STEP # 9
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, possible except when to do so would injure them or others.
As we move deeper into September we will actually be doing our first teaching tonight on Step #9. We see the heart of Step #9 in the verse below.
Matthew 5:23 - Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has grievances against you, leave your gift before the altar, and to your way. First be reconciled to your brother and then return to offer your gift.
A lot of times at our Saturday night meeting, before we start as the music is beginning, I will ask the men in the room to reach out to a person that they might have been mad at, or gotten into an argument during the day. Anything that might have happened that brought separation between the two men needed to be addressed before we could move into worship. It is amazing to watch as one by one the men will begin to move and find that person they were at odds with. Shaking hands and hugging each other, slapping each other on the back and then the smiles that come with reconciliation is a wonderful thing to behold. Funny part is that when all is said and done, the room just feels cleaner and more ready to worship.
Now, with Step #9, we take this motivation to reconcile with the people we have harmed in our past. We being with the easiest ones to make amends for and move through the list of people we have compiled. Each amends made strengthens us in our resolve to live this new life of sobriety. The making of amends sets us free from the guilt and shame we have carried around due to our addiction. We are letting God direct us in this new endeavor to live right and to live according to God's plan for us.
It is easy to get the relationship between yourself and God. By that, I mean you have this interaction daily through prayer and meditation, through the reading of His Word. The hard part is working out what He tells us and what we have read in the Word with those around us.
Romans 13:8
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
Our meetings at Rapha begin at 7 p.m.
Saturday nights.....
If you're free, come and join us!
God on you.......
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