March 11: THE HIGHER POWER

We have many different support groups actively at work in our community and they do good work. Lives are being changed and futures are brightened. Most of these groups recognize a Higher Power. The Higher Power is not usually described or defined but always recognized as the real enabler in breaking the hold of bad habits or destructive actions.
There is an underlying recognition that most problems have some sort of spiritual cause. This makes it vitally important that the church always have an “open-door” policy to anyone who comes for help while working through the “recovery” process. Many of these people have been shunned and rejected by the church because of their addiction. Many of these folks are Christians who desire to return to the church after previously being “turned off” by an insensitive religious group.
Some may have found the church not interested in ministering to real people with real problems even though the Lord of the Church said He “came to minister and give His life to ransom many.” (Mark 10:45 NIV)The church has a two-pronged responsibility to those who are lost and looking for help. First, imitate the Apostle Paul in Athens (Acts 17:23) by identifying the higher power “what you worship as something unknown I am going to introduce to you.”
Secondly, show by your own attitude of openness and understanding that you have a dynamic personal relationship with this higher power now identified. The Bible says that when these Athenians saw Paul “flesh-out” his higher power, they became his companions.
If your Higher Power is Jesus, introduce Him as such. Jesus said “All power in Heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18). That power raised Him from the dead. As a popular Christian song says “Ain’t no power on earth can tie Him down.” He is my Higher Power, too. Have you identified yours?

“Thank You, Father, for offering Your power so we could be cleansed
and forgiven and enabled to leave behind destructive behavior. Amen”