Celebrate Recovery - Lonedell, Missouri

10/31/2026

" KING JAMES VERSION DAILY BIBLE
DEVOTIONAL "

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

August 26 2026 -- By Francis Taylor .

SSCRIPTURE READING -- Psalm 139 : 1 - 4 ( KJV )

1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

https://bibliajfa.app/app/kjv/19O/139/1


INSPIRATIONAL .

I BOTH LOVE AND AM A LITTLE AFRAID OF THE IMAGES IN THIS PSALM . I love the fact that I am so well known and loved by GOD . I am pleased that he will guide me throughout my life . At the same time , I am not always pleased with my thoughts , and am not sure that GOD is pleased with them either ! There is nothing we can think or do, and hide it from GOD . The good news is that he loves us with all our faults and failings . GOD'S love is unconditional . We have trouble understanding what unconditional love is like . The closest I can come up with is seeing my children right after they are born . There is nothing that they have done to earn my love , and there is nothing they have done to challenge that love . I figure , if I can love my children with that intensity , then God can do better . We get challenged as our children grow . The first few years are challenging physically . Lack of sleep can make us cranky and a crying baby going through teething can be difficult . Then comes the disobedience and challenge of the teen years and we think back on the crying baby and realize that this was the easy part of parenting .

I'M SURE THAT WE ARE OFTEN BOTH THE CRYING BABY AND THE REBELLIOUS TEENAGER IN GOD'S EYES . We can also be like the child who comes into the house and looks into the refrigerator and complains that there's nothing to eat when we have just returned from the grocery store and restocked the fridge and the cabinets . Gratitude can be lacking in us as well when we compare our blessing to those of others and feel cheated . It's always amazed me that GOD can put up with our whining ! GOD loves us so much , and all he asks us to do is love in return .

~~~~~~ PRAYER ~~~~~~

LOVING AND FORGIVING FATHER , YOU TREAT US SO MUCH BETTER THAN WE DO OUR OWN CHILDREN . You never stop loving us and bringing us back to you . Thank you for Your patience with your rebellious children . Amen

"O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me." - Psalms 139:1 (KJV)

10/31/2026

" CELEBRATE RECOVERY 365 DAILY
DEVOTIONAL "

DAY 178 - ALWAYS GRATEFUL

JUST AS YOU RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS AS LORD , CONTINUE TO LIVE YOUR LIVES IN HIM , ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN HIM , strengthened in the faith as you were taught , and overflowing with thankfulness .
~~~~~~ ( Colossians 2:6 -7 )~~~~~~

OUR GOD IS SO GOOD TO US , SO GENEROUS , SO LOVING, SO KIND . How could we go even one day without verbalizing our gratitude ? Having an ongoing list helps us to keep our focus on all the good things our heavenly Father has done, is doing, and will be doing in our lives.

The top 10 things I am thankful for:

1. SSALVATION - - the price Jesus paid for me.

2. HOPE - - the belief that God will work out all things for my good.

3. FORGIVENESS - - freely given and freely received.

4. GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE - - despite my shortcomings, which are many.

5. MY GODLY WIFE - - she is undeserved, a gift from God.

6. MY CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN - - reminders of how much God loves me.

7. MY FOREVER FAMILY - - those who continue to point me to God .

8. CELEBRATE RECOVERY - - a program that reminds me that every life is valuable.

9. PEACE OF MIND - - a constant in the midst of a chaotic world .

10. FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD - - something I never imagined possible.

THESE ARE JUST MY TOP 10 . GOD has given us so much to be grateful for, no tablet or notebook could possibly be big enough to hold all of them . But there is much benefit in trying. God is great and unswervingly gracious . My heart overflows with thankfulness for all He has done .

~~~~~~ PRAYER ~~~~~~
FATHER GOD , AS I LIST THE THINGS I AM GRATEFUL FOR EACH DAY , MAY THEY BE A SUITABLE TRIBUTE TO THE GRACE AND GOODNESS YOU BRING TO MY LIFE . IN JESUS ' NAME , Amen .

10/20/2026

" CELEBRATE RECOVERY 365 DAILY DEVOTIONAL "

DAY 177 - Washing Socks

HE WAS CRUSHED FOR OUR INIQUITIES ; THE PUNISHMENT THAT BROUGHT US PEACE WAS UPON HIM , AND BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED .
~~~~~~ ( Isaiah 53:5 ) ~~~~~~

ONE CHRISTMAS , I WAS WATCHING THE MOVIE SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN . One of the scenes has a young Kris Kringle talking with some kids at a washing station they are washing their socks . Kris asks them what they are doing, and they answer that they are washing their socks. "We are judged by how much work we get done and how clean our socks are," they told him.

I USED TO BELIEVE THIS IS HOW LIFE WORKS : WE ARE JUDGED BY HOW HARD WE WORK AT BEING GOOD AND DOING THINGS IN A PERFECT WAY . Today I know that's wrong . This thinking is guaranteed to leave us exhausted and defeated . It's so much better to surrender our lives to GOD and let Him cleanse our hearts and minds . He doesn't judge us he heals us . No matter how hard we try, we simply cannot clean our socks and keep them clean on our own . But because he takes our feeble efforts and makes them right , we are judged worthy and perfect in his sight .

WE CAN SPEND OUR LIVES LIKE THOSE KIDS , WORKING FOR WHAT WE WILL NEVER ACHIEVE . Or we can surrender to God and walk away whiter than snow .

~~~~~~ PRAYER ~~~~~~

FATHER , YOU ARE THE MASTER , THE ONE WHO CLEANS OUR SOILED HEARTS WHITER THAN SNOW . Take my life and make it what it should be . I surrender all to You . IN JESUS ' NAME , Amen .

10/13/2026

Our great commission from God to everyone.

18 Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

10/12/2026

THE PROBLEM WITH
LITTLE COMPROMIS , LEAD TO BIG SINS ,

SMALL , INCREMENTAL COMPROMISES IN DAILY CHOICES SLOWLY ERODE SPIRITUAL CHARACTER AND LEAD TO MAJOR DISOBEDIENCE .

THE DANGER OF " LITTLE " SINS : SEEMINGLY MINOR ACTIONS — SUCH AS WHITE LIES , GOSSIP , MINOR PROCRASTINATION , OR SLIGHT ETHICAL SHORTCUTS — ACT LIKE YEAST IN DOUGH OR A SMALL FOX IN THE VINEYARD , QUIETLY SPREADING AND CORRUPTING THE WHOLE HEART .

THE PROGRESSION OF COMPROMISE : Scripture and history show that major falls rarely happen all at once. For example, King Solomon began by bending small commands (like acquiring horses), which gradually hardened his heart toward full-scale idolatry.

THE ILLUSION OF CONTROL: Believers often rationalize gray areas or convince themselves a compromise is " no big deal " until the habit turns into spiritual bo***ge (Romans 6:16) .

~~~~~~ PRAYER ~~~~~~

" HEAVENLY FATHER , THANK YOU FOR YOUR GRACE AND MERCY . Forgive me for the times I have minimized small choices or allowed tiny compromises into my heart . LORD , give me a clean heart and a sharp , tender conscience . Help me to see temptation the way You see it , and do not let me rationalize what leads me away from You . Grant me the strength to stand firm , to say no to minor shortcuts with Your truth , and to turn quickly back to You whenever I stumble . Guard my steps and guide my spirit today . IN JESUS ' NAME , Amen ."

10/12/2026

" CELEBRATE RECOVERY 365 DAILY
DEVOTIONAL "

Day 176 - PUMPKIN VINES

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
~~~~ ( John 15:5 ) ~~~~

A FEW YEARS AGO I TOOK A PORTION OF MY SMALL BACKYARD AND PLANTED PUMPKINS . The kids helped me place the seeds , and they were excited as we watched them grow and grow and grow . What I hadn't realized is that pumpkins grow on vines , and Vines spread . Pretty soon our whole backyard was covered in pumpkin vines .

I WORKED HARD TO KEEP THE VINES UNDER CONTROL BY PRUNING THEM . I was amazed to see how fast the vines shriveled up and died once I separated them from their source . Without water and nutrients , they had no life force . The Vines died , and any pumpkins attached to them stopped growing .

THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO US WHEN WE ARE SEPARATED FROM OUR LIFE FORCE - - JESUS . Without Him , our spiritual life , our recovery , will shrivel up and die . We must stay connected to Him if we are to see victory and freedom from our hurts , hang-ups , and habits .

SO HOW DO WE STAY CONNECTED ?

WE DO THAT BY SPENDING TIME IN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD , reading and meditating on His Word, the Bible , and by allowing Him to use us to bless others .

~~~~~~ PRAYER ~~~~~~
FATHER , YOUR WORD SAYS THAT YOU ARE THE VINE . Help me to stay connected to You , for I know that is the only way I can grow strong . IN JESUS ' NAME , Amen .

10/05/2026

" CELEBRATE RECOVERY 365 DAILY
DEVOTIONAL "

DAY 175 - LOVE AND LAUGHTER .

OUR MINDS WERE FILLED WITH LAUGHTER , OUR TONGUES WITH SONGS OF JOY . Then it was said among the nations , " The LORD has done great things for them ." The LORD has done great things for us , and we are filled with joy .

~~~~ ( Psalms 126: 2-3 ) ~~~~

AFTER A WEEK OF CAMPING , MY WIFE AND I WERE ON OUR WAY TO PICK UP FIVE OF OUR GRANDKIDS SO THEY COULD SPEND THE WEEKEND WITH US BEFORE WE HEADED HOME . Our camper had been neat and quiet all week , but within 30 minutes of the kids ' arrival , everything had changed . There were clothes , sleeping bags, and backpacks everywhere . Within just a few minutes, there was also spilled milk , cookie crumbs on the sofa, and much more . There was also a lot of love and laughter . My wife and I went to bed with smiles on our faces and hearts full of love .

I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS AND HOW MUCH IT PARALLELS OUR CELEBRATE RECOVERY GROUP . People come into our group , into our lives . They're allowed , and they make messes . But as we love them into our family and clean up a few messes , they learn to laugh , their hurts begin to heal , they come to know Jesus , and it's all worthwhile .
THE LOVE AND LAUGHTER WE SHARE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS IS ALL WE TAKE TO HEAVEN WITH US . Those relationships are the most important thing of all .

~~~~~~ PRAYER ~~~~~~

LORD GOD , THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE ABILITY TO LAUGH EVEN WHEN FACED WITH MESSY CAMPERS AND MESSY PEOPLE . It reminds us of what is truly important . IN JESUS ' NAME , Amen .

09/29/2026

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

How do we become the kind of person others are blessed by knowing. How do we have peace, rest, and confidence in our lives?

It’s not by working harder, or beating ourselves up when we fail.

So how? It’s when we surrender to the One who made us, loves us and wants to help us.

It’s so freeing to realize it is not by our effort and will power, but through the transforming power of Christ when we surrender to His will & ways.

Dinner tonight 6-6:30
Pizza

09/28/2026

22 But now being made free from sin , and become servants to God , ye have your fruit unto holiness , and the end everlasting life . 23 For the wages of sin is death ; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord .
~~~~ ( Romans 6:22-23 ) ~~~~

The Two Masters : Paul explains that human life is never truly autonomous; everyone serves either the master of sin or the master of God. Serving sin acts like a harsh employer, and its earned pay—or "wage"—is spiritual and physical death .

The Process of Sanctification: When a person turns to Christ, they are set free from that old slavery and become servants of righteousness. Verse 22 highlights sanctification—the ongoing , daily grace-driven process of becoming more like Jesus. Holiness is not a burden ; it is the natural fruit of a transformed heart .

The Ultimate Free Gift: Verse 23 provides the core anchor of the gospel: eternal life cannot be earned like a paycheck. While death is what our actions naturally deserve (the wage) , eternal life is a pure, unmerited free gift secured by JESUS CHRIST .

~~~~ PRAYER ~~~~

Thank You for freeing me from that darkness and calling me into service to the Almighty God . Help me to walk daily in this new freedom , letting the process of sanctification transform my thoughts , words , and actions . Guide me to bear fruit that honors Your holiness .

09/28/2026

" CELEBRATE RECOVERY 365 DAY
DEVOTIONAL "

DAY 174

KEEPING PRIORITIES STRAIGHT

8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. 10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. 11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of His mouth ;
~~~~~~( 1 Chronicles 16:8-12 ) ~~~~~~~

IN MY YOUNGER YEARS , MY PRIORITIES WERE WAY OUT OF WHACK . I thought that if I had a new house or new car or the latest technology , I would be happy. All I needed was more money, new clothes, expensive furniture , and life would be rosy .

WHEN I REALIZED THAT THESE THINGS BROUGHT ONLY TEMPORARY HIGHS , I BEGAN TO FILL THE VOID AND STIFLE MY DISAPPOINTMENT WITH ALCOHOL . That made matters worse , and soon fear and anxiety were chasing me through life .

GOD REACHED OUT TO ME . He taught me that only my relationship with JESUS CHRIST could fill my empty heart . Only his presence in my life could relieve my loneliness , fear , anxiety , and hopelessness. He has made me a better husband , father , grandpa, and leader . GOD loved me enough to let me see the futility of my own priorities and the abundance that comes with his .

WHEN WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF OUR OWN WAYS , HE WILL BE FAITHFUL TO SHOW US HOW TO LIVE LIVES THAT BRING REAL JOY AND HAPPINESS .

~~~~~~ PRAYER ~~~~~~

FATHER , I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF MY OWN TWISTED PRIORITIES . Show me how to live my life in a way that will bring true joy , peace and happiness . IN JESUS ' NAME . Amen .