Psalm 20:7-8 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
When we depend on organization, we get what organization can do; when we depend upon education, we get what education can do; when we depend upon man, we get what man can do; but when we depend upon prayer, we get what God can do.
Quote by A.C. Dixon
Organization, education, and man all have their place. They are good. They are necessary. But to receive what really matters in life requires God’s blessing and power. Today, depend on God—and get what God can do.
Taken from Magnificent Prayer by Nick Harrison.
Try this little exercise and take a look at Psalm 20:7-8 again, and take out the words chariots and horses. Replace it with what and who you are trusting for your recovery.
Is it the 12 Steps or the one who created the 12 Steps? Is it a sobriety date or the one who made that sobriety date possible? Is it your own willpower or are you trusting in His power? Is it your career or are you on board with the Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plans I have for you plan? Is it coming to an organization like Encounter? Coming to Encounter does not make you a free person, just like hanging out in a garage will make you a car.
Real change and freedom happens when we take what we hear between our ears and allow it to penetrate to the deepest core of our heart. We have given our hearts to the one who’s heart broke for us when He sent His one and only Son to die for us because He loves us that much!
Some trust in the steps, in their chips, in their sponsors, in their groups, (and these are all good and necessary) but we at Encounter will trust in the name of the Lord our God for our recoveries, for our salvation, for our freedom from all our hurts, habits, and hang-ups!!!
I look forward to seeing you all at Encounter this Friday night as we talk about the life of David and how to be a “Purpose Driven” person.
As most of you know, David had a few setbacks, and relapses, as we like to call it. Every pattern of relapse is predictable. They all follow the following phases:
1. Complacency
2. Confusion
3. Compromise
4. Catastrophe
Some of you are in the one of these phases right now and if you are not careful, you could find yourself progressing backwards until the catastrophe phase explodes in your life.
The answer is to learn how to become a “Purpose Driven” person and that is what we are going to learn how to do this Friday at Encounter!
With Spring Break and a bad flue bug affecting so many from being at Encounter the past two weeks, I am looking forward to seeing you once again this Friday. I am flying back from Kentucky and I am so stoked about this message that I can hardly contain myself.
Let’s be intentional, and come to Encounter this Friday. Let’s be “Purpose Driven,” and get our recoveries and lives’ back on track by showing up at the greatest place to be on a Friday Night!
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Bill Rieser
Encounter Pastor
bill@thehopeencounter.org