Celebrate Recovery

Romans 3:21 - 26

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

I started my covenant on Good Friday and fell behind a few weeks in. I allowed life to get in the way of the giver of Life. "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Well, that's me. By God's love, grace, and forgiveness I move forward and renew my covenant. I tie myself back on to his rope, closer than I was before. I begin the climb again.

Three weeks ago I joined the Celebrate Recovery group at my church. Hurts, habits, hang-ups, and addictions. OH boy are those hard to verbalize! The work that God started in me through Breaking Free, I want to continue in Celebrate Recovery. My first night, I sat in the parking lot asking God if this was the right step all the while knowing the answer - YES. All the abundance that he is offering me is locked away, hung up on my hang ups. At the women's retreat, Naomi Beard said it - What is holding you back? Ummm, me, myself, and I? I knew I had to admit things that up until recently had been a part of my inner thoughts. Also at the retreat, we symbolically burned all our past hurts and things that were holding us back. God moved through all of us that night in a powerful and healing way. I was now ready to face the darkness in my life and bring it into the light. Where there is light there can not be darkness!

Back in the parking lot on my first night at CR, I was nervous. A new group of people to try to win over, and I had to reveal my inner thoughts to them? Oh come on Lord, really? YES But this group is so accepting that you can't help but feel at home from the moment you walk in. Regardless, I sat there nervous and unsure, and I wrote. A release I needed. And now I share it with you in the hope something will speak to you as well.

Knowing that abundance awaits

What am I so afraid of

Hurts, habits, and hang-ups

Big and small

Self destructive and selfish

Embarrassed and ashamed

But no judgement awaits

Confession is good for the soul they say

And my soul needs to confess

Full of knots am I

Deeper still peace takes hold

Peace of calming waters

Waters seeping and dripping

Waters soothing and cooling open wounds

Waters soaking into every pore

Waters soaking into every cavity

Your waters fill me up

Peace trumps nervousness

Love conquers fear

Abundance awaits

One grateful day at a time

Covenant

Scripture
Deuteronomy 29:13 - By entering into the covenant today, he will establish you as his people and confirm that he is your God, just as he promised you and he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.



Observation
By committing to God, holding true to his covenant with us, I can receive the life he has planned for me, the blessing he has for me, and the love he gave to me.


Application
April 2, 2010 I entered into a covenant with God. I committed that for a year I would devote time to him daily - quiet, alone time. It is time to start being an obedient daughter - spending alone time with him, in his word, and in prayer.


Prayer
Dear God, my goal is to know you more, to learn in your word and presence. I pray for the continued discipline that can grow into determination and diligence.

Am I against him?

Scripture:
Luke 11:23 - Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.

Observation:
Jesus had been casting out demons before he said this. He saw the rebelliousness in everyone around him and yet he drew the line so clearly. No gray zone, no straddling the fence - you are in or you are out.

Application:
I can straddle that fence by acting more like a child of the world than the daughter of Christ I know that I am.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, I want to always be your daughter. May your Holy Spirit always guide me to stay in your light and not to straddle that fence. You knew me before I was born and have a plan for my life. I desire that plan above all. May I remember that always.

Seeking God

Scripture:
Luke 11:10 (NLT) For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Observation:
Only in seeking and asking God will we find our answers. In asking for His will and seeking His will, I find the path laid out before me.

Application:
I have specific requests but if they are not the Lord's will then I don't want them. The hardest thing is accepting that what I long for may not be what is best and blessed for me.

Prayer:
Oh God, you know the desires of my heart. Most of all, Lord, I desire your will, so if my desires are not part of your plan I ask you to remove them and replace them with your desires.

Wisdom and work

Scripture:
Proverbs 12:14 - From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. (NIV)

Observation:
New Living Translation: Wisdom brings many benefits, and hard work brings reward.

Application:
Wisdom is a gift from god, hard work is to His glory. I am wise to remember that through hard work for Him, I will receive rewards and blessings. If I am diligent in my study of His word, my wisdom will grow. The Holy Spirit within will grow and guide me.

Prayer:
Lord, guide my tongue, curb it. Grant me wisdom as I grow in you to help me discern in difficult decisions.