GREENE STREET LETTERS: Removing The Darkness And Filling The Emptiness

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Removing The Darkness And Filling The Emptiness

Zechariah 10:2
For the idols (drugs and alcohol) speak delusion.
The diviners (dealers) envision lies, and tell false dreams (make promises they cannot keep)
They comfort in vain (the high is temporary and truly does not bring comfort)
Therefore the people (those who use) wend their way like sheep.
They are in trouble because there is no shepherd.
Since this blog deals with addiction and addictive behavior, I point people to scripture that falls in the category of a life outside of Christ. A life not lived for the fullness and glory of God, but rather to the idol of selfishness and self centeredness.
The entire scope of existence through drugs and alcohol is a lie perpetrated on a people who cannot discern truth. That is why the truth needs to be spoken to them. lived out in front of them, and not watered down or held back.

You and I were created to be more than a dumping ground for darkness. I know that some of you may find this hard to believe, but we were created in the image of God Himself. In fact, I like the way Pastor Rod Hembree views this idea...He says that "We are image bearers of God." The problem is that we also were born with a sin/nature. A drive that is controlled by sin in our hearts. You see, sin isn't the deed you do, it is what is deep inside that causes us to do it. You may be thinking, "But I'm really not that bad...I haven't killed anyone...I haven't stolen anything". Like I said, it isn't the deed.....it the condition of the heart. Addiction has rode the sin nature to the point that we either turn to God, or we die in darkness, separated from God, and the relationship He desires to have with each of us.

Zechariah 10:12 reads: "So I will strengthen them in the Lord, and they shall walk up and down in His name," Says the Lord. Isn't that the heart of recovery? A Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. To a life that is truly lived and not merely an existence. The answer is YES!!! Notice where the strength to daily work and walk in this world comes from. God says, "I will strengthen them." Them who? Those who give themselves to Christ. Focusing their will to only do His will. II Chronicles 16:9 - The eyes of the Lord roam to and fro over the earth, seeking out those whose hearts are committed to Him, that He may strengthen them.

May you find that Power today!

God on you....
mb

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Looking At The World Through Cracked Lens

As ol' Paul wrote in his Corinthian letters.."We see in part and we know in part." Now what piece of this bit of wisdom do we not get? I wish to not run around acting and trying to be some sort of Biblical G00-Ru (I meant to spell it wrong). Or a sage of sages.

I simply want to be able to communicate some of what God has given to me. Why? Do I think what I get is better than what you may have received from Him? Nope. But I do think encouragement comes when we share our daily story of struggle and victory in an effort to encourage each other.

Thanks for letting me share.

Time to soldier on..

mbb

Our Statement of Faith

We believe that God is the eternal king. He is an infinite, unchangeable Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, goodness, justice, power and love. From all eternity He exists as the One Living and True God in three persons of one substance, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit equal in power and glory. we believe that God created mankind in His image, male and female, for relationship with Himself and to govern the earth. Under the temptation of Satan, our original parents fell from grace, bringing sin, sickness and God's judgment of death to the earth. Through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to God's good creation. Creation now experiences the consequences and effects of Adam's original sin. Human beings are born into sin, subject to God's judgment of death and captive to Satan's kingdom of darkness. We believe that Jesus, God's Son, was sent to this world, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Mary, fully God and fully man in one person. He is humanity as God intended us to be. Jesus was anointed as God's Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit, ushering in God's kingdom reign on earth, overpowering the reign of Satan by resisting temptation, preaching the good news of salvation, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. Jesus' atoning death on the cross took God's judgment for sin which we deserved as law-breakers. Jesus' resurrection and ascent back to heaven opened the door for those who received salvation to begin a relationship with God.

Little Nets Into Deep Waters

Fishing nets were designed for one purpose only. To catch fish. Nets are no good if they stay on the boat. Nets serve no purpose if they are never used. I think maybe God sees us this way. We are all created for a purpose (by the way, the creator gets to define what our purpose is). Any other use besides the one we were created for does us no good. But when the creator places His hands upon us, casting us out into those scary, dark places with deep waters, it is then we can see the reality of our purpose. He knew there would be a catch waiting for us. I think I will be the net God has called me to be.

The Twelve Steps

As a community of people in recovery, we affirm that our higher power is Jesus Christ. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Just as God told the children of Israel He was going to give them a promised land, He has revealed to us that He desires to give us a "Promised Life." When Israel got to the promised land, God instructed them to go and in a possess it, fight for it and claim it. In recovery, the 12 Steps are the directions given to us on how to fight, possess and claim this promised life.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Removing The Darkness And Filling The Emptiness

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THE REALITY OF THE NAME OF GOD