Greetings,

One of the prayers that has deeply touched my heart is the well-known Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Amen! This prayer resonates with me for many reasons.

First and foremost, it reminds me that when I choose to trust in Jesus Christ as my Savior, I can release my past into His hands. My sins, mistakes, and regrets no longer define me because, through Christ’s sacrifice, I am forgiven—now and forever. As John 3:17 affirms, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (NIV) Through this promise, I know that what I cannot change, God has already redeemed.

Next, the prayer encourages us to seek God’s strength and courage as we walk in the newness of life. In life, it is only by God’s grace that we can break free from addiction. He gives us the courage to confront the challenges before us, reminding us that we are held in His mercy every step of the way. We are not alone in this journey; God’s Spirit empowers us to move forward.

Lastly, the prayer speaks to the wisdom we receive through the Holy Spirit. As we daily seek God’s guidance, He fills us with the understanding we need to stay the course in recovery. Colossians 1:9 reflects this beautifully: “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.” (NIV) With this wisdom, we are equipped to embrace the freedom Christ offers us.

With this in mind, I am thrilled to remind you that Gateway Community Church hosts a faith-based recovery meeting for anyone seeking Christian support on their recovery journey. These open meetings are held every Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at Gateway Community Church, located at 19172 Ferretti Rd, Groveland, CA 95321. You can find more information on our website, www.grovelandefc.com.

Please feel welcome to join us or share this with anyone who may benefit from a Christ-centered recovery ministry.

In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Bob Kandels