Take Cover

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:1-5

Yes, I keep adding on each day to the verse we have been studying. There really is so much in it that for our short daily devo's I think it's best to take it in pieces and reflect on that piece for the day.

I titled the devo today "Take Cover" because when I think of the word shield I think of a force field kinda like an umbrella - maybe it's the science fiction in me from having boys and all the super hero stuff they watch. But the shield in this verse is amazing - it's God's shield.   In my kids shows, somehow the shield just doesn't seem to last or is broken through. But not so with God's shield..it's of God's power.  And any reading of the Bible will turn up such amazing and powerful examples of how mighty God's power is that I have no DOUBT in my mind as to the strength of God's power.

And so, when we read this verse it clearly states that the inheritance promised by God is being protected by the shield of his power. I envision in my head his amazing force field over my inheritance. Too bad I just can't make out what that inheritance is. Huh! Well, the end of the sentence tells us when we get to see it "revealed in the last time". 

If God is actually protecting my inheritance then he must think it's pretty special and needs to be guarded for me. That's awesome and makes me want it all the more. This is the God who created everything - and so I know the majesty and creativity of his creations. I truly believe this inheritance to be special because of that.

Today, rejoice in your decision (if you have made it already) to renounce the life of addiction, hurts, hang-ups and habits and embrace the life Jesus has for you. If you have not made that decision yet, I pray that you will soon find peace.

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What's My Inheritance?

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you 1 Peter 1:3-4

What kind of inheritance is this? I bet your might be saying "Umm..I'm not getting an inheritance. I squandered away the saving my parents had to try and help me but I just used it to get drugs" or "I've been banished from my parents and they want nothing to do with me." Yes, all too often in our addiction community we might not have the support that we need and have been cast away from our families because of the choices that we made. And so we will receive no earthly inheritance.

But, in Christ, you will get an inheritance and as the verse says, it's forever and it can't spoil, fade, perish and it's yours! When we have that new birth and renounce our ways and follow Jesus, he promises this inheritance. He knows our lives here are going to be riddled with troubles that we must overcome for His sake, and he has a reward planned out. But this inheritance is not for this earth. It's waiting for us when our time here on earth expires. And here is where that "living hope" comes into play that I wrote about yesterday. 

It's so easy to say "Oh yeah, that's the future" and not really think about it or even dismiss it. But this new hope was so precious to those beaten down (see verse 1 or the devo from 2 days ago) that this is what they placed their hope in. And it's the same with those dealing with a life of addiction and trying to become sober. 

It's intangible really. Do I know what that reward is? Nope. Do I have any idea what heaven will be like?". Nada again. It's so abstract that it's hard to grasp BUT I do know this-- Living a life here on earth filled with addiction  and sin is painful and filled with bad consequences that given the hope Jesus promises of an eternal life filled with reward - I'm thinking it's going to be a good thing. Because no addict or sinner has said ever - "My life is so filled with rewards!"

Following Jesus doesn't mean your life will be filled with less sadness, grief, etc as you break away. You might find yourself lost feeling you have no identity because you can't hang with the old friends because they really are bad news. But take your identity in Christ. That's what the folks in verse 1 did.

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Antidpressants and Faith

Antidepressants and Faith

Yesterday I wrote about Christians getting depressed and while I was doing a little pep talk to myself about "Let's work through these feelings and see what's really going on?!" I started doing a little internet research. I found this great article about taking antidepressants and having faith. Like I wrote yesterday, I struggle with depression as many others do. And while I see the biological component in many family members I often think back to the times of King David or Job and think to myself...'There was no little pill called Zoloft" back then so what gives.

I hope this article helps others as much as it did me.

By John Espy
August 14, 2013

John Espy is an instructional writer who lives in Kansas.

Examining the intersection between taking medicine and relying on God. 

I take an antidepressant.

Even though I believe it is God “Who comforts and encourages and refreshes and cheers the depressed and sinking” (2 Corinthians 7:6), each day I swallow a pill.

I think of this not as turning from God, but as attempting to manage symptoms while I wait on Him. I hope I am in the company of Paul’s associate Timothy. He had certainly witnessed great miracles of healing in Jesus’ name, yet the apostle urged him to supplement his drinking water with a little wine because of his “frequent ailments” (1 Timothy 5:23).

It is humbling to take a psychiatric medication and humiliating to admit as much on employment forms.

Of course, not all believers take this view. In 1914, John G. Lake declared, “It is just as offensive for the Christian to take medicine as for the drunkard to take whiskey.”Now, I don’t condemn Lake; he was used by God in a great move of miraculous healings. But I am fairly sure he would disapprove of me.

As Paul says in Romans 14:3, the strong in faith tend to despise the weak, and the weak to criticize the strong. Sometimes we are not even sure which is which.

For me personally, this struggle has become an invitation to humility. It is humbling to take a psychiatric medication and humiliating to admit as much on employment forms.
I suspect every Christian receives such invitations to humility—perhaps in the form of a period of unemployment or a painful relationship. No doubt some of us need more schooling in humility than others. To all of us, though, the Bible says three times, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Proverbs 3:34; James. 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).

Humility and faith coexist in odd ways. In Genesis 23, when Sarah dies, Abraham believes God’s promise that all the land, as far as the eye can see, will belong to him and his descendants. Yet instead of claiming the promise, he pays an exorbitant fee, to people who don’t share the promise, for a parcel of land to use as a burial plot.

Is this a lack of faith? Or is it an example of humility giving faith the strength to believe and trust even when the fulfillment seems to lag?

That depends on the heart, but one thing is clear: it is not humility that hampers faith, but pride. Specifically, my proud desire to exalt or elevate myself. This putting myself forward can masquerade as faith. But it can't keep up the act forever. Repeatedly, Jesus warns us that “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11; 18:14; Matthew 23:12). The contexts indicate claiming a place or title or attitude of honor. Similarly, Paul says that his thorn in the flesh, probably a physical affliction, served to keep him from becoming elated or conceited (2 Corinthians 12:7).

Yet we are also encouraged to trust that, “in due time,” God will exalt us if we humble ourselves (1 Peter 5:6; James 4:10). “You bestow glory on me and lift up my head,” writes David; “You stoop down to make me great” (Psalm 3:3; 18:35).

Jesus is, of course, the great example: humbling Himself through long years to the lowest place to be exalted to the highest place (Philippians 2:8-9). But we see the same pattern in Joseph (Psalm 105:17-21) and Solomon (1 Chronicles 29:25), and most explicitly in Joshua: “that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses” (Joshua 3:7; 4:14). Unlike Solomon, Joshua never suffered the humiliation of a fall from grace, and some of his most memorable words were spoken toward the end of his life (24:15).
When and how did Joshua humble himself? We first meet him as a military leader (Exodus 17), and later he was one of the 12 spies (Numbers 13). In-between, he was Moses’ minister or servant or aide (Numbers 11:28). He endured the 40 years of wilderness wandering. And, man of action though he was, we are told that he did not leave the tent of meeting (Exodus 33:11). He learned the discipline of waiting on God.

Humility is not grasping upward to seize but extending downward to pour out.

In the New Testament, particularly, exaltation is not individualistic, a promotion to honor, so much as it is a lifting up of the name of Jesus in His Body, the Church—paradoxically, by accepting responsibility and bending low to serve. Paul “conquers” by marching in Jesus’ victory parade; he embraces weakness so that others may be strengthened (1 Corinthians 4:9-10; 2 Corinthians 2:14; 4:12).

Humility may be incomplete without service to others, but it is rooted in waiting on God. In the end, whether or not we submit to antidepressant may not be very important. What counts is whether, at one of God’s occasions, we find our way to the lowest chair and sit in it. Because in that chair, all of us—whether or not we take Zoloft—come before God knowing we are broken.
And God, seeing our need, puts us back together. Piece by piece.

~ I hope you found some comfort today!

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Be a Comforter - and I Don't Mean the Blanket Type

They approach and come forward; each helps the other and says to his brother "Be Strong!" Isaiah 41:5-6

Life is NOT an easy journey. We all have our moments where we want to scream, tantrum, cry, lash out because things happen. But if we complain about it - what can be accomplished? Nothing!

There is a reason that 12 Step programs or Celebrate Recovery meetings are so important to a person who is working to overcome an addiction. These people are your brothers and sisters..and they all have the same journey to take as you. And this is where you can get encouragement and acceptance from those who "get it".  This is where you hear the words "Be Strong!"

We all need encouragement in our lives. It's just part of who we are. As children we needed to hear "Good Job" from our parents or "You Can Do It!!"  And as adults it's no different except that we don't have a constant cheerleader to go to as we did as kids.

If you are struggling with an addiction and have not yet attended a Celebrate Recovery meeting or a 12 Step meeting, I strongly encourage you to take that first step. Help, hope and love are just a meeting away.

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Renewal - It's Essential

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Renewal - desperately needed on so many levels. We take vacations from work to be able to recharge ourselves to be able to relax and therefore be refreshed and be productive. Stay at home moms need to take small retreats from their kids to be able to find an inner calm, reenergize and remember their purpose. I could give lots of examples but you get the idea.

Jesus even took spiritual renewals. When he needed to get recharged, he retreated from life, isolated himself and prayed to His Father - Our Father. And we are encouraged to do the same.

But not all renewing is meant to be done in isolation.  For those with an addiction, there are different types of renewal.  There is the time needed when one has to be alone to process through all the decisions and choices that need to be made.  But then there is the renewal that needs to be happen in a group setting such as a traditional 12-step meeting or a Celebrate Recovery meeting.  This is a time where one gets recharged about the challenge of sobriety but with encouragement from others who are going through the same thing - or the encouragement from sponsors or accountability partners..the people who have gone before and conquered.

I guess that's why I like the idea of weekly meetings (and for some it's daily meetings).  Let's face it - our lives are crazy busy!  And with different stresses pouring down on us daily it's so easy to slip up. But with going to a place of renewal on a regular basis we get that recharge that we need to face life for another week. And yes, those in recovery do face life one day at a time so daily encouragement is really required to be sober.

If you are in recovery for an addiction, I encourage you to pray and read the Word daily (and don't forget those are Green Light activities in recoveryBox) and then I encourage you to find a local meeting to find encouragement from others who understand the life of addiction.

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I Know For Certain Whom I Can Trust

He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

It is important - no imperative- that you have someone you can trust. And I am speaking especially to those who are just beginning their addiction freedom journey. It's why I believe so much in the premise behind the recoveryBox app along with attending a traditional 12 Step program or a Celebrate Recovery meeting- and having an accountability partner or sponsor who has walked the walk and can talk the talk too. That person WILL be your eyes and ears when you need it most.

I understand that friends and family can us. But let's be honest - trust is a hard thing to gain when we have hurt these people repeatedly because of our addictions. And so, when you have that accountability partner, they will give "it" to you straight when a friend or family member might shy away or just close the door when you are in need most.

BUT, the good thing is that you have someone besides a sponsor or accountability partner.  You have God. Our Lord will NEVER let us down when we seek him.  When you need comfort or guidance or inspiration or love - He will always be there to give that freely.

I find it awesome that besides having someone in the earthly realm to help us fight our addictions, hurts, and hang-ups - that we have someone so powerful in the heavenly realm who "has our back".  We just need to trust.

So when you feel alone or left out - lift your eyes and ask Him for that something special today. Ask him for the love that only our Father can give.

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God is always with you

For men are not cast off by The Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He will show compassion. Lamentations 3:31-32

Some of believe we are alone in this world because of our choice to live a life  that revolves around getting that next high. We feel because of this we have no family or friends to turn to. Well, that's often our cloudy mind talking.

Most often we have people we can turn to, but only we can make that choice.

However, we are not alone. God is always with us. He is with us when we disappoint others, or ourself. He will not abandon us because of our poor choice to live a life of addiction.

However, He is waiting too. He is waiting for us to finally accept the life he has for us.

And the pain we feel is self-made due to our choices and God will not magically take it away. Yes, He could. But there are consequences to our actions and sometime we have to live those out in order to really see the big picture.

If you feel alone today, perhaps attend a 12 Step meeting or a Celebrate Recovery meeting in your area. You are not alone on earth either..but it does take courage.

Remember, God is always with you.

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Who are my friends?

Never abandon a friend-- either yours or your father's. When disaster strikes, you won't have to ask your brother for assistance. It's better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away. Proverbs 27:10

Who are your friends Ask yourself that. Why are they your friends? (And yes, accountability partner or sponsor count). It's because we have something in common, right. Neighbors? Parents of our kids' friends? Coworkers? Siblings?

Now ask yourself, if you needed something in an emergency, who would you ask? Now ask yourself, why would you ask them? Is it because they live close by? Or is it because they know your struggles and support you?  Whatever the answer -- it's yours to own.

But ask yourself, do you have a person like that in your life? If you answer no, then ask why? God didn't put us here to not have deep relationships.  He wants us to be with people - and therefore, it's going to be with something you have in common. You are worthy - I have no doubt in that.

Many who have an addiction feel that they are not worthy.  No one is going to want to truly love someone who has lived a life of sin? But, the first step in cultivating that deep relationship - is taking the time to get to know someone. Relationships take time but are very much worth the investment.  With a person that you feel safe, open up and tell them one thing about yourself that you think is interesting about yourself.  See where the conversation flows from there.

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God Is Always With Us

For men are note cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He will show compassion. Lamentations 3:31-32

Ever just feel cut off from the world? You have decided you want to be sober and now the friends that you have don't fit into that lifestyle of sobriety. You know you need to leave them behind but it's so hard because your entire life is in shambles.

You might think you are alone and that you have no one to turn to. And yes it might be true that you don't have the comfort of a family life or right now life filled with intimate friends. But, it does not mean you are alone.  God is with you always!  Matthew 28:20 states "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

So when you feel like you are alone and don't have that support, know that Jesus is with you this every moment and that He will not leave you.

Practically, you might want to consider this a time to attend a 12 Step Program meeting or a Celebrate Recovery Meeting.  There are others who have been in this position and can help be of a support during this very dark time.  But as you grown in your recovery and spiritual life, you will begin to discover others who do care about you and want to be in your life as well.

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Take Time

None of us lives to himself alone. Romans 14:7

We always find time to do the things we want to do, but are quick to fins excuses for kinda skipping the things we don't want to do or that we should be doing.  Let's face it..we as a human being are a self-gratifing creature. It feels good to do those fun things but laborious to do things that we ought to do.
This happens in our spiritual lives as well for many reasons.

It's so easy to make excuses as to why we don't take time to pray. And reading the Bible? That's even longer yet. What about attending a 12 step meeting for our recovery? Instead of beating ourselves up over it, it's time to ask why.

Why do we want to have a relationship with Christ but not put in the time? Why is our faith a burden rather than something that shines? Why should taking care of ourselves and our spiritual needs come last?

This happens when we no longer reach out to God. And that often happens when we feel we are no longer in crisis. True time spent with God and in spiritual self-care will deepen our relationship with our Savior creating the desire to live as He wants us to. Our sobriety will continue and our desire to remain sober will increase.

This is a short devotional on purpose today. Stop and take time to say a prayer.  I am.

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God IS In Control

Everywhere you go you will meet pessimistic people - people who see no hope for the future and carry an atmosphere of gloom around with them.

Rather than give in to despair, consider the greatness of God. Look back over the years and you will see many examples of the wonderful ways in which God transforms despair into hope; sorrow into joy; and defeat into victory.

When things around you appear dark and terrifying, hold onto the promises of God. Remember the mighty deeds that He has performed, and continue in confidence and with the certain knowledge that He is wholly in control.

Job replied to the Lord, "I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted". Job 42:1

-- I must say, for me the idea that no plan of God can be thwarted is such a promise.  The Bible also says in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." With those two promises how can we go wrong. Who are we to doubt God?

Yes, when on is in the depths of an addiction it's almost impossible to see these truths - but when that moment comes and we decide enough is enough and it's time to let go of the old ways - trust in these truths. Because the life that God planned for us is about to begin.  And It's gonna be a good one!

Grace For Each Moment 

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Wake Up And Smell the Coffee

"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!'" Luke 15:17 (NIV)

Lately I've been struggling to get up in the morning. It's probably because here where I live it's dark early and cold - and frankly I don't like the cold. So I just want to snuggle deep in my bed and keep hitting the snooze button. In fact, it's gotten so bad that I don't want to even hear the alarm.

I've come to realize that my alarm is only as good as I allow it do be. I mean, if I don't want to hear it - I'm just going to ignore it because my desire to be warm and remain in bed is so deep within me.

That's the way it was with the son of the rich man in this story - he was living the life of a slave even though there was food and good clothing and love at home. But, he just didn't want to hear about it (or think about it). But when he finally came to his senses, he realized how foolish he was being! At this point he realized his life had to change AND that he had the power to change it!

Have you come to that point yet with your addiction or hurt or hang-up or habit?  Sometimes we just need to have that good wake-up call BUT, if we aren't in the frame of mind to hear it, it's no good. Perhaps you are thinking that you aren't good enough to deserve to change, or that you can't change or that God doesn't love you. All of those are lies that you tell yourself. If you finally have that moment but do nothing about it, then the moment is wasted. So when you have that moment of clarity (almost an "I get it" moment- don't let it slip by. Act on it!

Ask God to work something new in you - and take the right steps. Attend a meeting by Celebrate Recovery or a traditional 12 Step, ask for forgiveness or offer it to someone..whatever and wherever you are in your recovery process...act on the AHA moments.

And then, be accountable to someone that you trust. I am such a believer in that accountability does work.  A trusted friend/sponsor will be honest with you and help support you.

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