The Good Samaritan

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. Luke 10:25-37

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12

There was a debate and a man asked a question of Jesus, “What must I do to get solidly into recovery.” Jesus answered and said “What is written in the Law, how do you read it?” The lawyer said that the way to inherit eternal life was to love God with all that you had, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Then the lawyer asked “Who is my neighbour?” Jesus then told him the story of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan helped a Jew who would most likely have not helped him if the circumstances were reversed. He helped him when even his fellow Jews would not have helped even at the risk of his own life. The lawyer answered that it was the man who showed mercy on the man attacked by thieves. Jesus then told him that that was the definition of being a neighbour.

Prayer for Today: God help us to be willing to help someone else even if it costs us to do so. We know that we would like to be helped, so help us to do to others what we would like to have done to us if the circumstances were changed. You know that we are often afraid to help but help us to risk it all for you and for our neighbour.

Jesus was Transfigured

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. Matthew 17:1-9

Steps: 3, 11, 12

Jesus continues to prepare, and to prepare His disciples for His crucifixtion and resurrection. Jesus needs encouragement and His Father sends men who have experienced rejection, disappointment, and human censure. They encourage Jesus and then the Father Himself speaks to Jesus and to His disciples. The Father states that Jesus is His Son and tells the disciples that it is safe o listen to Him. Now all doubt should be removed because God Himself has spoken. In effect the disciples see a mini version of God’s kingdom. They see Jesus glorified, they hear the Father speak, and then they see Elijah – a type of all those who do not die before Jesus comes, and Moses who did die, and was resurrected, a symbol of all those who have died. Then Jesus tells the disciples to tell no one about this event until Jesus is resurrected from the dead. All of this to prepare Jesus and His disciples for the traumatic events of Calvary

Prayer for Today: God if the disciples needed all of this encouragement, we certainly need it as well. Help us to trust that You know our needs and that You are willing to help us with encouragement specially tailored to our needs. Help us to develop an experience with You so that no matter what it is that happens we will be in tune with You. Thank You for being willing to help us so often and so specifically for our needs and issues.

Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he, his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Matthew 16:13-21

Steps: 3, 11, 12

Jesus had taken the disciples through many experiences and sent them out o witness about Him. When they came back Jesus asked that what people were saying about Him. The disciples gave Him a report. Then He asked them who did they think that He was. Simon said that Jesus was the Son of the Living God – the real Thing. Jesus blessed Simon for this testimony and told him that he understood this thought enough to say it because God the Father in heaven revealed it to Simon; he did not get it because he was so smart. Then He told them that He would build His church on the Rock which was Himself. Since they disciples had advanced as they had Jesus knew it was time to try to get across the truth about Himself that He was going to go to Jerusalem and He would die there, and then be raised back again to life. These were heavy and deep thoughts for His disciples. But they need to hear them to start getting ready for the trial and the death of Jesus. Jesus allowed them to start experiencing these thoughts to prepare them for the tragedy of His death.


Prayer for Today: God we have read many stories in Your Bible since starting this daily devotional. One of the most difficult story is that we have read about You in the Bible but we did not think we would have to decide whether You are real or not, yet recovery demands that we decide whether You are real or not, who You really are, and then what will we do in response to our conclusions. Help us Lord to be honest in our appraisals and help us to be open to the truths about You. Help us to make right decisions and then help us to follow through. Thank You for this opportunity to have a firmer grip on reality than we have ever had before. Thank You for Your love.

Jesus and Peter Walk on Water

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. Matthew 14:22-33

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 11, 12

After feeding the 5000 Jesus instructs the disciples to get into their boat and head out to the other side of the lake. On the way the disciples get into a storm, which matched the storm in the hearts of the disciples because they wanted to make Jesus king like the people who had just been fed. John 6:15 But Jesus sent them away because He had different plans of how and when He would be crowned king. After the disciples got refocused on recovery then Jesus walked to them on the water and the disciples were afraid of Him because they had never seen anyone walk on water before. But when Jesus reassured them then Peter wanted to walk on the water to Jesus, and Jesus called him to do so. By faith Peter walked on water but when Peter got distracted and afraid he started to sink and Jesus caught him and brought him to the boat. When they got onto the boat the storm stopped. Then the disciples worshipped Jesus for they recognized Him as the Son of God.

Prayer for Today: God You know that we get caught up into all kinds of ideas of what recovery looks like and functions like. We pray today that we may bring our ideas of recovery to you and get them brought into harmony with Your mind. Forgive us from trying to force certain issues and help us to rest in Your care. Thank You that You come to find us and help us, for without Your initiative we would get nowhere in our recovery. Thank You for Your love.

Feeding the People

And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets. Luke 9:10-17

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12

When the disciples came back from their community experience Jesus took them aside and helped them to process their experience. When the people heard where Jesus was they came to Him with all of their problems and all of their sicknesses. Jesus healed them all and cared for them. When the day was almost night time the disciples asked Him to send them away so that they would have time to get to a village to get some food and lodging. But Jesus, knowing the experiences that the disciples had just had, asked them to exercise faith and feed the people instead of sending them away. But like most of us they looked on circumstances first and then doubted for the circumstances looked like more than they could handle. Then once the situation had been laid out before them Jesus used the available food in front of Him and fed 5000 men besides women and children. He also used the disciples to establish a principle. He had the disciples break up the people in groups of 50 and then He prayed, He multiplied the food, and then He gave to the disciples who then gave to the people. This is the principle of recovery – God heals, God then uses those healed to send the message to others so that they too can receive the blessing. Then they picked up the fragments and gave these fragments to others so that they would have another opportunity to tell their story.

Prayer for Today: God, we need the blessing of Your care taking. Help us, feed us, give us the resource and experience so that we can be blessed and in turn we can bless others. Thank You for Your love and grace for us, and for those whom You bring us into contact with.

Jesus Sends Out His Disciples to the People

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. Luke 9:1-6

Steps: 11, 12

Now Jesus was ready to send out His twelve disciples so that they could get practical experience in the work of God. Jesus gave the disciples power and authority over all devils and to be able to cure diseases. Then He sent them out to preach about the kingdom and to heal the sick. He repeats this concept in verse six - preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. God could do all of this work all by Himself, with much less hassle, but He has chosen to reveal Himself through people so that people will not be afraid of God. People can relate better to people that they can identify with, so God wants us to share our experience, strength. and hope with others so that they can see, relate, and model our behaviors. All of this sharing is an essential part of God’s program and we get to share it with others.

Prayer for Today: Thank You Father for coming to find us and to help us. Help us to have an experience with You that is shareable with others. Thank You for sharing with us in the beginning and that you are now helping others through our testimony. Thank You for giving us an opportunity to work hand in hand with you and helping us to grow strong in You as a result of Your training. Help us to stay with You and help us to share with others.

Jesus Heals the Daughter of Jairus

While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done. Luke 8:49-56

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 11, 12

After healing the woman with the bleeding sickness the Bible gets back to the story of Jairus and his daughter. After seeing Jesus heal this woman, Jairus must have had good feelings that his daughter would be healed as well. Shortly after this moment one of his servants came to tell him to no longer bother Jesus but to come on home for the daughter had died. When Jesus heard the new He encouraged Jairus to not be afraid but to believe on what he has heard about Jesus and what he had already seen with his own eyes. Jesus promised that if he would believe that his daughter would be made whole. They all pressed on to Jairus’s house and found that the professional wailers were already at work. Jesus told them that they no longer needed to weep for the child and then He said that she sleepeth. They took the most literal interpretation of the idea of sleep, thinking that Jesus did not know that the girl was dead but they thought that Jesus might felt that she slumbered. Jesus took the parents of the child, and Peter, James, and John into the room where the child lay and then Jesus raised the child from the dead. The parents were astonished at the power of Jesus and were touched by His mercy to mankind, yet Jesus asked the parents not to speak of how the girl was healed to anyone, at this time, so that His ministry would not get bogged down into political intrigue. God’s wisdom does not trifle with political intrigues but that which keeps the focus upon Jesus and the truth. As He did then so will He also do today.

Prayer for Today: God, when we see some of the events that we have had to experience, we again have hope only in You and in Your grace. Help us not be afraid of what You might do for us and embrace You and Your love for us. Help us to trust that You know what you are doing, even in your various ways. Help us not to be afraid but to believe in Jesus. Help us to gather faith from the testimonies of these stories from the Big Big Book.