The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son . . . Matthew 22:2 Jesus talked a lot about the Kingdom of Heaven. What did he mean? I can best understand the answer only in taking an honest look at my own life. My greatest life problem…
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The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. Matthew 21:43 Alcoholics Anonymous teaches that, We keep what we have by giving it away. Inherent to the process of recovery is reaching out. As we have been given much, we must share with those in need.…
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The tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. Matthew 21:31 I’m not saying everyone should go out and develop a drug addiction, but I never really understood how badly I needed God until I tore my life apart by doing things my way. The truth is, I needed him…
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Which of the two did the will of his father? Matthew 21:31 In my first attempt at recovery, I ran my mouth more than I should have. I was supremely confident that I’d never relapse, so, I told my counselor and sponsor as much. I knew I’d never need to go meetings again and I certainly…
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The chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Matthew 21:23 I’ve often been frustrated by my slow wit when it comes to sarcasm, put-downs, and the game of one-upmanship. I’m just…
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Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers . . . Matthew 21:12 I once listened to another Christian angrily vent about how someone had offended him. His story made it sound like his frustration was justified, but his tone and…
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The crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Matthew 21:9 I’ve been thinking a lot lately about chemical dependency treatment and how it works. Since going to inpatient treatment myself, it’s always amazed me…
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Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. Matthew 20:34 The first chemical dependency counselor I met explained to me that I had a disastrous life problem, but he also explained that it was treatable. He told me that if I followed the path laid out for me –…
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Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave. Matthew 20:26-27 In my first half-hearted attempt at recovery, if I wanted to keep my career, I had to go AA meetings, which I just didn’t feel were very helpful. I shared this with…
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These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat. Matthew 20:12 I’m a pastor’s kid, so when I was young, I went to church twice on Sunday and again on Wednesday. I didn’t swear, smoke, or drink alcohol so,…
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