Spiritual Recyclers

There is only so much one can here about Global warming. Save the plant. Go green. We hear about the holes in the ozone layers. Pollution in the air. Melting of the ice. We are constantly told to recycle plastic, paper, aluminum, glass, batteries, computer parts and so much more.

God has given us this planet to use, not abuse. I agree that we need to take care of our planet so that our future children will have a good environment to enjoy. We need to be responsible for picking up trash, recycling, and keeping the air clean. Every one of us can do our part so that we have a clean and safe planet.

While taking care of our environment is important, it is of the utmost importance that Jesus followers are continually recycling spiritual behaviors that will bring about a godly and spiritual church and world environment.

While I may have little or no influence on global warming regulations or getting factories to stop putting out pollution in our air, I do have a tremendous amount of influence with those I am around by the way that I conduct myself as a Christ follower.

The world at large needs Christ followers who are committed to spiritual recycling. To demonstrate behaviors that is godly, holy, and helpful for others to see Christ in our lives. Here is a list of vitally important spiritual behaviors that need to be a constant in our spiritual recycle bins:

1. Be positive – Philippians 2:14 says to do everything without arguing or complaining.
2. Be a builder – Ephesians 4:29 says to build up others according to their needs.
3. Be kind – Galatians 5:22 says that kindness is a bi-product of a Spirit controlled life.
4. Be friendly – 1 Peter 4:9 says to offer up hospitality.
5. Be lovers – 1 Peter 1:22 says to love deeply from the heart.

These are just some of the spiritual characteristics that must be recycled daily so that the world will know that we are truly Christ follower. Our love for God, Jesus, and Spirit will compel us to be constantly aware of what we are to keep in our spiritual recycle bins. When we make it a habit to be filled with God-stuff, then our world with be a much better place to live.

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

Love + Obedience=God Honoring

Love + Obedience=God Honoring

During the 2004 Summer Olympics In Athens, Greece, at the Dora Stratou Theatre located near the Acropolis, the site of the Greek Parthenon; there was a sponsored event by True Love Waits that would help teens understand obedience to themselves, their dates, and to God. This event challenged teens to remain sexually pure until they get married. Over 450,000 teens from all over the world pledged to be obedient to this statement: "Believing that true love waits, I make a commitment to God, myself, my family, my friends, my future mate, and my future children to a lifetime of purity including sexual abstinence from this day until the day I enter a biblical marriage relationship."

Not only will “true love wait,” but true love for God will obey. Love is the driving force that will prompt us, motivate us, and give us the desire to be a Christ follower. Here me out: We do not obey to earn my salvation or get credit for right living. Obeying God does not save anyone. Jesus does the saving. However, obedience does demonstrate my love and thankfulness for all God has done for me without me ever asking.

Jesus said in John 14:21, "The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that's who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him."

Believers who are committed to living out God’s Word do so because of the sacrificial giving of God. The level of love for God varies from person to person. The more we get to know God, the more our love will deepen and our desire to live out our faith obediently, rather than a “have to” mentality.

Remember, Be God Controlled,

Brian

Happy Father's Day

I am grateful for the man (father) who desires to seek God first, love his wife, and be a role model for his children. It is not the sports, movie, or singing stars that is supposed to influence a child to do right (though it is good) but rather, the father who lives in the home.

God is so proud of you! Thank you for having your spiritual priorities right. Thank you for attempting to live right. Thank you for modeling godliness, integrity, and good morals.

The man that will get into the arena and at least try will not only benefit himself, but all of those who are watching. President Roosevelt said it best

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."

May your life continue to be a devotion that will leave a lasting legacy of your life and impact those who have watched you in the arena. Happy Father’s Day!

Recovery Works Ministry

Recovery Works

Each month, I will highlight a specific ministry and the value and impact is has upon those involved. Flint and Marilyn Thomas have worked hard to begin a recovery program that is geared towards helping those who have addictive behaviors. This work is vitally important for the recovery of those struggling with addiction. Recovery Works is a faith-based program. The men study the bible, pray, and have deep discussions about their personal faith.

What is Recovery Works?

Recovery Works is a residential recovery facility for alcohol and drug addiction that helps men grow from a troubled life of addiction into a productive, reasonably happy and serene life in the real world.

Recovery Works is a 12-step program. This ministry involves a structured, disciplined lifestyle that includes early rising, cleanliness, and learning to accept responsibility for one’s actions. It is a nonprofit, faith-based, long-term program. Each resident is required to stay for six to twelve months.

At Recovery Works we recognize that only a power greater than ourselves can change the course of our lives. In order to steer our lives in that direction, a decision must be made to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understand him.

What Are the Residence Saying?

“Without Recovery Works I would have ended my life.”

“I believe that God created this program so that this program could bring me back to God.”

“Recovery Works teaches me how to be responsible and acceptable. It is definitely God-inspired.”

“I am grateful that this program was available for me so that I could learn a new way to live and raise my child properly.”

If you would like to support this work in anyway, please contact Flint @ 803-522-4602. I am grateful to Flint and Marilyn for having the faith to believe that God can, the vision to see that God will, and the courage to act!

Remember, Be God Controlled,

Brian