It’s true that God performs miracles. I've witnessed many and have experienced more than I deserve. But if God isn’t giving you the miracle you've been pleading for, He has a different plan for you. God isn't worried about what you think about His plan, He does it knowing what's best for you and with a specific lesson in mind.
God does not want to be your situational rescuer, nor will he put a bandage on your gaping wound. God wants to change your life, to change your mind and to change your heart. Mostly God wants you to put Him first and to make Jesus the Lord of your life so that you can be complete in Him.
When you fully surrender, you’ll find the strength and courage you need to quit addictive and sinful behaviors. You won’t have to go into a treatment center or offer a lifelong commitment to a recovery organization. You won’t have to claim that you are an addict until the day you die. As the Bible says, you are changed; you are a new person in Christ.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. And look for a book I've co-written called "Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery." It is coming out in Feb/March 2010.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Christian Recovery and the Value of Getting Wise Counsel.
Christians can get off the path when they believe they have heard from God when it's actually their inner voice being directed by their sin nature. While this may make you insecure about whether you are divinely inspired or not, but there is a system you God set up to ensure what you are hearing is truth.
First, check it against Biblical instruction. Second, get in the habit of seeking counsel from your leaders. Even small decisions can have a major impact on your Christian life. Your leaders have been given the grace for you and are responsible for your soul according to Hebrews 13:17. Therefore, they have wisdom and good counsel to offer you.
Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." To prove this point, Solomon writes something very similar in Proverbs 15:22, “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.”
The best advice is to leave nothing to chance. When making decisions, don’t get prideful and religious; get guidance. Most importantly, if several wise people agree on an answer, take their advice. This may mean that you have to do something you don’t want to do, or you can’t do something you want to do. At first, you’ll hate this accountability process, but I guarantee you’ll love the long-term results.
You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. And look for a book I've co-written called Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. It's coming out in February 2010 (or early March.)
First, check it against Biblical instruction. Second, get in the habit of seeking counsel from your leaders. Even small decisions can have a major impact on your Christian life. Your leaders have been given the grace for you and are responsible for your soul according to Hebrews 13:17. Therefore, they have wisdom and good counsel to offer you.
Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." To prove this point, Solomon writes something very similar in Proverbs 15:22, “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.”
The best advice is to leave nothing to chance. When making decisions, don’t get prideful and religious; get guidance. Most importantly, if several wise people agree on an answer, take their advice. This may mean that you have to do something you don’t want to do, or you can’t do something you want to do. At first, you’ll hate this accountability process, but I guarantee you’ll love the long-term results.
You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. And look for a book I've co-written called Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. It's coming out in February 2010 (or early March.)
Monday, January 11, 2010
Armor of God Prayer
You have to win the daily spiritual battle for your soul. When you wake up, say this prayer and you'll walk in victory. (This prayer is in a book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery -- out in February 2010.
Stand Therefore, having girded your waist with the truth
Thank you Lord for your truth. You are truth and You alone set me free from sin and lies. Today, I choose to believe and put on the truth about who You are and who I am as Your child. Holy Spirit, lead and guide my thoughts in Your path of truth. Help me to make wise decisions today based on Your word. Help me to speak the truth in love to myself and others. And give me discernment so I know when people are speaking truth and when Satan is using lies to get me off the path.
Having put on the breastplate of righteousness
Thank You, Lord, for Your breastplate of righteousness. I put it on and it covers me today. In the name of Jesus, I take off any robes of self-righteousness or works of the law that would glorify me and distract me from the finished work of Jesus at the cross. I ask you, Lord, to help me maintain my heart with diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life.
And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace
Thank You, Father, for Your good news of peace to me. I put on Your gospel of peace. May my steps be secure and protected today. Prepare me to speak to others about Your love and the good things You’ve done in my life. Help me to live in peace and walk as a peacemaker.
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one
Father, You are a shield about me and the glory and the lifter of my head. I want to please you, Lord, with my faith in You. You’re my Savior, though I don’t always see what You are doing, or plan to do. My trust in You puts You between my enemy and me. I am forever secure in You and inaccessible to Satan.
And take the helmet of salvation
Father, thank You for saving me from sin and death. I receive Your gift of salvation, deliverance, and healing. I have the mind of Christ and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Help me to think pure thoughts and praise You. Thank You for making me a new creation. Make my mind new, and help me not to be ignorant of Satan’s plans.
And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
Father, thank You for the weapon of Your Word and Your Spirit. When the enemy comes to steal, kill, or destroy me, quicken scripture to me so I can stand. May my sword (God’s Word) be exercised to defeat the enemy today. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Stand Therefore, having girded your waist with the truth
Thank you Lord for your truth. You are truth and You alone set me free from sin and lies. Today, I choose to believe and put on the truth about who You are and who I am as Your child. Holy Spirit, lead and guide my thoughts in Your path of truth. Help me to make wise decisions today based on Your word. Help me to speak the truth in love to myself and others. And give me discernment so I know when people are speaking truth and when Satan is using lies to get me off the path.
Having put on the breastplate of righteousness
Thank You, Lord, for Your breastplate of righteousness. I put it on and it covers me today. In the name of Jesus, I take off any robes of self-righteousness or works of the law that would glorify me and distract me from the finished work of Jesus at the cross. I ask you, Lord, to help me maintain my heart with diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life.
And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace
Thank You, Father, for Your good news of peace to me. I put on Your gospel of peace. May my steps be secure and protected today. Prepare me to speak to others about Your love and the good things You’ve done in my life. Help me to live in peace and walk as a peacemaker.
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one
Father, You are a shield about me and the glory and the lifter of my head. I want to please you, Lord, with my faith in You. You’re my Savior, though I don’t always see what You are doing, or plan to do. My trust in You puts You between my enemy and me. I am forever secure in You and inaccessible to Satan.
And take the helmet of salvation
Father, thank You for saving me from sin and death. I receive Your gift of salvation, deliverance, and healing. I have the mind of Christ and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Help me to think pure thoughts and praise You. Thank You for making me a new creation. Make my mind new, and help me not to be ignorant of Satan’s plans.
And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
Father, thank You for the weapon of Your Word and Your Spirit. When the enemy comes to steal, kill, or destroy me, quicken scripture to me so I can stand. May my sword (God’s Word) be exercised to defeat the enemy today. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Value of Faith in Christian Recovery
No one can force truth down your throat, nor is God going to place a spiritual feeding tube in you. You have to want it and you have to get it yourself. The same is true for faith. You can hear about it, see that others have it, wish you had it and wonder why you don’t have enough of it, or you can go after faith with all your heart.
There’s plenty of spiritual food to go around. At church, your pastor is at the pulpit preaching his guts out. Your Bible is full of the inspired Word of God. If you have doubt, then you would be wise to become obsessed with scriptures about faith, the heroes of faith, and hang around people who consistently demonstrate faith.
Whether you lack faith, don’t fully understand Christian principles, or are just being stubborn, your only hope in overcoming your addictions and living a blessed life is to completely surrender to God.
You can resist all you want or complain about how your situation is harder or worse than everyone else’s, but God can’t be manipulated by your tears, fears, or false promises. And if you believe that your addiction is stronger than His power to set you free, then your message to the world is that Christ’s suffering on the cross was meaningless to you.
There’s plenty of spiritual food to go around. At church, your pastor is at the pulpit preaching his guts out. Your Bible is full of the inspired Word of God. If you have doubt, then you would be wise to become obsessed with scriptures about faith, the heroes of faith, and hang around people who consistently demonstrate faith.
Whether you lack faith, don’t fully understand Christian principles, or are just being stubborn, your only hope in overcoming your addictions and living a blessed life is to completely surrender to God.
You can resist all you want or complain about how your situation is harder or worse than everyone else’s, but God can’t be manipulated by your tears, fears, or false promises. And if you believe that your addiction is stronger than His power to set you free, then your message to the world is that Christ’s suffering on the cross was meaningless to you.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The Devil and Your Addiction
Satan walked the earth before Adam and Eve were created, so he knows the planet’s entire history. Satan and the evil spirits that have been assigned to you from the day you were born know your history too, including every major trauma and disappointment you’ve had.
The devil and the demons are good at reminding you about how hurt you have been, how you have hurt others, all the wrong choices you've made and every other negative thing about your life. It's important to note that evil spirits never speak about the good in your life. Their job is to accentuate the negative, and of course, put doubt in your mind and follow that up with out-and-out lies.
Genesis 3:1-6 says that the snake (the devil) is cunning. When he came to tempt Eve, he first put doubt in her mind (did God really say?), and then he told the lie (you can be like God). Eve was then deceived through lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life.
This is what happens with the devil and your addiction. He starts with having you doubt you faith, then tells you a lie such as "It's okay," "This will be your last time," "You can get away with it," "You can't resist the temptation," or "You can't help it." He'll tell you whatever lie he knows you'll believe. Then once you believe, you're deceived and the cycle of addiction continues.
You can get free from addictions if you break the cycle.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. Look for a new book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. It will be out soon.
The devil and the demons are good at reminding you about how hurt you have been, how you have hurt others, all the wrong choices you've made and every other negative thing about your life. It's important to note that evil spirits never speak about the good in your life. Their job is to accentuate the negative, and of course, put doubt in your mind and follow that up with out-and-out lies.
Genesis 3:1-6 says that the snake (the devil) is cunning. When he came to tempt Eve, he first put doubt in her mind (did God really say?), and then he told the lie (you can be like God). Eve was then deceived through lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life.
This is what happens with the devil and your addiction. He starts with having you doubt you faith, then tells you a lie such as "It's okay," "This will be your last time," "You can get away with it," "You can't resist the temptation," or "You can't help it." He'll tell you whatever lie he knows you'll believe. Then once you believe, you're deceived and the cycle of addiction continues.
You can get free from addictions if you break the cycle.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. Look for a new book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. It will be out soon.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Who is Sitting on the Throne: You or God?
Whenever you depend on your own strength, God can’t give you His. When you admit you’re weak compared to God, He happily intervenes and everything falls into its proper place.
So why do we struggle with letting God be God? If it’s been proven that our lives work better when God is in control, why do we persist in doing things our own way? Why do count on our flawed minds when we have access to the mind of Christ? Why do we forget that God has the power and love we need to live a great life and be free from addictions?
We could all write out long lists filled with reasons we go in and out of our faith and submit to God intermittently. But the main problem is that many Christians are comfortable on the throne and refuse to get off.
God belongs on the throne. If you step down and put God in His rightful place, your life will be blessed.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. Also look for a book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
So why do we struggle with letting God be God? If it’s been proven that our lives work better when God is in control, why do we persist in doing things our own way? Why do count on our flawed minds when we have access to the mind of Christ? Why do we forget that God has the power and love we need to live a great life and be free from addictions?
We could all write out long lists filled with reasons we go in and out of our faith and submit to God intermittently. But the main problem is that many Christians are comfortable on the throne and refuse to get off.
God belongs on the throne. If you step down and put God in His rightful place, your life will be blessed.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. Also look for a book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christians in Relapse
Prov. 26:11 describes Christians in relapse. “As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”
In your case, you can compare vomit with drugs and alcohol. Surely you know these substances sour in your system and poison your soul. Since your soul is made up of your mind, will and emotions, the poison controls the way you think, act and feel.
When you quit using drugs and alcohol, the poison leaves your system. Your soul is free to love God and the Holy Spirit is free to do His work. You are on the road to physical, mental, and spiritual recovery.
But the Bible points out that your pattern is to return to your drug of choice or the alcohol that poisoned your soul. When that happens, the Word of God says you are acting like a soul-less, amoral dog, not the Spirit-filled Christian you really are.
Relapse is preventable. You have to understand you are free once you have repented, and God's saving grace empowers you to resist temptation.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. Also, I have co-written a book that will be out soon called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
In your case, you can compare vomit with drugs and alcohol. Surely you know these substances sour in your system and poison your soul. Since your soul is made up of your mind, will and emotions, the poison controls the way you think, act and feel.
When you quit using drugs and alcohol, the poison leaves your system. Your soul is free to love God and the Holy Spirit is free to do His work. You are on the road to physical, mental, and spiritual recovery.
But the Bible points out that your pattern is to return to your drug of choice or the alcohol that poisoned your soul. When that happens, the Word of God says you are acting like a soul-less, amoral dog, not the Spirit-filled Christian you really are.
Relapse is preventable. You have to understand you are free once you have repented, and God's saving grace empowers you to resist temptation.
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. Also, I have co-written a book that will be out soon called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.
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