July 2008 - A Path To Recovery

A PATH TO RECOVERY

Pastor Bill Marks, Christian Fellowship, Potchefstroom, (018) 293 1608 or 079 311 6515

All around the world senseless violence is being committed every day. Just across our borders people are fleeing their country because of political violence. We are certainly living in the days of which Jesus said in Matthew 24:37, "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be."
In Genesis 6:11,13 we read, "The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence."
Genesis 28:10-22 tells the story of how Jacob left as fugitive because his brother Esau wanted to kill him, and how he journeyed to Haran. When he came to a certain place he lay down to sleep. As he slept, he dreamt a ladder was set up on the earth and its top reached to heaven and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. (Often people desire to climb the ladder of success but it is unfortunate that they use unethical ways to obtain it. However, as the Word says in Proverbs 26:27, "Who-ever digs a hole will fall in it").
In the past Jacob dreamt of how he could steal his brother Esau's birthright from him by manipulating and scheming. HOWEVER, THERE IS A WRONG WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THE RIGHT THING!
Now God intervenes and gives him a better dream and assures him that He is the God of the past and of the future. The Lord repeats the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 28:13,14) to Jacob which He made with his father in Genesis 26:4. In Genesis 28:15 God says to Jacob: "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." In actual fact God is assuring Jacob that He is the One Who is able to protect and provide for him.
You may right now be going through a divorce, or perhaps you have lost a loved one, or maybe you are experiencing a financial crisis. Just remember these words that Jesus spoke to His disciples: "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). The Lord is able to bring you on a path of recovery.
In Leviticus 8:12 we read that Moses poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him, to consecrate him. Wherever you are, con-secrate your life to God. You do not have to do anything to earn God's love, but consecration is necessary to obey Him and then you will walk in His blessings.
All around the world there is a mounting financial crisis and panic. The national debt in the USA is 9½ trillion dollars and food prices have increased by 35% over the last year. China recently put 650 billion dollars in the USA banking system to save their economy.
Still, there is no reason for fretting. Being content is having the assurance of God's presence and power to supply your daily needs (Heb.13:5-6). Lead a disciplined life and work towards becoming debt free! Walk with God on the path of recovery!