Revive me! Weekly Reflections #17 定ww.christian-recovery.com
 
Hos 10:12 "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."

As we travel through the Word there are certain passages that leap out with joy to greet us. This would be one found in the Book of Hosea which is not a highly favored Book to dig into. Hosea speaks of spiritual adultery and punishment, but as we faithfully read that Book we see there are love letters of restoration in there also. God's Message is and always will be, "Return to Me and I will return to you."

I was always also fascinated with this Scripture: Jer 4:3 "For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns." The word fallow is not even used in today's modern language unless you happen to be a farmer. It means cultivated land that is not seeded for one or more growing seasons. Ah, now you serious gardeners understand what God is commanding as you may have rotated your garden crop at times. It is understood that there might be an unfruitful period in your life, but with reason, with purpose, and with good-will looking forward to a future time of robust yield.

As we plainly see in the secular or spiritual realm, it speaks of action. The ground should still be cultivated (broken up and ploughed) with close eye. It is not abandoned. It is not to be overgrown with thorn and weeds. It is not to be taken over by someone with squatter's rights. We must stand our ground for it is our responsibility alone. And then we wait until the Lord pours out the latter day rain of righteousness upon us as we seek Him.

That is what we are doing as we wait to see evidence of our bondage loosed so that we will never sow among thorns again. God is active in your delivery. Are you active in preparing to receive it? God wants to restore you. Speak lovingly and gently to Him as you return and await.

Prayer: God, our wonderful Counselor, we thank You that Your arms are always extended to us. We thank You that You are waiting and watching for our return. We thank You for the wonderful refreshing showers of blessings that will fall upon us. Amen

 

My commitment this week ______________________________________________

Revive me! Weekly Reflections #16 定ww.christian-recovery.com

Jer 8:5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem slid back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

How we hate the use of the word backslidden, even though it is God that coined it. We relate it to overzealous preaching of hell and damnation and accusation toward all sitting in the congregation, especially when the church or meeting has been quite dead of any manifestation of God's Presence. As the clergyman asks for the backslidden to repent and come to the front of the altar for salvation and prayer, few are browbeaten into putting on a public display of the sin in their life.

It is no wonder we shirk from that word. It entails guilt, confession, forgiveness and genuine fruit worthy of repentance. It sounds like nothing but problems ahead instead of the fuzzy, warm comfort zone we prefer to live in. We hold fast deceit because it is easier to live with than facing the Truth, Christ Jesus.

Someone just told me a few moments ago that he would not talk about the past. That Jesus said, "I make you a new creature." See that magic wand-waving Jesus in other's life's? Those are the ones that will not ascribe to guilt, confession, forgiveness and fruits worthy of repentance. Those are that backslidden that refuse to go forward in their progression and growth in Christ. Just because we prefer to pretend the past never happened, it doesn't mean we no longer reap what we have sown. If we are entwined in bondage, there is something, I guarantee you, that you have not repented of. That makes you perpetually backslidden and refusing to return to God. Jesus said, Rev 2:4 "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."

Remember that day you accepted Christ as your Savior? You felt a tremendous sense of relief as your sins were washed away. You knew God loved you, and You loved Him for translating you from the kingdom of darkness to His glorious Kingdom. Recall that day, and if your love, joy and peace are not as great, or as it should be greater than that day then you are backslidden. Get in touch with God. Let Him put into your conscience and spirit what it is exactly that is keeping you from your healing and delivery. Become "forward slidden" today.

Prayer: Lord God, do I have hidden sins of Omission? Commission? Thought? Word? Deed? Am I refusing to hear You? Is there deceit in my life I am clinging to? I started off just wanting to be delivered from my bondage, but now I want to also return to my first love in Christ and deepen that Love more and more each day. Show me plainly the path to progress as I thank You now for my recovery. Amen

My commitment this week: ______________________________________________

Revive me! Weekly Reflections #15 定ww.christian-recovery.com

Pro 18:14 "The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?" This reads in the Good News Bible as, "Your will to live can sustain you when you are sick, but if you lose it, your last hope is gone." That is our discussion today in the few brief moments we meet each week.

Is your last hope gone, or is God your last hope? Have you placed all your time and effort into your wholeness on everything but God, making Him your very last hope for deliverance; or have you lost your hope, faith and belief in Him just because of a physical malady or fleshly craving that cannot be quenched? You might want to read those two double-edged questions again and come and reason with God over your answer.

Last week we mentioned that those that hope in the Name of Jesus, even for those that were far off from Him, could rightfully place their desire of fulfillment on that Name alone. Did you actively seek out your commitment for the week to Jesus alone? Many hours in prayer and worship reflecting on Jesus Christ? Was your strength renewed and your patience enlarged? Did you see the possibility of Light at the end of the tunnel? Did you even get one goosebump by breathing in and out, in your inner being, thoughts of Him?

We are sick. We need a Physician. Jesus came to heal and deliver us from all oppression. How can our last hope be gone if we have Jesus dwelling within us? Psa 38:15 "For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God." Prayer: Thank You, Lord God for renewing my hope. I do believe, help Thou my unbelief as I look to You knowing that You have heard my prayer for recovery. Amen

My commitment this week: __________________________________

Revive me! Weekly Reflections #14 定ww.christian-recovery.com

Mat 12:21 'And nations will hope [or, place their trust] in His name.'" [Isaiah 42:1-4] (ALT)

Mat 12:21 The mere sound of his name will signal hope, even among far-off unbelievers. (MSG)

We often take for granted, or have not yet entered into the fullness of the revelation of Christ, given for you, in the Holy Bible. I have put this important text in two modern translations to try to capture your attention today. We know that we have to put on Christ. We know that we must receive Him. We know that we must believe in Who He is---the second Person of the Trinity. We know that there is no higher Name than the Name of Christ Jesus. We know a lot of things about Christ, but are we enlightened yet to call upon that Name to receive our freedom from bondage? Is our hope and trust in Him, or is it placed upon a method, a treatment, a plan, a meeting, a preacher, or something other than that Name that sets captives free?

The mere sound of His Name---does it thrill you, give you goose bumps, provide you with power so that all things are possible? Is He so beautiful to you that just by breathing in and out His Name you feel His Presence? That is the Jesus that you need to place your hope and trust in. There is no other Name in heaven or earth that can deliver you and grant you victory. Or are you far-off? Even to those He signal's hope.

If you seem to be in a holding pattern with your addiction or bondage, perhaps you will commit to becoming intimate with Him, not who you want to believe He is, but the real deal, Emmanuel; God with us.

Prayer: Emmanuel, why have I not seen You, touched You, known You, experienced You before in my life? Forgive me for blocking the revelation of You with the indifference toward the Bible. Reveal yourself to me as I journey on to knowing You which will set me free to worship You. I see that is Your intent and will on my pilgrimage to healing. Amen

 

My commitment this week: ________________________________________________

Revive me! Weekly Reflections #13 定ww.christian-recovery.com

 

Pro 3:12 "My child, when the LORD corrects you, pay close attention and take it as a warning. The LORD corrects those he loves, as parents correct a child of whom they are proud." (GNB)

I tend to think that Psalms and Proverbs are probably the most highly read portions of the Bible. Even New Testament's often enclose the Proverbs and Psalms for our meditation and wisdom, yet so few readers have applied the above verse on waiting for answer to prayer.

We may not all be parents, but we all were children. We were corrected and if we bore children of our own we corrected them. Each scenario the decision or judgment was final by an authoritive figure. If we were healthy and Christians in our childhood we, although not at first possibly, but later on realized the truth of the love given with the instruction and correction. If we were healthy and Christians while raising our children, we knew that our discipline was correct and we often knew the punishment hurt us more than the child.

Yet, as we seek freedom and recovery in our life for our going astray and our sin and rebellion, we do not pay close attention to what God is warning us as He brings about our desired freedom. We dismiss the repercussions of reaping what we sow, and we expect God to be overly indulgent and grant our wish and favor without the path of correction He desires to lead us on. We rebuff God's way, will, and answer and seek an easy out. For instance, substance abuse. We know we are addicted, and this can be drugs, alcohol, food, perversion, you must substitute your bondage here. Yet, we tell God, "I know I have your forgiveness, just give me a miracle and deliver me instantaneously. I know You can do it."

Yes, He can do it, but you will find another addiction, or god, or idol to substitute and set up before Him once again. Your relationship with Him is not Father/child if you refuse the path of correction He has chosen for you, and the value of Him choosing that way for you in His great love and in the Omniscient of knowing your future. You are doing Abba great injustice by not allowing Him to bring you the answer the way He chooses. You are doing Abba great injustice by telling Him He is not timely enough. You are doing Abba great injustice by telling Him your needs are greater than the needs of the countless others that you will be able to set free with the knowledge and wisdom God is imparting to you as you seek your freedom along with a mature relationship to God. He is waiting on you; you are not waiting on Him. Surrender to His Wisdom. Do what He requires of you and do not despise His correction today.

Prayer: Lord, I do see. I do know You. I do know You make the finest choices for me. I do need to drop the feel good religion and have You instead. I do want to make You proud by learning what You are teaching me. Help me to see that You are responding to my prayer and that I need to put my listening ears on. Amen

My commitment this week: ________________________________

Revive me! Weekly Reflections #12 定ww.christian-recovery.com

Wounded For Your Transgressions

I bore that brutal beating and shameful death on the cross for your freedom, My beloved. I desire that you take that knowledge, that descriptive passage in My Word, and apply it to what hinders you from walking in My highest will and in the fullness of the Spirit. It is by understanding and applying My shed blood that you will have the release that you long for.
 
I have no bounds. I am not hindered by your past. Your failures are all not only forgiven, but forgotten. I have removed those sins as far as the east is from the west. I long for you to experience forgiveness from God the Father so that you do not fall into guilt and condemnation from the evil one. It is he that torments you as you unknowingly give him permission to do so.
 
It was God the Father's will to crush Me with suffering, but it is not My will to do that to you. It is My will that you realize your blessed inheritance and walk in victory.
 
Precious one, I have set you free. I have redeemed you. I want you to know Me, not just about Me. The healing you are in search for is here in the now. Isa 53:5-9 "He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds. We have all strayed like sheep. Each one of us has turned to go his own way, and the LORD has laid all our sins on him. He was abused and punished, but he didn't open his mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. He was like a sheep that is silent when its wool is cut off. He didn't open his mouth. He was arrested, taken away, and judged. Who would have thought that he would be removed from the world? He was killed because of my people's rebellion. He was placed in a tomb with the wicked. He was put there with the rich when he died, although he had done nothing violent and had never spoken a lie."
 
Learn this well: My last words were, "It is finished." Your healing is complete. Receive it, My little one. Peace be yours. Arise!
 
My Commitment this week ______________________________________________

Revive me! Weekly Reflections #11 定ww.christian-recovery.com

Dan 7:15 "As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. (ESV)

Are you like Daniel anxious about your recovery? Alarmed at the visions that race through your head telling you you will never be set free? If you can relate, you need to attack this anxiety before you will see your desired freedom. God works from the inward outward. Just the way He does things for the most part. Who is to argue with Him, even though we care to see the outer manifestation first? You are being set free, even if you do not like the route God has chosen for you. There is an order in His Kingdom and He is directing your path to the land of promise.

Jesus tells us to be careful (burdened) for nothing. Could He be telling you that this is an express command you are ignoring and He can't breakthrough to you until you cease? And you may answer back, I will cease when I no longer have the anxiety of my recovery. Doesn't work that way. A great many of God's blessing are conditional on you choosing obedience. Not obedience to the easy things only, but the difficult tasks like letting the mind of Christ dwell richly within you. Which is easier for Him? For Him to heal you with a word, or for Him to get you to allow Him full entrance into that anxious spirit and alarming mind? Getting you to do something when He has given you free will would be the better answer of choice if you voice what is most difficult for Him. Give Him access to your spirit and mind and ask Him what He wants to do first in your life so that you might receive that blessed healing you desire.

Prayer: Lord, You are always right and I am always attempting to tell you when, how, and which way You should move next to please me. May I please You instead for once by giving You full access and authority over my spirit and mind. Work whichever way it is for me to be complete and mature in You. Amen

My commitment this week ________________________________

Edited by author 06-10-2007 09:03 AM
Revive me! Weekly Reflections #10 定ww.christian-recovery.com
 
 
" For of this I am confident, that He who has begun a good work within you will go on to perfect it in preparation for the day of Jesus Christ." Phil 1:6 (WEY)
 
We seem to think that recovery is our work, our job, our laurels. But it is not. It is the work of the Holy Spirit who has set you apart for everlasting life who is your Perfector. He does this willingly to present You to the Lord Jesus Christ on His day. He wants you spotless and blameless before your Lord. It is His work to make you complete and pure. It is His work to bring you recovery and healing. We can not press Him to do His work in His good will, but we can express our desire to have it done and to make us ready, willing and able to receive.
 
When you feel weak, express that to Him. That is His job to impart strength to do. When you feel weary, express it to Him. That is His job to bring you comfort. When you feel like a failure, express it to Him. That is His job to make you victorious. Get the picture? It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring you to a state of perfection. He cannot fail or forsake. It is a done deal. He makes no exception or exclusion in completing you whole in Christ. The triumph is His so be willing to exalt and glorify Him for your deliverance and recovery.
 
Prayer: Holy Spirit, I was kind of thinking that I have so much work to do before I would see my freedom. Yet now I see I haven't received it yet because You are stretching and maturing me that I might give You all the credit that is due You when You wrought this miracle in me. I thank You for wisdom and I thank You for my understanding of the work You do within me. Forgive me for keeping You at arm's length. Your hand is not shortened however to free me. Praises to You alone! Amen
 
My commitment this week ______________________________________________

Revive me! Weekly Reflections #9 定ww.christian-recovery.com

2Co 4:7 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

In a Watchman Nee study on Releasing the Spirit, I found this quote worthy of passing on. "Among those who possess the life of the Lord can be found two distinct conditions: one includes those in whom life is confined, restricted, imprisoned and unable to come forth; the other includes those in whom the Lord has forged a way, and life is thus released from them." Which earthen vessel are you? Imprisoned or released?
The Treasure (Jesus) dwells within us. We must be broken to release the Spirit. The study goes on to say, "The Alabaster Box Must Be Broken ." Do you recall the Scripture passage about the woman that poured upon Jesus the ointment as an act of worship? That box had to be broken open so that anointing fragrance could come forth. We are that alabaster box (earthen vessel) and the Holy Spirit is the Anointing Fragrance in our life. We clearly have to be broken, so we can be released in power.

As you are waiting for that somehow special 'aha' moment that will set you free from your bondage, ask the Lord if today's reading might contain the reason for the delay in your life. 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Is there still things in you which must be broken?

Prayer: Lord, I am not stiff-necked, although I might be many other things. I hear You gently speaking. May I discern what needs to be done in my life to release the Holy Spirit in me, and give me the anointing that will set me free. You are my Treasure and I ask that you revive me. Amen

My commitment this week: ____________________________________________________

Revive me! Weekly Reflections #8 定ww.christian-recovery.com

Rom 4:7 "Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered."

Can you stop for a moment or two and let this verse sink in? First word is "saying." Not an old wives tale or a familiar saying, but you speaking the truth in love. Second word is "blessed." Not going to be, used to be, but blessed, what you are. And thirdly, the end of the sentence is the reason why. Your sins are forgiven and covered, and Jesus did it all!

Have you been muttering under your breath that you haven't been blessed with what you desire yet? Are you sputtering that you can't count your blessings because you can't think of any? Do you think that the sermon on the mount which lists the "blessed are" do not pertain to you, or is only relatable when you reach heaven? Read Romans 4:7 once more.

Don't shortchange God for the blessing He has bestowed on you. Don't try to prioritize what you think should come first. This is the first and foremost blessing we can have as a Christian---forgiveness of sins. You are paid in full--debt free. I say that is good enough reason to rejoice that you are special. Not everyone has their sin's covered. In fact, it might be a smaller margin than we expected when we reach the pearly gates. So put on your gratitude attitude from here on out and expect God to begin bestowing those other blessings once you realize the greatest of them all you already possess.

My commitment this week: ________________________________________

Friday's Affirmation To Change Your Life

Daily Affirmation To Live Beyond Great Expectations

I shall live each day with great expectations but I shall also live beyond expectations by turning my expectations into action.
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Thursday's Affirmation To Change Your Life

Daily Affirmation To Explore All Of My Inner Life

I shall explore my inner life, for I know God lives within me and His infinite love resides within my inner life.

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Wednesday's Affirmation To Change Your Life

Daily Affirmation To Seek Possibilities In Trials And Adversities

I shall seek out possibilities in trials and adversities as I remember all trials and adversities have hidden wisdom waiting to be discovered.

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Tuesday's Affirmation To Change Your Life

Daily Affirmation To Be Responsible In My Trials And Adversities

I shall be responsible in my trials and adversities as I seek to glorify God in all things at all times.

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Monday's Affirmation To Change Your Life

Daily Affirmation To Serve People At Their Point Of Need

I shall serve people at their point of need, not necessarily at their point of want.

I shall serve people in Christ's love and grace.

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Revive me! Weekly Reflections #7 定ww.christian-recovery.com

Rom 16:20 "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."

When we live in the midst of addiction, when we cannot escape our sin past, when we can see no permanence in recovery, and when temptations and cravings hound us, we think that God does not hear our pleas for deliverance. We may even then rebel and continually give surrender to the master that is controlling us and dictating our servitude. In plain English that is called, "Cutting off your nose to spite your face."

What happened to taking baby steps on our way to freedom? What happened to practicing in some measure self-control, until the Holy Spirit fully eradicates this area of weakness within us? What happened to waiting for the blessed promise with patience? Who was Jesus speaking to when He said, "I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luk 18:8)

God is a God of peace toward us. If something or someone is threatening that peace in our life, God will avenge it. Christ has trampled upon Satan and the devil's hold on you will be bruised. That word bruised insinuates there will be a fight. A war is being waged. You can expect it. You can anticipate it. But lest you forget, Jesus is Victor. Keep your faith active. Let it not be extinguished during your wait. Surround yourself with positive action during this brief period of time, and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

My commitment this week: _____________________________________