Celebrate Recovery Weekly Encouragement 8-15-23

We Are Gods Masterpiece

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is one of the most powerful verses in the Bible. It tells us a lot about who we are and why we are here.

Each and everyone of us can be sure that God made us and that we are His masterpiece. When we gave our life and will over to the care of Christ, we were given a new identity. We're not just thrown together, but intricately woven together with care and purpose.

Second, this verse tells us that we were made in Christ Jesus to do good works. This means that our salvation is for a much bigger reason than just our own good. Our lives our a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8), so our good works can't make God like us more. Instead, good works are how we serve Him and show how much we love Him.

Lastly, it says that God plans our steps ahead of time. God has a plan for each us. A plan that you and I might not even know yet.

Ephesians 2:10 is a call to live our purpose in everyday life. We are unique and important because God made each of us that way. Our goal is to love like Jesus, serve like Jesus and take His message to all.  So, let's walk with confidence, knowing that God has set out a way for us.

Brian Willems CADC 1
Ministry Leader
Celebrate Recovery
New Life Community Dinuba

Lesson 17 Forgiveness
We are talking about forgiveness this week, here is a short excerpt from Thursdays lesson:
Facing your past and forgiving yourself and those who have hurt you, and making amends for the pain that you have caused others, is the only lasting solution. Forgiveness breaks the cycle!

Opioid deaths are at an all time high here in the Central Valley, as well as all across our country.
Naloxone (Narcan) is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist. This means that it attaches to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. But, naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system, and it is not a treatment for opioid use disorder. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, and morphine.
After the training BCJC will be on hand to distribute Narcan to everyone that attends.

My name is Jessica Aquino. I am a child of God, wife, mother, friend,
teacher and director of children's ministries at New Life Community
Dinuba. On Thursday nights I have the privilege of serving the
children whose parents attend Celebrate Recovery at New Life
Community.

From the moment Joanna and I started the Kids program, we knew that we
wanted to provide a safe and fun environment where children can feel
the love of Jesus. We focus on building meaningful relationships and
helping children realize just how much Jesus loves them. Our program
includes free play time, a short video lesson, activities that
reinforce the lesson and large group activities. Joanna and all of our
volunteers are nothing short of amazing--week in and week out they
continually pour into these kids!!

I continue to serve in this program--developing curriculum, prepping
activities and snacks and serving myself--simply because these kids
are worth it! We get to support parents in recovery while teaching
Kids about Jesus at the same time. There is no greater joy!

My verse to share with you is Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that
neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present
nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything
else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.