Keep A Sharp Ey Out

Keep a Sharp Eye Out

See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. ~~Hebrews 12:15(NIV)1

Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. ~~Hebrews 12: 14-15 (The Message) 2

"The enemy of our souls has a very specific strategy to destroy relationships. Whether these relationships are in business, marriage, or friendships, the strategy is the same. A conflict arises, judgments are made, and feelings are hurt. What happens next is the defining point of whether the enemy gains a foothold, or the grace of God covers the wrong."3"

A conflict arises, JUDGEMENTS ARE MADE, and feelings are hurt." Dear sisters in the faith, this statement, which I repeated from the above quote can sum up a lot of the silliness and nonsense that occupies way, way, way too much of our collective energies and time.At least one time daily I say to myself, "Shut up girl...you aint all that!!!" I also find myself thinking -just as much- about others, "they think way too much of themselves."The point is plain and simple -does the enemy have a foothold in you as it relates to a critical and judgmental spirit? Does he?! If he does OR if it's simply the deeds of our sinful flesh, let's get serious about putting it too death and 1000%, refusing to hold on to a single shred of it.

How many gardens of potential beauty have been, and are being, ruined because so many of us have all but forgotten the grace by which we ourselves have been, and are, saved?May we this week go to our knees in prayer: CONFESS AND REPENT. Let's get out the pruning sheers, the weed wackers...the weed killing WORD OF GOD... and do whatever is necessary to cut back the thistles and weeds we have too long self-righteously cultivated. Selah...Selah...Selah............................. Stephanie Paul is Director of Women's Addiction Recovery Ministries at America's KESWICK

UPCOMING EVENTStephanie is one of the featured speakers at our 3rd Annual Family and Friends Addiction Seminar: Binding Up the Broken Hearted. Please join Diane, Stephanie, MaryAnn, Bill P. and Jim F. for a day designed to provide practical help for individuals in relationship with an addicted person. It is our desire to give hope to the hopeless and to encourage the discouraged. Saturday, October 11th, 2008. 8:00 am -3:30 pm Sponsored by America's Keswick - Addiction Recovery Ministries. It will be held at an off-campus location: Whiting Bible Church, 95 Lacey Rd., Whiting, NJ 08759. $25.00 per person includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Call today for reservations and directions 732.350.1187 x. 10

.1 www.biblegateway.com
2 www.biblegateway.com
3 Today God is First by Os Hillman, a free devotional from Crosswalk.com