Stack the Sacrifice & Pray

In 1Kings 17 - 19 we see the story of an Israelite nation led by King Ahab, rich and powerful but living in dark and desperate days. Idol worship had destroyed the nation and all manners of evil prevailed. To draw his people back, God chose to send a prophet. The man he sent was a Tishbite named Elijah. Elijah was a man full of faith, bold, and willing to take a stand. Elijah was also a man of passionate prayer - a spirit-filled man who knew God was alive. There was no watering down the message when Elijah spoke.

In Chapter 18 the story culminates with Elijah confronting King Ahab and challenging him to a contest between the king’s 850 prophets and Elijah. They meet at a place of idol worship called Mount Carmel to see whose god could provide fire for a sacrifice. Over several days the Israelite people gathered to see whose god/God was more powerful. Elijah, being true to his nature, asked the people directly, “Whose side are you on?” The people waivered - they wanted to see the winner before making their decision. In other words, they “wimped out.” We, as Christians, have the same decision to make – the world, or Jesus.

With God’s assistance, the contest is won and the false prophets are no more. Elijah had made it to the top. With a powerful victory like this, one would think Elijah would be “riding high.” However, recent victories and successes do not always last. News that Queen Jezebel was looking to have him killed caused Elijah to surrender to fear and flee. He ended up under a broom tree bathed in depression, just having a good old-fashioned pity-party. He needed recovery.

The same God who called Elijah to service, will now reach out to the despondent prophet. He will ask Elijah, “What are you doing here?” God is not going to abandon Elijah, but comes to him in gentle wind. Elijah had been on a “high,” but now has sunk to an all time “low.” God knows Elijah needs to quiet down so he can hear God speak.

Recovery isn’t a mountaintop experience, nor is it a rock bottom life. It has to be worked out day by day, focusing on God in prayer and action. On Friday nights that’s what we try to accomplish at Celebrate Recovery - helping people deal with their “hurts, habits and hang-ups,” and get back on track with Christ at the center of their life. You can stay where you are, and live with your issues; but, we hope you will come…and together we will Celebrate Recovery!

In Christ,

Jerry McGuire

Lord, Have Mercy on Me

LORD, HAVE MERCY ON ME


In Matthew 15:21-28, we see a story where Jesus restores a woman’s daughter possessed by demons. We need to remember that, even today there is a spiritual battle going on. We, and those we love, may have our own “demons” which can contribute to sinful choices we make. We can put ourselves in situations and fall into lifestyles that hinder us from approaching God. The way to overcome these “demons” and the sinful choices we make in our lives, is through recovery that only Jesus Christ can provide.

In this story, Jesus has slipped away from the pressures and mounting tension of Galilee and into the area of Tyre. He needs rest and a chance to spend time with his disciples. The cross is drawing near and the disciples training has to intensify if they are going to start the Christian Church after he is gone. However, being widely known, people seek Jesus out, even Gentiles. In this case, a Gentile woman in search of mercy.

The Bible says she comes to Jesus, falls on her knees before him and begs for mercy. At first Jesus ignores her pleas, but relents after his disciples ask that he send her away. His initial answer to her seems harsh. The word used for dog here is the diminutive form of the word and therefore is a term of affection or small size – a puppy! So the words are not as biting as they may seem. Probably Jesus said them with a smile starting to show on his face. And with that smile, the woman knows she has come to the right man – “the son of David” – the one prophesied about. In other words, her mercy she seeks is staring into her eyes. She presses on out of love for her daughter and the desire to see her recover.

Like the Gentile woman, we sometimes have a loved one who faces demons. Instead of focusing on the problem, do like the woman did and focus on Jesus. He provides recovery and transforms lives as only He can. That’s the major component of Celebrate Recovery – God’s mercy extended to people who have lost their way, and struggle with hurts, habits and hang-ups. If you are seeking a safe place in which to recover, heal and serve, come join us at Celebrate Recovery. CR starts on March 14th at 6:00 p.m. in Bullington Hall at our Ninth Avenue Campus.

So, back to the story of the Gentile Woman, she came to Jesus looking for mercy. Jesus gave her mercy, and a miracle to boot, in the healing of her daughter. As only Jesus can do, he lavishes mercy on the faithful.

In Christ,


Jerry McGuire

A Chosen People

In 1 Peter 2:1-10, Peter portrays the church as a living, spiritual house with Christ as the cornerstone or foundation. At the time of Peter’s writing, Christians were in exile and most were persecuted daily. In this short text Peter exhorts the new believers to stay faithful. Peter also defines who we as Christians are, what our purpose is, and how we receive the power to do God’s work in building the church community of believers. In recovery we too find our way back to a risen Saviour.

Let’s see how this works:

1. Who are we? Peter says in verse 9 we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a people best described as “belonging to God”. We are God’s possession – a peculiar people, a covenant people. Therefore, we boldly live in the truth that we are His. We are not to let our hurts, habits and hang ups keep us down.
2. What is our function? We are to be witnesses for God and “…to declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness”. Christ is the cornerstone, but one stone in itself cannot be a church or even a wall. It takes others hearing the Gospel and becoming believers to build the church into the community of believers. Our job is to be one of the builders by sharing the gospel of the Living Stone, Jesus Christ. Through Celebrate Recovery we too are restored and become a building block for Christ.
3. Where is our power from? Peter says in verses 2 and 3 – we have “…tasted that the Lord is good”. We are now his people and have received his mercy, and above all the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us the fire we need to boldly face others and share the gospel. What a great big wonderful God we serve!

Peter was rooted in Old Testament theology being a devout Jew. It took a servant’s heart and Christ to shape Peter into the man he became for a New Testament Gospel. We as a people are like Peter. A people once without a name, but now with a name – God’s covenant people. A people once without mercy, but now living a victorious life because of God’s mercy.

The important thing in life is not how we are clothed, how much money we have in the bank, what others think of us, but our dedication and commitment to God. God called us (a chosen people) and will grow us into what He has called us to be. The things of this life are good, but God would have us choose the things that are great – and those are only found in Jesus Christ the cornerstone.

In Christ,

Jerry McGuire
Celebrate Recovery Lay Ministry Leader
Cokesbury UMC Pensacola, Florida