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Joy In The Good Shepherd

Redemptive Recovery

January 1

"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost’.”

(Luke 15:6)

Have you ever lost something so valuable that, when you found it, you just had to tell someone? When most people begin to experience their new life of sobriety, a unique kind of joy starts to build within them. As the pressure of happiness and newfound freedom in Christ grows, their joy becomes complete, overflowing with love toward others.

Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. He is willing to leave the ninety-nine to find the one sheep that is lost. And when He finds it, there is so much joy within Him that He calls those closest to Him to rejoice and celebrate! You are that sheep He has found!

The next verse is telling: “I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance” (Luke 15:8). Just as you felt compelled to share your joy after finding something valuable, the heavenly hosts share in the joy of Christ over you!

Can you think of a time when you experienced so much joy that you had to tell someone? What did it feel like when you first began to experience hope after a life of struggles?

Thank You, God, for seeking after me and finding me. I was lost, but now I am found, and it is only because of Your love for me. I pray that my heart may be full and that I may have so much joy in You that it overflows with love for others. Amen.

Redemptive Recovery

Redemptive Recovery (RR) is a Christian recovery group and program that is modeled on biblical truths. We believe that Jesus Christ has the power to transform our lives and that the bible is our roadmap. RR meets weekly and is for anyone currently navigating the challenges of addiction and also those that are further along in their recovery.

Visit www.redemptiverecovery.org for more information.

Breaking Free from the Opinions of Others

Redemptive Recovery

December 31

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

(Ephesians 2:10)

“If you treat me normal, I feel less than; if you treat me special, I feel normal.” Many of us felt this way as we journeyed through life struggling with our addictions. We never seemed to measure up to anyone or anything. We sought our worth in what others thought of us. The sad reality is that we never truly knew what people thought.

Instead of looking to others for our self-worth, we are reminded that our worth is in Christ alone. We are His workmanship, each created with unique abilities and talents, even if we don’t always recognize them. As the psalmist says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Ps. 139:14). God designed us and created us with intention. His intention is that we would have purpose, and that purpose lies in doing good works through Him, the giver of life that he may be glorified in us. With this new understanding, we are no longer enslaved to others and their opinions of us.

Can you think of a time when you needed to be treated special to feel normal? How has that changed as you trust more in Christ?

God of the universe, thank you for all you have done for me. Most of all, I thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord. Continue to work in me to do Your will, that through good works, You may be glorified in all my deeds. Transform me into Your image as I wait for the day to rest in You. Amen.

Redemptive Recovery

Visit www.redemptiverecovery.org for more information.

Living in Genuine Love

gwenbudd

November 5

"Love must be sincere...” (Romans 12:9)

For those of us who have struggled with addiction, this verse can be both challenging and deeply encouraging. Addiction often brings with it a weight of shame and brokenness, making it difficult to truly love ourselves and others. Yet today’s verse reminds us that love must be sincere—free from hypocrisy. This kind of love is neither superficial nor conditional; it’s genuine and honest.

A perfect example of sincere love is the love God has for his children. His love doesn’t depend on our past failures or successes but is rooted in his desire for us to know him deeply and fully, knowing that in him, we will find true joy and satisfaction. We are able to love others—and ourselves—because he first loved us. Through his love, God empowers us to love as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:

"Love is patient, love is kind; it is not jealous, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

Reflect on this today. Are there times in your life when you’ve struggled to love sincerely? How might this have impacted those around you? And today, how can you practice a love that is sincere and without pretense?

God, thank you for your unending goodness and grace. Thank you for loving me first and offering your Son as a sacrifice for my sins. Help me to love as you love, and guide my heart to share in the burdens that matter to you. In Christ's name, Amen.

Redemptive Recovery

Visit www.redemptiverecovery.org for more information.