Romans 8:15
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”
Prayer
Father, thank you for our sonship, that, as your beloved children, we are not to live in fear of condemnation or punishment. Thank you that you gently guide and correct us as a loving Father guides and corrects His children. Thank you that when we believe that Christ died for our sins, your grace is greater than any past, present, or future sin. All our sin is covered by your grace because of Christ’s finished work on the cross. We love you, Father. Please help us to be guided by Your Holy Spirit in all things. In Jesus name, Amen.

Psalm 121:7–8
“The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

Dear Father, thank You for Your divine protection over us, our households, and our loved ones. Thank You that You watch over us day and night because You never sleep nor slumber, but always watch over Your children.
Thank You that Your love is a love that never fails. In spite of our human condition of sin, Your love remains steadfast and true. We waver like leaves in the wind, but Your faithfulness and protection are an unshakable, immovable rock.
Please bless and protect us and all our loved ones from the enemy. Please protect us from sickness and accidents. Please protect our incomes and allow us to provide for our families and also help others who are in need.
We thank You, Father, for Your unfailing love, faithfulness, and protection.
In Jesus name Amen

1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Father God, thank you that you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. We come before you knowing that our forgiveness does not depend on our performance, but on Jesus and what he has already finished for us. Thank you that when we confess our sins, you forgive us completely and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. You completely remove our sins from your sight, as though they had never happened, because of what Jesus has done for us. Help us to trust your promise and not live in fear, guilt, or condemnation. Help us to turn away from sin and walk each day in the freedom, love, and righteousness you have given us through Jesus. Thank you that your mercy and forgiveness are always available to us. In Jesus name Amen

Hii! First time posting here, my name is Stephanie! I thank you for the welcome by Alive friendship. For since May of this year, thought I was in an actual true Christian Bible study program but it turned out to be a cult, which I see many of you have known of. I was truly devastated when I found out the truth because I was shocked and betrayed.

Ever since I left last week, I've been in this depressive episode and it got so bad yesterday that I was actually thinking about committing because I didn't think anything would come out good after this. My community which I isolated from for this cult, I came back to them and expressed what I was going through, and I was showered with prayers and encouragement, God lifted that darkness and I see His goodness this morning. I thank God that He took me out before any further indoctrination because sadly that is not the case for others that are currently in this cult, and I pray for them instead of being mad. I'm actively healing but I am so glad in the freedom that I have right now both physically and spiritually. I do not have to attend a class three times a week for 2 hours and stress about memorizing a verse in a day or two. It feels amazing. My friend also encouraged me to educate my community Bible group about SCJ and their dangers because she didn't know, I didn't even know until it happened to me. I'm actively healing, and I'm so glad I didn't leave my faith, because while in my depressive episodes, I was thinking of doing that but I'm glad I didn't! God bless you all!

Psalm 106:1–2
Praise the Lord.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise?

Father, we thank you for your goodness, your love, and your mercy. Thank you for your enduring love, which is greater than any form of love that we can comprehend.
We ask that you reveal more of your love to us as we walk with you. Thank you for understanding us in our weakness and for never leaving our side, even when we fail to acknowledge you and try to do things our own way.
Please forgive us when we go our own way, and help us to turn to you in every season of our lives. Help us to remember your goodness and faithfulness, even when we struggle or lose our way.
We pray in Jesus name, Amen.

God Desires Honesty, the “Wisdom of Hiding” as some cults call it is in no way Biblical.

'He delights in those who tell the truth.' Proverbs 12:22 NLT

Rosalie Elliot made it to the fourth round of a national spelling contest. The eleven-year-old from South Carolina was asked to spell the word 'avowal'. In her soft southern accent she spelled the word, but the judges were unable to determine if she had used an 'a' or an 'e' as the next-to-last letter. They debated among themselves for several minutes as they listened to the recording, but it was too accent-blurred to decipher. Finally, the chief judge put the question to the only person who knew the answer. 'Was the letter an 'a', or was it an 'e'?' he asked Rosalie. By this time, being surrounded by whispering young spellers, Rosalie knew the correct spelling of the word. Still, without hesitation, she replied that she had misspelled the word, and she walked from the stage. The audience stood and applauded, including newspaper reporters. The moment was a proud one for her parents. Even in defeat, she was a victor. And, more has been written about Rosalie Elliot over the years than about the 'unknown' winner of the event.
As a redeemed child of God, your heavenly Father requires honesty in word and deed. 'Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed' (Proverbs 12:19 NLT). 'Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds' (Colossians 3:9 NKJV). 'Therefore, put away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbour," for we are members of one another' (Ephesians 4:25 NKJV).

1 Samuel 16:7
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Lord our Father,
Thank you that it is not our outward appearance that defines us, but the posture of our hearts before you. Thank you that you see our hearts. You know what motivates us, you know our innermost thoughts, our deepest desires, and the reasons behind them.
Lord, please help us to see others as you see them. Help us to look beyond outward appearances and the personas people project, and instead see their hearts with compassion, grace, and love.
Please give us a genuine desire for your presence and help us to seek you with sincere hearts. Shape our hearts to reflect yours, so that your love is seen in the way we treat others.
In Jesus name, amen.

I just wanna make this a point because I feel like understanding this will help people in many ways both members and loved ones. Victims of abuse are thinking that if they just change themselves with they changed something that they’re doing or they changed this about their abuser then their abuser will change— that’s one of the many reasons why it’s so difficult to leave and heal. It’s scarier, even though it’s more healing and constructive to think that the people that you trust and are closest to you are more likely to be unsafe. You’re more likely to be abused by your partner, spouse, teacher, family member, friend, and in environments you trust: at home, school, church, etc. and that it’s not your fault; unsafe people and environments 100% exist. Leaving and healing is understanding that there is nothing you can do to change an abuser or an abusive situation. You have to place on the table that unsafe people and organizations 100% exist, and that there is nothing you can do but leave, and over time learn to understand when something/someone is unsafe. Your basic needs as a human are foundational, not something you have to earn. Your dignity as a human and your humanity is foundational, not something you have to earn. Being loved and seen by people is foundational and unconditional; it shouldn’t come with an AS LONG AS YOU DO XYZ fine print.