Carried By His Wings© -- Sexual Purity Recovery

I want to apologize for not sending devotionals ... It is complicated ... I went on vacation then my mother was very sick ... then she passed away at the end of June ... ten I grieved until now I think I can resume ..

Wings Devotional Recovery ... November 16, 2009

Just For Today – Step Eleven -- Best of Intentions

STEP ELEVEN Involves the spiritual disciplines of prayer and meditation.

We seek to know Christ more intimately through prayer and meditation, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” -- Colossians 3:16a

Step Eleven: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

Of course, it is reasonable and understandable that the question is often asked: "Why can't we take a specific and troubling dilemma straight to God, and in prayer secure from Him sure and definite answers to our requests?"

This can be done, but it has hazards.  We have seen AAs ask with much earnestness and faith for God's explicit guidance on matters ranging all the way from a shattering domestic or financial crisis to correcting a minor personal fault, like tardiness. Quite often, however, the thoughts that seem to come from God are not answers at all.  They prove to be well-intentioned unconscious rationalizations.  The AA, or indeed any man, who tries to run his life rigidly by this kind of prayer, by this self-serving demand of God for replies, is a particularly disconcerting individual.  To any questioning or criticism of his actions he instantly proffers his reliance upon prayer for guidance in all matters great or small.  He may have forgotten the possibility that his own wishful thinking and the human tendency to rationalize have distorted his so-called guidance.  With the best of intentions, he tends to force his own will into all sorts of situations and problems with the comfortable assurance that he is acting under God's specific direction.  Under such an illusion, he can of course create great havoc without in the least intending it.

© 1981, AAWS, Inc., Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pages 103-104 Alcoholics Anonymous, AA, and the Big Book are registered trademarks of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. Just For Today is neither endorsed by, approved by, associated, nor affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., or The AA Grapevine, Inc.

Wings Devotional© Daily Meditation Translation

is property of Wings Of Eagles Recovery©

Just for Today -- A Daily Devotional

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Throughout all of history – we have seen mankind mold God into 'his' image, not Gods.  Prayer is our main communication with God – BUT we cannot always just go to Him with our requests for answers to our agenda.  This communication we have with God is important because most of the time it is to change something in us, not to expect God to answer in such away that would benefit our program. 

God will always answer - - but it will always be according to His ways and will.  So what can we do to be sure?  There is no pat answer except to medicate on His Word, the Bible, as He has given us everything pertaining to life and to Godliness.  What is true is the Word, what is under question would be our feelings, our emotions. 

So the warning is to pray and meditate on His Word, take our requests to God, and make sure the answer we acknowledge adheres to God's principles as measured in His Word.  Then go to your sponsor and discuss your findings to have another voice spoken into your life. 

The Word instructs us to pray without ceasing – which we are to do – and we should also be in study of His Word to get to know God's character before we proclaim that this is His will.  All of this to say that we should not rely on our own understanding -- but on God's understanding.  When we seek God's understanding then we will have the power to carry it on.

17 pray without ceasing;

18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit;

20 do not despise prophetic utterances.

21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

22 abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- I Thessalonians 5:17-23

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3, 5-6

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* As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

·        greater personal discipline,

·        worldwide persecuted Christians,

·        Hedge of protection to our children

·        Blessings to our spouses

·        Godly men in Government

·        Rest and Peace to our pastors

·        Your activities for the day.

Love One Another

Stand Together

Fight this war, no matter the cost

Pray for our children

Turn our hearts toward heaven

Seek to be one nation under God.

God Bless and Guide You in your Christian Walk Today

“The Lord bless you and keep you,
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
-- Numbers 6:24-27

You can help when no one else can."
  -- c. 2001, Alcoholics Anonymous, page 89
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