Month: October 2021

I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. Galatians 1:14 I know I’m getting older. The signs are everywhere. Nowhere was it more obvious to me though, when, at a stop sign the other day, I glanced over…
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For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11-12 Growing up, I knew that all true Christians were Republicans.…
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For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 Like most of us, I appreciate a compliment and I bristle at criticism. When I read a kind…
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But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8 While trapped in their addiction, those enslaved to drugs don’t want anything to do with those who’ve found recovery. Sobriety is a blazing, painful light that…
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I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel . . . Galatians 1:6 Chemical dependency treatment centers traditionally use daily group therapy to help their clients learn how to live in recovery. While in treatment, a counselor will…
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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age . . . Galatians 1:3-4 It’s not uncommon for the one struggling with chemicals to desire recovery and to put himself in treatment, only to find out…
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Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Once, when I was a kid, my family headed out on a long road trip across the country. It was going to be a grand adventure and we…
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Your restoration is what we pray for. 2 Corinthians 13:9 As a physician, I often must serve as a gatekeeper of controlled medications. It’s not uncommon for the one addicted to come to me, asking for something that I believe would be harmful to him. The one addicted to alcohol may want opiates while he’s…
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Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Corinthians 13:5 My daughter is away in college now, but when she was at home, I would daily feel…
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I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. 2 Corinthians 12:15 In my drug use, I was exhausted all the time. Anxious and unmotivated, I couldn’t fall asleep at night and then slept in as late as I could in the morning. I was lazy, not enjoying exercise or any of the…
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