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Month: October 2021

But We’ve Always Done It that Way

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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The Gospel of Covid

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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Approval Like a Drug

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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Misery Loves Company

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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That’s a Terrible Decision

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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Save Us from Evil

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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I Need Some Peace and Quiet

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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Enabling and Maintaining Boundaries

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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You Think You Are, But You’re Not

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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Exhausted All the Time

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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