Monday, February 20, 2012

Go....Share,,,,Give away....Live

The very heart of recovery is found in the simple act of taking the message to others who are still living in their addiction.
Step # 12 -  Having had a spiritual awakening, we take the message to others.
We continue our own recovery by practicing the principals of Step #12 daily in our own life.
By helping and sharing with others, we strengthen our own self.
Now in no way am I saying that Step # 12 is the GREAT COMMISSION that Jesus gave the disciples, and every one else who followed through salvation. What I am saying is that the idea behind the Great Commission is at the heart of recovery.

Jesus was preparing to return to heaven.
He had been resurrected for 40 days, and during that time he had taught his disciples many things.
Now it was time for him to leave.
On  hill outside the city of Jerusalem, they gathered.
Jesus gave them this final instruction.
Matthew 28:18-20 - Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you. God out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the three fold name: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."

Jesus tells them, "You've got a job to do."
You have to got to share with everyone you meet, what I have done for you.
Not because it's a good idea, or there was a need to get this movement called Christianity off the ground, but because it was real and it was life.
The teaching and the giving of one's self to Christ through the act of surrender, belief, confession and repentance, brought a new level of life to the individual.
My focus or call is to share the good news about Jesus to every one I meet who is in addiction.
I have written this many times in this blog and I know it to be true.
IF you follow the 12 Steps, you will bump your head on the cross and run into Jesus.
Jesus is my "Higher Power."
Jesus is the Power greater than myself who can restore me to sanity.
Jesus is the answer to the unanswerable question of "Why can't I stop using?"
Church isn't the answer.
Religion isn't the answer.
Being spiritual isn't the answer.
Jesus is the answer.
You may be thinking to yourself, "Michael, how do you know this? How can you be so sure?"
I know because of
1.) How my life use to be before Jesus
and
2.) I know how my life is today.
I still have problems and I struggle with things at times.
There are times, I even want to quit and give up.
But there is a presence in me, and a voice that lovingly whispers to me, "Don't give up. I'll never leave you nor forsake you.I will  be with you even unto the end of the age."

That is why I am passionate about this Jesus.
He is passionate about me...
My life....
My future....
I will follow Him all the days of my life and I will shout the good news that Christ died to free us not only from addiction, but from every sin that would entangle us and cause us to stumble and fall.
That, my friend....is good news.

God on you....
Please come back to the Greene Street Letters again.
I hope that you find encouragement from the things I share.
God on you....
mb

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