We are making direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 

This week we will be dealing with the following scriptures!  Get started early and read the following passages in a Bible you can understand.

Long Awaited Healing      Genesis 33:1-11       page 47*
Keeping Promises            2 Samuel 9:1-9        page 387*
Covering the Past             Ezekiel 33:10-16      page 983*
Making Peace                  Matthew 5:23-25     page 1119*
From Taker to Giver         Luke 19:1-10          page 1239*
Unfinished Business         Philemon 1:13-16    page 1487*
A Servant's Heart             1 Peter 2:18-25      page 1525*

Vivian and I needed to complete unfinished business before we could move forward toward new opportunities in our life.  Some of us may have left trails of broken laws and relationships.  We both understand how that is.  You are not alone.  There were things that we needed to address before we moved on.

Our new life in Christ does not excuse us from past obligations.  Even while the Apostle Paul was in prison, he led a runaway slave, named Onesimus to a new life in Christ.  Then Paul sent him back to his master even though Onesimus faced possible death for his offence.  Since his previous master was a friend to Paul and a Christian brother, they hoped that Onesimus would be forgiven.

Onesimus carried a letter from Paul to his master which read: "I really wanted to keep [Onesimus] here with me... but I didn't want to do anything without your consent".

Before we could move on to a new future, we must face the unfinished business of the past.  This may take patience if you are facing some legal challenges.  It also includes offering a way to pay back what we owe, coming clean before the law, and going back to the people from who we ran away.  We can't assume forgiveness from people, although, we can hope for it.  In some cases we may be surprised to find pardon and release from the bondages of our past.

If you are facing bondages of the past, Vivian and I want to help you make that clean break and help you to not run from the past.  You are special and God wants to help you but you must address any unfinished business.

Vivian and I would love to pray with you; if you are feeling like you are being surrounded by the waves of death and that there is no safe place to go, come to this weeks Life Recovery Class.  You may email us or call us at extension  for more information.

Mike and Vivian Woods
Life Recovery Class Leadership

* denotes that the following pages are easily found in your personal copy of the Life Recovery Bible available from Increased Word Bookstore 971-732-5125

 

Bill of Assertive Rights (PDF)

12 Signs of Good Health (PDF)

Vivian's Recipe for Living (PDF)

Mikes Notes on Rejection (PDF)