One of my last few meetings, the Spirit had come upon me so strong during my 5 minutes(we were only ever allowed to speak for 5 minutes) of talking that I exposed and rebuked the lie of Alcoholism being a disease, confronting it as the sin of drunkenness, that the saying once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic is a lie from the pit of hell, and that the the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ can set us free from all bondage, and that His Word says that we no longer need to be identified with our sin, once it has been repented and been crucified with Christ. This is a good read and that is what God has laid in my heart over the years of my addiction and recovery. We will be held accountable for the truth that we were given, and at the expense of our flesh, rejected. 48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And He came to set the captives free! Thank you for sharing. It is mixing the Holy, and the profane. 8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. Through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I was told to throw them away. After I spoke, the atmosphere was so thick, you could have cut it with a knife. We cannot trust our experiences and how we feel as a sole measure of something to be good. His efforts to make amends to his wife, Cheryl, as part of the 12 steps led to him attending Saddleback Church with her, hearing Rick Warren preach, and renewing their marriage vows in a span of months. Relation of humility to sobriety. I know, for me, it wasn't hard to recite the 12 steps in solidarity at a . This very much includes programs like AA/CR which do not have a grounding in the Bible at all. My faith was empowered, as I knew it was my time to speak His Words. However, I knew what Yah had spoke to me, and He said that I shall be the first to speak. Amen brother, you are correct, we cannot be unequally yoked with unbelievers, or mixing light with darkness(2 Cor 6:14). Misuse of willpower. I read this and the Spirit of God prompted to reply. God is good, all the time. Once we have knowledge of the truth, then we are held accountable to that truth. People were healed and delivered from blindness, leprosy, epilepsy, demon-possession, sexual lusts and perversions, etc. Creation of C.R. At Southside Baptist Church, the purpose of our Celebrate Recovery program is to both fellowship and celebrate God's healing power in our lives through 12 Steps and 8 Recovery Principles. Elena, yes, thank you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.. Yet, this is an occultic practice, which is a form of witchcraft. Baker is survived by his wife and Celebrate Recovery cofounder, Cheryl; children Johnny and Jeni Baker and Laura and Brian Gibney; and their grandchildren. 1 Peter 1:13Therefore prepare your minds for action. Staff was great, attentive to our needs and" more. As above, I will be going through steps 1-3, and 12, and directly quoted from CR website: 1 ) We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. We must be a willing vessel to share the truth with others, even at the cost of suffering, for if we dont, then we are not picking up our cross. AA is just another false religion, trying to go in another way: We have no desire to convince anyone that there is only one way by which faith can be acquired(Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, pg. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. It reminds me of a favorite passage of mine: Hebrews 11:25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. For some, this repentance is quickly and some it is slowly as God meets us with our willingness at whatever point we are in life. It is a tactic of the enemy within the thoughts of men to say well, how can this be bad, if I have seen good in it. Because even darkness can appear as something good, that is why Eve took a bite of the forbidden fruit. It may use terms like god, creator, higher power, however, the god and creator that they speak is not that of Jesus/Yeshua. However, unlike negative energy that simply attaches itself and hovers over us like a dark cloud, energetic parasites feed on our energy. (KJV), When we choose the difficult path, which often leads to affliction, we are choosing to partake in the sufferings of Christ, and this is part of what it means to pick up our cross daily. If there is darkness in the AA program leading people astray, what better place to set up a lamp stand? The Saddleback Church pastor developed the popular Christ-centered 12-step program for hurts, habits, and hang-ups., Image: Courtesy of Saddleback Church / Edits by Christianity Today. You don't have to face alcohol addiction alone, so give us a call today to get started at 888-448-0302. It is like taking a pile of poop, and placing the Bible on top. Satan manifests as an angel of light, and his workers as ministers of righteousness(2 Cor 11:14). In Celebrate Recovery, the levels of recovery are far worse. Prison Fellowship president James J. Ackerman collaborated with Baker to add Celebrate Recovery Inside to its curricula. Bakers ministry began in 1991 at Saddleback Church in California and has spread to 35,000 churches nationwide over the decades. Please check directly with each church to find out if they are running during Covid-19. During the times of Yeshua and the disciples, there was no need of recovery groups or reliance on a 12 step program, when they had the Word of God, and His Spirit. Celebrate Recovery is a proven 25+ year old Christ-based 12-step program based on the Beatitudes. Is it a sin for a Christian to drink alcohol / wine? In some ways I understand and even believe what you say. He instead, as is mentioned in the Big Book(pgs 12-13), made his own god, professed this god to be the Father of Lights and was led by this god-consciousness from within, and insisted that all he had to do was believe in a power higher than himself, and nothing else was required. It also anti-christ as it denies Yeshua/Jesus as the Only Way(1 Joh 2:22-23, Joh 14:6). from the intoxicating influences of sin (like the impact of selfish passion, greed, etc.). I was a facilitator for CR at my church. I too may have mixed feelings about this post. I choose to stand on the word regardless who believes or not. The Celebrate Recovery Bible on Kindle, iBooks and Nook are also approved curriculum. The desire of alcohol is a lust of the flesh. Start your new life now! First Baptist Church of Arnold (10.7 mi) 2012 Missouri State Road, Arnold, Missouri 63010 United States. Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. 6 Mar 2015. I am praying for God to show me what he wants me to do. Through much prayer, and acquiring the Fathers will, the Spirit instructed me when I needed to go back, to finish what He had begun in me. As they had all turned their backs on Yeshua/Jesus and His Word, they then had no problem turning their back on me. This program is not something that you complete and then all of sudden, Hey, Im better. Turning our will over to Higher Power. It's your choice. Thank you, Patty for sharing your thoughts and comment on this matter. Email vriggins@graceclarksville.com. When I was very young in my faith and had little discernment into things and practices I was doing, I had gone to get a different kind of massage called a chakra massage. Celebrate Recovery (CR) meets at 6 p.m. Saturdays at Good Shepherd Church, 2341 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, featuring dinner, a big meeting and small open share groups. 25 years ago, Saddleback Church launched Celebrate Recovery with 43 people. There is a good, acceptable and perfect will of God. We all need to be encouraged from time to time, and I am thankful that this has helped you to be able to make some difficult decisions. Substitution of A.A. as Higher Power. To become truly sober, or sober-minded, is not just abstaining from toxic substances from the physical body, but also toxic doctrines from the mind/heart. I also know many who have never even tempted themselves ever again. III. We will all stand before the judgement seat of the Lord, and give an account of our lives. Go and see for yourself. He delivered me completely of alcohol, and a great many of other things. It is a welcoming community and provided a perfect place for our retreat. We are all broken and in need of a Saviour; my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,. He shares in his testimony that he grew up a believer in a Baptist church but struggled with feelings of unworthiness. I know what you are implying with sin sickness as it has to do with things I already addressed in my blog and is a strong lie taught within AA/CR. Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? He partied in college at the University of Missouri and as an officer in the air force, and his drinking habit grew as his career in business took off in his 30s. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. This is why I stress within my blog that this is leading people to accept a different gospel. The topical groups vary by site, and some. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered 12-step program designed for all "hurts, hangups, and habits," including those caused by emotional, mental, and spiritual dysfunction.As one of the seven largest addiction recovery support programs, Celebrate Recovery is designed to be a confidential place where attendees can work through their "stuff" in a safe and God-honoring place. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! What does the Bible say about addiction. The phrase do not throw out the baby with the bathwater, with regards to programs and practices like AA/CR, is overriding several biblical commands to come away from such. AA/NA holds people in bondage, making them think they are free. We are also told to test the spirits (1 Joh 4:1) as not all things that outwardly manifest as good or righteous will be so. If God can work through the mouth of a mule he can work through anyone he chooses. From that point forward, I was actually prohibited from bringing or reading my Bible in the group. Self-righteousness. Thanks for sharing brother. A.A. teaches that alcoholism is a disease for which there is no ultimate cure. As you can probably imaginethings did not go well for me after that. How should a Christian view alcoholics? During the worship time, I sat in the back reading my Word. One of the worst things that an individual can do in early recovery is jump headfirst into romance. While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. (Pgs 8-9). All things including our evil ways will work to the glory of God somehow, and that is something I do and must believe in my journey. This is an excerpt from one of my blogs The Deception of the New Age Awakening through DNA, The New Age movement is not a conspiracy but an eclectic configuration of spiritual seekers who have despaired of finding personal and cosmic satisfaction in either religious orthodoxies or secular materialism. Here are ten common situations that are very dangerous to a person in recovery. Ive seen Gods fruit in AA and CR as anything Good comes from God. He has taught the Bible and preached in places as varied as Russia, Northern Ireland, Bhutan, and Egypt. It is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory. And theres many avenues to recover. Your email address will not be published. Or perhaps a sort of alternative that is more Christ centered such as Celebrate Recovery? With the introduction of The Landing-God's vision for Celebrate Recovery is now complete!" -John Baker "The Landing provides a safe place for students to share about their hurts, hang-ups, and habits and learn to apply the Principles of Celebrate Recovery to help them break the cycle of dysfunction in their families." - Johnny Baker | We have Graphic Designers to assist you | service@banners.com 1.866.419.SIGN. Why do we need 12 steps when the only step our Saviour has told us to do is repent and turn away from sin/evil. What does the Bible say about drunkards? Recovery is not a straight road or an easy fix. Any spiritual experience that is not vetted through the written word, and the Spirit of Truth, could lead a person down a path of destruction. So, with my meetings with the woman I sponsored, I started out with repentance and I went through the 10 commandments, what sin is, and what it means to turn from sin. Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. See more ideas about celebrate recovery, recovery, recovery quotes. I brought up that step three goes against the first two of the 10 commandments, and that there shall be no other gods before Him. However, the cost of sharing the truth with others, is rejection. The Bible tells us to hate sin and evil, to cut it out of our life. I fully agree! Official page of Celebrate Recovery. With the knowledge above, of these steps, how can we then take Scripture to pile over it? I know it would offend the people in the program if I were to discount or question it or say my discomfort. The most common reason why people relapse after a period of sobriety is that they become stuck in recovery. Celebrate Recovery is credited with helping destigmatize addiction among evangelicals and opening the church up as a safer place for recovery. a sermon that goes along with our Celebrate recovery ministry, covering the different steps. Dishonesty in recovery is dangerous because: It is a common relapse trigger. If you are in danger of hurting yourself or someone else, please call: 911 - Emergency or 988 - Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or 1-800-273-8255 HELP IS AVAILABLE. It becomes an addiction because the flesh craves it. Your email address will not be published. While your experiences, are your experiences, they should never override that of sound doctrine. Baker was raised in Collinsville, Illinois. This is what brings us to our Lord. The lead woman was not there, and Yah instructed me where I needed to sit. Sam, thank you for commenting. I then took out my bible and began to read until both I and my time was finished. Within AA, the introduction is similar in the person identifies as their addiction, My Name is, and I am a drug addict/alcoholic. Celebrate Recovery (CR) is a national, Christ-centered self-help program hosted by local churches to help people struggling with addiction or other life-controlling issues. 3 ; Recognize that Im not God. This is what He did for me, and through such, I am obliged to warn others. 12For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD(YHWH): and because of these abominations the LORD(YHWH) thy God doth drive them out from before thee. From my experience and understanding, the reason why many people have a difficult time coming away from these programs/doctrines is because there is a spiritual bond(stronghold) that has taken place and it must be broken. How can I start a Celebrate Recovery Starting a Celebrate Recovery is an exciting step for your church! 10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.(KJV). Baker, Celebrate Recovery Leader's Guide, 12). (KJV), John 10:7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. There was initially some resistance, as I have witnessed with so many others, as this becomes a crucial point for many, as they take that step in obedience. A.A. does not demand belief; Twelve Steps are only suggestions. This is why people become deceived and un-willing to accept that possibility. To produce good fruit, a practice or program has to be sound in the word of God. Pregnancy clinics are a crucial force in the pro-life movement, and the center of the argument before the justices today. They have been talking up the step study lately and there is pressure to join. Problems of intellectuality and self-sufficiency. Luke 12:47And that servant, which knew his lords will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. (KJV), Leviticus 20:6And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, NOR DRUNKARDS, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Mark 14:38 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. (Luke 9:23) In such, our reward, or our treasures will be laid up greater in heaven. 8,093 talking about this. Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? We believe in spreading the gospel throughout the whole world. 20:2). So, I was immediately led to Acts 2:38, and the Spirit had me to start at repentance. So, if you are sharing the truth about Gods Word, and how it contradicts the doctrine and spiritual application within AA, then great, but I am not sure how they would allow that to continue if the leaders of AA became known you were speaking out against the program. Dangers of self-sufficiency. Step Two is a rallying point to sanity. 4 Needless to say, CR has had a major influence on the church. Quoting from my blog: Many seem to believe that as long as something appears good, and that someone is helped that it must be of God, when this is simply not true; while He can draw His own creation to Him, in whatever circumstance they are in, this does not mean that it is His perfect will for them to continue on in what they are doing or involved in. I have found that times when I am feeling too comfortable, that I am not growing or stepping out where I should be. Many alcoholic/addicts are not ready for solid food 1Cor3:2, Heb5:14. He wanted a specifically Christian addiction recovery group, so with the support of Rick Warren, Celebrate Recovery began as a ministry of Saddleback Church under Bakers leadership in 1990. Many seem to believe that as long as something appears good, and that someone is helped that it must be of God, when this is simply not true; while He can draw His own creation to Him, in whatever circumstance they are in, this does not mean that it is His perfect will for them to continue on in what they are doing or involved in. You may want to celebrate any, or all, of the following milestones in recovery: (Don't celebrate too much here because you are VERY much at risk still for relapse in the early days of recovery. A person can not only be intoxicated physically, but also spiritually: Isa 29:9Pause and wonder! Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? Recovery signals a dramatic shift in the expectation for positive outcomes for individuals who experience mental and substance use conditions or the co-occurring of the two. Next, I moved on to being baptized, which both my husband and I were able to actually do for her. Too many churches judge them for who and what they are instead of trying to help them. Celebrate Recovery meetings rarely focus on the fact that continuing to drink can result in death. Celebrate Recovery is a substance abuse recovery program based primarily on biblical teachings and the words and loving power of Jesus Christ. There is simply no way to put into words how I love John and will miss this kind, creative, brilliant and faithful man., Evangelical leader Johnnie Moore, whose family previously belonged to Saddleback Church when living in California, remembered Bakers commitment to saving the lives of the people whom God loves., He became a doctor of hope for those whose lives were caught in vicious cycles of guilt, shame, and failure. I am glad that you found this blog edifying. To discern good fruit you have to know if the doctrine, character, or practice, aligns with the word of God, and this should be your measuring line. I previously completed step studies and attended CR as a participant. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing, and my life is unmanageable. For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. I was informed that the lead woman of the group would not be there(the same one who had pulled me aside), and that I would be speaking first when the group began. The ministry, started at Saddleback Church in the 1990s, announced the news of his death Tuesday (Feb. 23) on social media. Romans 7:18. It is strongly advised that they remain focused on themselves until their sobriety is strong. 1 bid. TSF is the law of the land. This is a dangerous form of denial. John touched more people with the healing power and grace of Jesus Christ than anyone else that I have ever known personally and one of those lives was mine, wrote Celebrate Recoverys national director and national training coach Mac and Mary Owen. This is all quite contrary to the Word of God, and is what is called anti-Christ. I agree with much of what you say about the spiritual aspects of AA. They'll say, "I don't know anybody that doesn't need recovery" where I often chimed in, "I don't know anyone who doesn't need Jesus." This tried and proven recovery system uses the traditional methods of issue groups, sponsors, accountability partners, and community to build recovery for those struggling with addictive habits, codependency, childhood hurts, and other life experiences that affect our peace. 34The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. I understand how you could have mixed feelings about this, and I appreciate you sharing. As such, the potential for a relapse to occur is very high. for the living to the dead?(KJV). We have also been to Indonesia twice . 23No one who denies the Son can have the Father; whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well. So, it is important to keep ourselves pure from false doctrines and teachers. 3525 /nph (be sober, unintoxicated) refers to having presence of mind (clear judgment), enabling someone to be temperate (self-controlled). How shall we let God into our lives? None of these women, spoke to me again, nor did I ever go back to Celebrate Recovery, as my assignment there was done.