Life Recovery Ministry | Using the Bible for recovery and significant life changes

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Again, thank you for the daily scriptures. Thank you for sharing God's mighty Words. Thank you for letting me know what God wants me to know today.

15Then he said, "Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own."

Jesus continually emphasized the dangers of materialism. Materialism was not just a problem for the rich people Jesus encountered or for the characters in His stories. The tendency to desire more of everything is endemic to human nature. Jesus was concerned not so much with how much we possess but with how much our wealth possesses us. True freedom and contentment cannot be found in the things we own; recovery can never be bought. These gifts are freely given to us as we humbly turn to God fo His gracious help.

Christ reproves the interpreters of the law.

A firm belief of the doctrine of God's universal providence, and the extent of it, would satisfy us when in peril, and encourage us to trust God in the way of duty. Providence takes notice of the meanest creatures, even of the sparrows, and therefore of the smallest interests of the disciples of Christ. Those who confess Christ now, shall be owned by him in the great day, before the angels of God. To deter us from denying Christ, and deserting his truths and ways, we are here assured that those who deny Christ, though they may thus save life itself, and though they may gain a kingdom by it, will be great losers at last; for Christ will not know them, will not own them, nor show them favor. But let no trembling, penitent backslider doubt of obtaining forgiveness. This is far different from the determined enmity that is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall never be forgiven, because it will never be repented of.

DAILY THOUGHT

Verse: Luke 12:15

Don't always be wishing for what you don't have. For REAL LIFE and REAL LIVING are not related to how
rich we are.

- We live in a materialistic world.
- The world says REAL LIFE is linked to how much we own.
- God's formula is completely different.
- REAL LIFE is all about how much of God we enjoy!

CHALLENGE: We must not allow materialism to dictate if we will be happy or not.

Have a great Wednesday!
Much love
Luam Mehari

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for sharing the Scripture as daily thought. Thank you for spreading God's Word.

As I read the Scriptures and seeing how it might fit into a life recovery program for significant life changing experiences, I include the following:

The warning to guard our heart is also a warning to not give in to the temptation of sinful pleasures of any kind. Indulging in sin is pleasurable at first, but in the end its promise is empty and bitter. Sin may satisfy short-term desires, but its consequences are long term. Returning to our addictions may make us feel better for the moment, but it will damage (maybe even undo) our progress in the recovery process.

The Bible says little about success, but a lot about heart, the place where true success originates. How important is the heart! It is there that character is formed. It alone holds the secrets of true success. Its treasures are priceless - but they can be stolen. Are you guarding it?

We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome. Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and godly men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree that true wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to happiness. Get wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy corruptions; take more pains to get this than the wealth of this world. An interest in Christ's salvation is necessary. This wisdom is the one thing needful. A soul without true wisdom and grace is a dead soul. How poor, contemptible, and wretched are those, who, with all their wealth and power, die without getting understanding, without Christ, without hope, and without God! Let us give heed to the sayings of Him who has the words of eternal life. Thus our path will be plain before us: by taking, and keeping fast hold of instruction, we shall avoid being straitened or stumbling.

Thank you for sharing and for keeping me focused on what is important. Check out www.waikikibeachoutreach.org for more info about what I do. God bless you and your family.

DAILY THOUGHT

Verse: Proverbs 4:23

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of LIFE!

- Our hearts hold the key to LIFE!
- Out of the condition of our hearts flows life or death.
- For this reason we need to guard and protect our hearts.
- A protected heart is a source or a spring of life!

PRAYER: Lord I pray that You will help me to guard and protect my heart so that it will become a source of life, to
me and to those around me. Amen.

Enjoy your Thursday.
Much love
Luam

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for your message again. Thanks for reminding us of what a friend can be. As I researched what the Word of God says about friends, I was brought to these Scripture that reinforces what you say.

10Never abandon a friend--either yours or your father's. Then in your time of need, you won't have to ask your relatives for assistance. It is better to go to a neighbor than to a relative who lives far away.

Friends are an important resource in recovery. We need people to whom we can be accountable and to whom we can run in times of need- friends who are honest with us and have our best interests at heart. Just as we want our friends to stick by us in times of crisis, we should also support them when they need help. If we are there for others, we will have our own support network in place whenever we need help

Depend not for relief upon a kinsman, merely for kindred's sake; apply to those who are at hand, and will help in need. But there is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother, and let us place entire confidence in him.

A true friend will stick beside us during the hard times. Without a relationship with that kind of friend, recovery and growth cant take place. We all need to be able to express our needs and concerns to someone who will care, pray, and encourage us in our efforts to change.

No change of outward circumstances should abate our affection for our friends or relatives. But no friend, except Christ, deserves unlimited confidence. In Him this text did receive, and still receives its most glorious fulfillment.

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for sending me today's Scripture written by a prophet completely dedicated to God.

Ezekiel was a priest who faithfully obeyed God's laws and was called by God to be a prophet. He began to prophesy at age thirty, five years later after he had been taken into Babylonian captivity. He settled near the Kebar River, where he prophesied to the exiles during the final years of Jerusalem's survival and in the years closely following its destruction.

The fact that Ezekiel said little about himself may indicate his humility. The prophetic work that God called him to do was certainly humbling. He was called to publicly act out God's message for his people. on one occasion he was told to lie on his left side for 390 days to symbolize the years of Israel's sin and then on his right side for 40 days to depict the years of Judah's sin. Another time he was forbidden to morn his wife's death to show that no one would morn over Jerusalem after its demise.

Ezekiel's name means "God's strength," a name appropriate to the man and his message. Ezekiel needed God's strength as he carried a message of judgment to a people who did not want to hear it. Ezekiel also carried a message of strengthening hope after Jerusalem's destruction and the loss of Israel's hope. God wanted His people to know that they could not escape the consequences of their sins. Ezekiel's message was intended to break through their denial. But God also wanted the Jews to realize that His mercy was available to those who would confess their sins and turn to Him. The suffering was designed to bring His people's recovery, not their destruction.

This reminds me of my own challenges becoming homeless in Hawaii after being very successful in our cultures understanding of success. None of the success I had could compare to the real success I have as I do things according to God's will. Check out more info on the web site www.waikikibeachoutreach.org for info about what I am doing now, following God's will, not Bob's.

Ezekiel's messages of confrontation and comfort are for us too. If we tend to ignore the sins in our life, we would be wise to heed these warnings. Denial only leads to suffering and destruction. If we have been broken by our failures and have turned to God for help, Ezekiel's words of comfort are meant for us as well. God can rebuild our life, no matter how broken it is. Ezekiel saw a vision in which God reassembled the scattered, dry bones of His people and brought them back to life. He can do the same in our life.

As we read the Scriptures before and after the Daily Thought shared, we see the following:

Ezekiel 37:1-10 (NLT)

A Valley of Dry Bones

1The LORD took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with bones. 2He led me around among the old, dry bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground. 3Then he asked me, "Son of man, can these bones become living people again?"

4Then he said to me, "Speak to these bones and say, `Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD! 5This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to breathe into you and make you live again! 6I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.' "

7So I spoke these words, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as they had been before. 8Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.

9Then he said to me, "Speak to the winds and say: `This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so that they may live again.' "

10So I spoke as he commanded me, and the wind entered the bodies, and they began to breathe. They all came to life and stood up on their feet--a great army of them.

Having been trained as a priest, Ezekiel would have naturally associated God's presence with the Temple in Jerusalem. But he and his companions had been uprooted from their land - and from their Temple. Many wondered whether they could experience God's presence in Babylon. Through Ezekiel's visions, it became clear that God is not limited by geography. God revealed Himself even in godless Babylon! God can reach us no matter where we are or what we have done. If we are willing to turn our life over to Him, there is always hope for recovery and success in significant life changing events.

DAILY THOUGHT

Verse: Ezekiel 37:5

The Lord God says, 'See! I am going to make YOU live and breathe again!'

- It is a new day, a new week and a new year.
- As such it is a time for something new.
- I believe it is time to experience the LIFE of God.
- God intended us to enjoy LIFE, not just live!

DECLARATION: God has promised that we can enjoy His LIFE. I declare that I will not settle for anything less and I
believe God for His LIFE in my life!

Have a great week.
Much love
Luam

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for your timely response. Thank you for identifying the error I had made (I fixed the Native American).

The Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry will not look for help from the State or County or City of Honolulu, Hawaii. The government only suppresses the civil rights of the homeless here. The ministry is not ever going to take away anything about God in its service to others. The Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry and myself are not public servants, we are servants of God and I desire to be a disciple of Christ, not Caesar!

The State of Hawaii does absolutely nothing for the homeless in Waikiki. They don't even allow the homeless to sleep on public property or in their cars. They ticket them and then toss them into jail, throw away their backpacks and personal items, tow their cars into lots that the homeless cannot afford to get out, etc., etc., etc., etc. The homeless are treated like derricks and 3rd class people who don't need to be seen. The general population and the government in Hawaii treats them like shit. Fish and rats are treated better. They seem to have forgotten that homeless are the ones who started this great nation. They seem to forget that Jesus was homeless. They seem to forget Paul, who started Christianity, was homeless. They seem to forget that God requires human beings to eat, breath, sleep, shit, and other certain inalienable civil rights that Lincoln and Truman seemed to iterate. But Hawaii does not abide by the Constitution of the United States. Maybe there are other states doing their own thing, too, but I lived as a homeless guy here in Waikiki and I could not even get a job with 4 college degrees. And I still don't have a job that anybody in this state gave me. I work for God now, and I pay to do that. What do you think of that?

The Island of Oahu has over 6000 homeless. It funds a non-profit (not in Waikiki) with about 1/2 million dollars to allow about 200 to sleep on the floor sleeping just inches away from each other. Cattle are treated better. If the SPCA reviewed it for animal rights, they would close it down. Pet hotels treat animals better than Hawaii treats human beings who are identified as homeless. And the state and its citizens say all they need to do is to get a job, but nobody will hire a homeless or poor person who has not scratched somebodys back. The Good Ole Boy System runs the Islands of Hawaii. Get the picture?

If I had an office and was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) {of course I would then have to spend more money on stuff that couldn't help the homeless directly}, the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry (WBOM) could then apply for grants from other Christian Foundations that can't find any real people to go out and do something directly to help the homeless. Of course, WBOM would qualify to really help real people, but it would have to spend its funds on stuff that doesn't help real people who have real needs (other than landlords and attorneys). Or, some other 501(c)(3) could sponser WBOM and allow WBOM to use its office for free, and be willing to back up the grants, but who would really want to do that? After all, they would then have to DO something. Many other (actually 5) 501(c)(3) organizations have said they would DO something, but not one has yet to DO something to make it possible. But, I do not give up on the possibility because God can do anything, and I believe God will make it happen in His time, not mine. Then maybe WBOM could buy its own Bibles without begging some other church or Gideons to give theirs up. I haven't seen anybody come to me to give WBOM Bibles, I usually have to fork up the money from my pension or beg another group who is richer than WBOM or me.

No state provides Bibles; remember separation of church and state where court houses cannot even display the 10 Commandments? I already told you how I get Bibles. Churches donate them or I buy them. Maybe you know of some sources that will donate them to the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry. I do also desire all of the study Bibles I can get as I share God's Word with others, I might see how other commentaries might fit a model I try to teach others. In any case, can you do anything? What does your church do outside of their walls to help others? Does your church remember that homeless have to eat every day, not just on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Were do the homeless live? Don't you see them where you live on the streets, in the woods, behind buildings, on top of gratings, under boxes? People sleep the same any place in the world. In Hawaii, many sleep on the beaches and try to hide from the cops who will not allow any homeless to sleep anywhere in the world. I guess the cops think they have "power" or think that somehow they will magically disappear. Scripture tells us that the poor will always be around and will never disappear. I guess they don't read the Bible or realize God requires all humans to sleep. Oh well, I am sharing stuff to deaf ears, or to a concrete block wall that will do about the same thing - NOTHING!!!! I find a lot of people like to talk and cry about the homeless, but not one have I seen DO ANYTHING CONSTRUCTIVE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Get the picture?

I have seen perfectly normal people become homeless due to no fault of their own, many with college degrees, some with doctorates and graduate degrees. After being homeless and being abused every day, they become mentally disturbed. Not the other way around. Have you ever noticed that? Probably not, because you would have to see them every day then, or live with them as I have.

Are you really interested in helping the homeless? Do you really want to do what Jesus would do? Do you want to stop talking and start doing something? You could start today, and, if the Holy Spirit is with you, He will show you exactly what you must do. But, will you really do it? You could just make believe like my roommate contends that I do, but at least what I do is something every day that touches the lives of others, rather than myself. Or even if it is for myself, somebody feels that at least one person loves them, the guy who is serving them most days of the week.

Thank you for sharing your concerns. Thank you for allowing me to share this heart felt jarring concern that I have. I hope something I have written here might touch your heart and make a difference in what you might do after today. But I am probably just dreaming. I really don't know what to say to touch somebody's heart, but maybe the Holy Spirit within me speaks to your heart to inspire new actions. Start to take a new action today, or some day soon.

There might not be much I can do to save the souls of the tsunami victims, but I can share the Good News to those that are near my front door. Are you ready to do that today? I just got back from giving 77 beautiful people (who some call scum and homeless bums) food with pancakes, syrup, fruit, rice with Spam and potatoes and soy, bread, cookies, and ice tea. What did you do to help another today? See what Paul suggested in Phil 2:3-4.

Thanks for your answer. I went to your other profiles and read them. One says that you are American Indian??? Interesting.

I have been thinking about your dilemma of getting Bibles. Does the state of Hawaii offer assistance in any way to the homeless? Wondering where do the homeless "live" or sleep in your area. I know you said the weather is 81 degrees but people have to sleep somewhere. Are there any training programs for those in such desperate need? I know that I am showing my complete ignorance but I honestly do care just don't know what I am able to do. In our fair city we have 4 or 5 missions downtown along with the Salvation Army that provide shelter and food. A lot of Oklahoma's problems are that many of the mentally challenged were released from mental institutions and have no place to call home. Seems the state government is working on helping out.

I do understand your drive to give the gospel out to anyone that will listen. This year I have been challenged due to the tsumanai to find where God wants me to share/spread the "Good News." My heart broke thinking about all the victims and realizing that very few of them were "Christians." I mean those that walked with Jesus as their savior not some worthless idol.

I can pray for you and those that help you feed the homeless. When God has forgiven and changed us so much we have so much to be thankful for and our hearts wants to reach out to others in the same way Jesus reached out to us. God bless you and I will pray for you.

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Happy New Year and I hope you had a great Merry Christmas. May 2005 be the best year of your life. Thank you for passing this message from Ty to me. I feel I was led to study this a bit and share it back to you and others who might be moved by Gods Word and might have a better understanding of those words by the commentary focused on recovery and significant life changing experiences. Or, maybe someone you knows, knows someone else who might need these words. I have placed the Word of God within the text you sent me, then wrote what I was seeing how these Scriptures could be used in my life (and maybe someone else).

Let's pray for/ about this & all that concerns God.?!

Ty.

God, Jesus & The Holy Spirit love you very
much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

This verse, to me, seems to be a significant issue into what we might do if we knew we had to live forever. How could we live forever knowing what we have done in our lives? Would we live differently? I have concluded that I would have to live differently. And, how could we remove the shame and guilt for all that we had done in the past so we dont have to think about it anymore? Before Jesus was born, the Bible, through Moses, told us to sacrifice animals blood as symbol of being willing to give the blood of the best of our belongings to God, and He would remove that guilt. But, it did not help very much. Then, when God allowed His only begotten Son to use His own blood as the sacrifice of all blood, then something more significant would happen in our lives. We would recognize that we will have eternal life and we could have it without pain, His Son used His pain. Praise the Lord.

Faith says yes to Gods loving overtures to us. God cared enough to send His own Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for our sins. True faith has nothing to do with our human efforts, social achievements, or material wealth. True faith says to God, "Im a helpless sinner, unable to effect my own recovery or fix my life changing experiences. I trust Your forgiveness, which You freely offer me in Jesus Christ." This faith delivers us from the ultimate consequence of our sins eternal separation from God. It also empowers us to make changes in the present that will plant the seeds for a new life.

1 John 3:16, "We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters."

Love, no greater theme can be emphasized. No stronger message can be proclaimed. No finer song can be sung. No better truth can be imagined. As we give up our time to serve our brothers and sisters (even the least of them who others consider derelicts), that action expresses the love we have for them and for Jesus Christ. As we serve them as if they were Jesus Himself, we are showing God how much we love Him.0.

Using Cain and Able as examples, John underscored the importance of love. Having true love means being willing to make sacrifices for the ones we love. In recovery the best way to express our love for God is to be willing to make amends for the wrongs we have done to others. Our actions toward others, not just our words, will reveal whats in our heart.

Psalm 139:1-18, 1 "O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. 3 You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. 4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. 5 You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know! 7 I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence! 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. 9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. 11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night-- 12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you. 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 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. 17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! 18 I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me!"

Many of us have spent our life trying to be someone we are not. Our addictive/ =compulsive behaviors may be only a desperate attempt to escape from ourselves. Maybe we have difficulty accepting our personality, our appearance, our handicap, or even our talents.

Perhaps we spend our energy and time trying to be what other people want us to be because we feel that who we are is not enough. We may do all we can to separate form our inner being because we are so deeply ashamed of who we are. Self-hatred is a defect of character that needs to be removed. It breeds the sin of covetousness that is, longing to be in someone elses situation or have what they have. The psalmist wrote, "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it." Saying we are Gods "workmanship" means that we are unique and beautiful masterpieces works of divine poetry. Beauty and value are designed into the very fiver of our being by virtue of our Creator.

One important step in the recovery process is to allow God to remove our self-hatred, helping us to value ourselves for who we are. We have been miraculously created, and we are treasured by God. This has been true since the time we were in our mothers womb, long before we could do anything to earn it! As we begin to see how unique and special we are embraced and accepted by God Himself our strides toward recovery should grow faster and longer.

Before I ever know the thought ourselves, God already knows them and has analyzed them. Before we are thinking a thought, God has intercepted those promptings, those mental, unseen images, and He has analyzed them perfectly.

God reached into our lives when we were merely a tiny embryo and began to shape us within. He originated us. He began to put us together while we were still in the soft silence of our mothers womb. It was there our inward parts were originated by God.

God is everywhere. We can never escape from His presence. Such knowledge should keep us from falling into sin and encourage us to follow Him, knowing He is there to help us. He is not limited by space, nor is He limited by time. He is with us day and night to strengthen and support us.

The power or our dependency is often rooted in low self-esteem. These verses reveal an exciting fact: Each of us is an amazing creature "wonderfully complex"! More than that, God is constantly thinking about us! We are so precious to Him that He has recorded every day of our life in a book. We may have been taught, in one way or another, that we were no good. We began to believe this message, and now we have fallen into various destructive methods to deal with the pain. When we see ourselves as God sees us, much of the pain that drives our dependency will fall away.

All people possess an inward desire that our work should have meaning and permanence. If our work is not to be lost in the vastness of eternity, however, it must conform to the work God has designed for each of us. This work for the present day can be known only from Gods Word.

According to the Word of God, the initial work of God is for us to believe in Jesus Christ. Apart from entering into this vital relationship with God, we cannot even begin to work for God. After coming to know Christ, the new Christian discovers Gods program for the present from the Scriptures. It is, first of all, His work in the Christian we ourselves become. Regeneration is only the beginning of Gods work in our believing lives. It actually introduces a process of becoming like Christ which God promises ultimately to bring to perfection. We Christians cheerful obedience to Gods will as revealed in His Word helps speed this work along.

Second, none of us Christians can overlook Gods work in the world. Jesus command to spread the Good News of the gospel to all men appears near the end of all four Gospels and at the beginning of the Book of Acts. Gods method is that we should proclaim the gospel and that the Holy Spirit convict.

Finally, Gods work in and through the church, the organism ordained by Christ for this age. God works in the church through the Spirit and through spiritually gifted people to strengthen and bless it.

Jeremiah 29:11, "11For 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."

What comfort this verse offers! In our despair, we must remember that God has a special plan for each of us: He wants to bless us. Our challenge is to act on that knowledge. In recovery, and responding to significant life changing experiences, we are to pray for knowledge of Gods will and the power to carry it out. Our recovery is an important part of Gods will for us. We can begin the process by recognizing how helpless we are against our dependency and entrusting our life into Gods powerful yet loving hands. Realizing how much God loves us gives us hope for the future.

As we continue reading the next few verses we realize that conversing with God in unabashed candor is never easy. Praying does not depend on mental gymnastics or lofty theological abstractions. It is more like banter or inner argumentation or storytelling. As long as it is real, as long as we hide nothing from God of what we are really feeling anger and joy, frustration and thanksgiving our prayer is good. God sees the innocent child in us and our rebellious pride. God hears our pleas for forgiveness and our cravings for revenge. God accepts our worry words and our surrender, our selfish motives and our selfless moments. Like sailors marooned in a leaky boat on tumultuous seas, so we await rescue by a loving God. We long to grasp the lifeline between us and our Creator. When God comes, we are as excited as Peter, who leaped out of the boat and into the water to walk to Jesus, freed from the force of gravity by his faith. As long as his heart remained buoyant with transcendent how, the big fisherman did not sink. Then his mind, with its doubts and reasoning, took charge, clipping the wings of his abandoned flight, and Peter cried like a babe, "Lord, save me, Im lost!"

Hope doesn'tt require a massive chain where heavy links of logic hold it together. A thin wire will do just strong enough to get us through the night until the winds die down.

Isaiah 40:31, "But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 , "All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source[a] of every mercy and the God who comforts us. 4He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ."

God allows suffering so that we might have the capacity to enter into anothers sorrow and affliction. God gives His children the capacity to empathize, to understand, by bringing similar sufferings into our lives. All of our experiences are necessary.

Not only is God the god of peace, but He is also the God of mercy and comfort. Thats good news, both when we are going through particular trials and when we are trying to recover from dysfunctional or abusive situations. Jesus Christ suffered greatly and unjustly when He went to the cross. He fully understands and identifies with our suffering, and He knows the kind of comfort we need. He is worthy of our trust and able to deliver us from our painful circumstances.

2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."

In this chapter Paul assured Timothy of his continuing love and prayers and encouraged him to be a faithful servant of the gospel. In response to Timothys apparent lack of confidence, Paul reminded him of the power, love and self-discipline available in reliance on God and urged him to overcome shame. As a faithful communicator of the gospel, Paul was intent on preparing Timothy to carry out his ministry of faithfully preaching and teaching the gospel of grace, and suffering for it as well. At the heart of Pauls message here was the command to "guard the good deposit that was entrusted to us guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in each of us." False teachers in Timothys day were changing and adding to the message of the gospel of salvation by grace alone. That pure gospel, the great treasure entrusted to us needed to be carefully and uncompromisingly guarded by Timothy and by us in our day.

Timothy did not have all the character traits normally expected of a leader. He may have been fearful and timid at times, but Paul said that God gives "power, love , and discipline." Paul told Timothy not to let his weakness stop him from ministering to others. His success was not based on his ability, skill, or courage; it was based on the Holy Spirits power working in him. In recovery and significant life changing experiences we dont have the inherent strength, courage, and self-discipline needed to overcome our dependency. Through Gods power, however, we can succeed in recovery.

Romans 8:26-39, "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words. 27And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. 28And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. 30And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory."

God is committed to the task of conforming us to the image of His Son. Not physically Hes not making us like Jesus looked physically but inwardly in character, in patience, in gentleness, in goodness, in grace, in truth, in discipline. Hes committed to conforming our lives to the inner character of His Son. As I walk the streets of Waikiki, many of the homeless actually call me Jesus, and what a blessing. God is confirming to me that He is controlling my actions and conforming them to what His Son would do, not what Bob Erb would do.

31"What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?

33Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? Will God? No! He is the one who has given us right standing with himself. 34Who then will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? No, for he is the one who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us.

35Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? 36(Even the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep."[b]) 37No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. 39Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Our security in life and in recovery is based on Gods unshakable love for us. The love God has for us is not just an emotion but a matter of historical record. God proved His love for us by willingly sending His Son to duffer and die. So why would He hold back any lesser gift? In fact, there is nothing in the whole universe that can separate us from Gods love! What more could God say or do to us to make us more secure in His love?

John 17:20-26, " I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. 21My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father--that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.

22"I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are-- 23I in them and you in me, all being perfected into one. Then the world will know that you sent me and will understand that you love them as much as you love me. 24Father, I want these whom you've given me to be with me, so they can see my glory. You gave me the glory because you loved me even before the world began!

25"O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26And I have revealed you to them and will keep on revealing you. I will do this so that your love for me may be in them and I in them."

Jesus is our high priest and intercessor. He makes Gods will known to us and our heartfelt needs known to God. Jesus words and deeds reveal Gods mercy, justice, glory, truth, and His desire to establish a personal relationship with each of us. Jesus intercedes with God the Father on our behalf, bringing our needs and requests continually before God. He prays that we would know His perfect joy, be protected form all evil, grow in truth and holiness, and show love toward all people. Jesus prayed this prayer for His twelve disciples as they faced His imminent death. Yet this prayer is for all of us as we follow Jesus through the process of recovery. Since I desire to be His disciple, I hear what Jesus wants me to do and I am doing it.

Luke 18:1-18, Story of the Persistent Widow:

1"One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up. 2"There was a judge in a certain city," he said, "who was a godless man with great contempt for everyone. 3A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, appealing for justice against someone who had harmed her. 4The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she wore him out. `I fear neither God nor man,' he said to himself, 5`but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!' "

6Then the Lord said, "Learn a lesson from this evil judge. 7Even he rendered a just decision in the end, so don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who plead with him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have faith?"

Many of us have experienced injustice at the hands of authority figures, such as family court judges, mean bosses, or parole officers. This story contrasts God with the unfair judge and makes the point that even if life is unfair, God is fair. If an evil judge finally answers the pleas of a persistent widow, how much more will a just God respond to those in need who pray to Him in faith. When trials and challenges make life seem unfair, we can still trust God to deliver us. Seeking God in prayer requires patience and persistence, but He always answers.

Story of the Pharisee and Tax Collector:

9"Then Jesus told this story to some who had great self-confidence and scorned everyone else: 10"Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a dishonest tax collector. 11The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: `I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don't sin, I don't commit adultery, 12I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.'

13"But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, `O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' 14I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored." "

From Taker to Giver: We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

After examining our life closely (as those of us who have been in 12 Step Programs and have done in Steps Four, Five, and Six), we may feel cut off from God. Considering the scope of what we have done, we may feel unworthy as to ask God for anything. Maybe our sinful behaviors are despised as the lowest kind of evil by those whom we consider respectable. We may struggle with self-hated. Our genuine remorse may cause us to wonder if we even dare approach God to ask for His help.

God welcomes us, even when we feel this way. Jesus told this story for a reason. Tax collectors were among the most despised citizens in Jewish society. Pharisees, on the other hand, commanded the highest respect. Jesus purposely chose this illustration to show that it doesn'tt matter where we fit in societys hierarchy. It is the humble heart that opens the door to Gods forgiveness. An act of humbleness is to take care of the needs of others by making direct amends to them when we have or are doing something wrong. The Holy Spirit will recognize those things that are wrong as we desire God in our lives. The Holy Spirit can give us that recognition when we ask for It, or Jesus Christ, to be in our lives.

Jesus Blesses the Children:

15"One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them and bless them, but the disciples told them not to bother him. 16Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17I assure you, anyone who doesn't have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God."

Children trust naturally; God wants our relationship with Him to be driven by that kind of simple trust. Any other kind of "faith" is inappropriate, unnatural, and ineffective. If we are unable to trust, it may help to understand the hurts in our past that make it so difficult to do this. Childlike faith is itself a gift from God that may take time for Him to restore in us, especially if we have been abused (spiritually, emotionally, sexually, or physically). In recovery we are told to keep it simple; a simple faith in an almighty God is necessary for a successful recovery.

Ephesians 6:10-20, " A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. 11Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. 12For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

13Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared.[a] 16In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.[b] 17Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.

19And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words as I boldly explain God's secret plan that the Good News is for the Gentiles, too.[c] 20I am in chains now for preaching this message as God's ambassador. But pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should."

While we may be firmly grounded in sound doctrine and accept our responsibility to live a godly life, we must be aware of the fierce, invisible warfare Satan wages against us. Many of our struggles with addiction could be the result of direct attacks by spiritual enemies. Since we continue to struggle with a dependency that once rendered us powerless, we need to admit our inability to manage our life. Then as we turn our life and will over to God, He will stand with us in the battle.

Notice that each piece of spiritual armor (except the sword) is defensive in nature. As recovering addicts, we need to improve our conscious contact with God, to know Him better, and to surround ourselves with truth, righteousness, faith, and prayer. These will protect us against the assault of hostile spiritual forces. The forces arrayed against us are powerful, but the weapons God gives us are adequate for our defense. Part of that armor the shoes enables us to share the Good News of Gods delivering power with others, giving hope to them while strengthening our own recovery.

Fortune. Fame. Power. Pleasure. When it comes to temptation, these are the biggies. By resisting each, our in the open, we cultivate character down inside. So keep our eyes open and our shield handy. The battle is on right now. We cant trust Satans cease fires.

Matthew 6:25-34. Do Not Worry: "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? 26Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. 27Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not.

28"And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, 29yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!

31"So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. 32Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, 33and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

34"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

This is living one day at a time. It is a discipline we all have to focus on when we are in recovery or experiencing significant life changing experiences. It is easy to slip back into worrying about tomorrow, dwelling on the "what ifs" and the "if onlys." Each day brings a host of things we cannot change; there will always be circumstances beyond our control. We must also face the reality of who we are human beings confined within the slice of life we call today. It is tempting to deny the present, but escaping reality is part of the insanity of our addictive way of life.

Jesus said, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Dont worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Todays trouble is enough for today" (Mat 6:27, 34). The prophet Jeremiah said, "The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By His mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each day" (Lam 3:22-23). Since Gods grace comes in daily doses, thats the best way to face life.

We need to ask ourselves at every turn in life, Am I accepting this present moment, or am I pretending trying to escape into the past or the future? Each day there is something to find joy in, and there is strength promised for the troubles of that day. The psalmist wrote, "This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it" (Ps 118:24). We, too, can choose to find joy, strength, and sanity when we accept each days realities.

Unless God is the major pursuit of our lives, all other pursuits are dead-end streets, including trying to know ourselves. They wont work. They wont satisfy. They wont result in fulfillment. They wont do for us what we think theyre going to do. IT IS ALL ABOUT GOD, JESUS, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. Praise the Lord!
^i^
@)>--->---
^j^

God, Jesus & The Holy Spirit love you very
much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John 3:16, 1 John 3:16, Psalm 139:1-18, Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 40:31, 2
Corinthians 1:3-5 , 2 Timothy 1:7, Romans 8:26-39, John 17:20-26, Luke
18:1-18, Ephesians 6:10-20 & Matthew 6:25-34.

^i^
@)>--->---
^j^

Dave

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. This message has been sent to me several times, but today I believe God wants me to share it with everyone I know. I hope you enjoy it and it touches your heart. Happy New Year.

Breakfast at McDonald's . Please read until the end.

This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through
until the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting facts!):

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree.

The last class I had to take was! Sociology.

The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish
every human being had been graced with.

Her last project of the term was called "Smile."

The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.

I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.

It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.

We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.

I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up
inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.

As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.

As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling".

His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.

He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.

The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentle man was his salvation.

I held my tears as I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.

He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.

That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me,
judging my every action.

I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.

I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.

He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you."

I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do ! this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope."

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope."

We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.

We are not church goers, but we are believers.

That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love. I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.

I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it.

Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?"

I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.

She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:
UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE !. Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

If you think this story has touched you in any way, please send this to everyone you know.

There is an Angel sent to watch over you.

In order for her to work, you must pass this on to the people you want watched over.

An Angel wrote:
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends
will leave footprints in your heart.

To handle yourself, use your head.

To handle others, use your heart.

God Gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into its nest.

Keep this going

God bless you and your family. Happy New Year and may 2005 be the best year of your life. Touch somebody's life today.

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Merry Christmas and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life in some small way. Thank you for touching my life.

As I was thinking about Christmas while I am cooking three pots of soup for the Waikiki Beach homeless Christmas eve dinner, I was led to the Christmas Story as noted below and looked at a new way Santa could fit in. I tend to see the holiday seasons as a pagan holiday, not really about Christ, but I was shown how St. Nick does put things back into perspective.

Luke 2:8-15 (New Living Translation)
The Shepherds and Angels

8That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, 10but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! 11The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"

13Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God:

14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors."
15When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

St. Nicholas should be an inspiration to us all. He was a godly man whose reputation for giving to people caused him to be a revered example of what compassion and giving are all about. He was not a jolly, fat man who climbed down chimneys and he didn't have flying reindeer!

Stories of his life - a life full of Christian beliefs and values - are the real background for today's mythical Santa Claus. So much of what Nicholas was - and what Santa Claus has become - has been distorted by Satan. What has been done to weaken and distort the testimony of this godly man is wrong.

Born in Turkey in the third century, Nicholas was raised by Christian parents. From the time he was born in A.D. 280, they considered him a gift from God. They diligently taught him devotion to God and to be very generous to the poor.

At 19, Nicholas was ordained a priest. His uncle, a bishop, prophesied that Nicholas would offer guidance and consolation to many people, and that he would eventually become a bishop, and live a life of enlightenment. All of this was fulfilled in Nicholas' lifetime.

Many accounts have been written of his dedicated life. It has been said that he would spend all night studying God's Word to bring it to the people. He was known for helping the poor, for praying, fasting and standing steadfast in faith and goodness.

The true story of St. Nicholas is a beautiful picture of the giving that Christmas is all about. The greatest gift of all is the gift of Jesus Christ to us from God the Father. Jesus is our hope, redemption and victory. He is our advocate with the Father, our blood-covenant friend Who will never leave us nor forsake us. In Him we have the joy of living a heavenly life on earth.

He is the meaning of Christmas. "Christ-mass" means "anointing celebration." It's the celebration of "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power." It's the celebration of how the anointed Jesus "went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil" (Acts 10:38).

It's the story of our triumphant Savior, Jesus the Christ, the Lord of lords and King of kings! Now, that's a Merry Christmas!

Something else we need to always remember, as we allow ourselves to be "born again" in the Holy Spirit, it is only because God allowed it to happen through His Son, Jesus Christ. And there is another story to be told during Easter. Praise the Lord.

"God so loved me that He gave His only Son for me! I believe in Him, and I have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Merry Christmas to you and your families. May God continue to look over you and allow you to have the greatest year of your life in 2005. God bless you and your families.

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Merry Christmas. Thank you for sharing your words and the scriptures God is leading you to suggest I check out. This email is a continuation of the last two I sent you (in NLT). I am responding to the 3nd and 4th issue you shared and then we will see how long I get to finish the 13 issues identified. As I am reading His Words, I am being enlightened as I hope you and others might be.

I also invite you and Acachia, and anyone else who desires, to share Christmas dinner with me and some of the homeless who live on Waikiki Beach this Christmas Saturday at 4 PM at or near the snack shop. We will be having ham, dressing, potatoes, veggies, sweet rolls, candy, some kind of juice, and other stuff. A short service will be shared about Jesus' birthday and maybe something about being born again. Hope to see you. Enjoy the words that follow.

3. God loves us and has a plan to reconcile mankind back to HIMSELF, the Old
Testament is filled with the truth of man, how by himself, he will always
fall short, and how God provided a temporary method of forgiveness for
sins (the sacrifice of animals with the shedding of blood) pointing to the
ultimate in the New Testament (the shedding of the sinless blood of Christ)

Christ Is the Perfect Sacrifice

11"So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that great, perfect sanctuary in heaven, not made by human hands and not part of this created world. 12Once for all time he took blood into that Most Holy Place, but not the blood of goats and calves. He took his own blood, and with it he secured our salvation forever.

13Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people's bodies from ritual defilement. 14Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our hearts from deeds that lead to death so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. 15That is why he is the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, so that all who are invited can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.

16Now when someone dies and leaves a will, no one gets anything until it is proved that the person who wrote the will is dead. 17The will goes into effect only after the death of the person who wrote it. While the person is still alive, no one can use the will to get any of the things promised to them.

18That is why blood was required under the first covenant as a proof of death. 19For after Moses had given the people all of God's laws, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, and sprinkled both the book of God's laws and all the people, using branches of hyssop bushes and scarlet wool. 20Then he said, This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you. 21And in the same way, he sprinkled blood on the sacred tent and on everything used for worship. 22In fact, we can say that according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified by sprinkling with blood. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.

23That is why the earthly tent and everything in it--which were copies of things in heaven--had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals."

The nature and power of faith described.

There was absolutely no comparison between the ongoing sacrifices of the earthly Temple in Jerusalem and the sacrifice provided by Christ, our great High Priest and Mediator. Christ accomplished what the Old Testament sacrificial system never could once and for all, He completed redemption. Trusting the work that Christ did is the only way to have complete forgiveness, a clear conscience, and eternal life. Now when we put our faith in Christ, we are free to joyfully know and serve God.

All good things past, present, and to come, were and are founded upon the priestly office of Christ, and come to us from His sacrifice. Our High Priest entered into heaven once for all, and has obtained eternal redemption. The Holy Ghost further signified and showed that the Old Testament sacrifices only freed the outward man from ceremonial uncleanness, and fitted him for some outward privileges. What gave such power to the blood of Christ? It was Christ's offering himself without any sinful stain in his nature or life. This cleanses the most guilty conscience from dead, or deadly, works to serve the living God; from sinful works, such as pollute the soul, as dead bodies did the persons of the Jews who touched them; while the grace that seals pardon, new-creates the polluted soul. Nothing more destroys the faith of the gospel, than by any means to weaken the direct power of the blood of Christ. The depth of the mystery of the sacrifice of Christ, we cannot dive into, the height we cannot comprehend. We cannot search out the greatness of it, or the wisdom, the love, the grace that is in it. But in considering the sacrifice of Christ, faith finds life, food, and refreshment.

1 Timothy 2:5
"For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus."

In verses 1 and 2 Paul shows why prayer is essential for establishing a peaceful context for spiritual growth. Regular prayer reminds us that we are helpless without Gods continual and powerful help. As we continue, encouraging news is that God wants everyone to be saved. No matter how hopeless our life may seem, how bad we have been, or how badly others have treated us, God wants us to come to Him. The truth is that all of us are separated from God by sin until we give our life to Christ, the one who bridges the gulf between man and God. God gives us power for recovery and significant life changing experiences when we confess our powerlessness and ask Jesus for forgiveness, salvation, and assistance.

The instructions about worship.

The disciples of Christ must be praying people; all, without distinction of nation, sect, rank, or party. Our duty as Christians, is summed up in two words; godliness, that is, the right worshipping of God; and honesty, that is, good conduct toward all men. These must go together: we are not truly honest, if we are not godly, and do not render to God his due; and we are not truly godly, if not honest. What is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, we should abound in. There is one Mediator, and that Mediator gave himself a ransom for all. And this appointment has been made for the benefit of the Jews and the Gentiles of every nation; that all who are willing may come in this way, to the mercy-seat of a pardoning God, to seek reconciliation with him. Sin had made a quarrel between us and God; Jesus Christ is the Mediator who makes peace. He is a ransom that was to be known in due time. In the Old Testament times, his sufferings, and the glory that should follow, were spoken of as things to be revealed in the last times. Those who are saved must come to the knowledge of the truth, for that is God's appointed way to save sinners: if we do not know the truth, we cannot be ruled by it.

11"The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood."

The difference between vain pretences and real religion.

The design of Christ in giving himself for us, is, that he may purchase to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; and true religion is the strongest bond of friendship. Here are earnest exhortations to several Christian duties, especially contentment. The sin opposed to this grace and duty is covetousness, an over-eager desire for the wealth of this world, with envy of those who have more than ourselves. Having treasures in heaven, we may be content with mean things here.

Those who cannot be so, would not be content though God raised their condition. Adam was in paradise, yet not contented; some angels in heaven were not contented; but the apostle Paul, though abased and empty, had learned in every state, in any state, to be content. Christians have reason to be contented with their present lot. This promise contains the sum and substance of all the promises; I will never, no, never leave thee, no, never forsake thee. In the original there are no less than five negatives put together, to confirm the promise: the true believer shall have the gracious presence of God with him, in life, at death, and for ever. Men can do nothing against God, and God can make all that men do against his people, to turn to their good.

4. God's will for our lives is summed up in two verses as Christ said during
HIS ministry, which summed up the law....to love God with all your heart and
to love your neighbor as yourself....

Matthew 22:37-40
"Jesus replied, `You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39A second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."

To simplify our priorities, Jesus narrowed the six hundred-plus regulations of the law of Moses into two foundational commandments: Love God with everything we are and have; love our neighbors as ourself. To do this is to obey every other law. When we love God with our very life, we will not want to do anything to disgrace Him or make Him angry. Loving others should make us aware of the pain others feel when we engage in our addictions or responses not from God. Our concern and love for them should make us think twice before causing them to suffer.

Mark 12:29-31
"Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: `Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these."

Many think of religion, with all its commandments, as a burdensome straitjacekt. This may have been true, in some sense, of the Judaism in Jesus's day, and it is sometimes true today among people who claim to belong to God. Jesus wanted to correct this false understanding of true faith. He summed up the numerous Jewish lwws in two simple but rpofound commandments: Love God totally and love onthers as much as we love ourself. If these tow thoughts rule our heart and mind, we will be well along the path toward recovery and making significant life changing experiences a positive one.

Luke 10:27
"The man answered, `You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, `Love your neighbor as yourself.' "

The story of the Godd Samaritan teaches that true love for God expresses itself in caring for others' needs. In Jesus' day the Jews and Samaritans hated each other. So when the desipised Samaritan proved to be the good neighbor to the wounded Jew, Jesus was showing that concern for others has no boundaries. When God has brought us healing and recovery, we become an effective instrument in reaching others with similar needs. Sharing the Good News of our deliverance is a responsibility we receive from God. As we share, we will experience great joy as others gain hope for recovery. Our own faith and recovery are also strengthened as we remember what God has done on our behalf.

Matthew 19:19
"Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself."

This passage comes in the middle of the story of the rich young man who was tying to work and buy his way to heaven. Jesus played along with this man's short sighted attept to caim he was perfect. But it soon became clear that the man was addicted to his material wealth and the security it bought him. He's possessions had a higher priority in his life than God did. Materialism is a form of addiction or compulsion that makes it nearly impossible to be humble and trust Jesus Christ alone for salvation and recovery. As long as we believe we can buy our way out of our problems, we will never achieve lasting recovery in any kind of attempt at correcting some errors of the past. This rich young man did say that he obeyed all of the Commandments, but even that was not enough to be righteous.

A lady offered to buy several hundred dollars of food every month and donate about 6 hours a week to serve and to also cook the meal for Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry (which would be many additional hours) if I would sign a paper to say she donated 24 hours per week. Because of how this could help so many people, I was tempted to do it. But I know that it takes me about an average of 14 hours when I include planning, buying, transportation time, storing, preparing, cooking, cleaning, and serving about 100 meals per day. Her supervisor of Americorp even told her that other organizations will sign the paper to agree to these hours.

Because it is my job to behave in an ethical manner, as Jesus would, I wrote her a long letter as if she was my daughter to just do the right thing. But her reaction was one that I was hoping to avoid by producing a rather paternalistic recommended response. She rejected the right thing and said she would find another organization who would sign the papers. If supervisors allow 24 hours credit for 6 hours work done, they are in legal trouble, too, and are sending the wrong message, "a lie is okay." Maybe the whole world is so used to defrauding the government (and thus the taxpayers) that no one listens anymore to anything decent. I am sure she will find dishonest people who will accomodate her. After all she has invested a lot of time with me to try her scheme. If we think it is okay not to obey just one Commandment, then how can we really love our neighbor as ourself? Unless we really don't love ourself?

Romans 13:9
"For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting--and any other commandment--are all summed up in this one commandment: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Progress in anything good can take place only as we learn to love one another. Love is not an emotion we feel; it is an attitude and outpouring of unselfish concern for others. If we love God and the people around us, we will treat others with respect. We would never steal from or harm them in any way to satisfy our own selfish desires. As we continue to take regular personal inventory, we can use love as the standard by which we judge our behavior. Do we act with the best interests of others in mind? If we measure all our actions against God's standard of love, we will experience great progress in recovery and in our relationships.

Galatians 5:14
"For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

This is another confirmation of above. When I see something 2 or more times, I begin to get the picture that God is speaking to me.

James 2:8
"Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lord's royal command found in the Scriptures: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Since participation in recovery may lead to rejection by others, the process can be painful. Old friends may reject us for trying to escape our bondage. Sometimes a Christian community or society at large may reject us, treating us like unworthy outcasts because of their prejudice. We all need acceptance. Jesus intended for the Christian community to graciously accept and love people whether they are wealthy and influential or poor and homeless. We need to welcome outcasts who are honestly struggling with their problems. Jesus calls us to treat others just as we want them to treat us.

The Golden Rule

12"Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

Leviticus 19:18
"Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."

We often wrong ourselves, but we soon forgive ourselves those wrongs, and they do not at all lessen our love to ourselves; in like manner we should love our neighbor. We must in many cases deny ourselves for the good of our neighbor.

Thank you for sharing the Word of God with me and inspiring me to meditate and consider how these words might be important to me. I hope someone else might be blessed by the reading of His Words and the commentary writen after each verse.