Scripture: Read Genesis 8. Key verses, 5-6, “After 150 days,exactly five months from the time the flood began, the boat came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. Two and a half months later, as the waters continued to go down, other mountain peaks became visible. After another forty days…” Verse 10,“after waiting another seven days…” Verse 12, “He waited another seven days…”Verse 13, “Noah was now 601 years old. On the first day of the new year, ten and a half months after the flood began, the flood waters had almost dried up from the earth”. Verse 14 “Two more months went by, and at last the earth was dry!”

Devotion: Just as Noah experienced a period of waiting, then again, and again, we as addicts must trust that God will not forget about us, as he did not forget about Noah. In Genesis 8 we see that God has a purpose for making Noah and his family wait. Whether or not we understand what this purpose is God remains in control. Recovery takes time. It is a lifelong process. Many of us addicts expect that simply because we have stopped using that our lives will immediately change and get better without us having any struggles or temptations to use. In my experience, by God’s grace, some things changed immediately, but many things have taken time to change within me and to be developed. The more time passes, the more things God shows me that he wants to change and develop in me. Be patient. Take time to think about how you are attempting to be in control. Patience requires that we trust in God for the things that we ourselves cannot change. God works on his own time and we must accept this with faith. We must remain patient as we rely on God to change us because recovery is a lifetime process.

Reflection: How can you be patient? Does this require God’s help? If so, what do you need from God? What do you need to surrender to God so that you can be patient? How do you see people in the Bible, other than Noah being patient and trusting in God’s will and not their own?

Prayer: God thank you for the gift of my sobriety/being clean. Thank you for beginning to recovery process in my life. I set aside my frustrations and impatience as I trust in your plans of hope for my life. Please reassure me of your great love for me today. I need your help. I ask Lord, that you would change me into a patient person who trusts in you and not my self. I cannot do this on my own and I ask that you would supernaturally change me. God I pray for your peace that passes all understanding as I wait on you. Thank you that you are with me at all times and that nothing is impossible with you! I pray all these things in the gracious name of Jesus Christ! Amen.

Gracious God, I acknowledge that You are worthy of all honor, glory and praise. I am thankful for the victorious work of Your Son, Jesus Christ at Calvary for me. I appropriate His victory for myself now as I willingly surrender every area of my life to Your will.

Thank you for the forgiveness and righteousness that has been given to me as Your adopted child. I trust in Your protection and provision daily. I know that your love for me never ceases.

I rejoice in Your victory, my Lord, over all the principalities and powers in the heavenlies. In faith I stand in Your victory and commit myself to live obediently for You my King.

I desire that my fellowship with You become greater. Reveal to me those things that grieve You and enables the enemy to secure an advantage in my life. I need the Holy Spirit's powerful ministry in my life; bringing conviction of sin, repentance of heart, strengthening my faith and increasing perseverance in resisting temptation.

Help me to die to self and walk in the victory of the new creation You have provided for me. Let the fruits of the Spirit flow out of my life so that You will be glorified through my life.

I know that it is Your will that I should stand firm and resist all of the enemy's work against me. Help me to discern the attacks upon my thoughts and emotions. Enable me to stand upon Your Word and resist all the accusations, distortions and condemnations that are hurled against me.

It is my desire to be transformed through the renewing of my mind, so that I will not compromise with the ways of the world, or yield to the enemy's attacks, but be obedient to Your will.

I draw upon those spiritual resources that You have provided me and I attack the strongholds and plans of the enemy that have been put in place against me. I command in the name of Jesus Christ that the enemy must release my mind, will, emotions and body completely. They have been yielded to the Lord and I belong to Him.

Lord, enable me to become the person You created me to be. Help me as I pray to be strong in faith. Show me how to apply Your Word in my life each day. I know that I wear the full armor of God when I am committed to and stand firmly upon Your Word. I want You to have the supreme place in my life.

I surrender myself completely to You, Lord. You are always faithful and You extend Your grace to me constantly, even when I do not realize it. I claim Your promise of forgiveness, cleansing and healing in its fullness. In faith, I receive the victory today that you have already put in place for me. I do this in the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior with a grateful heart. AMEN!

Alcohol and substance abuse or any other addictions will not take away your problems and fears. In the short run, they might make you feel better, but in the long run these addictions will only make things worse.

So what do you do to make your problems and fears go away? Well, since you can't runaway from them, then the best solution is to tackle your fears head on no matter how strong they may be. The key is to be smart in how you try to manage these fears. Here are some ways in how to manage your persistent fears and anxieties.

 

The first step is to learn to take it one day at a time. Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the week or coming month, try to focus on today. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new things and that includes learning how to deal with your problems. Focus on the present and stop trying to predict what may happen next week. Next week will take care of itself.

 

Remember that no one can predict the future with one hundred percent certainty. Even if the thing that you feared does happen there are circumstances and factors that you can't predict which can be used to your advantage. For instance, let's say at your place of work that you miss the deadline for a project you have been working on for the last few months. Everything you feared is coming true. Suddenly, your boss comes to your office and tells you that the deadline is extended and that he forgot to tell you the day before. This unknown factor changes everything. Remember: we may be ninety-nine percent correct in predicting the future, but all it takes is for that one percent to make a world of difference.

 

Another technique that is very helpful is to have a small notebook of positive statements that makes you feel good. Whenever you come across an affirmation that makes you feel good, write it down in a small notebook that you can carry around with you in your pocket. Whenever you feel depressed or frustrated, open up your small notebook and read those statements.   This will help to manage your negative thinking.

 

Be smart in how you deal with your fears and anxieties. Do not try to tackle everything all at once. When facing a current or upcoming task that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, break the task into a series of smaller steps. Completing these smaller tasks one at a time will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.

 

The important thing is to get the proper help by seeing a professional. Avoiding your problem through the use of alcohol or other substances will do nothing in the long run in fixing your problems. It will just make things worse. Managing your fear and anxieties will take some hard work. Be patience, persistent and stay committed in trying to solve your problem.

 

BIOGRAPHY:

 

Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties.For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/ 

When your fears and depression have the best of you, it is easy to feel that things will not get any better. This is not true. There is much help available in today’s society and the best way to deal with your fears is to find effective ways to overcome them. As a result, here are some techniques a person can use to help manage their fears and anxieties.

You never know when the answers you are looking for will come to your doorstep.Even if the thing that you feared does happen, there are circumstances and factors that you can’t predict which can be used to your advantage. These factors can change everything. Remember: we may be ninety-nine percent correct in predicting the future, but all it takes is for that one percent to make a world of difference.

Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make you feel fearful or depressed,challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. For example, your afraid that if you do not get that job promotion then you will be stuck at your job forever. This depresses you, however your thinking in this situation is unrealistic. The fact of the matter is that there all are kinds of jobs available and just because you don’t get this job promotion doesn’t mean that you will never get one. In addition,people change jobs all the time, and you always have that option of going elsewhere if you are unhappy at your present location.

Some people get depressed and have a difficult time getting out of bed in the mornings. When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do to get their mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. Doing something will get your mind off of the problem and give you confidence to do other things.

 

Be smart in how you deal with your fears and anxieties. Do not try to tackle everything all at once. When facing a current or upcoming task that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, break the task into a series of smaller steps. Completing these smaller tasks one at a time will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.

Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem.  By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future. Managing your fears and anxieties takes practice.  The more you practice, the better you will become.

The techniques that I have just covered are some basic ways to manage your fears and depression, however your best bet is to get some help from a professional and not to lose hope. Eventually, you will find the answers you are looking for.

 

 

BIOGRAPHY:

 

Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties.For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/ 

What do you do when someone you know has to deal with persistent fears, anxieties, or even depression? Well the first thing you need to do is to get the person to seek the services of a professional who can lead them in the right direction and give them the help they need. In addition, here are some other techniques you can use to help the person cope.

Learn as much as you can in managing anxiety and depression. There are many books and information that will educate you on how to deal with fear and anxiety. Share this information with the person who is struggling. Education is the key in finding the answers your looking for in managing your fears.

Be understanding and patient with the person struggling with their fears.Dealing with depression and anxiety can be difficult for the person so do not add more problems than what is already there.

In every anxiety-related situation you experience, begin to learn what works,what doesn’t work, and what you need to improve on in managing your fears and anxieties. For instance, you have a lot of anxiety and you decide to take a walk to help you feel better. The next time you feel anxious you can remind yourself that you got through it the last time by taking a walk. This will give you the confidence to manage your anxiety the next time around.

 

Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make your fearful or anxious, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. For example, you are afraid that if you do not get that job promotion then you will be stuck at your job forever.This depresses you, however your thinking in this situation is unrealistic. The fact of the matter is that there all are kinds of jobs available and just because you don’t get this job promotion doesn’t mean that you will never get one. In addition, people change jobs all the time, and you always have that option of going elsewhere if you are unhappy at your present location. Changing your thinking can help you manage your fears.

Another thing to remember is that things change and events do not stay the same. For instance, you may feel overwhelmed today with your anxiety and feel that this is how you will feel the rest of the week or month. This isn’t correct. No one can predict the future with one hundred percent accuracy. Even if the thing that you feared does happen there are circumstances and factors that you can’t predict which can be used to your advantage. You never know when the help and answers you are looking for will come to you.

When your fears and anxieties have the best of you, seek help from a professional. The key is to be patient, take it slow, and not to give up. In time, you will be able to find those resources that will help you with your problems.

 

BIOGRAPHY:

 

Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties.For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/ 

Some people have a difficult time in managing their depression.  Sometimes, their depression and fears can get the best of them.  As a result, here is a short list of techniques that a person can use to help manage their depression.

 

One of the ways to manage your depression is to challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make your fearful or depressed,challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. For example, your afraid that if you do not get that job promotion then you will be stuck at your job forever. This depresses you, however your thinking in this situation is unrealistic. The fact of the matter is that there all are kinds of jobs available and just because you don't get this job promotion doesn't mean that you will never get one. In addition,people change jobs all the time, and you always have that option of going elsewhere if you are unhappy at your present location.

 

Some people get depressed and have a difficult time getting out of bed in the mornings.  When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do to get their mind off of the problem.   A person could take a walk, listen to some music,read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. Doing something will get your mind off of the problem and give you confidence to do other things.

 

Sometimes, we can get depressed over a task that we will have to perform in the near future. When this happens, visualize yourself doing the task in your mind. For instance, you and your team have to play in the championship volleyball game in front of a large group of people in the next few days. Before the big day comes, imagine yourself playing the game in your mind. Imagine that your playing in front of a large audience. By playing the game in your mind, you will be better prepared to perform for real when the time comes. Self-Visualization is a great way to reduce the fear and stress of a coming situation.

 

Another technique that is very helpful is to have a small notebook of positive statements that makes you feel good. Whenever you come across an affirmation that makes you feel good, write it down in a small notebook that you can carry around with you in your pocket.  Whenever you feel depressed, open up your small notebook and read those statements.

 

Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem.  By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future. Managing your fears and anxieties takes practice.  The more you practice, the better you will become.

 

The techniques that I have just covered are some basic ways to manage your depression, however your best bet is to get some help from a professional.

 

 

BIOGRAPHY:

 

Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties.For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/ 

Everybody deals with anxiety and depression,however some people have a hard time in managing it. As a result, here is a brief list of techniques that a person can use to help manage their most persistent fears and every day anxieties.

 

When facing a current or upcoming task that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, the first thing you can do is to divide the task into a series of smaller steps. Completing these smaller tasks one ata time will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.

 

Sometimes we get stressed out when everything happens all at once. When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off of the problem.  A person could get some fresh air, listen to some music, or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things.

 

A person should visualize a red stop sign in their mind when they encounter a fear provoking thought. When the negative thought comes, a person should think of a red stop sign that serves as a reminder to stop focusing on that thought and to think of something else. A person can then try to think of something positive to replace the negative thought.

 

Another technique that is very helpful is to have a small notebook of positive statements that makes you feel good. Whenever you come across an affirmation that makes you feel good, write it down in a small notebook that you can carry around with you in your pocket. Whenever you feel depressed or frustrated, open up your small notebook and read those statements.   This will help to manage your negative thinking.

 

Learn to take it one day at a time. Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the week, try to focus on today. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new things and that includes learning how to deal with your problems. You never know when the answers you are looking for will come to your doorstep. We may be ninety-nine percent correct in predicting the future, but all it takes is for that one percent to make a world of difference.

 

Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your depression and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem.  By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future. Remember that it never hurts to ask for help.

 

Dealing with our persistent fears is not easy.  Remember that all you can do is to do your best each day, hope for the best, and take things in stride. Patience, persistence, education, and being committed in trying to solve your problem will go along way in fixing your problems.

 

 

BIOGRAPHY:

 

Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties.For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/ 

Dealing with fear and anxiety can be very difficult. As a result, using the help of God can be very effective in managing your fears. With this in mind, here are some suggestions on how a person can use the help of God in his or her own struggles.

The first step a person should do is to start talking and praying to God. A person can go to church or to a quiet place during the day to tell God that they are having a problem. They should tell God how they feel and ask God for some of his help. A person could also review the Bible and read some articles on trusting in God and then apply these concepts in their life. Each and every day, a person should make it up a habit to talk to God and ask for his help.

Remember that the one source that a person should use as a basis in managing their fears and anxieties is using God as a basis in dealing with their fears. Why? The power of God is the one power that is stronger than your fears and anxieties. Also, God loves each one of us and he is the one person who has the power to solve all of our problems. He will help you if you ask him to.

When using the help of God to manage your fears, a person needs to be aware of how God is working in their life. Most of the time God works in mysterious ways and the answers he provides might not be that obvious. A person must be aware of God being in their life even when they are
dealing with their fears and anxieties.

A person must also be sensitive to the answers God gives them. Some people think that the answers that God provides must be religious in nature. That is not always the case. God may provide the answers in away that might not be religious in nature. These answers could involve basic psychology and cognitive techniques that deals with how to manage fear and anxiety. The point to remember is that although a person may use these psychology methods, its important to use God as the center of everything in your life and in your struggle.

If you have trouble, talk to a member of the clergy or a professional counselor to help deal with your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem. By talking to a professional a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future. Remember that it never hurts to ask for help.

Finally, the most important thing is to continue praying and talking to God. Talk to God as if you were talking to a friend. Read the Bible and pray hard. Be persistent and be open in the avenues that God may provide to you in solving your problem. It is not always easy, however God is in control and he will help you if you ask him.


BIOGRAPHY:

Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to:http://www.managingfear.com

Scripture: Genesis 6. Key verses: 17 – 21 “Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring a pair of every kind of animal—a male and female—into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood. Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal,and every kind of small animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive. And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals”.

 

Devotion: In this amazing account God destroys sin by taking the lives of those who have rebelled against him. God restores the earth by ridding it of all sin—for the time being that is. We need to thank God for sending Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins that put an end to this back and forth process of destruction and restoration that is seen throughout the Bible! The point here seems to be that in order to restore creation as it was originally made, it was necessary for God to destroy what had turned evil or against him. This is a difficult passage of Scripture to deal with. However, the message is clear. God desires to restore us at any cost. Turn to God today and ask him to restore areas of your life where sin has taken over. Be free from addictions as you seek healing, deliverance, and restoration from the almighty God of the universe! Remember, restoration is a complete reliance on the God who has proven himself faithful throughout all time, not on yourself.

 

Reflection: What areas of your life need to be restored by God? Are you willing to surrender them to God and acknowledge that you cannot do so by your own will and actions? What good things do you need God to cultivate in your life? Are you willing to step back and let God work while you trust in him for these things?

 

Prayer: God thank you for sending Jesus to conquer all sin. I come to you humbly seeking restoration in my life. Please destroy the sins that have taken control over my life. I surrender my addictions to you and ask that you would heal me. Deliver me from evil and lead me not into temptation. Renew me as I trust in you for to change me into the man or woman of God that you desire for me to be. Thank you in advance for all these things. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray! Amen.

Unfortunately, the exact word “addiction” is nowhere to be found in the Bible. However, this does not mean that people in the Bible did not struggle with addiction or that God wants nothing to do with addiction.There are even those who would go so far as to say that because the word “addiction” is not in the Bible that it does not exist. To those who hold this belief, be challenged and open your eyes! Addiction is one of the biggest tools that Satan is using to keep both non believers and Christians in bondage! The battle of addiction must be fought on all levels, including physically, psychologically, and spiritually! Only through conquering addiction in all of these areas will people truly experience the healing powers, grace, and victory of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Keeping all this in mind, we must turn to the Scriptures for a better understanding of what the Bible as a whole says about all aspects of addiction. In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul declares, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do”, Romans 7:15. Whether or not Paul is sharing from his own experiences of addiction, this distress-filled statement is one that hits close to home for many people who are in fact struggling with addictions. Simply put, Paul's words can be used to explain addiction and the serious loss of control that takes place in the addict's life. No matter what Paul's specific situation was(which remains unknown),these words stand true and powerful in the lives of addicts.

So what else about addiction? How else does addiction fit into scripture? In looking at addiction through a physical or psychological lens addiction is recognized as a brain disease. This is obviously an important aspect to keep in mind. However, this particular study is focused solely on the spiritual nature of addiction. In Christian terminology, addiction can be defined as the idolization of a substance or object that is placed higher than God in one's life. In this manner,addiction is sinful because the addict is not serving God. How do we know that addiction is sinful? Because Scripture tells us very clearly through the first 2 commandments. In the first commandment God says "you shall have no other gods before me" Exodus 20:3. In the second commandment God says, "you shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them", Exodus 20:4-5. Any time a person feeds into their addiction, it is sinful because they are directly disobeying God and his word. Clearly, when held higher than God, anything can become an idol, which then leads further down the sinful path of destruction, and away from the will of God. Obviously, there are many consequences of addiction. The most important of these is that because of their sinful nature,addictions separate us from God and hinder addicts from partaking in a loving relationship with God.

In returning to the apostle Paul, he continues by stating that "as it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good,but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good,evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members"Romans 7:17-23. There is nothing but truth in Paul's words. At the same time in which he is talking about himself, he is also declaring humanity's sinful state before God. Unfortunately, no human being can escape the fact that "all have sinned", Romans 3:23. In dealing with addiction it is necessary to study the spiritual aspects that keep people in bondage to satan and the powers of evil in the world.However, satan is not all powerful.Jesus Christ died on the cross at Calvary and rose three days later to provide a sacrifice for all of humanity's sins. The first step to conquering the evil of addiction is to access the victorious powers of God through his one and only son Jesus Christ! The Bible states in Romans 10:9 "that if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved". If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior,that is the first step to take in becoming free from your addiction! Please contact us to let us know that you have made this decision so that we can pray for you, support you on your new journey in life, and point you in the right direction in order to grow closer to God on your walk with him!

Romans 8:1-4, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit."

Romans 8:28-39, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, heal so justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What,then,shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Read Genesis 1. Key verses, 26-27 “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like ourselves. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.’ So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Life Recovery NLT).

Devotion: Recovery begins be acknowledging the fact that human beings are not living as God originally intended when he created us in his own image. This is completely and entirely because of sin entering into the world through Adam and Eve disobeying God (this account is found in Genesis 2). The bad news is that sin has distorted “the way God created us to be” (Life Recovery NLT, pg 4). The good news is that God wants to restore our lives back into his image. Thus, recovery is the process of restoring our lives to mirror the image of God. As we rely on God to change us, we rely less on ourselves, trusting in his good and pleasing will for our lives.

Reflection: What do you need to let go in your life to begin the lifelong process of recovery? If you are already in the process of recovery, what do you need to surrender to God that is holding you back from being more like him? In what areas of your life do you need God to change you to be more like him?

Prayer: Gracious God, I come to you acknowledging my sinful state before you. I ask that you would direct my life to be like what you originally intended when you created me in your image. Make me less like me and more like you in all I do. Help me Lord as I begin this life long process of recovery as I seek to serve you and no longer my sinful desires. Help me to trust in you and not my own habits. Thank you for being with me at all times. In Jesus mighty and powerful name I pray! Amen.

Read Genesis 4. Focus on verse 15, "Then the LORD put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might try to kill him".

Devotion: This mark is not a mark of shame or guilt, but rather a seal of God's protection over Cain. Here, God shows his great love for Cain despite the fact that he has just murdered his own brother and then lied to God about doing so. This amazing passage reveals an important message of God's protection despite our rebellion against him. For us as Christians, we are covered with the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ. This is our mark of protection.

Reflection: How has God protected you in times of trouble? What has he protected you from? How does it feel that God protects you when you do not deserve so?

Prayer: God, thank you for your protection from things seen and unseen.Please continue to protect me even when I do not deserve your mighty protection. Open my eyes to see you working in my life. Forgive me for my sins and rebellion against you. Thank you for your unconditional love for me and that there's nothing that can separate your love from me. I surrender myself into your hands today and ask that your will be done--not mine. Thank you precious savior! In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!