Spiritual Thoughts

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"Letting go and surrendering our lives to God is sometimes painful, but the growth we experience from the surrender leads to a sense of fulfillment. Hanging on to what served us in the past prevents us from becoming the fully developed persons that we were created to be."


Let go Let God

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by Gail Rodgers
This winter, in a far North community, I experienced 24-hour darkness for the first time. A deep respect grew in my heart for the people who live there year-round and simply take it in stride.

I received an e-mail from a friend there yesterday exclaiming, “The sun is back!” The days will lengthen rapidly now, and in four short months, the land that was shrouded in total darkness will experience total light. Children will run and play in the streets at midnight with the sun high in the sky. With the light comes new life to the village. With the light comes a freedom to run and play without the heavy clothes of winter and the fear of polar bears in the shadows.
Light dispels darkness. A Bible verse reminds us about this very thing.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” ( Ephesians 5:8)

If you have received the forgiveness Jesus holds out to each one of us and have invited Him into your life, you have moved from darkness into light. Are you living today as a child of light?
Have you shed the heavy parka of guilt and shame? Have you kicked off the boots that make your feet feel leaden as you go your own way? Are you still wearing winter mittens that cause your hands to fumble as you try to do what God wants? Does your life feel encumbered by fear that came from the darkness but has no place now in the light?
As a child of the light you are called to freedom; freedom to run and play and dance in the Son. Freedom that comes as you ask daily to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Freedom to be who God created you to be and fulfilled in the very depths of your soul.
Ask Him today to fill you afresh with His Spirit. Ask Him today to help you shed the heavy clothes of winter that drag you down. He can help you break that habit or overcome that discouragement. He can give you wisdom and open new paths for your feet. He can help you rise above the fears you still carry of shadows in the dark. His Holy Spirit can fill you with His power to live life far beyond your own very best efforts. Today, live as a child of the light!
prayer & reflection

Heavenly Father,
Today I invite Your Holy Spirit into my life in a fresh and new way. I ask for Your help in understanding how to shed the heavy winter gear and the fears that linger so I can live in freedom. Fill me today, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, with everything I need for every step I take. Today I want to live as a child of the Light. Thank You that in You, this provision is possible.
In the strong name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted, you encourage them, and you listen to their cry. Psalm 10:17

Thought: When I cry in distress, the Lord lifts my spirit.

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Grace
I receive the grace of God.

Grace is the moment the flower blooms, the subtle harmony from a musical instrument, the sweet breeze of autumn, a relaxed breath.

Grace happens when I let go and open the doors of my soul to God’s guidance. Grace arrives as effortlessly as the falling leaves when I stop trying to figure out life and just let it be through me. I don’t have to do anything to earn grace; it arises when I surrender.

Grace is the touch of God letting me know that, at any time, I can start over. It is the promise of a new beginning guided by Divine Love. No matter what has happened in the past, knowing I am worthy, I open my heart to the luminous light of grace.
Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.—Mark 5:34

Daily Word

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You Are Important!

1 CORINTHIANS 12:22,27 NKJ
22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

There are NO unnecessary parts in the Body of Christ.

The devil wants you to think your part does not matter, so you will slack off.

But your part IS important. Your prayers are important. Your giving is important. Your witness to others is important.

It is easy to believe a famous person who ministers to thousands is vital in God's plan. But we need to be reminded that every member of the Body of Christ is needed -- including you!

Don't condemn yourself because you aren't doing a job that puts you in the spotlight. Don't worry that no one knows what you are doing. God knows.

Someone witnessed to Billy Graham. Someone prayed for Oral Roberts to be healed of tuberculosis. Do you know their names? God does. What if they hadn't been faithful and obedient to do their part?

What if the person who brought you the Gospel hadn't been obedient?

So, when you are tempted to be discouraged and think what you do doesn't matter -- resist those thoughts!

No one but God may see what you are doing, but it is significant.

Have confidence in God. He knows what He is doing. God placed you where you are. God has a plan and a job for you to do there. Be faithful and do it. When it is time for you to do something else, God will arrange it and lead you out.

Don't try to be somebody else. Just be faithful and obey God where you are.

Too many Christians think preachers are supposed to do all the work in the Body of Christ. Preachers may be likened to a mouth. A mouth is important. But a mouth is not more important than our hidden, internal organs. We don't see the liver and kidneys working. However, you could live without a mouth capable of speech, but not without functioning kidneys or liver.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:22 NLT
22 In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary.

A body may exist without some of its parts functioning, but it cannot accomplish as much as it would otherwise.

Do your part! God thinks it's meaningful. Don't let the devil convince you otherwise.

Maybe all you can do is pray, but that is most important.

Obey God and be faithful where you are. You are needed or God would not have placed you there.

SAY THIS: God says I am necessary and important.

A Bible Devotion

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Risks

Much of our growth depends on our willingness to take risks. There is no growth without love, but offering love to others is sometimes a risk. How can you be sure the offering will be received? Deciding to take a new direction in life is sometimes a risk. How can you be sure it will succeed? At certain points of our lives, trusting God may seem like a risk. How can you be sure that he will come through for you? Trusting in people is certainly a risk. How can you be sure you will not be betrayed?

Those who are inordinately afraid of taking risks miss many of the joys of life. They are constrained by fear, and fearful constraint is sometimes a tragedy. The fear of risks keeps people from the discovery of life and the joys of love.

Part of the wisdom of life is to know when to take a risk and when to avoid it. Perhaps only a calm and prayerful mind can ever be that wise. Wisdom comes from God and we have to seek it in confident prayer. Wisdom can also come from our friends, and the insights of a wise friend about risks can be of great help to us.

Where there is no risk, there is no full life. Until we are raised through resurrection to a life beyond space and time, this is the way it will always be. Life is for the courageous, and only the courageous are able to discover the fullness that it offers.

Even you take risks, Lord. Didn't you take one when you made me? Help me to find the middle road between rashness and timidity that I might live with wisdom and courage. Help me not to fear appropriate risks so that I might realize the full potentials of my life.

Focus Your Day

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GRATEFUL ENOUGH?

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

"To get over drinking will require a transformation of thought and attitude." Alcoholics Anonymous, page 143

For what it's worth: Alcoholism diminished me to a drunken mess of insanity and insecurity. In my alcoholic mold I was self-centered, worthless, and hurtful, and convinced I would only get worse. God saw my despair and pulled me out of the darkness into a place of light and peace, Alcoholics Anonymous. There amazing things occurred: I found hope, sobriety, and Twelve Steps to sanity and security; I discovered a loving Higher Power; people were there to guide me to a new life; and, I was totally transformed from a no-good, self-absorbed drunk to a decent, caring human being. There are still times when this is hard to believe, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude to a bunch of drunks who accepted me as the mess I was and introduced me to a Heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally. Am I grateful enough? Does it show in my thoughts, actions, and attitude?

God bless you.
Joe W.

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CONFIDENCE

“We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (The Message)

“As we persist, a brand-new kind of confidence is born, and the sense of relief at finally facing ourselves is indescribable.” Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 50

For what it’s worth: Alcohol generously provided false confidence to mask my fears. Blessedly, sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous and the Fourth Step helped me recognize this reality, and all of the Twelve Steps supported me in facing my fears and insecurities. As I grew spiritually in Alcoholics Anonymous, I survived numerous life threatening experiences without alcohol. These successful struggles built confidence, not in myself, but in my Heavenly Father. He has repeatedly proven His love, and therein is my confidence.

God bless you.
Joe W.

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here's something kewl a sponcee found on facebook

Without God we could rename our days

Sunday--Sinday

Monday--Mournday

Tuesday--Tearsday

Wednesday--Wasteday

Thursday--Thirstday

Friday--Fightday

Saturday--Shatterday

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God made Truth with many doors to welcome every believer who knocks on them.
Kahlil Gibran

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A Time to Think: Blessings can come in a number of ways. The Lord doesn't give you what you want, the Lord gives you what you need. –Eric Davis, former professional baseball player

To Act: Find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.

To Pray: Beloved Father, help me share the blessings You have given me.

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Forgive
Forgiveness is an expression of God’s love.

When Jesus was asked “How often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” He responded, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy times seven times.” Jesus did not say to forgive only as much as the other person deserves—but to forgive without end. Forgiveness is an expression of God’s love, as much for the forgiver as the forgiven.

When I limit my forgiveness to those who I believe deserve it, I am putting limits on the love of God, and limiting myself. As I forgive others, I release resentment and envision the highest and best for them.

I have also made mistakes in my own life. As I forgive others, I forgive myself. I am open to the full expression of God’s love.
Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.—Luke 6:37

Daily Word

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PRAYER

“As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.” Psalm 138:3

“Perhaps one of the greatest rewards of meditation and prayer is the sense of belonging that comes to us.” Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 105

For what it’s worth: Alcohol devoured my family. When I asked God to return them, He refused. That was my last prayer for many lonely years and the beginning of the advanced stages of alcoholism. When I finally entered the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous, I had no intention of ever praying. With sober time, the grace of God, and the encouragement of A.A. members, I slowly began to pray. I find sometimes His answer is "Wait" or “According to my plan, not yours". He seems so slow at times and I have to ask Him for patience. When I wait quietly, humbly and sincerely asking that His will be done, not mine, I come to realize He is always right there with me, always answers my prayers, often in miraculous ways, proving His love and showing me once again He will never let me down.

God bless you.
Joe W.

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A gentle answer deflects anger. Proverbs 15:1

Proverbs 17:27 (NIV) A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

Thought: Keep your cool. It pleases God.

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Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings Psalm 17:8

Psalm 119:11 (NIV) I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.

Thought: What we put into our hearts shapes what comes out of our lives.

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Dr. Twerski's Sober Thought - November


Faith and Reason

DeSaint-Exupery said, It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. Thousands have given their lives for what they believe. A person who accepts martyrdom rather than deny the God in whom he believes has no trouble denying that two plus two equals four if this will save his life. While proven facts are important, they rarely inspire people the way belief does. Faith is an internal knowledge, a kind of intuition, wisdom of the heart that is in some way superior to the wisdom of the brain. More people have been inspired to sobriety by faith than by scientific fact.

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Encourage Don't Criticize

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another. —1 Thessalonians 5:11

We can improve our relationships with others by leaps and bounds if we become encouragers instead of critics. It is the greater person who does the right thing; Christ’s righteousness dwells in you to help you do what is right. You are great in God’s eyes when you choose to do right and bless others.

No matter how rough your day is today, speak words that uplift and encourage those around you.

Encourage others if you notice them doing a good job—not just those who work with you, but people wherever you go, such as store clerks, auto mechanics, and waiters. Say something like, “I appreciate the extra effort you are making to do your job well.” You can change your life and someone else’s by choosing to speak positive words.

From the book Starting Your Day Right

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At One
I am at one with God.

Pain may be part of life, but suffering is optional. We suffer when we believe we are separate from God, when we feel unloved, unprotected, or perceive life as hostile. If I ever feel ruled by such thoughts, I turn to the Truth: There is only One Power and One Presence: God the Good. Anything to the contrary is untrue.

During hard times, I seek God’s presence in me. In the Secret Place of the Most High, I build an internal fortress of Truth that withstands any fear, anxiety, or distress. In the Silence, I take refuge from any struggle or suffering. I abide in comfort, joy, and peace beyond any circumstances of the world. One with God, I am always protected.
Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”—Psalm 16:1-2

Daily Word

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Take Time to Get to Know People

Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously. —John 7:24

Today’s verse is a very clear, specific word from God to us. He tells us not to judge people superficially or by appearances.

For years I was the kind of person who made snap judgments. God seriously dealt with me about it several times, and I finally realized the danger of judging hastily and superficially.

Before we judge people, we must take time to get to know who they really are. Otherwise, (1) we can approve of someone because they appear to be something, when in fact they are not; or (2) we can disapprove of someone because of some outward appearance or action, when that individual is actually a wonderful person inside.

We all have our little quirks, our odd little actions, behaviors, and ways that are not easily understood by others. God Himself does not judge by appearances and we need to follow His example.

David would never have been chosen to be king if people had judged superficially. Even his own family disregarded him. But God saw David’s heart, the heart of a shepherd. God saw a worshiper, someone who had a heart for Him, someone who was pliable and moldable in His hand. These are qualities God values, but they aren’t always obvious at a glance.

I encourage you to seek God and let the Holy Spirit speak to you about people. He knows their hearts, and He will tell you whether to beware or pursue a relationship with them. Trust Him, not your own judgment, to lead you as you get to know people and develop relationships.

God's word for you today: Have the same attitude toward others that you would like them to have toward you.

From the book Hearing from God Each Morning: 365 Daily Devotions by Joyce Meyer.

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Let Go, Let God
I welcome abundant good as I let go and let God.

I am grateful for my tenacity, for it serves me well. Pushing myself to cross the finish line or complete a project on time can help me succeed. However, divine wisdom tells me there is also a time to let go.

Some races are not mine to run. Some projects are better accomplished by slowing down. Some answers come when I wait for inspiration, rather than force a solution. I pray to know what is mine to do—when to push and when to allow.

When I let go, I make room for God. I open myself to divine wisdom, guidance, and ideas—for success, insights, and inner peace. I make way for unlimited good to come through unexpected channels. I welcome abundant good as I let go and let God.
Agree with God, and be at peace; in this way good will come to you.—Job 22:21

Daily Word