December 23, 2020 - LMA Seven Principles: Principle #6

LMA Principle #6 - Learn to Replace Bad Habits with Good Habits.

This is the "best offense is a good defense" strategy. And it works! This refers to substituting good patterns of behavior for negative actions. Meet with your sponsor/mentor instead of stopping by a bar. Go to a gym rather than visiting an old using friend. There is no end to helpful replacement activities.

Isaiah 1:13-17 (The Message): "Quit your worship charades.

I can't stand your trivial religious games:

Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—

meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more!

Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!

You've worn me out!

I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion,

while you go right on sinning.

When you put on your next prayer-performance,

I'll be looking the other way.

No matter how long or loud or often you pray,

I'll not be listening.

And do you know why? Because you've been tearing

people to pieces and your hands are bloody.

Go home and wash up.

Clean up your act.

Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings

so I don't have to look at them any longer.

Say no to wrong.

Learn to do good.

Work for justice.

Help the down-and-out.

Stand up for the homeless.

Go to bat for the defenseless.

Principle 6 encourages you to replace bad habits with good habits…….never a bad thing to do. The Scriptures also point out that meetings of and by themselves are not the answer if your heart remains unclean. Clean up your behaviors. Reach out to help others. Our recovery/spiritual progress depends on our desire to change and help others to change.

• Colossians 1:6 (TPT): This is the wonderful message that is being spread everywhere, powerfully changing hearts throughout the earth, just like it has changed you! Every believer of this good news bears the fruit of eternal life as they experience the reality of God's grace.

• Colossians 1:6 (Mirror Bible): This word resonates within you, and its appeal is prevailing in the whole world. The harvest is evident everywhere and gaining ground, as also witnessed in your own experience from the moment you heard and understood the true implication and the relevance of his grace.

You are changed by God (Father-Son-Spirit); share this change with others.

Enough said.

Blessings All Around,

Rannie Childress

Senior Pastor, Trinitarian Grace International