CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

step 12 Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we try to carry the message to others. And practice these principles in all of our affairs.

@Deade > Psalm 71:15-18 15 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long- though I know not how to relate them all. 16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. 17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. 18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Mark 5:19-20 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your own people and tell them how much the LORD has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

2 Timothy 4:2 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.

All 3 are New International Versions. (I've got a 12 step NIV, from Zondervan.)

Move on from proclaiming the power of God working in my life?

No, I don't think so. We are Biblically mandated to do such.

When I met my pastor and his lovely wife, they immediately became as sponsors to me.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you
may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will
forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Is that not the way it is meant to be in the body?

If I can help/inspire others seek truth and healing in their lives, it is an honor and blessing.

Deuteronomy 32:3
"For I proclaim the name of the LORD; Ascribe greatness to our God!

Psalm 118:17
I will not die, but live, And tell of the works of the LORD.

Isaiah 52:7
How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Psalm 105:1
Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.

1 John 1:3-4
what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

2 Cor 11:30
If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.

2 Cor 12:9-10
He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

HOME RUN!

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019 - NO DIRTY LAUNDRY
Audio for NO DIRTY LAUNDRY
One day while the prophet Isaiah was praying, he saw a vision of God sitting on his throne in heaven. In the brightness of God's purity Isaiah saw his own sinfulness, and the sinfulness of those around him. The perfection and beauty of God brought clarity to Isaiah's view of everything around him. Isaiah's first response was one of hopelessness and doom because he saw the darkness and filth of his own sin.
I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty. (Isaiah 6:5 NIV)





As we come out of addiction into recovery, some of us are afraid to approach God because of our "dirty laundry". We become aware of our sin and feel embarrassed and ashamed. God is merciful and kind. He has no desire to shame or demean us. God has always been aware of our sin and His love and compassion for us was so great that He sent Jesus into the world to free us from it. This is the reason we celebrate Christmas.






We can't wash ourselves clean enough to come before God. On our own we can't do anything about the ugliness of our attitude, words, and actions. God washes us clean when we turn from our sin and accept Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. God not only forgives us, He empowers us to live well. He then sends us out as messengers of hope among others who are struggling just like we were.
Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! (Matthew 5:16, Romans 10:15b NIV)

Let's put on the clean clothes God has provided for us and joyfully offer hope to others by sharing the good news about Jesus with them. God forgives. God heals. God restores us to fullness of life.


Prayer: Thank you God for cleaning up my dirty laundry. Help me to live this beautiful new life as Your messenger of hope to others. Amen
©2019 Partners in Hope

December 17, 2019 . . . Service motives . . Page 367

"Everything that occurs in the course of NA service must be motivated by the desire
to more successfully carry the message of recovery to the addict who still suffers."
Basic Text, p. xxvi

Our motives are often a surprise to us. In our early days of recovery, they were almost always a surprise! We've learned to check our motives through prayer, meditation, the steps, and talking to our sponsor or other addicts. When we find ourselves with an especially strong urge to do or have something, it's particularly important to check our motives to find out what we really want.

In early recovery, many of us throw ourselves into service with great fervor before we have started the regular practice of motive-checking. It takes awhile before we become aware of the real reasons for our zeal. We may want to impress others, show off our talents, or be recognized and important. Now, these desires may not be harmful in another setting, expressed through another outlet. In NA service, however, they can do serious damage.

When we decide to serve NA, we make a decision to help addicts find and maintain recovery. We have to carefully check our motives in service, remembering that it's much easier to frighten away using addicts than to convince them to stay. When we show them game-playing, manipulation, or pomposity, we present an unattractive picture of recovery; however, the unselfish desire to serve others creates an atmosphere that is attractive to the addict who still suffers.

Just for Today: I will check my motives for the true spirit of service.

@oldethennew We do not and never will claim to have a cure to disorders such as obsessive- compulsive disorder, alcoholic/addiction, gambling, eating disorders or emotional and mental disorders like depression, bipolar or even some more serious. What we have here is a safe place to share or read positive inspirations from the Bible and other recovery materiel's for the sake of those who may still suffer to glean experience strength and hope.

What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all of our activities. "How can I best serve Thee - Thy will (not mine) be done." These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. ( co;
https://anonpress.org/bb/Page_85.htm)

Within the general population of those of us in the program. There are meetings every day. So in keeping with the well established protocol and procedures we try to have something to share on a daily basis. Step Twelve: “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others who still suffer, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

Hebrews 13:1Continue in brotherly love. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them. BSB.

December 18, 2019 . . . The message of our meetings . . Page 368

"The fact that we, each and every group, focus on carrying the
message provides consistency; addicts can count on us." . . Basic Text, p.68

Tales of our antics in active addiction may be funny. Stories of our old bizarre reactions to life when using may be interesting. But they tend to carry the mess more than the message. Philosophical arguments on the nature of God are fascinating. Discussions of current controversies have their place-however, it's not at an NA meeting.

Those times when we grow disgusted with meetings and find ourselves complaining that "they don't know how to share" or "it was another whining session" are probably indications that we need to take a good, hard look at how we share.

What we share about how we got into recovery and how we stayed here through practicing the Twelve Steps is the real message of recovery. That's what we are all looking for when we go to a meeting. Our primary purpose is to carry the message to the still-suffering addict, and what we share at meetings can either contribute significantly to this effort or detract greatly. The choice, and the responsibility, is ours.

Just for Today: I will share my recovery at an NA meeting.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019 - EQUIPPED FOR GROWTH
Audio for EQUIPPED FOR GROWTH
To enjoy a healthy and satisfying life in recovery we need to recognize our need for growth in areas of our character which have been compromised. God has provided tools and instructions to equip us for effective growth. Are we willing to pick up these tools and follow His instructions?
Growth comes when we choose to trust God regardless of our circumstances. Troubles will come and the evil one will certainly tempt us to return to our former ways. If we look to God who has ultimate power, He will deliver us from any trouble the enemy may bring our way.

Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us. (2 Corinthians. 1:9-10 NIV)


What can we do that will support growth? We determine to put off our old self and former way of life. By a conscious choice of our will we abandon and receive healing for those things that have kept us in bondage to fear and addiction. We give up any co-dependent relationships. We surrender our will to God and seek His help to put on our new self. We choose to walk in God’s ways, doing those things which help us grow in righteousness and holiness. We get to know our Heavenly Father, so we grow in trusting Him.

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:7 NLT)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am thankful that life and growth come from You. Help me to build my life on Your principles and promises as recorded in the Bible. Help me to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Your beloved son Jesus. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit who will provide the tools I require to fulfill Your plan for my life. Amen

©2019 Partners in Hope

supporting one another is awesome, it is definitely a Biblical requirement - it is for the purpose of becoming
totally dependent upon God The Father and Jesus Christ our Saviour - He enables us to stand beside Him and
know that He has healed us and that we can live our New Lives in His Holy Blessing by our obedience and
New Man that walks in His Holy Light... -'for we are no longer in 'bondage' to 'any element' of 'the world'...

Good stuff and I can relate to this. However, I'm wondering if the above author believes we continue to be powerless even after recovery and the tools we are given are only successfully utilized by God's enabling grace?

Well I can't speak for the source where I obtained the daily meditation. I believe we are in a large part the result of our own self will run riot. So recovery requires a daily surrender to God, more specifically Jesus and seek to stay within his will for our lives.

Seek is the fulcrum on which we can remain balanced as in "Sought through prayer and meditation." Some alone time with God studying and or praying in order to stave off the racing thoughts, Helps me a lot.

Many of us find it difficult to feel confident in intimate relationships. If we learn early in life that people most important to us were unapproachable, then as adult we may have trouble confidently approaching others. There are many ways to learn that approaching other people is dangerous period it can come from abuse, or criticism, or rejection.

One result of such experiences is that we find it difficult to be confident when we approach God. This is particularly true when we are feeling fragile, weak or needy. The last things we expect are mercy and grace in our time of need. We expect to be criticized, abandoned, or rejected. We expect God to say why are you still so needy? I'm busy now. If only you had more faith or prayed more or read the Bible more or trusted me more. With expectations like this it is no surprise that we lack confidence when approaching God.

But God offers us an invitation we long to hear. He invites us to approach him period and he invites us to come to him with confidence. He will pay attention. He will hear us period he will be interested in our wellbeing. He will respond with mercy and grace.

Yes, absolutely. But we are not encouraged to drop out of fellowship and 12 step groups are a fellowship. In fact likely over 90% of our posts, refer to God and many include scriptures to help us stay on course. This is not an agnostic fellowship. We are not Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous. We go to their meetings but I personally never refer to a God of my understanding or a miscellaneous Higher power unless when asked to read from the how it works text. In fact at @Magenta 's cake meeting she invited some church members to attend, present her with the cake and her pastor spoke. The following day was a Sunday and some of the AA members were in attendance at her church. Praise the Lord!

I don't think going to a meeting every day is any stranger than going to church every day especially for the chair persons of the meetings or employees of a church ministry. Of which I've done both.

Given the decades' long dedication Partners in Hope have offered the recovery community using Scriptures along with the 12 steps, I think it is safe to say that they believe and affirm where our true source of power and strength originates.

The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer. My God, my strength, in whom
I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. ~ Psalms 18:2

The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord
is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? ~ Psalms 27:1

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. ~ Psalms 28:7

Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, and His strength is in the clouds. O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God! ~ Psalms 68:34-35

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness
but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ~ Hebrews 4:15

Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait I say on the Lord! ~ Psalms 27:14

The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
and He will make me walk on my high hills. ~ Habakkuk 3:19

He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. and freed us from our enemies. His love endures forever. He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. ~ Psalms 136:23-26

Sing aloud to God our strength; make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. ~ Psalms 81:1

My soul melts from heaviness, strengthen me according to your word. ~ Psalms 119:28

The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my
God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. ~ Exodus 15:2

The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, but destruction
will come to the workers of iniquity. ~ Proverbs 10:29

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might he increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:29-31

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. ~ Isaiah 43:2

For God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love, and sound mind. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

Excellent posts. Thank you Purple lady.

@oldethennew Recovery is my chosen ministry. The original Oxford group were evangelical missionaries. I am neither a faith healer nor do I deny that faith healings do occur. So does backsliding. I believe a cause of backsliding is either denial or the inability to recognize or identify the areas where we need help and or what or how to repent. In the Lords prayer there is a clause, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespassed against us." In some translations it says debts while in others it says sins. The point is that forgiveness is reciprocal. Thus if we hold onto anger, resentment, grudges or shame in our hearts it stifles our growth. We are to ask for forgiveness not only for ourselves but for those whom we hold something against as well. In the searching and fearless moral inventory and confession of the same in steps 4 & 5 as well as the making amends in steps 8 & 9 are the simplified means to a thorough cleansing of our attitudes and conscience and attitudes. But it takes honesty, integrity and courage along with forgiveness and mercy on our part.

Doctor Bobs last words; …
Our 12 Steps, when simmered down to the last, resolve themselves into the words love and service. We understand what love is and we understand what service is. So let's bear those two things in mind.

"Let us also remember to guard that erring member - the tongue, and if we must use it, let's use it with kindness and consideration and tolerance."

"And one more thing; none of us would be here today if somebody hadn't taken time to explain things to us, to give us a little pat on the back, to take us to a meeting or two, to have done numerous little kind and thoughtful acts in our behalf. So let us never get the degree of smug complacency so that we're not willing to extend or attempt to, that help which has been so beneficial to us, to our less fortunate brothers. Thank you very much."

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019 - ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS ...
Audio for ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS …
Growing up many of us remember hearing the cute Christmas song, “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth, see my two front teeth! Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth, then I could wish you ‘Merry Christmas.’" The words of that song may start us thinking about what we would like to find under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Many of us think if we just had this or that gift, then our life would be fulfilled.

The truth is, we experience fulfillment only when God’s desires become our desires. How does this happen? Our desires start to change when we give our will and our life over to the care of God. Through Jesus’ finished work on earth, our relationship with God is restored and we are made righteous and acceptable in God’s sight. We become precious children of our Heavenly Father. We ask God to help us turn away from our self-centered ways and begin to follow His ways in all our affairs. As we follow God’s will for us, the power of His Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out and we grow to be more like Jesus in all our ways. We then experience the joy of having life in all its fullness restored to us.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV)

Jesus demonstrated through His life and death that when God’s will is our desire, the outcome is always positive. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. (Hebrews 10:12 NLT)


As we approach Christmas, God invites us to wholeheartedly desire to do His will in every area of our lives. As we make this fundamental shift in our thinking and behaving, we will experience the kind of satisfaction Jesus spoke about when He said,

“My food, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34 NIV)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, My desire is to do Your will and to walk in Your ways. Please strengthen me by the power of Your Holy Spirit to do what pleases You. Amen

©2019 Partners in Hope

when we truly KNOW/UNDERSTAND that Yeshua's desires/ways have become ours, then, we definitely KNOW
that we are 'bought out of 'BONDAGE' with His Holy Sacrifice=Blood!!!
and no longer have to worry or fret about where our heart is or Who it belongs to...