Sober Bullies

08/05/2025

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Surrender means leaving the future to God. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (ESV).

What area of your life is not surrendered to God? Maybe you’ve surrendered the “kitchen” and the “living room” of your life. But what about the bedroom? What about the closet of your life? What about the garage? What area of your life is not surrendered?

Some of you have not surrendered your s*x life to God. You say, “I know God says s*x is only for marriage, but I’m going to do it my way.” That’s why you’re under stress.

Some of you have not surrendered your finances to God. You say, “I know God doesn’t want me to be stingy with my money. He wants me to learn to be generous, but I can’t afford to.” And that’s why you’re under stress.

Some of you have not surrendered your relationships to God. You say, “I know I should forgive that person who hurt me, but I’m not about to forgive them.” That’s why you’re under stress.

Some of you have a secret sin that you have not surrendered to God. You have a habit that you have not surrendered to God. You have a hurt or a hang-up that you have not surrendered to God.

Some of you have never surrendered your life to Jesus Christ. You’ve never surrendered yourself to be baptized. You haven’t found a church family.

You need to surrender. Surrender is holding up your flag and saying, “God, the war is off. I’m not going to fight you anymore. I want serenity, not stress.”

Aren’t you tired of being at war with God? Wave the flag of surrender—it’s the ultimate expression of faith.

07/05/2025

How can I give good counsel to others?

2 Corinthians 1:4
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
You can give good counsel to others by comforting them from your own experience of how God has comforted you in the past.

Galatians 6:1
Dear friends, if a Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
Be gentle and humble when you are called upon to counsel another. Giving counsel can be difficult because sometimes it involves saying harsh things—things that will be difficult for others to hear. Harshness, lecturing, and shaming are unhealthy and rarely effective.

Romans 15:14
I am fully convinced, dear friends, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well that you are able to teach others all about them.

Colossians 3:16
Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing Psalm and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

1 Thessalonians 5:12
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong.

2 Timothy 2:24-25
The Lord’s servants must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people. They should gently teach those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will believe the truth.
Since the principles of right and godly living are found in the Bible, you give the best counsel when you use the Bible as a significant part of your advice.

1 Thessalonians 5:14
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
You give good counsel when you address the need of the person; different types of people with different issues need to be dealt with differently. Patiently encourage about the positive steps they can take more than the dwelling on the negative things they’ve done. Encourage those who need it; speak tenderly to others; always be patient.

Ezekiel 3:20-21
“If righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and ignore the obstacles I put in their way, they will die. And if you do not warn them, they will die in their sins. None of their righteous acts will be remembered, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. But if you warn righteous people not to sin and they listen to you and do not sin, they will live, and you will have saved yourself, too.”
If good people turn bad and don’t listen to my warning, they will die. If you did not warn them of the consequences, then they will die in their sins. Their previous good deeds won’t help them, and I will hold you responsible, demanding your blood for theirs. But if you warn them and they repent, they will live, and you will have saved your own life, too.

Hebrews 3:13
You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

1 Timothy 5:20
Anyone who sins should be rebuked in front of the whole church so that others will have a proper fear of God.

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

Titus 2:15
You must teach these things and encourage your people to do them, correcting them when necessary. You have the authority to do this, so don’t let anyone ignore you or disregard what you say.
Sometimes giving godly counsel means speaking difficult but truthful words. Warn those who are in sin of the consequences of their actions. Encourage them toward repentance, to turn toward God and his forgiveness.

Romans 14:19
So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Romans 15:2
We should please others. If we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 8:1
Now let’s talk about food that has been sacrificed to idols. You think that everyone should agree with your perfect knowledge. While knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really builds up the church.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

1 Corinthians 14:26
Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.

Ephesians 4:29
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Romans 1:11
For I long to visit you so I can share a spiritual blessing with you that will help you grow strong in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:18
So comfort and encourage each other with these words.

Hebrews 10:24
Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.
To give good counsel to others, aim at encouraging, building them up, and fostering harmony in the church.How can I give good counsel to others?

2 Corinthians 1:4
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
You can give good counsel to others by comforting them from your own experience of how God has comforted you in the past.

Galatians 6:1
Dear friends, if a Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
Be gentle and humble when you are called upon to counsel another. Giving counsel can be difficult because sometimes it involves saying harsh things—things that will be difficult for others to hear. Harshness, lecturing, and shaming are unhealthy and rarely effective.

Romans 15:14
I am fully convinced, dear friends, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well that you are able to teach others all about them.

Colossians 3:16
Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing Psalm and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

1 Thessalonians 5:12
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong.

2 Timothy 2:24-25
The Lord’s servants must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people. They should gently teach those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will believe the truth.
Since the principles of right and godly living are found in the Bible, you give the best counsel when you use the Bible as a significant part of your advice.

1 Thessalonians 5:14
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
You give good counsel when you address the need of the person; different types of people with different issues need to be dealt with differently. Patiently encourage about the positive steps they can take more than the dwelling on the negative things they’ve done. Encourage those who need it; speak tenderly to others; always be patient.

Ezekiel 3:20-21
“If righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and ignore the obstacles I put in their way, they will die. And if you do not warn them, they will die in their sins. None of their righteous acts will be remembered, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. But if you warn righteous people not to sin and they listen to you and do not sin, they will live, and you will have saved yourself, too.”
If good people turn bad and don’t listen to my warning, they will die. If you did not warn them of the consequences, then they will die in their sins. Their previous good deeds won’t help them, and I will hold you responsible, demanding your blood for theirs. But if you warn them and they repent, they will live, and you will have saved your own life, too.

Hebrews 3:13
You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

1 Timothy 5:20
Anyone who sins should be rebuked in front of the whole church so that others will have a proper fear of God.

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

Titus 2:15
You must teach these things and encourage your people to do them, correcting them when necessary. You have the authority to do this, so don’t let anyone ignore you or disregard what you say.
Sometimes giving godly counsel means speaking difficult but truthful words. Warn those who are in sin of the consequences of their actions. Encourage them toward repentance, to turn toward God and his forgiveness.

Romans 14:19
So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Romans 15:2
We should please others. If we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 8:1
Now let’s talk about food that has been sacrificed to idols. You think that everyone should agree with your perfect knowledge. While knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really builds up the church.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

1 Corinthians 14:26
Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.

Ephesians 4:29
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Romans 1:11
For I long to visit you so I can share a spiritual blessing with you that will help you grow strong in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:18
So comfort and encourage each other with these words.

Hebrews 10:24
Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.
To give good counsel to others, aim at encouraging, building them up, and fostering harmony in the church.

28/04/2025

28/04/2025

God’s Greatest Gift
We praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
Ephesians 1:6-7

Read the above verses again slowly; then think about how generous God has been in forgiving you.
How might this encourage you to generously show others mercy, grace, and forgiveness? Is there someone specific who comes to mind to whom you can show mercy and forgiveness, even though they don’t deserve it?
In the past week, which exercise has been most difficult for you? Being generous with your money? Talents? Time? Home? Possessions?
Spend a few minutes talking to God about this. Ask him to challenge you to continue giving in this area so you can keep growing in generosity.

27/04/2025

Splagna
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
MATTHEW 9:36

WHAT DRIVES YOU?
What is the overriding passion of your life?
When you’re falling asleep, what do you often find yourself thinking about?
And when you wake up, what topic is still there, like a song stuck in your mind?
If you had lots of extra time or money, what would you invest it in?
I’m asking: What drives you?
What Drove Jesus
What drove Jesus?
That’s an easy question to answer, because Jesus didn’t leave it up for debate. He said he came to seek and to save God’s lost children. a It wasn’t just his official “mission statement.” It was his passion. It was in his guts.

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” b

Jesus saw people whom no one seemed to care about. No one was giving them attention or trying to help them; they were “confused and helpless.” They were “like sheep without a shepherd.” They were people without their heavenly Father. They didn’t have God in their lives.
We’re told that Jesus had “compassion” on them. The word compassion is translated into our language from the Greek word splagna. Splagna is translated “compassion,” but the word splagna literally refers to intestines. What Jesus felt for these people wasn’t a surface emotion; it was gut deep. Jesus saw people who didn’t have God, and it made him sick to his stomach.
He couldn’t just sit and watch. So he turned to his disciples and asked them to pray that there would be people with enough compassion to do something about it. To pray that he would have followers who experience splagna and are driven by his mission of seeking and saving God’s lost children.
Our Mission
Jesus’ mission is our mission. He said, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” c
We need to make sure everyone knows there is a Father who loves them and is offering life to them through a relationship with him. For someone who has a relationship with God through Jesus, the most important thing is helping other people find it.
In fact, the very last thing Jesus said before he went back to heaven was, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” d
He said, “Make disciples.” A disciple is someone who has devoted his or her life to learning from and following someone.
He said when someone decides to become his follower, that person gets baptized. In baptism, the way many churches do it, a person gets lowered under water and then raised out of water. The symbolism is that it’s like you’re being lowered into a grave and then coming out of the grave to live a new life. e It’s a new life that’s bigger and better because it’s got Jesus at the center. Baptism is almost like a wedding; it’s a ceremony you go through signifying that you are giving your life to a relationship with God.
Jesus tells us to live out the adventure of sharing God’s love and Good News with others, and he offers to do it with us. He promises to be “with us always” as we engage in the mission.
Excuses
Jesus commanded that every Christian seek and save the lost, but many Christians ignore that command. Research indicates that the majority of Christians will never talk to others about their faith.
Some don’t because they consider their faith to be a private thing. Which, honestly, is ridiculous. If you had a cure for cancer, would you consider that a private thing? Would you keep it to yourself? Of course you wouldn’t. We have what everyone needs—the love of God, a relationship with God, life with God, eternity with God—and we need to share that with everyone.
Christians make all kinds of excuses as to why we can’t talk to people about our faith and try to help them to know Jesus.
“I can’t do that because my life isn’t a good enough example.”
“I can’t share Jesus because I’m not very good at that.”
“I can’t talk about my faith because I wouldn’t know what to say.”
“I can’t tell people about Jesus because I wouldn’t know the answers to their questions.”
But none of those excuses are legitimate, because they’re all about us. I is the common word in all of them. And I don’t lead people to Jesus. God does. I have a part to play. I get to share Jesus with people. But I can’t lead a person to Jesus. Only God can do that. So I don’t need to worry if I can do it right or if I know the right words. I just do my best, I do my part, and God is the one who will lead people to Jesus.
We make excuses, worrying that we’ll look silly or someone might not be happy with us if we talk about our faith. But considering how important it is for everyone to know Jesus, our excuses just don’t hold up.
Did you know that in some countries today people get killed for talking about Jesus, but they don’t use that as an excuse? They still do it. We have our excuses, but in America, no one will kill us for talking about our faith.
I realize our excuses feel real, but they’re not as real as the people who need Jesus. Maybe what we need to do is pray for more splagna. Because if we had enough compassion, we would overcome our excuses and share our faith.
What Drives You?
So what drives you?
If it’s not Jesus’ mission, pray for that.
And: What are you going to do about it?
I’ve decided to give my life to Jesus’ mission. And I’ll tell you this: giving my life to Jesus’ mission is the best decision I’ve made since giving my life to Jesus.
If you’ve given your life to Jesus, give the rest of it to his mission of seeking and saving God’s lost children. In the end, it will be the only thing that really matters.
Now What?
Read Exodus 3:1-14 and 4:1-17.
God asks Moses to represent him and speak for him, but Moses makes excuses for why he can’t. How does God overcome Moses’ excuses? What excuses do you make for not representing God and speaking about him to others? How do you think God might overcome your excuses?
God’s burning passion is that his lost children would come home to him. Ask God to have the same passion burn in you. Ask him to break your heart for the things that break his heart.
a See Luke 19:10.
b Matthew 9:35-38.
c John 20:21.
d Matthew 28:19-20, NIV.
e See Romans 6:1-5.

27/04/2025

Resentment is a common emotion that can significantly hinder recovery from addiction. It's a feeling of anger, bitterness, or indignation towards someone or something, often stemming from perceived wrongs or injustices. In recovery, effectively coping with resentment is crucial for maintaining sobriety and overall well-being. Undealt-with resentment can fuel relapse, disrupt relationships, and impede personal growth.

Understanding Resentment in Recovery:

Resentment often arises from past traumas, unresolved conflicts, or unmet needs. In recovery, individuals may confront painful memories and emotions, triggering feelings of resentment toward themselves or others. These feelings can be particularly intense during early recovery, as individuals grapple with the consequences of their addiction and the challenges of rebuilding their lives. The process of recovery often involves confronting difficult truths about oneself and others, which can lead to feelings of resentment.

Coping with Resentment During Recovery:

1. Identify and Acknowledge the Resentment: The first step is recognizing and acknowledging the existence of resentment. This may involve journaling, meditation, or talking to a therapist or sponsor. Understanding the source of the resentment is crucial.

2. Challenge the Resentment: Once identified, it's important to challenge the validity and usefulness of the resentment. Ask yourself: Is this resentment serving me? Is it helping me heal or hindering my progress? Often, resentment stems from distorted thinking patterns and unrealistic expectations.

3. Practice Forgiveness: Forgiveness, both of oneself and others, is a powerful tool in overcoming resentment. Forgiveness doesn't mean condoning harmful behavior but rather releasing the anger and bitterness that are holding you back. This is a process, not a single event.

4. Set Healthy Boundaries: Setting boundaries is essential in protecting oneself from future resentments. Learning to say "no," asserting your needs, and distancing yourself from toxic relationships can prevent the buildup of resentment.

5. Seek Professional Help: A therapist can provide guidance and support in processing resentment, developing coping mechanisms, and working through underlying issues that contribute to these feelings. Therapy can provide a safe space to explore painful emotions and develop healthier ways of relating to oneself and others.

6. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Recovery is a challenging process, and it's normal to experience setbacks and difficult emotions. Treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding you would offer a friend.

7. Focus on the Present: While acknowledging past hurts is important, dwelling on them can perpetuate resentment. Focus on the present moment and the progress you're making in your recovery.

8. Engage in Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities that promote emotional well-being, such as exercise, meditation, spending time in nature, or engaging in hobbies. These activities can help regulate emotions and reduce stress, making it easier to manage resentment.

9. Utilize Support Systems: Lean on your support system—family, friends, support groups—for emotional support and encouragement. Sharing your feelings with others can help alleviate the burden of resentment.

Remember, overcoming resentment is a process that takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself, celebrate small victories, and seek support when needed. The journey to recovery is about healing not only from addiction but also from the emotional wounds that may have contributed to it.

27/04/2025

Recovery from addiction, whether to drugs, alcohol, or other substances, is a multifaceted journey of healing and transformation. It's not a destination, but a continuous process requiring commitment, perseverance, and support.

Why Start Recovery?

The reasons for seeking recovery are deeply personal, but often stem from a recognition that addiction is controlling one's life, causing harm to oneself and others. The desire to reclaim one's life, to experience genuine joy and fulfillment, free from the grip of addiction, is a powerful motivator. Specific reasons might include:

- Improved Physical Health: Addiction takes a severe toll on the body. Recovery allows the body to heal, reducing the risk of organ damage, improving sleep, and boosting overall well-being.

- Improved Mental Health: Addiction often masks underlying mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Recovery provides an opportunity to address these issues and develop coping mechanisms.

- Stronger Relationships: Addiction strains relationships. Recovery allows for rebuilding trust, fostering healthier connections with loved ones, and creating supportive bonds.

- Increased Self-Esteem: Addiction can erode self-worth. Recovery fosters self-acceptance, self-respect, and a renewed sense of purpose.

- Greater Productivity and Fulfillment: Addiction hinders personal and professional success. Recovery unlocks potential, paving the way for career advancement, educational pursuits, and overall life satisfaction.

How to Start Recovery:

The first step is acknowledging there's a problem. This can be incredibly challenging, but it's crucial. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Here's how to begin:

1. Seek Professional Help: Therapists, counselors, and addiction specialists provide guidance, support, and evidence-based treatment plans.

2. Find a Support System: Join support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), connect with family and friends, or find a sponsor. Shared experiences and mutual support are vital in recovery.

3. Develop Coping Mechanisms: Learn healthy ways to manage cravings, stress, and triggers. This could involve exercise, mindfulness, hobbies, or creative pursuits.

4. Address Underlying Issues: Explore and address underlying mental health issues, trauma, or other factors contributing to addiction.

5. Make Lifestyle Changes: Adopt a healthier lifestyle that includes balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep.

6. Set Realistic Goals: Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. Setting achievable goals, celebrating milestones, and practicing self-compassion are essential.

Why We Help People Suffering from Addiction:

Helping those struggling with addiction is not just an act of compassion but a testament to humanity's shared responsibility for the well-being of our communities. We help because:

- Addiction is a disease: It's not a moral failing but a treatable illness.

- Recovery is possible: With the right support and resources, individuals can overcome addiction and lead fulfilling lives.

- It's a matter of social justice: Addiction disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. Supporting recovery is an act of social justice.

- It strengthens communities: Healthy individuals contribute to healthier communities. Supporting recovery strengthens social fabric and economic well-being.

- It saves lives: Addiction can be fatal. Helping others in recovery can save lives.

Remember, recovery is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs. Seeking help is the first brave step toward a healthier, happier life, both for oneself and the community.