South Strand Celebrate Recovery

06/02/2026

05/31/2026

Roadmap

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

We’ve come to the end of this journey through the desert together. So many lessons for us to glean from. Will you take a moment to write down the key lessons you are taking with you?

Jesus sets the example. He provided a roadmap, showing how we should respond during our testing and how we, too, can overcome temptations and make our way out of the desert victorious.

Paul says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

We go to the Word of God, and we pledge our allegiance to God alone. We submit to Him. God’s truth will never lead us astray. Jesus didn’t rely on the words of man or anything else. He relied on God’s Word.

Let’s take a look at Psalm 119. Here we see David stressing the importance of the word of God:

“Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—” (Psalm 119:2).

“Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors” (Psalm 119:24).

“Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain” (Psalm 119:36).

“Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart” (Psalm 119:111).

“The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy” (Psalm 119:138).

Reflection:

Take some time to work on a roadmap for your journey. The Bible is full of Scripture that you can use as your guide. Write down verses you feel the Lord is highlighting to you. Write them as a prayer or personalize them.

05/30/2026

Don’t Forget God

During this time of testing, Jesus quoted from the book of Deuteronomy, Chapters 6 and 8. This section of the Bible speaks about God’s commandments, statutes, and ordinances that God had instructed Moses to teach the Israelites before they crossed over into the promised land.

Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you. For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.” (Deuteronomy 6:13-15)

Throughout chapters 6 and 8 of Deuteronomy, a phrase keeps coming up, “don’t forget the Lord.” In pursuing our ambitions, may we not forget the Lord, the same God who led us out of the wilderness and brought us into the promised land.

“be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (Deuteronomy 6:12).

Our selfish ambitions can lead us to pride and forgetfulness.

“Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.”

Jesus passed the test. He resisted the tempter, who had no choice but to leave. Jesus’ allegiance was to God the Father, and God alone. Angels came to minister to Jesus after this ordeal. We are never left abandoned. Even if God seems distant in the midst of the test, here we get a glimpse of how the story ends. Here we see that we are truly never alone.

Reflection:

Read Deuteronomy 6 and 8. Jot down your observations and reflect on the importance of these passages for your daily walk with God. How can you apply it to your life?

05/29/2026

Worship

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:8-9)

We are now at the last temptation Jesus faced during his 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. Once again, the scenery changes, and now the tempter is making his final, desperate attempt to derail Jesus.

In the first temptation, we saw the tempter using hunger and casting doubt on Jesus’ identity. Secondly, he came again with an “if you are,” another jab at His identity, offering Jesus a shortcut, the option to perform a grand gesture. Thirdly, he presents ambition and power. He goes directly to the heart of the matter.

He wants worship. The HELPS Word-studies define the word worship as “proskynéō, prós, “towards” and kyneo, “to kiss” properly, to kiss the ground when prostrating before a superior; to worship, ready “to fall down/prostrate oneself to adore on one’s knees.”

He wants Jesus to acknowledge him as King. He wants the homage and worship that is due to royalty. The same old selfish ambition that brought about his fall rears its ugly head again.

How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit on the mount of assembly on the heights of Zaphon; I will ascend to the tops of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:12-14)

Jesus came with a mission to save the world, to redeem mankind from sin and separation from God. The tempter once again offers a shortcut away from the cross, and it only requires worship, Jesus prostrating in front of the tempter from the Son of God. That’s what he wanted.

With one decision, Jesus could lay claim to all the kingdoms of the world and their glory and do so without enduring the cross. “The danger is greatest when the end is good” (Expositor’s Greek Testament).

Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

Reflection:

What do you notice is different in this third temptation?

What does this test reveal about our desires? Our ambitions?

How did Jesus respond? What was different?

What can we learn from Jesus’ response?

05/28/2026

Massah
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Jesus’ response points us to a commandment found in Deuteronomy 6.
Verse 16 says, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah.”
What happened at Massah?
Massah - a place in the desert where Israelites rebelled
“And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7).
A desert is a hard place, bringing us to our Massah, where we will face the seed of the tempter. The seed of unbelief.
Massah is where the seed of unbelief can find the perfect soil to grow. The tempter wants us to grumble, doubt God’s goodness, and question His presence.
“Ye shall not tempt the Lord thy God, as ye tempted Him in Massah.” In the history thus referred to, the people’s sin had been that they questioned the presence of God with them until they saw supernatural proof of it. They asked, “Is Jehovah among us, or not?” and that question sprang from unbelief. (Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers)
Although Massah is known as the place where the Israelites rebelled, it also marks the spot of God’s provision and patience. He miraculously provided water for His grumbling people who tested Him.
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, we read of instances when the people demanded a miracle for them to believe. All the way up until Jesus hung on the cross, they taunted Him, demanding a sign.
“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”
Jesus came to do the will of the Father. He was fully committed to His will. He fulfilled the prophecies that spoke about Him. He walked in the path His Father prepared beforehand, setting the example for us. He would not be derailed by those who demanded a sign or questioned His identity.
Reflection:
What are some lessons that Massah can teach us?
What good works do you think God is calling you?
How does the desert prepare you for what God has prepared beforehand?
Is there anything in your life that could derail you from walking into what God has prepared for you?

05/27/2026

The Grand Gesture

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” (Matthew 4:5-6)

The scenery has changed. Jesus is now at the top of the temple, confronted with another temptation.

He faces what Jo Saxton calls the “Grand Gesture.” The grand gesture occurs when we are presented with the opportunity to do something “grand,” which will bring recognition and approval from others.

This “grand gesture” is a shortcut, an easy way for Jesus to show that He is the Son of God. He wouldn’t have to “prove” anything or go through all the hardships; He could even skip the cross. Who would want to harm the Son of God, right?

He had to perform this feat in front of all the worshippers below. It would bring about instantaneous popularity and adoration. The people would crown Him King.

Did you notice something different this time? He came with a ‘word.’ It’s almost as if he is echoing Jesus’ response. . . “it is written.”

He, too, knows the power of the Word, yet he will intentionally misquote or take it out of context to lure one into his trap.

Let’s look at Psalm 91, verses 11 to 13.

For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways.

On their hands, they will bear you up,

lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread on the lion and the adder;

the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.”

Do you notice the part he left out? “You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.” He avoided this part. I wonder if he hoped he could be successful in his temptation and avoid getting trampled underfoot.

Reflection:

What are we tempted to do for approval, acceptance, or recognition?

Shortcuts are an attempt to derail us and get us off the path God has laid out for us.

What shortcuts lay before us? What temptations lay before you?

What do we miss? Who do we miss when we give in to the temptation of grand gestures?

Imagine Zacchaeus without that encounter with Jesus.

Jairus.

The lepers.

The woman with the issue of blood.

Mary Magdalene.

Me.

You.

05/26/2026

Not Just Bread Alone

“man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

Jesus did not try to reason with the tempter, and He didn’t beat around the bush. His response points us once more to the life-giving Word of God. Jesus was not about to take a shortcut. He lived not to satisfy His flesh but to do the will of the Father.

His response teaches us that it is the Word of God that we ought to live by, not just bread, that satisfies our physical hunger.

In the Gospel of John, we see Jesus’ response to His disciples as they urged Him to eat. They were more concerned about getting Him to eat than the most important matter on hand, the salvation of many from Samaria.

“Meanwhile, his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then His disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (emphasis mine)

Are we tempted to turn rocks into temporary bread in our moment of hunger rather than rely on the Word that genuinely satisfies us? Do we deviate from doing the will of the Father to meet our needs first?

I remember the emphasis placed on memory verses in Sunday School when we grew up. Up to this day, I still remember some of them. It doesn’t seem like there is much focus on memorizing Scripture now as adults; we are not as intentional and eager about “hiding the Word in our heart.” This, I would say, puts us at a disadvantage.

How did Jesus respond? He answers with, “It is written.” He goes to the Scriptures to respond to the tempter.

Reflection:

Is the Word your first line of defense? How can you apply this verse? “man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

What are some ways to start being more intentional in meditating on and memorizing the Word?

Tip:

Read and Meditate

Write It Down

Recall or Recite

Scripture:

05/25/2026

If You Are
Jesus had just gotten baptized by John the Baptist. This was no ordinary baptism; it was the launch of Jesus’ ministry. Also, this is where the Father made a powerful declaration, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)
Shortly after His baptism, we read that Jesus is led into the desert, where He will remain for 40 days and 40 nights. While we don’t know what happened during that time, we are given a front-row seat to the end, or should I say the beginning.
The tempter came in the same manner as in the Garden. Sly and subtle. He arrived with an “if.” He came with a seed.
Verse 3: “And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
“If you are the Son of God.” Jesus is hungry. He is vulnerable, and now the tempter is trying to plant a seed of doubt, or perhaps he was mocking Jesus’ identity. Jesus was just declared the Son of God at His baptism, and the tempter knows that.
The tempter will always go after our identity. Who God says we are will always be challenged by him because when we know who we are, it unlocks the resources of the kingdom of heaven. A son, a daughter, has direct access to the Father that others wouldn’t have. We bear His image. We are co-heirs with Christ.
Reflection:
Why do you think the tempter approached Jesus in this manner? What about you? What seed has the tempter come to you with?
Has he also questioned your identity? Your identity in Christ is a threat to him. When you know who you are, it changes everything.
Take some time to reflect on the verses for today and write what the Bible says about who you are in Christ.

05/23/2026

The Protocols of Forgiveness

(Part 2)

Protocols are the rules or conventions of correct behavior in official or ceremonial occasions. Kingdoms and governments function within a set of recognized procedures that govern how things are accomplished. In many ways the Protocols of Forgiveness are like ingredients for a recipe. They all must be there for the cake to turn out right. Today we look at how to deal with the memory and future offenses with the last two protocols.

6. Commit to “not remember” the offense.

You can’t choose to forget something, but you can choose what to do with the memories when they come. It is important to note that God is not the one bringing the memory back up nor is it you. It is God’s enemy who is bringing it up in order to entice you back into unforgiveness. So when the memory comes:



• Say out loud, “I specifically remember forgiving that.”

• Praise God for the freedom forgiveness brought you.

• Bless the person you forgave again.

• Pray for reconciliation.



7. Make pre-forgiveness a lifestyle.

Just like preventative medicine is the best medicine, pre-forgiveness is the best kind of forgiveness! When Protocol 7 is practiced, the need for the other 6 is greatly diminished, if not eliminated. Choose daily not to receive an offense, but take every relational debt and transfer it immediately to the Cross. The blood of Jesus covers all sin including the ones that wound me. It also includes the ones that haven’t happened yet.

Imagine that you have been gifted a prepaid debit card with an unlimited account balance backed by a benevolent benefactor. However this account is not filled with money, but rather with the precious blood of Jesus, extravagantly poured out as payment for the sins of mankind. The card was not given just to pay for your sins but also the sins of anyone who hurts you. Now whenever you are wounded or offended in any way by anyone, you can whip out the card, swipe it in the air and say, “Paid in full!”

By making the decision ahead of time to use the Forgiveness Card, no matter what happens to us, we can live torment free while experiencing all the peace Jesus died to bring us.

Forgiveness is applying the blood of Jesus as payment in full for every wound I ever have or will suffer, and forgiveness will always lead us to experience the freedom of the Gospel.

To dig deeper into how you can experience the freedom of the Gospel through the power of forgiveness, check out our website: www.forgivingforward.com .

Forgiving Forward is helping people experience the freedom of the Gospel through the power of forgiveness.

05/22/2026

The Protocols of Forgiveness

(Part 1)

Protocols are the rules or conventions of correct behavior in official or ceremonial occasions. Kingdoms and governments function within a set of recognized procedures that govern how things are accomplished. In the Kingdom of Heaven there are certain protocols associated with forgiveness. There’s nothing magical to the words we use. We’ve found that there’s a basic order of forgiving that works most effectively, although we have sometimes switched up the order based upon the leading of the Holy Spirit at the time. However, we do find that when these seven protocols are applied from an open heart the miracle of freedom takes place automatically. Today we will examine the first 5 protocols.

It is important that you declare the protocols out loud and preferably pray through them with someone. A decision is codified when it is declared verbally. “...for with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:10 ESV) “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)

1. Thank God for forgiving you.

This is the protocol of gratitude where we recognize that we are the first servant who has been forgiven an insurmountable debt in the Matthew 18 story. Whatever anyone has done to us pales in comparison to all we have been forgiven for by God. Therefore, the first protocol is to thank God for sending His Son to die on the Cross to pay for our sins and to rise from the grave so as to give us His life.

2. Repent of your sin of unforgiveness.

Unforgiveness is a sin. It’s not a bad idea, it’s a sin. It is one of the most harshly disciplined sins a believer can commit. Our responsibility when we sin is to repent, to “change our mind” and acknowledge we were wrong to not forgive. Repentance involves confessing our sin of unforgiveness to God and declaring that we now understand that the blood of Jesus is enough to cover any sin that wounds us.

3 Ask God, “Who do I need to forgive and for what?”

Most often, the wounds that drive our torment happen early in our lives and are buried deep inside of us. The Holy Spirit knows which wounds that are causing us the torment that we need to forgive. All we have to do is ask Him and listen. He will tell us because He wants us to be free.

4. Forgive each offense from your heart.

Why do we forgive from our heart? Because that is where we were wounded. Jesus says in Matthew 18:35 “So shall my Heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” Every wound, even a physical one, affects our heart.

“Lord, I choose to forgive ______ from my heart for _______.
“Lord, is there anything else I need to forgive ________ for?”
“I declare ______ is no longer in my debt. I transfer their debt to the Cross where Jesus paid it all.”
5. Ask God to bless them and look for ways to bless them when possible.

If you cannot bless someone, you have not forgiven them. Unforgiveness wants vengeance; “they must pay!” Forgiveness wants blessing; “I want them to gain!” It is “the kindness of God that leads us to repentance.” (Romans 2:4) While we were still His enemies, God blessed us with the greatest blessing of all: the death of his Son to pay for our sins. Therefore, we are to ask God to bless the person who wounded us. Bless them in the areas in which they wounded you. If they betrayed you, ask God to give them a loyal friend. If they stole from you, ask God to bless their finances. Be generous because God has generously blessed you.

Work through these protocols with the Lord and you will find freedom from the torment!

Next will discover how to live in this newfound freedom!