The Word of God in Recovery
The Word Became FleshJohn 1: 1 - 13
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through
him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that
which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in
his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1: 1 - 13
A Thought From the Pastor
“We are all in recovery,” A saying that is frequently shared at PCoC. A saying that is not always easy to live or embrace in our lives of comparison and pride.
Each of us have different struggles in life and the difficult aspect is some of our addictions and brokeness are hidden from others to see. We secretly deal with pride, control, anxiety, and other temptations. Others battle chemical addictions that are often visble for so many to see. The truth is we all turn to something in our struggle. We all have fallen and are in recovery.
The world tells us that you need to find the willpower to fix yourself. I recently heard that statement “You cannot fight a blackout with a blindfold.” We need something else. We need the Word of God. The living, breathing Word of God.
The apostle John tells us that the Word isn’t just ink on paper or a rigid set of rules. The Word is a person, and his name is Jesus. The Word tells us that Jesus is “The way, the truth and the life.” It also tells us that “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it”
When the living Word enters our recovery journey it brings light. It doesn’t bring condemnation, guilt and shame. It brings life! The darkness is exposed. The light exposes the lies of addiction. The light speaks truth into the shame of the past wreckage. It tells us that we are fully known, deeply loved and being redeemed. We have to believe the light. A candle doesn’t argue with a dark room, it just completely changes it. The darkness has no say in the matter. The room becomes alive and is exposed and change can occur.
Let’s continue to say and embrace that we are all in recovery. Let’s learn the truth as we recover that we need to stay close to the light and learn to avoid the lies and lure of the darkness. God’s word is the light to our path and let’s learn to follow it. We don’t recover to be perfect. We recover to live!
Prayerful Planning
- We have a two special treats today. Ken Baker will be sharing his testimony about his recovery treatment at Harbor Hall and his baptism at the Bridge Church. Ken has been blessed to be part of giveRecovery and is so blessed to have found his church family here at PCoC. A relationship with God and his Word has changed Ken’s life. We are also honored to have Robb Burkee share his journey of recovery. Robb will share how the Word of God is the foundation for recovery. Robb and his wife Phyllis are servants of the Lord and and are founders of the Bridge Church.
Plans and Events at PCOC
- 7/26 - Robb Burkee - “God’s Word and Recovery” at PCoC
- 7/27 - Community Lunch @ 11:30 - 12:30 @ PCoC.
- 7/29 - Women’s and Men’s Bible Studies @ 6:30 pm @ PCoC.
- 7/30 - Church Prayer Group @ 10:30 am @ PCoC.
- 7/31 - Bonfire night at the Quick home (See website for details)
- 8/2 - Safe Families presentation during service at PCoC
Purpose For This Week
- Pray that we would seek the Gospel in our lives.
- Pray that we would share the Gospel with our words and actions
Praise Reports & Prayer Requests
- Praise God for the continued ministry of giveRecovery. Praise God for lives of recovery in Christ and the impact that this ministry has in our church and the Petoskey community. Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!
- Please pray for Ruthie Eby and her continued health problems. Please pray that they can determine causes and that Ruthie will return to her previous health. Please cover the Eby family during this time as well.
- Please continue to pray for additional ministries that PCoC has the opportunity to particpate with in the future.
- Please continue to pray for Trent and Myrissa and health related issues and guidance in their next steps in family reconciliation.