“Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean that it’s spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I’d be a slave to my whims.” Or didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:12, 19-20 (MSG)
“Just because something may be technically legal doesn’t mean it is spiritually appropriate.” I have focused on this passage for many years as it reminds me that what may be okay in this world may not be in God’s world. The passage leads into how we are to treat our bodies. There was a time that I didn’t pay much attention to the spiritual reality that our body is a temple for the Holy Spirit. I spent years abusing my body in many different ways and not once back then did I ever consider that my body was a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. When I started to get honest about this I could see the direct implications in my recovery; my body wasn’t just about me anymore it was also about Jesus.
My CR Men’s group finished up last Monday night and one of my areas of focus was my body-my health. Have you ever thought you were all in, only to realize that you were half in and the other half was still in denial? That happens sometimes for many of us, it surely happens to me. I thought I was doing really well in taking care of my body, but there were areas that I could do more and needed to. I needed to get to the point of being all in and I am much closer to that today, thanks in part to the men in my 12 step group and the Holy Spirit.
Being spiritually appropriate isn’t just about how you treat your body; it’s also about how you treat others. We are given spiritual gifts and some of those reflect directly on how we are to treat each other and in turn how we take care of our bodies:
“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” Galatians 5: 22-26 (MSG)
Love God, love people, Jesus first!
Dana Cramer // Celebrate Recovery at Crossroads
Celebrate Recovery at Crossroads Church Calendar
August 28-September 3, 2017
Friday, September 1: Teaching Night
- 6 pm: Our Hospitality Team is preparing a wonderful dinner for you. Please join us for food and fellowship.
- 7 pm: Please join us for worship and lesson from Kimberley on Step 12: “YES”
- 8pm: Open Share Groups
- 9pm: Sold Rock Café
NOTICE:
- New Men’s 12-Step Group has started and meets every Monday at 6:30pm in room 146. Enrollment is open.
- New Women’s 12-Step Group has started and meets every Monday at 6:30pm in room 144. Enrollment is open.
- Mark your calendars: The CR annual picnic is Sunday, September 17 at North Lake Park.
