Mark Unruh

James 1:19-25 Looking in The Mirror 
Related scripture James 1:21-25 
Step 10 
But why do we continue to do the things that we know are wrong for us. 
 
Step 10 is like looking into a mirror. 
 
We take a look at what we’re doing and 
 
Personal inventory. A maintained program. 
 
Each day we look ourselves in the mirror, see what’s wrong, and what’s right and make changes when necessary. 
 
Ver 19 in James 1, tells us first to “don’t ever forget that it is best to listen much, speak little, and not become angry.” 
 
Listen for guidance, (knowledge of His will for us) Speak little, (don’t question it), and don’t become angry, (don’t fight it) 
 
We come to God for help, but that help requires a maintained relationship with Him. 
 
And this scripture is reminding you to keep on doing what you’ve learned. 
 
James 1:21-25 
 
Ver 21a; hopefully all who complete the program have rid themselves of all the wrongs in their lives. 
 
But I doubt it. 
 
So look within and out to see if there is anything that still needs to be dealt with, and deal with it. 
 
Ver 21b; be honest. 
 
God called you to this place, you have heard the news of salvation. 
 
Now, believe it, accept it, and you will be saved. 
 
It takes painful honesty. But with this pain comes great gain. 
 
Ver 22; Obedience is to not only to sit their and listen, but to follow God’s guidance for your life. 
 
This is where the mirror comes into play. 
 
Ver 23; If it is like us looking in the mirror when we’re in trouble. 
 
When we are looking into the mirror we see our imperfections and want to fix them. 
 
But if we walk away without fixing the imperfections what good is the mirror. 
 
Ver 24;You must continue to work on your imperfections, or shortcomings, and straighten them out as needed. 
 
We bring our short comings before God, we need to follow his directions. 
 
In other words, as we take personally inventory, follow through. 
 
You must continue to look to God for help and direction for your life. 
 
Same with this program, everybody gets the opportunity to look into the mirror. 
 
You get look at all the junk that needs changed in your life. 
 
But if you leave here without making those changes, what good is it.. 
 
This is very, very important for you program. 
 
Remember what you get here, in this chapel and you will see that it is needed. 
 
Look at Christian fellowship, and you will see how it is important for your continued walk through this world. 
 
Ver 25; You must “steadily” continue to work your program. 
 
Not only remember those things you’ve heard here, but do them. 
 
If you are following the program that The Lord has blessed you with, you will continue to be blessed. 
 
Devotional page #1513 
 
Do you still have mustard on your face after you’ve walked away from the mirror. 
 
I hope not. 
 
Clean your face, and continue to keep checking it for anything else that may need cleaning.

James 1:19-25 Looking in The Mirror
Related scripture James 1:21-25
Step 10
But why do we continue to do the things that we know are wrong for us.

Step 10 is like looking into a mirror.

We take a look at what we’re doing and 

Personal inventory. A maintained program.

Each day we look ourselves in the mirror, see what’s wrong, and what’s right and make changes when necessary.

Ver 19 in James 1, tells us first to “don’t ever forget that it is best to listen much, speak little, and not become angry.”

Listen for guidance, (knowledge of His will for us) Speak little, (don’t question it), and don’t become angry, (don’t fight it)

We come to God for help, but that help requires a maintained relationship with Him.

And this scripture is reminding you to keep on doing what you’ve learned.

James 1:21-25

Ver 21a; hopefully all who complete the program have rid themselves of all the wrongs in their lives.

But I doubt it.

So look within and out to see if there is anything that still needs

Recovery Message James 1:19-25 Looking in The Mirror Major Mark Unruh

Trust and Obey 
Step #3 
Numbers 23:18-25 
 
Lies, Lies, Lies everything’s been a lie, we tell lies and we get lied to. 
 
We justify actions we know are wrong. We rationalize behaviors that we know we need to change. 
 
But why; is it because we just don’t care any more, or that we just can’t trust anyway? 
 
What’s the truth? 
 
Who can we trust? 
 
How can we trust when it seems like we’ve never had someone in our lives that has been completely trustworthy. 
 
How many times have we put our trust in man, only to be discouraged. 
 
We’ve been betrayed. 
 
It doesn’t help us any not being able to open up to someone because we’re afraid of betrayal. 
 
It seems hopeless. We’ve been victims and victimized those around us. 
 
We always talk about being totally open, not holding anything back. 
 
The problem is, that it’s almost impossible for us because we don’t trust. 
 
Jeremiah 9:3-9 
 
Read Honesty page#889 
 
There is someone we can trust. 
 
Numbers 23:19 
 
“God is not a man that He should lie.” 
 
There is no lying in God. It would be impossible for Him to lie. 
 
“He is not a human that He should change His mind.” 
 
“Has He ever spoken and failed to act?” 
 
“Has He ever promised, and not carried it through?” 
 
Read Step#3 Devotional 
 
Until we learn to trust we are victimizing ourselves. 
We are victims of our own mistrust. 
 
This mistrust must change. 
 
By asking God for Faith, “TRUST” in Him we learn to trust. 
 
Once we’ve learned to trust God, we can ask Him to help us with our trust in others. 
 
One way is to always pray for God to guide those in whom we must trust. 
 
By trusting God we can trust ourselves and others.

Trust and Obey
Step #3
Numbers 23:18-25

Lies, Lies, Lies everything’s been a lie, we tell lies and we get lied to.

We justify actions we know are wrong. We rationalize behaviors that we know we need to change.

But why; is it because we just don’t care any more, or that we just can’t trust anyway?

What’s the truth?

Who can we trust?

How can we trust when it seems like we’ve never had someone in our lives that has been completely trustworthy.

How many times have we put our trust in man, only to be discouraged.

We’ve been betrayed.

It doesn’t help us any not being able to open up to someone because we’re afraid of betrayal.

It seems hopeless. We’ve been victims and victimized those around us.

We always talk about being totally open, not holding anything back.

The problem is, that it’s almost impossible for us because we don’t trust.

Jeremiah 9:3-9

Read Honesty page#889

There is someone we can trust.

Numbers 23:19

“God is not a man that He should lie.”

There is no lying i

Life Recovery Message Trust and Obey Numbers 23:18-25 Mark Unruh

Luke 12:22-32 Essential Faith 
 
We spend to much time with worry. We worry about our needs being met. 
 
We are too, too pre-occupied with worry about things. 
 
It’s always amazing when a new guy comes to me about something they found in the warehouse. I know that they believe that they need the thing. All joking aside, it’s like they’ll die without it. Usually a coat, or pants, or shoes. Think about. 
 
We’re in the program for about 6 months. That’s 24 weeks, 5 days a week, that’s 120 days. 120 days at Work Therapy. We get about 200 pair of shoes a day, and About 20,000 pieces of clothing into the sorting room. 
 
2,400,000 garments will go through the warehouse into the sorting room during your stay. 
 
Think about how many times you’ll see something that ‘YOU REALLY NEED’. 
 
There is nothing in that warehouse on any given day that anyone of us really needs. 
 
It’s all part of the insanity, that only God can restore us from. And all we really need is FAITH. 
 
Luke 8:22-25 Courageous Faith 
 
You have to believe that no matter what happens, God is in Control. 
 
That no matter what you have to face in life, it’ll be OK. The judge, lawyer, or exwife, anything! 
 
God will see you through every storm that may come up. 
 
Luke 8:43-48 Healing Faith 
 
We need healing. 
 
We need to believe that God will help us through all the pain that comes with our healing. 
 
That even though we have tried every thing else and failed, that God will not. 
 
READ Devotional Page 1219. 
 
This is THE need, To believe that we can get better. Our thinking is fauld, and our best thinking got us nowhere, so we must rely on faith. 
 
Romans 8:25 But if we hope for something we do not yet see, we must learn how to wait for it. 26 In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us where we are weak. We do not know how to pray or what we should pray for, but the Holy Spirit prays to God for us with sounds that cannot be put into words. 27 God knows the hearts of men. He knows what the Holy Spirit is thinking. The Holy Spirit prays for those who belong to Christ the way God wants Him to pray. 
 
When our faith is weak, Pray. Nothing beats Faith, Nothing. Ya Gotta Believe.

Luke 12:22-32 Essential Faith

We spend to much time with worry. We worry about our needs being met.

We are too, too pre-occupied with worry about things.

It’s always amazing when a new guy comes to me about something they found in the warehouse. I know that they believe that they need the thing. All joking aside, it’s like they’ll die without it. Usually a coat, or pants, or shoes. Think about.

We’re in the program for about 6 months. That’s 24 weeks, 5 days a week, that’s 120 days. 120 days at Work Therapy. We get about 200 pair of shoes a day, and About 20,000 pieces of clothing into the sorting room. 

2,400,000 garments will go through the warehouse into the sorting room during your stay.

Think about how many times you’ll see something that ‘YOU REALLY NEED’.

There is nothing in that warehouse on any given day that anyone of us really needs.

It’s all part of the insanity, that only God can restore us from. And all we really need is FAITH.

Luke 8:22-25 Courageous Faith

You 

Recovery Message Healing Faith Step 2 Luke 8:43-48 Major Mark Unruh

Regrets? 
 
Worldly Regrets or Godly Regrets? There is a difference. 
 
Regrets 
A feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over something that has happened or been done. 
 
Proverbs 22:3 Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later. 4 Obey the Lord, be humble, and you will get riches, honor, and a long life. 
 
We all have regrets, the important thing is, how we deal with them. 
 
We have done things without thinking and acted out in ways that we regret. 
 
If we hold on to them, they will control and consume us, but denying them is foolish. 
 
If we are honest with ourselves we can deal with them, we shouldn’t push them aside, we should deal with the remorse and sorrow brought on by the actions we took that caused such regret. 
 
 
Remorse / Sorrow 
Remorse, Deep and painful regret for wrongdoing; 
Sorrow, Distress caused by loss, affliction, disappointment, etc.; grief, sadness, or regret. 
 
2 Corinthians 7:8 I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 
 
James 4:9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. 
 
Let there be sorrow, let there be grief. 
 
Let’s deal with our hurts, our pains, our shame. Work through it, bring it out before God and man and put them behind us. 
 
Being honest with ourselves and recognize our shortcomings and character defects. Being honest with ourselves and identify and be accountable before God for the wrongs we have committed. 
 
Owning all our junk, and never wanting to go back and repeat such behavior, that is Repentance. 
 
 
 
Repentance 
The action or process of repenting especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings 
 
2 Corinthians 7:10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 
 
If we are living in God’s will, and we have true sorrow and remorse for our discretions, we can have no regrets. Not because we don’t care about our behaviors, but because we do care. 
 
To see a sign or bumper sticker or Tattoo for that matter with the words NO REGRETS, implies that the person just don’t care. 
 
But for us, it’s just the opposite, we MUST care. We must care deeply. We must show remorse, we must never want to do them again, we must repent. 
 
Because, it is only through repentance that we can find redemption. 
 
Redemption / Restoration 
 The act of saving people from sin and evil : the fact of being saved from sin or evil 
 
‘But worldly (regret) sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death’. 
 
Once we’ve owned our junk, call it for what it is; Sin, we can repent and receive forgiveness from God through Christ Jesus.. 
 
2 Corinthians 7:10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. 
 
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. 
 
Has the Lord redeemed you? 
 
Give thanks to the Lord

Regrets? 

Worldly Regrets or Godly Regrets? There is a difference.

Regrets
A feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over something that has happened or been done.

Proverbs 22:3 Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later. 4 Obey the Lord, be humble, and you will get riches, honor, and a long life.

We all have regrets, the important thing is, how we deal with them. 

We have done things without thinking and acted out in ways that we regret.

If we hold on to them, they will control and consume us, but denying them is foolish.

If we are honest with ourselves we can deal with them, we shouldn’t push them aside, we should deal with the remorse and sorrow brought on by the actions we took that caused such regret.


Remorse / Sorrow
Remorse, Deep and painful regret for wrongdoing;
Sorrow, Distress caused by loss, affliction, disappointment, etc.; grief, sadness, or regret.

2 Corinthians 7:8 I am n

Life Recovery Message Regrets? 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 Major Mark Unruh

Jesus Teaches; Solid Foundations 
 
What do you rely on; Yourself? 
 
What is the basis of your program? 
 
Where do you get direction? 
 
How about the strength you’ll need to face the changes that will take place. 
 
What is your foundation? 
 
There’s a lot of self-help books out there. 
 
Tons of people that will tell you what you need to do. 
 
But Beware. 
 
The Tree and Its Fruit 
15"Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart. 16You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You don't pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles. 17A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. 18A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. 19So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced. 
Psalm 18:31-32 For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength; he has made my way safe. 
 
Back to TV, Evangelists. I’m not saying that they’re all wolves, but if they spend as much time asking for money as they do preaching, I’m turning the channel. 
True Disciples 
21"Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as `Lord,' but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven. 22On judgment day many will tell me, `Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' 23But I will reply, `I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized.' 
 
It has to be in line with the TRUTH, God’s Word. These are the words of Christ Himself. 
 
Now that’s something I can believe in. 
 
That’s a Foundation. 
 
Psalm 114:8 He turned the rock into pools of water; yes, springs of water came from solid rock. 
Christ is The Solid Rock. From Him we are complete, strong, nourished, we thirst no more. 
Building on a Solid Foundation 
24"Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25Though the rain comes in torrents and the flood waters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse, because it is built on rock. 26But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash." 
 
Stay clear of any information that is not in line with the words we’ve studied for the past 2 months. Jesus Christ gave us a lesson that is the foundation that we need to be the men that God created us to be. He taught us, from His sermon on the mount. 
28After Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29for he taught as one who had real authority--quite unlike the teachers of religious law. 
 
No man made words, laws, ideas or programs are going to save us, without Christ as the foundation. 
 
EVERYTHING that we do in our programs, IN OUR LIVES need to be held up to His teachings and His life.

Jesus Teaches; Solid Foundations

What do you rely on; Yourself?

What is the basis of your program?

Where do you get direction?

How about the strength you’ll need to face the changes that will take place.

What is your foundation?

There’s a lot of self-help books out there.

Tons of people that will tell you what you need to do.

But Beware.

The Tree and Its Fruit
15"Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart. 16You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You don't pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles. 17A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. 18A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. 19So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced. 
Psalm 18:31-32 For wh

Recovery Message Matthew 7:15-29 Solid Foundations Major Mark Unruh

Judge Not! 
 
Matthew 7:1-5, Romans 2:1-11 
 
Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged. 
 
Looking at ourselves is hard. 
 
If you liked the person you were, you wouldn’t be here. 
 
We don’t change unless we notice the need for change. 
 
No one truly wants to become worse or sicker, so we all want to get or be better. 
 
A better person. We come in to recovery to become a better person. 
 
The problem is, that in order to do so, we have to expose our bad stuff, our shortcomings. 
 
This isn’t easy, so we instinctively want to make ourselves feel or look better than we are. 
 
One way to do this is to point fingers. 
 
We take the focus off ourselves and put it on someone else. 
 
We point out everyone else’s faults; we judge others. 
 
We watch Jerry Spring. 
 
Romans 2:1-4 with commentary 
 
Another big problem is, Superiority! 
 
That false pride that tells us that we’re better than. 
 
They are all a bunch of idiots, look at them. 
 
I’m sure glad that I’m not as bad as they are. 
 
Romans 2:5-11 with commentary, 
 
GET HUMBLE! I can’t stress that enough, YOUR IN THE SALVATION ARMY! 
 
For whatever reason your pointing your finger, it needs to stop. 
 
JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED! 
 
Matthew 7:1-5 with personal Commentary 
 
Step 4 devotional, 
 
Keep the focus where it needs to be, on yourself and your relationship with God.

Judge Not!

Matthew 7:1-5, Romans 2:1-11

Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged.

Looking at ourselves is hard.

If you liked the person you were, you wouldn’t be here.

We don’t change unless we notice the need for change.

No one truly wants to become worse or sicker, so we all want to get or be better.

A better person. We come in to recovery to become a better person.

The problem is, that in order to do so, we have to expose our bad stuff, our shortcomings.

This isn’t easy, so we instinctively want to make ourselves feel or look better than we are.

One way to do this is to point fingers. 

We take the focus off ourselves and put it on someone else.

We point out everyone else’s faults; we judge others.

We watch Jerry Spring.

Romans 2:1-4 with commentary

Another big problem is, Superiority!

That false pride that tells us that we’re better than.

They are all a bunch of idiots, look at them.

I’m sure glad that I’m not as bad as they are.

Romans 2:5-11 with commentary,

GET HUMBLE! I 

Recovery Message Judge Not Matthew 7:1-5 Major Mark Unruh

Sermon on the Mount; Jesus Teaches; Behaviors and Relationships. Matthew 5:38-48, Love and Hate 
 
Teaching about Revenge 
38"You have heard that the law of Moses says, `If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it.' 39But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too. 40If you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow. 
 
Could you imagine that? You couldn’t do that in battle. 
But I don’t think this is meant to be taken literally. 
What it tells me is, don’t act out in anger. Not only that, do the opposite. 
When I feel like yelling, screaming or worse, I pray for myself and the person that’s making me angry. 
 
Romans 12:19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. 
Maybe you’ve heard it this way. ‘Vengeance is mine; saith the Lord’. 
 
But if you look at what Paul is telling the Romans he says, ‘Leave that to the righteous anger of God’. 
 
‘Righteous Anger’? Anger being right in God’s eyes? Yes, we can Hate Sin. Not the sinner, but their sin. 
 
When we truly know God’s love, it hurts us to see others living in sin. That is God’s perfect love. 
 
Romans 5:8, 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 
 
 Teaching about Love for Enemies 
43"You have heard that the law of Moses says, `Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. 44But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. 46If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. 
 
PERFECT? How on earth are we to be PERFECT? 
 
Perfection is never completely obtained, until you take your last breath. 
But we are to work towards it till we get there. But How? 
 
God gives us some simple instruction on that. 
 
Romans 12:2, Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 
 
We have to get outside the box that the world puts you in. 
 
Stop thinking about earthly things. 
 
John 3:12 But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 
 
John 3:31 “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. 
 
Colossians 3:5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 
 
James 3:14-16 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. 
 
Well in reality, all things are possible with God. But maybe this could at least be our mind set, or heart set. To want to be perfect, or right in God’s eyes. 
 
That is possible; to want with all our heart to want to do right in God’s eyes.

Sermon on the Mount; Jesus Teaches; Behaviors and Relationships. Matthew 5:38-48, Love and Hate

Teaching about Revenge
38"You have heard that the law of Moses says, `If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it.' 39But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too. 40If you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow. 

Could you imagine that? You couldn’t do that in battle. 
But I don’t think this is meant to be taken literally.
What it tells me is, don’t act out in anger. Not only that, do the opposite.
When I feel like yelling, screaming or worse, I pray for myself and the person that’s making me angry.

Romans 12:19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that

Recovery Message Love and Hate Matthew 5:38-48 Major Mark Unruh

Cut it out. Matthew 5:27-30 
 
It not something that anyone looks forward to doing. 
 
It’s the Pain before the Gain. It’s our sacrifice for our own deliverance. 
 
Even Christ asked, “if it be your will God, take this cup from me. But He took out His Cross, and Sacrificed Himself for our gain. 
 
Cutting out the things that get in the way of our spiritual growth isn’t easy, but it is essential to our recovery. 
 
Happy Lent! 
 
You’all ready to cut stuff out? 
 
You get to fat. Cut stuff out of your diet. 
 
Your hair gets to long. Cut it off. 
 
Your grass grows, fingernails, expenses, Cut, Cut, Cut, 
 
Your old buddies want you to use, Cut them out. 
 
It’s all about removing stuff that gets in the way. 
 
READ 27-30 with personal commentary. 
 
Issues with Pride or Egos, Self reliance, your think your better than the guy sitting next to you? 
 
Thinking that you can handle it on your own? 
 
How about NEGATIVITY!!!!!!! Cut it ALL out. 
 
Remove everything that causes us to sin. 
 
Matthew 5:29 So if your eye—even your good eye causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 
 
This could be People, Place or a Thing but it can also be much more. 
 
If there is something that is causes us to sin, or increasing the temptation to sin, we need to separate ourselves from whatever or whoever that is. 
 
Behaviors, belief systems, pride, egos, as well as people places and things need to be cut out. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 6:3, 8:13, 16:18, Philippians 4:8. Sowing the seeds of Love - Tears for Fears 
 
Quick! Get out of it if you possibly can! Swallow your pride; don’t let embarrassment stand in the way. Go and beg to have your name erased. 
 
Feel the pain, talk about it, if you're a worried man then shout about it Open hearts, feel about it, open minds, think about it. 
 
Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall. 
 
Time to eat all your words, swallow your pride, open your eyes High time we made a stand time to eat all your words And shook up the views of the common man swallow your pride. 
 
If anyone respects and fears God, he will hate evil. For wisdom hates pride, arrogance, corruption, and deceit of every kind. 
 
Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. 
 
NEGATIVITY!!!!!!! Cut it ALL out. 
 
Remove everything that causes us to sin. 
 
This is your pathway to peace. 
 
You already know the issues like false pride or egos, self-centeredness and even self reliance that you still give into. CUT IT OUT. 
 
Cut it all out and know peace.

Cut it out. Matthew 5:27-30

It not something that anyone looks forward to doing.

It’s the Pain before the Gain. It’s our sacrifice for our own deliverance.

Even Christ asked, “if it be your will God, take this cup from me. But He took out His Cross, and Sacrificed Himself for our gain.

Cutting out the things that get in the way of our spiritual growth isn’t easy, but it is essential to our recovery. 

Happy Lent!

You’all ready to cut stuff out?

You get to fat. Cut stuff out of your diet.

Your hair gets to long. Cut it off.

Your grass grows, fingernails, expenses,  Cut, Cut, Cut,

Your old buddies want you to use, Cut them out.

It’s all about removing stuff that gets in the way.

READ 27-30 with personal commentary.

Issues with Pride or Egos, Self reliance, your think your better than the guy sitting next to you?

Thinking that you can handle it on your own? 

How about NEGATIVITY!!!!!!!                         Cut it ALL out.

Remove everything that causes us to sin.

Matthew

Recovery Message Cut it out. Matthew 5:27-30 Major Mark Unruh

1 Peter 1:2-8, Hope in the hardest of times brings Joy. 
 
If we have hope, we must have first needed hope. 
 
We are living in pain, confusion, doubt and fear. And we hope for better. 
 
We hope that our lives would change, Why? Because our lives had become un-manageable. 
 
We hope that God would help us, Why? Because our lives are filled with hurt and pain and nothing or no one has been able to ease the pain. 
 
And this my friends requires faith. 
 
Even with all of this Hope, we must be ready to face whatever it takes. We must not only hope for help but for the hope to carry on amidst the hope. We must have faith in God amidst our pain. 
 
 
As long as we need hope, we must need hope. 
 
Something must be happening in our lives that requires hope. A need. 
 
And, when we have real hope, that comes from God, we can have Joy even in our time of need. 
 
1 Peter 1:2 
 
Our hope is in God. We need God. 
 
God created us to be His children, He know that we have fears and anxiety, but if our Hope is in Him, those fears and anxieties can not only be relieved, but can bring about joy. 
 
If we truly Love God, and accept His love for us, we will know this Joy. 
 
1 Peter 1:8 
 
Hope, that even though we don’t see God, we know that He is there, wanting and willing to help us with our needs. 
 
Read Hope devotional 1 Peter 1:3-6 
 
One day we will be free from sin, and our hope will no longer be a need, but until that time we will always need hope. 
 
Until we are at home with Christ in heaven, we will always have need. 
 
It is a growth, learning process. 
 
1 Peter 1:7 with commentary. 
 
Psalm 126:5 “Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.” 
 
No matter what comes our way, when we work through it all. With our hope in Christ Jesus the outcome will bring Joy.

1 Peter 1:2-8, Hope in the hardest of times brings Joy.

If we have hope, we must have first needed hope.

We are living in pain, confusion, doubt and fear. And we hope for better.

We hope that our lives would change, Why? Because our lives had become un-manageable.

We hope that God would help us, Why? Because our lives are filled with hurt and pain and nothing or no one has been able to ease the pain.

And this my friends requires faith.

Even with all of this Hope, we must be ready to face whatever it takes. We must not only hope for help but for the hope to carry on amidst the hope. We must have faith in God amidst our pain.
 
          
As long as we need hope, we must need hope.

Something must be happening in our lives that requires hope. A need.

And, when we have real hope, that comes from God, we can have Joy even in our time of need.

1 Peter 1:2

Our hope is in God. We need God.

God created us to be His children, He know that we have fears and anxiety, but if our Hope is 

Recovery Message 1 Peter 1:2-8 Hope in Hard Times Major Mark Unruh

Indecision; Matthew 25:14-30 
 
Can’t get something outa my head lately. It’s Indecisiveness. The dangers of indecisiveness. It may be because I’m reading Chapter 8 ‘Act with Audacity’ from The Most Effective Organization in the U.S’ by Commissioner Robert Watson again (for the 4th time) but that what’s on my mind. Some may think that it’s better not to make a decision rather than make a mistake, but I disagree. Mistakes at least have an outcome. And even though the initial outcome is negative, there is still a lesson learned from making the mistake. We learn from our mistakes and grow. If we choose not to make decision at all, the only thing we get is regret for not trying. 
 
If I as an Salvation Army Officer and an Administrator of an ARC decide that it’s better not to step out in faith and make hard decisions, the Center may continue to get by everyday. It may continue run each day, with no worries and no concerns, but how long will that last? (That could never happen) If I as a Christian think that I don’t need to work on my walk and just hold my faith to myself, how long will that last? 
 
The fact is this, we have to may decisions every day. And even if they are hard choices and we’re afraid to make them we will gain something from making them. It’s better to step out in faith and do the hard things. 
 
But, what keeps us from making decisions? What keeps us from the hard choices? 
 
For one, we can’t be afraid of the outcome. We MUST have faith to believe in that the outcome will be greater than the investment. 
 
Invest in your faith. Invest in your relationship with God. Don’t bury it like the servant buried his masters silver in Matthew 25:24 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ 
 
If we do nothing, we lose it. If we are indecisive, we don’t just sit still we fall back. If we do something and come out cold, we can get it going again, If we do something and get it right we’re HOT. So if we do nothing we’re warm, lukewarm. 
 
We may think that it’s better to just remain as we are. 
 
As long as we don’t use, we can continue to act out as we are, character defects, shortcomings, sin and all. 
 
Revelation 3:15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 
 
Another issue we face is; Perfectionism. We affraid that there is no way we could ever get it right. It’ll never happen so why try. 
 
Read “Perfectionism’ page 1153, Life Recovery Bible. 
 
If we choose and fail, we may have a regret, but we have an opportunity to correct the mistake and find contentment. You have and chance at fulfillment. When you make a mistake and experience regret, you have an opportunity to correct the mistake and REJOICE. If you choose not to make a decision and play it safe, all you get is regret. Indecisiveness is much worse than trying and failing. Invest in your faith, Try and Do. 
 
Be like the servants that worked with their masters silver. They invested and doubled what they were trusted with. Matthew 25:29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 
 
So, I’m going to keep on making decisions. Hope you do to.

Indecision; Matthew 25:14-30

Can’t get something outa my head lately. It’s Indecisiveness. The dangers of indecisiveness. It may be because I’m reading Chapter 8 ‘Act with Audacity’ from The Most Effective Organization in the U.S’ by Commissioner Robert Watson again (for the 4th time) but that what’s on my mind. Some may think that it’s better not to make a decision rather than make a mistake, but I disagree. Mistakes at least have an outcome. And even though the initial outcome is negative, there is still a lesson learned from making the mistake. We learn from our mistakes and grow. If we choose not to make decision at all, the only thing we get is regret for not trying. 

If I as an Salvation Army Officer and an Administrator of an ARC decide that it’s better not to step out in faith and make hard decisions, the Center may continue to get by everyday. It may continue run each day, with no worries and no concerns, but how long will that last? (That could never happen) If I as a Chris

Recovery Sermon Matthew 25:14-30 on Indecision Major Mark Unruh

This was a short devotional during the Pre-Roar Pig Roast at The Salvation Army in Erie. This was our Kick Off for The Roar on the Shore 2014.

Devotional from Psalm 69:29-33 Pre-Roar Pig Roast The Salvation Army

The Center. 
Something must always be at the center of our being, or the center of our universe. When we're in an active addiction our substance of choice was the center of our universe. Our whole lives revolved around drugs or alcohol. It's just who we are, we always need something that defines who we are. 
Something that guides us, or controls us. 
 
We look to programs. For some AA or NA may be The Center at this point in your life. 12 step programs help give guidance so they're good. Substances controlled us, 12 Step programs give guidance to help overcome that control. This is a good start, but 12 Step programs alone are not enough. There is so much more. 
 
Looking at The Center, lets see what the Bible tells us. 
What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 117 
What is the longest chapter in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 119 
Which chapter is in the center of the Bible? Answer - Psalms 118 
Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118 
Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118 
Add these numbers up and you get 1188; 
What is the center verse in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 118:8 
Psalm 118:8 "It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in people". 
 
Man has been able to put some good programs together, like AA and NA, but these cannot be The Center of our program because they cannot become the center of our being. 
As I said earlier, Substances controlled our lives, they were The Center of our being. 
At this point in your lives, program should be The Center of your being. 
 
But, The Center of your being must be in God. Everything else must work it's way out from God. 
 
 "IT IS BETTER TO TRUST THE LORD THAN TO PUT CONFIDENCE IN PEOPLE." 
Not the guy speaking at a meeting, not your sponsor, not your counselor, not me, not my wife, or Kasha, and not yourself. 
 
Does this scripture tell us that the only God is to be fully trusted? Yes and No. 
 
God has put many people in my life, and He has reached me through numerous programs, but none of these people or the programs worked until God became The Center of who I am. 
 
It is through Him that I can understand what is right for me. 
 
We need help, and He helps us through people, but if someone is telling us something that is not in line with what God would want for us, it's not from Him. 
 
We need to choose our mentors or sponsors by how close they are to God. 
 
The closer our relationship with God, the clearer His Word is to us, weather it comes from people or programs. 
 
But the only way to know, is, if He is at The Center of our lives. 
 
If you want to find out what God's perfect will is for your lives, It is for you to be in the center of His Word and His will! 
 
 "It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in people."

The Center.
Something must always be at the center of our being, or the center of our universe. When we're in an active addiction our substance of choice was the center of our universe. Our whole lives revolved around drugs or alcohol. It's just who we are, we always need something that defines who we are.
Something that guides us, or controls us.

We look to programs. For some AA or NA may be The Center at this point in your life. 12 step programs help give guidance so they're good. Substances controlled us, 12 Step programs give guidance to help overcome that control. This is a good start, but 12 Step programs alone are not enough. There is so much more.

Looking at The Center, lets see what the Bible tells us.
What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 117 
What is the longest chapter in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 119 
Which chapter is in the center of the Bible? Answer - Psalms 118 
Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118 
Fact: There are 594 chapters after P

Recovery Message The Center Psalm 118:8 Major Mark Unruh

DescriGratitude is a verb 
Years ago my sponsor got so sick of me thanking God for everything that he pointed something out. He let me know that my words meant nothing. At that point in my life I was abstinent, but not clean. I still did a lot of things that God would not approve of, therefore, my words of thanksgiving were empty. 
 
Gratitude he told me, is an action. It had to be acted out in my life. I had to show I was grateful. 
 
Gratitude is a very important part of a successful life, let alone a recovery program. 
 
Remember that you cried out in your pain, and it was God that answered. Ps 40:1-2 
 
Now is up to you to let Him know that your grateful, Ps 40:3 LIVE IT! 
 
Recognize God, Thank God and Share God. 
 
Gratitude is VERY important in recovery! 
 
We show our gratitude to God, by obeying His word and following His will for our lives. 
 
By doing this we are giving God recognition for His Grace. 
 
Luke 17:11-19 
 
Notice only 1 out of 10 made sure that they gave Christ recognition for their healing. 
 
That is significant. They were all cleaned, but only one thanked Christ. 
 
Yes, It's good to give thanks to God for our healing; Psalm 92:1-7 
 
But Gratitude must also be seen in out actions: Psalm 116:10-19 with personal commentary. 
 
The truth is we can never pay for our sins by good deeds. If one is ever to be saved from his sins and to obtain salvation, it must be received solely by faith in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. "For the wages of sin is death," but "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us," so that "the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many" and--in the words of our text above--"whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" Romans 6:23, 5:8, 5:15, 10:13). 
Christ took the cup of pain and hurt, so we could have the cup of salvation Matt 26:36-42 
Therefore, when a repentant sinner calls in faith on the wonderful name of our gracious Lord, he drinks of the healing cup of salvation and receives everlasting life. Because Jesus drank the bitter cup of God's righteous judgment on our sins, we can drink deeply of the "living water. . . . springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:10-14), and we can say with the psalmist: "My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever" (Psalm 23:5-6). HMM 
 
Gratitude; showing God that we are grateful for what He's done for us with our lives. 
Recognize God, Accept Him, Thank Him and Share Him. LIVE IT! 
 
 
Psalm 40:1-3 
1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. 
2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground 
and steadied me as I walked along. 
3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. 
 
Psalm 92:1-7 
1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. 
2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, 
3 accompanied by the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre. 
4 You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. 
5 O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts. 
6 Only a simpleton would not know, and only a fool would not understand this: 
7 Though the wicked sprout like weeds and evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever. 
, 
ption

DescriGratitude is a verb
Years ago my sponsor got so sick of me thanking God for everything that he pointed something out. He let me know that my words meant nothing. At that point in my life I was abstinent, but not clean. I still did a lot of things that God would not approve of, therefore, my words of thanksgiving were empty.

Gratitude he told me, is an action. It had to be acted out in my life. I had to show I was grateful.

Gratitude is a very important part of a successful life, let alone a recovery program.

Remember that you cried out in your pain, and it was God that answered.  Ps 40:1-2

Now is up to you to let Him know that your grateful, Ps 40:3 LIVE IT!

Recognize God, Thank God and Share God.

Gratitude is VERY important in recovery! 

We show our gratitude to God, by obeying His word and following His will for our lives.

By doing this we are giving God recognition for His Grace. 

Luke 17:11-19

Notice only 1 out of 10 made sure that they gave Christ recognition for t

Gradtitude is a Verb Recovery Message Psalm 116:10-19 Major Mark Unruh

Get Busy 
 
TV's won't save you. Computers won't save you. Sitting in chair staring out the window isn't going to save you. And, above all, doing NOTHING is not acceptable! In recovery, in our Christian walk, and in life, we must get busy. 
 
Now I'm not saying that there isn't a time to relax, there is a time for that. But laziness and complacency is dangerous. It is harmful 
 
We need to get busy doing what is right, and look to others that live their lives doing what is right in God's eyes.. 
 
2 Thessalonians 3: 6 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don't follow the tradition they received from us. 
 
Your not going to gain anything by doing nothing, and your not going grow by hanging around with people that have no interest in doing what needs to be done. 
 
In others words if your serious about your program, hang with people that are like minded. If you love God and want to learn and draw closer to Him, don't hang with people that don't want anything to do with Him. 
 
At least early in recovery; stay with people that are positive and can help. At some point in your walk there'll be a time to reach out to others and help them. But first you need to get right. 
 
Galatians 6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 
 
Be strong and do what you need to do. There are others that are doing the same, look to them and work together to do what God is leading you to do, to make the changes that He has for you. 
 
2 Thessalonians 3: 7 For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. 8 We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. 10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: "Those unwilling to work will not get to eat." 
 
I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but this is why we have Work Therapy. Not because you have to work for your food while you're here. I know a lot of people think this, but your wrong. The reason we have work therapy is so that you can feed yourself after you leave. 
 
It's all about being self sufficient. We've been burdens long enough. Let's get busy. 
 
When we're busy doing positive things our minds are occupied, and our return is that we end the day with a sense of accomplishment. 
 
2 Thessalonians 3: 11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people's business. 
 
What happens when we have too much time on our hands? 
 
We get into trouble. We give into the thoughts that run around in our heads. We do things that we know are wrong, just to do something. 
 
Idle mind and idle hands lead to what?. 
 
Ecclesiastes 4:5 "Fools fold their idle hands, leading them to ruin." 
 
2 Thessalonians 3: 12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. 13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 
 
Look, there are times when I am exhausted. I may get sore muscles doing physical labor, but it a small price to pay for knowing that I was productive. 
 
What really wears me down is not physical. What really makes us exhausted are mental, emotional and spiritual issues. 
 
Having a long day of having to deal with the lives of others. Caring for people that let themselves down. Looking to people for help only to be let down. 
 
2 Thessalonians 3: 14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don't think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister. 
 
It's all about getting and staying busy. Busy doing what is right. It's up to us to do what is right in God's eyes, and hang with others that are like minded. 
 
Should we not care about others that are still choosing sin over God's will? Of course not. 
 
But if you ever want to help someone else you better be ready. It's kinda hard caring for others when we can't care for ourselves. 
 
That is what you have the opportunity to do while you at the Center. 
 
Get yourself right. Get yourself to a place in life where you can support yourself. Get to a place in your life where you are ready to handle the evils of the day.

Get Busy

TV's won't save you. Computers won't save you. Sitting in chair staring out the window isn't going to save you. And, above all, doing NOTHING is not acceptable! In recovery, in our Christian walk, and in life, we must get busy.

Now I'm not saying that there isn't a time to relax, there is a time for that. But laziness and complacency is dangerous. It is harmful

We need to get busy doing what is right, and look to others that live their lives doing what is right in God's eyes.. 

2 Thessalonians 3: 6 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don't follow the tradition they received from us. 

Your not going to gain anything by doing nothing, and your not going grow by hanging around with people that have no interest in doing what needs to be done.

In others words if your serious about your program, hang with people that are like minded. If you love God and want to l

Get Busy Recovery Message 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 Major Mark Unruh

We need to get honest. You have to be completely honest with yourselves. Completely! 
Ask yourself; 
• Who's in charge? 
• What's Real? 
• What's good or bad? 
• How do I change? 
Read Romans 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 
 
"We all have POTENTIAL for change" 
The problem is; we have to recognize and understand our sinful nature.

We need to get honest. You have to be completely honest with yourselves. Completely!
Ask yourself; 
• Who's in charge?
• What's Real?
• What's good or bad?
• How do I change?
Read Romans 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

"We all have POTENTIAL for change"
The problem is; we have to recognize and understand our sinful nature.

Recovery Message titled Real Change taken from Romans 7:18-25, 12:1-2, Major Mark Unruh

This is a sermon on how we are to be the Light for a world in darkness. It is taken from the Words of Christ found in Matthew 5:14-16. Jesus tells us that we are to be the light, like a city on a hill. And we should never let our light go out.

Sermon on Matthew 5:14-16. This little light of mine, Major Mark Unruh

This is a Recovery Message given by me at my 20 year Anniversary. It is a look back at where I was Spiritually 20 years ago and how that same simple Faith message rings through today. How surrendering our will to God, and Worshiping Him we can get and stay clean. We can overcome all obstacles that would keep us from drawing close to Him and remain there.

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