About Celebrate Recovery At Imani Temple, COGIC

December 19, 2008 by Sharon Benjamin comments (1)

Praise the Lord....Hallelujah! Hallelujah! I give God all the Praise and all the Glory to have our own "Celebrate Recovery Women Step-Study Group" started here at Imani Temple of Temecula(cogic) where Pastor James Mason is our Pastor and Teacher. I want to Thank Pastor and Sis Mason for embracing Celebrate Recovery Ministies. "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes."ps 118v23. We're at the 1st level in getting Celebrate Recovery Ministry started Here at Imani. God's word tell us, "but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 pet 4v13

Christ came into the world not only to give us life, but he came to give it more abundantly. As we continue this Journey(with the Lord). He knew there will be some trails, hardships, failure, pain, losses, heartaches and illness and even death. Jesus Scared hands has not retracted from us....they are stretched wide for us to continue to receive his comfort, his peace, and strength to go through life difficulties. he is always there even when problems of life come our way. Even when they become deep hurts, habits and hang-ups, that keep us from fully being all that God desires for us.

The word assure us that, "there is no temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful;

he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1corn. 10v13(niv)

The Ministry of Celebrate Recovery is to allow us to become free from life's hurts, hang-ups and habits. By working through the eight recovery principles found in the beatitudes with Jesus Christ as OUR Higher Power, you can and will change! You will begin to experience the true peace and serenity you have been seeking, and you will no longer have to rely on your dysfunctional, compulsive, and addictive behaviors as temporary "fix" for you pain. By applying the Biblical Principles of conviction, conversion, surrender, confession, restitution, prayer, quiet time, witnessing and helping one another, which are found with the eight principles and the Christ-centered 12steps, you will restore and develop stronger relationships with others and with God. Scriptures tell us, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our

Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

2corin. 1v3-4

Lastly...I like to give you 6 reason why I am so excited about having "Celebrate Recovery" here at Imani Temple.

1. It is a Christ-centered and biblical based

2. It's about moving forward and not backwards. looking toward the future as our Lord would have it to be.

3. It helps me to take personnel responsibly for my own problems, and stop the blame-game and own up to my own

weakness and problems

4. Greater commitment to Jesus Christ(great commission) Evangelism

5. Growth and Healing in Relationships. The Bible tell us to "Love God 1st and to love one another" In Listening to

Rick Warren, He stated, many time people are healed through other people "weakness" not through there strength.

By learning to be honest, open and humble myself, God is able to work in my life and others can be blessed by it.

6. Leadership Factory.....for Lay-members

***Now remember Celebrated Recovery is not Just for THOSE PEOPLE!!! Celebrate Recovery is available to the body of Christ. Like John Bake(founder of CR) and Rick Warren has stated "everybody is struggling something." Whether it's emotional, financial, relational, spiritual, or sexual. The Principles that lead to happiness and healing are always the same, and the choice is always yours.

For more information regarding Celebration Recovery please contact myself or Elder Watkins for more details.

A happy and healthier Church,

Sis. Sharon Benjamin,

Facilitator for the Women