Lenten Devotional - Day 18

Scripture: Psalm 51:12-17

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit…. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Ps. 51:12, 17)

  We don’t like to admit that there may be aspects of our lives where we have little or no control. Twelve step groups frequently speak of surrender, the action of a person who acknowledges that they have lost control and are powerless over their continued use and behavior. A “broken spirit” is a good example of this surrender. Surrender is not easy, people want to believe, they are in control even a little bit, but without complete surrender they will always fall back to old, destructive patterns. The surrender that leads to recovery starts in the same way the psalmist states, with “a broken and contrite heart.” (v. 17)

  Psalm 51 are the anxious words of one who feels desperately cut off from the presence of God. The psalmist here is broken by sin and guilt and is pleading with God for restoration. Many individuals, not just those suffering from addiction, share the same brokenness described by the Psalmist. Individuals in the depths of their brokenness who will hear the words that we preach and are convinced that God is justified in abandoning them. Their addictive behavior has surrounded them with their guilt and shame and they are certain that sin has rendered them utterly unworthy of any communion with God. What words do we offer to the desperate? Do we offer confirmation of their worthlessness, by driving home the destructive consequences of their sin?

  Lent is a season in which all of us are called back to a right relationship with God. For some individuals, they are certain that not even repentance will lead them on the path toward restoration. Restoration will only come when they are freed from the guilt that has for too long crushed their soul and spirit. The Psalmist offers to the desperate the solution to our epic problem of restoration with God: steadfast love and abundant mercy, a God who is eternally “for us” with the endless love of a mother for her child. The God whose everlasting love will never abandon us, no matter what our guilt says. Steadfast love and abundant mercy not only heals us of the stain of sin, but also of the lie of our worthlessness. Who among us doesn’t need to hear that word?

  The psalmist then prays for the power not to sin again (vv. 10-13). He wants a clean heart that can stay clean. He understands that such an action is beyond his human ability, but is available from God, who has the power to cause the change of human hearts. Our calling in season and out of season is announcing that restoration between God and his people is possible, restoration to our relationships with others is possible, restoration to God’s salvation is possible, restoration to church and community is possible. Lent is calling us to acknowledge our own restoration and how it is possible for our neighbor through the steadfast love and mercy of God.

Lee McDermott, Contributor

Remember in Prayer: Families with broken hearts because of the heroin epidemic.

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Lenten Devotional - Third Sunday in Lent

Today’s Scripture: John 4:15-17

“The woman said to him, ‘Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Go, call your husband, and come back.’ The woman answered him, ‘I have no husband.’ Jesus said to her, ‘You are right in saying, 'I have no husband';” (John 4:15-17)

  Most AOD dependent individuals and their families find it difficult to face the truth of their current lives. Our ministry in the church is to provide a safe and secure environment where they can face the truth and find the “living water” that Jesus tells us about.

  The woman in this story is willing to be honest with Jesus about the state of her life at this moment, “I have no husband.”

  When the woman bares the truth of her life, she and Jesus can begin to talk honestly and the work of healing can begin. 

  The first casualty of addiction is always the Truth. I ache for the "little" lies addiction causes. They get bigger and more frequent and erode relationships away. They destroy trust between loved ones and friends. I think that one of the BEST things about a 12-Step Group is that there are other people there who tell you their stories. You can see yourself in their stories, and you know that you are not crazy. And you are not alone. Only another addict can voice what you are going through, and when they say it – it has the unmistakable ring of truth. Truth has a holiness and authority all of its own. Jesus said, "The truth will set you free" - and it really does.

Donna Havrisko, Contributor

Remember in Prayer: Those drug dependent individuals who are facing the truth of their behavior and the pain this creates.

Click Here PDF - Third Sunday in Lent Devotion

Local Resources — Westmoreland County

Westmoreland County Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc. (WeDAC, Inc.)

  1 Wendell Ramey Lane, Suite 120, Monessen, PA 15062

  Phone: 724-684-9000, ext. 4446       Fax: 724-684-3489

  Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.      http://wedacinc.org/

  In Case of An Emergency Call: 1-800-220-1810, Ext. 2

Lenten Devotional - Day 12

Scripture: John 4:40-42

“So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.’" (John 4:40-42)

  People are seeking a place where they can belong, a place where they are accepted. The Samaritan woman was not impressed by Jesus’ theology, but by his presence, how for that moment in time she was the most important person for him to spend time, even though, spending time with Samaritans was considered unacceptable.

  During the years, I worked in addictions treatment, I received hundreds of hours of training in pharmacology, counseling techniques, group therapy, treatment approaches and methods, and a host of other areas important to addictions treatment. For many of the individuals I worked with in treatment all this training I’d received meant nothing. For them, the most important thing that I did was giving them my presence. To simply be there for them when it counted. Sitting with them in a court room as they awaited sentencing. Visiting them in prison while waiting to post bail, go to trial or serve their sentence. Praying with them at their bedside while they detoxed.

  During those years, I attended numerous 12 step group meetings. The meetings helped me better understand these individuals, I was working with daily. Often, during those meetings I encountered individuals that I had provided treatment services. Often the feedback, I received from clients about the effectiveness of their treatment experience was on how much they appreciated the fact that I was present during the meetings that I attended or that I was there when they shared their personal story with the group. During those meetings, I frequently said nothing and frequently did nothing, but I did shake hands, greet people, and asked them different questions that I knew were important to them. Though these were simple actions that I took part in every day of my life, I discovered that these actions were very important, because I was present with them.

  Job’s friends who sat with him in his time of trouble, their presence counted, their main problem came when they decided to speak. We often believe we need to say something important and useful, when all that is really needed is our presence. Others simply need to know they are not alone, someone is willing to stand with them.

  Jesus makes a difference in the life of a Samaritan woman and the village where she lived, not just because of the words he shared, but because he clearly showed that his presence among them was important and they came to believe.

Lee McDermott, Contributor

Remember in Prayer: Those who are finding their ministry among those who simply need the presence and compassion of others.

Click Here PDF - Day 12 Devotional

Lenten Devotional - First Sunday in Lent

Scripture: Psalm 32:1-7

“Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (Ps. 32:1)

  Psalm 32 teaches a simple lesson: Trying to conceal one's sins from God is useless and brings needless (often physical) suffering. Confession of one's sin brings God's help and guidance toward the goal of a more righteous life.

  Twelve step groups speak in their fifth and eighth steps about the importance of seeking forgiveness by first identifying the wrongs, to make a list of the nature of their wrongs, admit to these wrongs to God, to themselves and to another human being. They also make a list of those people they have harmed and prepare themselves to make amends. The importance of this step is to not simply acknowledge the obvious wrongs, but the secret wrongs often buried deep within one’s soul which need uncovered.

  The writer of Psalm 32 knows the terror of secret sin, and the joy of being forgiven. "Happy are those..." he begins his psalm. Or, in an older translation, "Blessed are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."

  

  Unrepentant, secret, hidden sin causes grief, shame, and guilt. The sinner's body "wastes away," and his strength is "dried up," like a potted plant left too long in the scorching summer sun. There is no life or vigor left in him, and his secret sin eats away at him, mind, body, and spirit. God's hand is "heavy" upon him (vvs. 3-4).

  We do not often talk about guilt or shame. Some churches tend to shy away from speaking too often about sin, shame or guilt, trying to distance themselves from the damaging effects of misplaced usage in past generations. I am not advocating a return to fire and brimstone preaching. While still the Psalmist makes it clear that sometimes guilt and shame can and does impact the lives of those around us, even if, not inflicted upon them by others. For the person to move forward in recovery they must acknowledge their sin and be willing to seek forgiveness. Forgiveness is what leads to true joy. In confession, God forgives, and the individual can start life anew. Such new life is what the psalmist calls "happy" or "blessed."

  "I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go." (v. 8) This psalm, then, is a composition designed to teach one how to live well, how to live a happy and blessed life. "While I kept silence, my body wasted away...Then I acknowledged my sin to you...I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and you forgave the guilt of my sin" (vv. 3, 5). A vital role of the church is to assist those in recovery to achieve this blessed life, which comes through confession and forgiveness.

Lee McDermott, Contributor

Remember in Prayer: Men and Women who find it difficult to reveal their secret sins and find forgiveness in God’s presence.

Click Here PDF - First Sunday in Lent Devotion