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John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Acts 1:5 Like most of us, I grew up thinking that freedom meant doing whatever I wanted. Looking back, I know now that I had wonderful, loving parents, but at the time, I thought they were too…
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You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 The 12th step of AA teaches that the addict in recovery must carry the message of recovery to others. Knowing…
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So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6 In treatment for chemical dependency, I decided that I was through with following my way. My way had proven disastrous and I realized that for the rest of my life, I needed to…
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When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” John 21:21 Trapped in my own addiction, I was bitter towards those I knew who claimed God had miraculously…
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He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:17 We…
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Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. John 21:3 Often, I’ll set out to eat healthy, only to struggle with sticking to the plan. I know I should change my…
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On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples…
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Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. John 19:39 Having been in recovery for a few years and having seen many addicts attempt recovery, I can often predict whether someone is going to be successful in staying sober or…
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He said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30 While out hiking in the mountains recently, we got a glimpse early on of our destination, which appeared to be a ridiculously long way off. At that moment, the goal seemed like it was simply too far away.…
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Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” John 18:38 I heard someone say the other day that he’d realized his first impulsive response, in almost every situation, was wrong. I had to laugh bitterly, as I’ve also found this to be true in my life. This isn’t just about my drug addiction. I’ve had to…
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