Step 9 Devotional - Unfinished Business

BIBLE READING: Philemon 1:13-16

We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Sometimes we need to complete unfinished business before we can move forward toward new opportunities in life. Some of us may have left trails of broken laws and relationships—things we need to address before moving on.

Our new life does not excuse us from past obligations. While the apostle Paul was in prison, he led a runaway slave named Onesimus to a new life in Christ. Then Paul sent him back to his master, even though Onesimus faced possible death for his offense. Since his previous master was a friend of Paul’s and a Christian brother, they hoped that Onesimus would be forgiven.

Onesimus carried a letter from Paul to his master, which read: “I wanted to keep [Onesimus] here with me. . . . But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. . . . It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother. . . . If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me” (Philemon 1:13-16, 18).

Before we can move ahead to a new future, we must face the unfinished business of the past. This includes offering to pay back what we owe, coming clean before the law, and going back to the people from whom we ran away. We can’t assume forgiveness from people, although we can hope for it. In some cases we may be surprised to find pardon and release from the bondage of our past.”

Excerpt From: Tyndale House Publishers. “The Life Recovery Bible NLT.

Step 9 Devotional - From Talker to Giver

BIBLE READING: Luke 19:1-10

We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

When we are feeding our addiction, it is easy to become consumed by our own needs. Nothing matters except getting what we crave so desperately. We may have to lie, cheat, kill, or steal; but that doesn’t stop us. Within our family and community we become known as “takers,” trampling over the feelings and needs of others.

Zacchaeus had the same problem. His hunger for riches drove him to betray his own people by collecting taxes for the oppressive Roman government. He was hated by his own people and considered a thief, an extortioner, and a traitor. But when Jesus reached out to him, he changed dramatically. “Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!’ Jesus responded, ‘Salvation has come to this home today’” (Luke 19:8-9).

Zacchaeus went beyond just paying back what he had taken. For the first time in a long time, he saw the needs of others and wanted to be a “giver.” Making amends includes paying back what we have taken whenever possible. Some of us may even seize the opportunity to go further, giving more than we took. As we begin to see the needs of others and respond by choice, our self-esteem will rise. We will realize that we can give to others, instead of just being a burden.

Excerpt From: Tyndale House Publishers. “The Life Recovery Bible NLT.

Step 9 Devotional - Making Peace

BIBLE READING: Matthew 5:23-25

We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

We all suffer brokenness in our life, in our relationship with God, and in our relationships with others. Brokenness tends to weigh us down and can easily lead us back into our addiction. Recovery isn’t complete until all areas of brokenness are mended.

Jesus taught: “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God” (Matthew 5:23-24).

The apostle John wrote: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?” (1 John 4:20).

Much of recovery involves repairing the brokenness in our life. This requires that we make peace with God, with ourself, and with others whom we have alienated. Unresolved issues in relationships can keep us from being at peace with God and ourself. Once we go through the process of making amends, we must keep our mind and heart open to anyone we may have overlooked. God will often remind us of relationships that need attention. We should not delay going to those we have offended and seeking to repair the damage we have caused.”

Excerpt From: Tyndale House Publishers. “The Life Recovery Bible NLT.

Step 9 Devotional - Covering the Past

BIBLE READING: Ezekiel 33:10-16

We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

When we walk down the wrong path in life, we end up in bad places and experience devastating losses. If we go far enough down that path, we endanger our very life. We may wonder if we have already gone too far. Is a new way of life really possible, even if we turn from our old ways and make amends?

Even under the Old Testament laws, there was hope for those who chose to turn from sin and make amends. God spoke through Ezekiel, saying, “Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: You are saying, ‘Our sins are heavy upon us; we are wasting away! How can we survive?’ As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die? Son of man, give your people this message: The righteous behavior of righteous people will not save them if they turn to sin, nor will the wicked behavior of wicked people destroy them if they repent and turn from their sins. . . . And suppose I tell some wicked people that they will surely die, but then they turn from their sins and do what is just and right. For instance, they might give back a debtor’s security, return what they have stolen, and obey my life-giving laws, no longer doing what is evil. If they do this, then they will surely live and not die. None of their past sins will be brought up again, for they have done what is just and right, and they will surely live” (Ezekiel 33:10-12, 14-16).

There is hope for everyone who turns from sin and makes amends. Through Christ our past sins can be overshadowed by the new life ahead of us.


Excerpt From: Tyndale House Publishers. “The Life Recovery Bible NLT.

Step 9 Devotional - Keeping Promises

BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 9:1-9

We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

How many people are still living in the shadow of our unkept promises? Is it too late to go back now and try to make it up to them?

King David had made a promise to his friend Jonathan. “One day David asked, ‘Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” (2 Samuel 9:1).
Jonathan’s only living son, Mephibosheth, had lived along time with the pain of David’s unkept promise. It had shaped his lifestyle, his emotional condition, and the way he thought about himself. His grandfather, King Saul, had mistreated David before David became king. Perhaps Mephibosheth was afraid that David would mistreat him because of his grandfather. Perhaps he had begun to take the guilt of his grandfather’s sins upon himself. Generations of fear and guilt had been laid upon Mephibosheth—until David remembered and fulfilled his promise.

There are probably people we know who have been affected by promises we have failed to keep. It is important that we try to fulfill whatever promises we have made. When we can’t, the least we can do is ask what our neglect meant to those we disappointed and apologize for not keeping our promise.”

Excerpt From: Tyndale House Publishers. “The Life Recovery Bible NLT.”

Step 9 Devotional -Long-Awaited Healing

BIBLE READING: Genesis 33:1-11

We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Returning to someone we have hurt is a scary thing. The passing years, lack of communication, and memories of anger and hateful emotional exchanges can all create tremendous anxiety. Even though we may make some contact through a third party, there will still be tension until we see that person face to face.

This was the case for Jacob upon returning to see Esau. “Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming “with his 400 men. . . . Then Jacob went on ahead. . . . Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.” (Genesis 33:1, 3-4) After being introduced to Jacob’s family, Esau asked, “ ‘And what were all the flocks and herds I met as I came?’ . . . Jacob replied, ‘They are a gift, my lord, to ensure your friendship.’ ‘My brother, I have plenty,’ Esau answered. ‘Keep what you have for yourself.’ But Jacob insisted, ‘No, if I have found favor with you, please accept this gift from me. And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God! Please take this gift I have brought you, for God has been very gracious to me. I have more than enough.’ And because Jacob insisted, Esau finally accepted the gift.” (Genesis 33:8-11).

Jacob’s tremendous fear gave way to relief. The last time Jacob had seen Esau, Jacob was in fear for his life. With the passing of time, both of them had changed. When Jacob faced his brother, he found that there was still affection, even though they both remembered the pain.”



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Step 8 Devotional - Forgiven to Forgive

BIBLE READING: Matthew 18:23-35

We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

Listing all the people we have harmed will probably trigger a natural defensiveness. With each name we write down, another mental list may begin to form—a list of the wrongs that have been done to us. How can we deal with the resentment we hold toward others so we can move toward making amends?

Jesus told this story: “A king . . . decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars” (Matthew 18:23-24). The man begged for forgiveness because he couldn’t pay. The king “was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt. But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment” (18:27-28). This was reported to the king. “Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant . . . ?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters” (18:32-35).

When we look at all that God has forgiven us, it makes sense to choose to forgive others. This also frees us from the torture of festering resentment. We can’t change what others have done to us, but we can write off their debts and become willing to make amends.”

Excerpt From: Tyndale House Publishers. “The Life Recovery Bible NLT.