Faith Archives - Page 2 of 9

Anything is Possible With God – Daily Devotional

Today, my daily devotional reading is focusing on all things are possible with God. It's true, that anything is possible if we let God in to do His work on us. We need to give up our will to let Him in, to let Him do for us what is so great.

With God, it's possible because he gives me an unbelievable amount of patience to stick with people I believe in when they don't believe in themselves, or even me. It doesn't matter, because when you put your faith in Christ, anything is possible.

You see, I am strongest when I am helping others, and the joy comes when you see them move closer to Christ. You know that you've been used to do God's work.

It's easy to get enthused and have rose colored glasses on, but we are going through recovery, and with recovery comes setbacks. It is a part of the process. The joy sometimes causes the patience to slip, and we have to go back to remember what is possible with God is a little bit closer than before.

Anything is Possible with God – Overcoming Setbacks

We can throw in the towel because of a setback. Don't waste what we have worked so hard to accomplish. We have to remember that the Holy Spirit is saying don't give up, we are closer than we think. I won't give up. keep going. I know that God has this under control.

My mission changed, my focus turned stronger towards Christ, and with that, all things become possible as moving forward will bring bigger and better experiences.

We have to fight old habits that suck us back to where we don't want to go. They may be enticing, but we have to remember where we landed. We have to look to whats possible walking with Christ.

I am still loyal, more than ever. My thoughts wander, the temptation to react, but with reaction is destruction. I cannot go there anymore. No, I am going to stick with Christ, even stronger than before. I want Him to guide my life, no matter what that looks like, no matter where He takes me. I want what is possible with God.

Boundaries – Physical and Spiritual Borders

Faith, Motivation

Identifying and setting boundaries can be a challenge for a lot of people. Physical boundaries are natural to see, but spiritual boundaries are not.

We might not even know what our spiritual boundaries despite expecting others to respect them.

Identifying boundaries helps us to have better relationships with family, friends, and others.

Boundaries for ourselves – Accountability

We hold ourselves accountable, which allows us to define our spiritual boundaries for others. When we are clear, we can move forward without having to struggle with what we mean.

That's why Henry Cloud's and Dr. John Townsens book, Boundaries is so valuable. The book helps us to identify where we draw a line in the sand and stick to them. Some may not like what we define as our limits, but we gain respect and do not have to struggle with what we will and won't do.

What I find interesting is how many times the book speaks of controlling issues. You would assume that the more you are in control, the more controlling you are, but that is not the case. If you have clearly defined lines, you won't need to be controlling.

The book goes on to cover how each boundary is developed, beginning right from birth, and continuing as we grow as children. How are parents raise us and handle us is crucial right from birth. We may have to go back and unlearn patterns that our parents thought best but left an impact through our entire life.

I found most interesting the boundaries we have in our relationship with God. If we chose to be alone, He would leave us alone. He is always there for us, regardless of our pursuit or lack of for Him.

The book closes in the final chapters with developing a healthy boundary, something that requires support from others who know your efforts, and a lot of practice. I do believe that taking these steps will make a substantial difference and is worth the effort.

My first experience of Boundaries, the book, almost twenty years ago, and I wished I had read it then, but am so glad that I am experiencing it today. I would highly recommend this book for anyone.

On a Mission to Something Better

Faith

Are you on a mission to make a difference in your life? Do you know you need to make changes? We can start by taking the single step in the right direction. Start every morning towards the objectives that will give us a different result.

There are so many resources available to help anyone who is on a mission to make a difference. You can read the Bible and look for practical applications, or start working on step study that will address specific life issues.

A few years ago, I started on a mission to get to know Christ better, to become a follower of Christ, and it’s gone well. But, there are times when we take a wrong step. We get caught up in the moment, and end up finding what appears to be right is not. We have to make adjustments. Take a different step away from where we were headed and course correct.

The good news is the more we learn, the closer we get to Christ, the faster we will learn what is real and what is not. We can adjust and make changes that work so that we are back on track headed in the right direction and get ready to experience a better life.

Lean on our brothers and sisters in Christ to help us see more clearly when we are on a mission. We need to rely on those who are solid in their faith, who can see what we might not be able to see and let God work through them to help protect us and guide us.

God Speaks to Us While On a Mission

God will speak to us through them when we hear a similar message that makes sense coming from them. Sometimes our vision will come through reading scripture or even through reading books and listening to video Bible studies. It is incredible how they can enlighten our path.

We may experience setbacks while on our mission. This is highly likely, but stay focused, and do what is right to reach our objective. We just have to keep taking the next step that is the right step no matter what staying Christ-focused at all times. He will lead us to the right place when we are with Him.

Tonight, I know that I am on the right step. I am on a mission to grow towards a piece of heaven here on earth. Just wait to see what is next!

A Single Step in the Right Direction

Celebration Recovery, Faith

Each day begins with a single step. After that is another step, then another, and another. Are you taking the right action each time you move or do you make one false step and head down the wrong path for the rest of the day?

Everyone starts out with a single step, some of us seem to head in the right direction, but most of us are on an imperfect path. Sometimes we get lucky and unknowingly course correct, but most will accept appears as the obvious way. We say we cannot change because of the circumstances we face and often take the road we are on.

What if we started our morning taking a single step in a different direction? Would that move alter our entire day? Maybe, maybe not, as we can course correct when we are going in the wrong direction, we can change direction and start down the wrong path any other time during the trip.

The key to all of this is taking our first step to everything heading in the right direction. If we keep working towards where we want to go, we will eventually get to the desired destination. We will achieve success.

Unfortunately, few of us look at our journey in life as an adventure taking us to the desired destination. Instead, we are along for the ride. We don’t use any type of navigation, we end up where we end up.

A Single Step To Your Destination

What is your destination and are you taking a single step, the right step towards your goal every morning, or are you going down a different path? Do you know what the first step is to get to that place?

Most of us are caught up in the monotony of life, letting it take us wherever we end up. Even those of us who follow Christ are often wandering aimlessly, looking for ways to live out a Christ-like life, but struggle to hit the mark.

What if we knew what the next step is, and we were on a mission to find that destination? Would life somehow change and start to look more like we want it to appear?

What if, we let Christ guide us to where He wants us to go, and we paid attention to the path that He wants us on? What do you be that we would start to look more like a godly man or woman as we are now able to do His work?

Are you going to take a single step, your next step in the right direction?

Have a great day!

The inspiration for this post comes from a daily reading in the Celebration Recovery 365 Daily Devotional book which is focused on Healing from Hurts, Habits, and Hang-ups. A Single Step is the title of the Day 2 devotional.

Repeating the First Step Multiple Times

Faith

Now, we are going to talk about repeating the first step of a twelve-step program because other issues come up. The idea is to keep peeling back the onion so that you can get to the core of all the problems over time.

You might remember a blog post written a couple of months ago on the First Step in a twelve-step program. The post described the origin of the program and the benefits.

Repeating the First Step to Cover Issues that sneak up on you

Sometimes you won't see issues coming as they sneak up on you until you are overwhelmed. You have to get some help, and one way is to go back through the process of a twelve-step program. Repeating the first step will help you move quickly to address any new or underlying issues bothering you.

Some of you may be interested in going through the process on your own. If you can avoid it, don't go through the process on your own because you need a community to help you get issues resolved.

For instance, I'm going to participate in Financial Peace University in the fall. I could go through the process on my own, but I need the community to support me in the process.

Everyone needs a coach or a mentor who can help. Challenges to you keep appearing through no matter how many times you go through the process. If you don't think you do, how are you going to do a professional job if you don't have all the tools?

Doing a sound program such as Celebrate Recovery will pair you with people who experience similar issues. They can help you get to a resolution. You might even get asked to help new people coming in that have the same problems you had.

Keep in mind that twelve-step programs are a process that needs working through multiple times and will provide relief continually if you work it properly.

Thinking About Getting Married? The Sacred Search

Faith

Are you thinking about getting married? If you want to get married, have you thought about educating yourself on finding a great spouse?

If you are thinking about getting married or finding a mate, consider reading “The Sacred Search” by Gary Thomas. I wish I would have had this available when I started in life!

Why are you thinking about marriage?

Most people go through life searching for the right person to marry. We should be thinking about why we want to get married. The Sacred Search helps us to find that answer and so much more.

The Sacred Search focuses on Christian marriage, and you'll find it valuable even if you aren't Christian. You'll rethink what you're looking for in a relationship after reading this book.

I love how in depth the Sacred Search focuses on relationships. The Emphasis is on relationships that will last a lifetime. Get the tools to score the potential of any relationship.

Thinking about getting married? Find an incredible match!

You will learn that what appears to be an incredible match initially is often a troubled relationship in the making after years because it starts on superficial feelings and physical appearances which don't last.

Find out how to get to the core of what a potential mate looks like through signals that are not apparent at least on the surface. Is the prospective partner a giver or a taker, and which one is compatible with you?

Is there only one potentially perfect mate for you, or are there several people that will make suitable matches, we have to know how to pick the right one?

There is a pretty good chance I would have married differently and not had three marriages if I had read this book early in my life. I'm thankful that I've read it now as it has changed my perspective on what to look for in a relationship.

Read it even if you are married. It can be a tool to help save your marriage.

Improve communication between you and your spouse, especially if you are Christian because if you are seeking a biblical relationship, you know marriage is for life.