Step 3: . We made a decision to turn our life and will over to the care of God.

March 6

Scripture reading for today: Ephesians 6

We have a video link on our website that I think you ’ ll want to watch. It ’ s a monologue delivered by late night talk show host Craig Ferguson. He ’ s speaking about his own history with alcoholism, and he ’ s got a lot of great things to say. (Check it out at www.northstarcommunity.com – follow the links.)

Ferguson expresses an opinion in his message that many of us share. He describes the difference between a “ good ” and a “ bad ” treatment facility. The good ones, according to Ferguson, say this to the recovering addict leaving treatment: “ You ’ ve made a good start. But you have a chronic condition that you will need to deal with for the rest of your life. ” (Bad paraphrase, but I think you get the point.)

What he describes in vivid – and comic – detail is the chronic nature of addiction. He pleads with us to know this, and respond to this information responsibly. Ephesians six says the same thing about the life of one who believes. Paul writes in chapter six about the fierce, invisible warfare that is waged against us on a daily basis.

As I ’ ve said many times – deciding to believe is serious business. Believing isn ’ t a magic pill – it is a battle. Believing requires us to suit up and show up every day. There ’ s some good news in this passage that I don ’ t want us to miss. Just as addicts all around the world find help when they gather with others who have similar problems, believers follow this same model – with awesome results. There are those who have gone before us that can offer us their experience, strength and hope. Paul doesn ’ t want us to be surprised when things are difficult. He doesn ’ t want you and I to think we ’ re doing “ it ” wrong, or that “ it ” doesn ’ t work simply because it feels like war. It is war! It is a fight! But we have weapons in our arsenal that are guaranteed to prevail. That ’ s really really good news!

Thought for today:

…for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4-5 NIV

Thought for tomorrow: When we are struggling with coming to believe, many of us doubt that God can love us. Sure, we think, that may work for someone else, but not for me. Some of our lifestyles have scarred us, and left us feeling “less than” and ashamed. What if those feelings of shame are being used by Satan himself to trick you into doubting your place in God’s grand epic adventure? Deciding to believe will require us to accept some things because God said them BEFORE we have the life experience to assure us that these things are true. If you doubt that God can love you, talk to someone about it. Email us, and we can have a conversation. Know this: you were created to believe! May you become the Prince or Princess Warrior that God had in mind when he created you!

March 6
Teresa McBean

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