearing scene from his story, Chris abandons his car, rips his ID and social security card to shreds, and burns the money in his wallet before wandering off…into the wild.
While I’m not advocating we all do so (someone has to point people to Jesus), we can draw an invaluable lesson here. Especially at it relates to the reading of the passage today. We can be everything we’re supposed to be as Christians: we can attend, and actively participate in, Sunday and Wednesday services; we can show up for coffee with the guys or Zumba with the girls; we can make breakfast and never miss a bellyship; we can call people in encouragement, invite them into our homes, toss money in the offering plate, and pat our pastors on the back. All these things are good. All part of obeying what we are as believers. Like us, the man from the story had followed all the instructions to be good people. But also like many of us, he was holding back one thing. And with Jesus, its all…or nothing.
So I’ve beat around the bush for long enough. Here it is! Are you willing to give up everything to follow Christ? A “good” Christian would answer with an automatic and resounding: “Yes!”
Really?
Would you be willing to part with the god that is your flat screen TV? A season away from SEC football? A week without shopping or couponing? These are just little things. What if Jesus asked you to sell everything and give it away: house, car, clothes, toys, everything.
It's been said that Jesus wasn’t actually going to make the man give up all his stuff. That He was simply gauging his faith and willingness to do so. Either way, however, we can learn from the man and pull a Chris McCandliss. Let us be willing to part with what makes us comfortable and reach for those eternal things in the kingdom of GOD.
Application: Write one thing you’re holding back from Jesus. Then burn the piece of paper you wrote it on and walk away knowing that even though you may have to use the thing you burned (tv, money, your life), it no longer controls you. You have given it over to Jesus.
As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”
“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Many of us at Refuge are outdoor enthusiasts in one form or another. We hunt, camp, hike, canoe, or sunbathe around the pool. When I read the book (which later became the film) Into the Wild, I fell in greater love with nature. This is primarily because I put myself in the shoes of protagonist Chris McCandliss. Not only did he value nature, he spurned worldly comforts and the trappings of a materialistic society. In an endearing scene from his story, Chris abandons his car, rips his ID and social security card to shreds, and burns the money in his wallet before wandering off…into the wild.
While I’m not advocating we all do so (someone has to point people to Jesus), we can draw an invaluable lesson here. Especially at it relates to the reading of the passage today. We can be everything we’re supposed to be as Christians: we can attend, and actively participate in, Sunday and Wednesday services; we can show up for coffee with the guys or Zumba with the girls; we can make breakfast and never miss a bellyship; we can call people in encouragement, invite them into our homes, toss money in the offering plate, and pat our pastors on the back. All these things are good. All part of obeying what we are as believers. Like us, the man from the story had followed all the instructions to be good people. But also like many of us, he was holding back one thing. And with Jesus, its all…or nothing.
So I’ve beat around the bush for long enough. Here it is! Are you willing to give up everything to follow Christ? A “good” Christian would answer with an automatic and resounding: “Yes!”
Really?
Would you be willing to part with the god that is your flat screen TV? A season away from SEC football? A week without shopping or couponing? These are just little things. What if Jesus asked you to sell everything and give it away: house, car, clothes, toys, everything.
It's been said that Jesus wasn’t actually going to make the man give up all his stuff. That He was simply gauging his faith and willingness to do so. Either way, however, we can learn from the man and pull a Chris McCandliss. Let us be willing to part with what makes us comfortable and reach for those eternal things in the kingdom of GOD.
Application: Write one thing you’re holding back from Jesus. Then burn the piece of paper you wrote it on and walk away knowing that even though you may have to use the thing you burned (tv, money, your life), it no longer controls you. You have given it over to Jesus.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Morning Message
Scripture References:
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Friday, August 3, 2012
Reflection and Meditation
I want to keep this pretty simple.
1. What is the main thing that sticks out to you from Psalm 16?
2. What is the main thing that sticks out to you from Psalm 23?
3. What is the main thing that sticks out to you from Psalm 66?
4. What is the main thing that sticks out to you from Psalm 91?
5. What is the main thing that sticks out to you from Psalm 139?
Don't forget to use more of the beautiful portraits of our faith found in Psalms in your daily walk with Christ going forward!
1. What is the main thing that sticks out to you from Psalm 16?
2. What is the main thing that sticks out to you from Psalm 23?
3. What is the main thing that sticks out to you from Psalm 66?
4. What is the main thing that sticks out to you from Psalm 91?
5. What is the main thing that sticks out to you from Psalm 139?
Don't forget to use more of the beautiful portraits of our faith found in Psalms in your daily walk with Christ going forward!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Praying Through The Psalms: Psalm 139
We're continuing to pray through a few Psalms this week. For more info what I'm talking about, read Monday's post.
Psalm 139 (NLT)
O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!
Get out of my life, you murderers!
They blaspheme you;
your enemies misuse your name.
O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?
Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?
Yes, I hate them with total hatred,
for your enemies are my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalm 139 (NLT)
O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!
Get out of my life, you murderers!
They blaspheme you;
your enemies misuse your name.
O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?
Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?
Yes, I hate them with total hatred,
for your enemies are my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Praying Through The Psalms: Psalm 91
We're continuing to pray through a few Psalms this week. For more info what I'm talking about, read Monday's post.
Psalms 91 (NLT)
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”
Psalms 91 (NLT)
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”
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