Extra horsepower in my spiritual drive train

[toad]

“We must give freely and gratefully that which has been freely and gratefully given to us.” (Narcotics Anonymous, Basic Text, page 47)

Peter replied, “Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles, all who have been called by the Lord our God.”…………………..A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles preformed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had.
Acts 2:38-39, 43-44 The New Living Translation

What a difference a few days can make. Just seven weeks prior to Peter making this speech he had denied even knowing Jesus. At that time Peter was running on his own steam and self-will and his spiritual energy was running low. When Peter denied knowing Jesus it was in the middle of the night and he had been up all day. He was tired. Too tired. In recovery we have a word we use as a way of taking our spiritual temperature, the word is HALT. Never let your self get too Hungry, too Angry, too Lonely, or too Tired. Peter was all alone, had a bad attitude, and was tired. He had three of the four warnings for relapse working against him. And he did relapse spiritually. So why did Peter seven weeks later speak with such boldness? Why the change in such a short time? The answer can be found in knowing what powered him. Peter had truly become a different person empowered with the Holy Spirit. Not of his own power, but a Power greater than himself. The last words that Jesus spoke to the disciples were, “But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere.” (Acts 1:8) We all need a Power greater than ourselves to help us make it each day. Oh we can struggle along and get by on our own power, but I prefer to have the extra horsepower in my spiritual drive train. I tried for years to overcome my alcoholism and drug addictions on my own. I honestly did not want to use at times, and attempted on my own many times to stay clean and sober. It seems like I ran out of power every time. At a weak point, temptation would beckon, and I, being powerless would submit. Today I am so grateful for a Power greater than myself to get me up and over the hump of temptation. If I daily feed my spiritual life on the Word of God and service to others, I don’t run out of steam when there is some hill to climb in my life. And you know what? This Power is a gift. Peter said clearly that it was promised to us who will receive it. “This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles, all who have been called by the Lord our God.” When I realized that I could find myself in that sentence, I received the gift. In doing so, God was able to do for me what I could not do for myself…………..JRE

“Peters preaching led the people to examine their lives, and they readily recognized their need for salvation in Christ. Peter assured them that by turning from their sins and entrusting their lives to God, they would be forgiven and receive gift of the Holy Spirit. We can expect the same blessings if we bring our sins before God. His forgiveness will set us free from bondage to our sins of the past. The presence of the Holy Spirit will give us the power to preserve through hard times. If God is in our life, he will lead us to successful recovery.” (Life Recovery Bible, page 1297)

AA Step Two: “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 60)

[cmc]

toad,
Your post is right on time and right in line with me today! It's almost noon and I just now ate my breakfast... HALT! I have been up since early this morning and kept putting off eating because I was planning to go out and do my walking without a full stomach. I found one thing after another to do.. chores around the house, posting here on SR etc etc and then I stopped.
My eggs, toast and hot tea came too late... I had already ignored HALT and had a headache!
Last night the Lord was impressing it upon me how when we yield and choose to act- only then will He supply the power needed to proceed. We must step out and ask... or just take a step of faith and trust. The funny thing is that I used the same analogy of an engine when sharing with a friend about this!!! Read what I wrote.... last night!

we must seek and be willing... He provides the fuel, propulsion and the vehicle and we turn on the ignition!!!

It seems that God has a point to make here... I will pay close attention on this one!
thanks for sharing!

[best]

Originally Posted by cmc

toad,
Your post is right on time and right in line with me today! .......

It seems that God has a point to make here...

As I start a new course at school. This post and my communications of ths morning have all been in line and a repeat of the many things shared at class last night.
When we read in God's word, we find that He repeats things that hold more importance.
Listen, listen, listen.
I am starting to hear the message loud and clear.
Thank you Lord

[toad]

Originally Posted by best

When we read in God's word, we find that He repeats things that hold more importance.
Listen, listen, listen.
I am starting to hear the message loud and clear.
Thank you Lord

This is so true..........I heard Acts 2:38-39 preached in two different sermons sunday, and then today in my regular reading there it was again.......I too am learning to listen more closely when I hear scripture repeated....thanks for sharing...............toad