NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

February 9

Scripture focus: Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. 2 Corinthians 5:16-20 MSG

(Continued from yesterday’s devotional….) Messages that our friends from around the world are willing to trust me with and share anonymously with you...

“I appreciate today’s message. It made me feel better. I’m really trying this year to focus on me and feeling good.”

“I’m in recovery. Thanks for providing me with some ways to think about my spirituality within the context of my recovery experience. I like how you guys are talking about process and not perfection. In my home group we talk about progress and not perfection. I like how process and progress are only one letter different – but I think both are important points for me to keep in mind. I’ve been sober for the longest stretch ever since I was 11 years old – 180 days. Pray for me. I’m praying for you and your community.”

“I wish my spouse would read NSC materials or go to church with me. She has a lot of problems, and we fight all the time. Do you know of any good resources in Oklahoma that could help my wife get on track?”

“I think a big problem in our world today is religion. It’s all about trying to make us feel guilty. If we could just eliminate religion, the world would be a better place because we wouldn’t have to feel bad and could just do what we think is right for us.”

I could have selected a bunch more samples of the kinds of conversations that I have the privilege of hearing each day. With their permission, I’d like to take a few days and unpack some of the things we’ve talked about via email as they have shared and I’ve tried to respond.


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