Tag: Hope

Tetelestai Recovery

The Power of Praise

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As we progressed up the path in the Tetelestai Realm of Recovery, we discovered a powerful weapon against the onslaught of obsessions, compulsions, and other dysfunctional thought patterns. The weapon was praise and it turned out to be more powerful that we ever imagined.

We came to see that when we praised God, we experienced a higher level of satisfaction in our lives and we became more deeply aware of His goodness surrounding us. We also noticed that when our praises declined, so did our sense of well-being.

From simply a human point of view, this made perfect sense to us. We were easily able to confirm the effect praise has on all creatures. Praise given to a pet or a child is the way to convey approval and appreciation. Praise offered to a co-worker is received with gratitude and good will. Praise given to a spouse, partner, or family member can bridge a strained relationship or energize an exhausted soul.  

We realized that when we praised God, we were verbalizing our trust in His divine plan. When praising God, we were simultaneously attracting angelic presence and repelling demonic entities. Knowing that neither angels nor demons can read minds, we put great emphasis on verbalizing our praises.

Tetelestai Recovery, Chapter 10

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Tetelestai Recovery

HAND MADE BY GOD

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In a world of competition and comparisons, you sometimes wonder if your value is measured by what you do, rather than by who you are.

This is a concern for many human beings. Some struggle to do more, or to be better than everyone else in order to feel significant.  Others think that money, talent or popularity will make them feel important. Sadly, these schemes are worthless.

Knowing that you are handmade by the Creator of the universe assures you of your value.  Since you are so special to God, He designed you in a unique and wonderful way. Before your mother even knew you existed, God was already weaving together the strands of your DNA.

Imagine His excitement as He  selected your eye color, your voice tone, and your sense of humor! He gave you a love for animals and the ability to connect with them on a level other humans may not understand. He infused you with a high level of curiosity and compassion.

He placed within you, specific gifts and talents which you are just beginning to discover.

Your value is far beyond what you do or say. You are much more important than your achievements or your awards.

You are a person with a destiny; designed by the God of the galaxies.

You play an important role in the future of humanity. Each day you spend on this planet becomes a  significant part of history.

God knows the value of your unique human spirit. He knows that your heart is filled with compassion, determination, and enthusiasm. He has given you a mind, body, and temperament which will are ideal for your journey.

Long before anyone knew you, God was sketching out a plan; designing you perfectly for the destiny which will be yours.

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A Date With Destiny

INJUSTICE IS SILENCED

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A clue to your divine destiny is revealed in your desire to relieve human suffering.

You see that within the vulnerabilities of humanity, some of God’s children are susceptible to helplessness and hopelessness. They live on the fringe of society and have not been treated fairly.

You see that within their defenseless position, they are at extreme risk.

As you meet the physical and emotional needs of those who have been treated unfairly, you are silencing the voices from their past which have been telling them all their lives that they were insignificant and unworthy.

Your efforts to restore justice in an unjust society may seem overwhelming at times, but you can be assured that your work is not in vain.

God has promised to silence the voice of injustice, and He invites you to be part of the process.

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Tetelestai Recovery

Expectations

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The writer Mark tells us that this group of women went to that tomb expecting to find a corpse, but they still went. I suggest to you that Jesus works this way, even today. If you have just enough faith to seek Him in your despair, in your darkness, in your doubt, even if you don’t expect much, He’s going to give you more than you bargained for. He did for those women, and He still does it today. Marks’ gospel is more concise that the other 3, but it does reveal to us that where they laid Jesus is now a bare spot on the floor. He is GONE. The tomb is an empty place.

For centuries after this event, scholars have wrestled with this problem. In the first century, the Jews thought the disciples stole the body to promote their hoax. The disciples thought the Jews or the Romans had taken the body. The Romans weren’t sure because they had stationed a guard over the tomb. But NOBODY was saying that the body of Jesus was still in there.

Death and despair have been emptied of their power. Destructive forces do not have the final word. The empty tomb is the historical evidence for believing in the truth of the resurrection.

Look for Jesus in the last place you saw Him. It may have even been an unpleasant or traumatic experience, like it was for the women who went to the tomb that first Easter morning. Even if you have low expectations, give it one last shot. This may be the time you find new hope.

~Pastor Marc