|
We should always be quick to remember that God is able to renew our life
even when we think it is too late. Our God is able to forgive us of our
sins, help us to stand again and direct us onto the path that is best for
our life. Just because we have fallen short does not mean that we cannot
start afresh again. The Bible says Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us
reason together, Says the Lord, Though your sins are like scarlet, They
shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be
as wool.” We must believe in ourselves as God believes in us and be
determined to stand up in confidence knowing that God wishes for us to
triumph over our past mistakes. Do not allow yourself or anyone else to
condemn you. Just because you have fallen down does not mean that you have
failed completely. (Lamentations 3:55-58) (Exodus 4:10-13) (Psalm 41:10-13)
With God, a new day is available with new dreams and new possibilities.
Just as the woman who was caught in the act of adultery was forgiven her
great sin by the Lord Jesus, so it is with all of us. Jesus said to her in
John 8:10 “...Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one
condemned you? She said, No one, Lord. And Jesus said to her, Neither do
I condemn you; go and sin no more.” Be encouraged and know that you can
be victorious in life. Trust the Lord, follow His commands, read His Word
and pray with all your heart for the dreams that are instilled within you
to all come to pass. (Psalm 103:1-14) (Proverbs 3:1-19)
I hope this message encourages your heart to see that it is never too late
for us to start again. Just because we fall short does not mean that our
life is over. We can start again and be more victorious than we ever
thought possible.
SHE'LL GET THROUGH
Being a woman in recovery I have become much more aware of my journey.
I get wonderful opportunities to listen to God's quiet voice and act upon it.
A couple of years ago, I was having my quiet time and the phone rang. My
husband asked me if I would be willing to go meet a young lady who might
be ready to get sober. My first instinct was, “No, not really.” But I
agreed to go meet this woman. There wasn't anything spectacular about her
story, but that's when God's quiet voice stepped in.
I offered this woman an opportunity to change her world, if she was
willing. I told her that we had extra room in our home and if she was
serious about getting sober, she could have a fresh start with us. She was
pretty skeptical but agreed to consider the offer and keep in touch.
We were in the process of planning a 50th wedding anniversary for my
in-laws so it couldn't happen right away. She kept her end of our bargain
and stayed in touch with me consistently.
About two days before she was going to move in I started questioning my
offer. My mind started assaulting me with “I don't even know this person!”
and “What if?”
I decided that I would just trust the process and see what God had in store
for all of us.
So Amber's mother brought her to our house and dropped her off with a
heartfelt “thank you.” She moved in and began her journey into recovery.
We had already met with Amber and established some ground rules. The first
rule was that if she wasn't sober, she didn't live here anymore. We gently
led her through the process of how to change her world.
Amber is a single mother to a beautiful little girl who was 3 years old at
the time. Amber hadn't been able to be a mother to her daughter with the
lifestyle she'd been living, and this was another adjustment for her to
make. Chloe, her precious daughter, was welcome at our home too. After a
while they were able to spend more and more time together and re-establish
their relationship.
Amber, who is rather skeptical by nature as well as a bit of a rebel in
her own right, settled in to her new world. She adapted pretty well to the
few things that we asked of her. The “rules” were few and simple. Stay
sober, go to meetings and work on building a foundation for the rest of
your life.
What everyone else looked at was what a generous gift we were giving to
her. What I found out was what a wonderful gift I was given! Amber and I
developed a friendship that is priceless to me. She is the same age as my
oldest daughter, and I look at her daughter as the granddaughter that I
haven't had yet.
Amber lived with us for about a year and a half and during that time she
worked and went to school to start a new career. Amber lost her mother,
Carol, unexpectedly one morning and she walked through that with grace and
dignity. She has regained her self respect, her dignity, her family, and
her life is rich and full today. She may not have everything she thinks
she wants just yet, but she's well on her way!
I don't take credit for her sobriety in any respect. I just opened a door
for her that she was willing to walk through and she has chosen to change
her life. For my part, I am eternally grateful that I have the opportunity
to make an impact on some lives along the way.
Amber has moved into her own apartment for the first time in her life and
she is self supporting. She has provided a quality lifestyle for her and
her daughter. She has every reason to be proud of the life that she lives
today. Yet she finds herself at another crossroad in her life and I don't
have any question that if she keeps doing what she's been taught that
she'll get through this one just fine too.
I have all the faith in the world!
By Trish
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Deuteronomy 4:30-31 “When thou art in tribulation, and all these things
are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy
God, and shalt be obedient unto His voice; (For the LORD Thy God is a
merciful God;) He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget
the covenant of thy fathers which He sware unto them.”
1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who
hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He
careth for you.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: HEALED AND WHOLE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem71.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: THE SPARROW
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony56.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
