Sexual Purity Posts

Advent Recovery Reflection by KW

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.”

Similar to the Israelites journey out of Egypt, I lived as a prisoner to the Pharaoh of addiction for the first quarter of my life. I’d always known I had serious issues, and that my world was totally unmanageable, but I felt powerless to change. If I’m honest, there was a big part of me that didn’t really want to leave behind the “pleasures of Egypt” and, while I would often beg God to free me from my captivity, my divided heart could never take my feet beyond the shore of the Red Sea. Looking back now, I can see how the Lord was with me all along, but I wanted Him to come as a magician, not a Great Physician (Luke 5:31). I wanted a microwaveable miracle rather than a painful process of collaborative-cleansing; comfort over change. But just as Moses was born during a horrible hour of enslavement, the birth of Christ was a prophetic promise of spiritual emancipation, which is why I love “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” This song is essentially the story of my life, and the age-old testimony of humanity. It reminds us that while we were slaves to sin, precious little baby Emmanuel descended from Heaven “to proclaim liberty to the captives…[and] to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). Perhaps you find yourself battling with some besetting sin this advent season. May the lyrics of this song encourage your weary heart. “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Our freedom was the very reason that Christ was born; He loves you and will never forsake you. After all, Emmanuel means “God with us,” and so in our sin-struggles, addictions, and brokenness, Emmanuel is with us even there. Dear friends, open your hearts today and joyfully receive the gift of His sacred presence. No matter where you find yourself, Emmanuel is with you even there (Psalm 139:7-12).

Advent Recovery Reflection by WT

“Go spread the news of Emmanuel

Joy and peace for the weary heart

Lift up your heads, for your King has come

Sing for the Light overwhelms the dark”

-Keith and Kristyn Getty*

The holiday season can be a real struggle for me. It is the absolute peak in some moments and the bottomless depths in others as I recap another year nearing completion. The stress of increased work, shorter daylight hours, obligations in church and the community, deadlines for the end of the year coming due, higher financial expenditures, months to come of cold and nasty wet weather, fighting for some restful scraps of family time, and of course the anxiety of the whole new year looming to come. When it is especially challenging for me is the two weeks following Christmas day. For me it is the stress of the whole year to come sandwiched with tearful thoughts of another year past. The running, running, running, and now this sense of needing to grieve all that suddenly came to a quick end. Seven plus years in recovery and I still must actively fight this emotional battle. Years as a Christian and I still must hold to God’s promises that ground my soul when life seems unmanageable.

Depressive symptoms can be a real battle every believer must wrestle. I have loved reading to my children this adapted book “Little Pilgrim’s Progress” which is for children on the Christian allegory “Pilgrim’s Progress” by John Bunyan. Just like the characters Christian and Hopeful, during this season I can get off the path of God’s promises and run into the monster called “Giant Despair” who then throws me into “Doubting Castle”. What a great analogy for depression. But you know how Christian, and his companion on the journey got out of the dungeon? As a believer, he had a key in his pocket called, the “Key of Promise”. What a great analogy for God’s word. He then unlocked the cell and walked step by step (Steps symbolizing God’s promises, so verse by verse) out of the castle.

Men, in this time more now than ever, take God’s biblical promises and find some you can hold on to in this season. While my battle with depressive symptoms may not always be caused directly by my own sinful choices, my emotional responses with my loved ones sure can be. Snapping at family, living inconstant dread, and sulking in regrets are absolute dry drunk attitudes and need to be replaced biblically. Something that aids me is to list core emotions (for me anger, fear, and sadness) I face and have promises from God I hold to (See additional resources at the bottom for examples of passages that have helped me). I love to tape some of these passages to the bottom of my boots for meditation or put in a notecard I carry in my pocket. That’s why I chose this newer song by the Getty’s called “Sing We the Song of Emmanuel”. What hope and celebration this gives to the weary heart! God in flesh, dwelling among humanity, to redeem to no longer be slaves to sin, but to righteousness (Romans 6:16-18)! Christ in our suffering is gentle and lowly (Matthew 11:28-30). He calls us friends (John 15:15). If you see Him in your Bible, you have seen the Father (John 14:9). Men, we hold in our possession God’s perfectly sufficient and infallible word of promises to His redeemed children.

Advent Recovery Reflection by TF

“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.”

Reflection

Christmas brings hope, a foundation for healing. Just as the world awaited a Savior, I can rejoice in knowing that God meets me in my brokenness with renewal.

Verse

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”

-Isaiah 40:31

Prayer

Lord, fill me with the hope and strength You bring.

“Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.”

Reflection

Christ’s coming reveals that my worth is not tied to my mistakes. Knowing my value in Him initiates healing and reminds me I’m worthy of restoration.

Verse

“But God demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

-Romans 5:8

Prayer

Help me see the worth You place on me and restore me with Your love.

“Truly He taught us to love one another.”

Reflection

Jesus’ example taught me compassion, essential for healing. Loving

myself and others as He does is part of being restored.

Verse

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

-John 13:34-35

Prayer

Jesus, teach me to love as You love and to see others

and myself with grace.

“Fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices.”

Reflection

Kneeling in surrender helps me let go and seek God’s direction,

central to healing.

Verse

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

-Psalm 46:10

Prayer

Lord, I surrender to You. Guide me as I listen for Your voice.

“Chains shall He break…in His name all oppression shall cease.”

Reflection

God frees us from all chains—physical, emotional, spiritual—bringing light

to areas of darkness and initiating restoration.

Verse

“He brought them out of darkness…and broke away their chains.”

-Psalm 107:14

Prayer

Break my chains, Lord, and bring me into Your light.