The twelve step program WORKS if one ADMITS there is a problem. During RECOVERY from our WORN out HABITS of thinking and doing, one huge stumbling block for most is to make a list of names of who we have offended and make amends. Make a second list of names of those who have hurt us, and then forgive them. If we have forgiven as we have been forgiven, the tale of what happened is forgotten and never repeated. Taking a MORAL INVENTORY as a Christian and sharing the TRUTH with another human being requires that we swallow our pride, and ADMIT our FEARS, PHOBIAS, FOIBLES, ABUSES, GUILT, SHAME, and for many a Christian, SELF-HATRED. Having an ACCOUNTABILITY partner in a 12 step program, is humbling. First we must admit that we struggle. Then we must get real honest with exactly where we trip and fall short. For a Christian to walk in righteousness, we must continue to take a MORAL INVENTORY,
as a way of cleaning the temple where the Holy Spirit resides. The Galatians started out in grace, and then went off into WORKS to prove their value to God. We cannot hide from our Creator, He knows us, He knows we are quick to DENY we need forgiveness, or any HELP at all. Our Christian self-image is of a person REDEEMED and PERFECT. The Holy Spirit responds to TRUTH, not denial. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. FIRST we must admit our drive, our desire, our compulsion to accomplish or to be recognized for our excellent deeds. FIRST we must come to see that an inferior spirit of FEAR drives us to seek respect and admiration from man. TRUTH: The Holy Spirit is superior, and the Holy Spirit never seeks respect or admiration from man. The Holy Spirit in us teaches us, directs us, comforts us by the Word of God. He affirms our position of authority over all lies of a demonic spirit. Be reminded that demonic spirits come in to torment, tempt and destroy our effectiveness for Christ. SECONDLY
God commands that we ASK for HELP, that we seek, that we admit to another person that we are struggling. The very act of asking humbles us, it makes us vulnerable, it makes us accountable, and it is a mark of obedience to the word of God. "Pray for one another". When was the last time you asked someone to pray for you? Or do you pretend that you are above such a need? The thought " I cannot show a weakness, I cannot be so transparent, I am a deacon of the church". This is a demonic spirit of fear masquerading as false confidence in Christ. Allow the touch of His Spirit to reveal all fear and the heavy burden of keeping your struggles a secret. As His beloved, He wants us to ADMIT, to CONFESS every detail with wisdom. To LISTEN to His still voice and OBEY requires that we share our burdens with ONE worthy spiritual advisor. We are wisely instructed to not seek honor for ourselves.
SEEK one trusted advisor, one saint, one priest, one who will pray you through. If we say or think that we are beyond sinning, we have deceived ourselves. INSECURITY drives us to exaggerate our holiness, our importance, while we STRIVE to APPEAR secure, and manage our self-image of self-confidence. QUICK TO ADMIT that without Christ, Paul was nothing ~ What about me? Do I ADMIT that I need grace, mercy and HELP every day? Do I maintain a pure SPARKLE of the Holy Ghost by my honesty or my integrity? Knowing bible stories, quoting scripture and recounting how many times we have been to church DOES NOT take the place of a GOOD MORAL INVENTORY. The simple TRUTH about FEAR: Fear is interest PAID on a DEBT you do not OWE! Do you have any fears to ADMIT? THE FEAR OF: man, failure, intimacy, success, illness, death, love, rejection. DO YOU HAVE A WOUNDED SPIRIT? Wounds inflicted by a parent, a child, a friend, sibling? Do you feel like a victim? Do you shutdown or withdraw emotionally? Can you name one person who knows your weakness, and insecurities besides God? Have you been relying on yourself, praying by yourself, hiding your need to share your burden?
DO YOU FEEL GUILT? Do you feel ashamed? Do you fear ridicule or condemnation? Do you feel worthless, or that you are being judged unfairly by others? Do you FEAR being found lacking the strength to do life alone? FEAR is false evidence appearing real. Can you ADMIT that fear separates you from God's best? SELF-HATRED will leave you feeling hopeless, or that you will never be good enough. Do you feel unattractive, undesirable, unworthy, unwanted? Do you feel inadequate, insecure? Do you reject compliments? Do you isolate? Do you say 'Iam sorry'? Do you choose to speak sorrow and sabotage success? A sorry soul does not walk in faith, but it seeks comfort from its own kind. A repentant soul seeks after God, and it believes God's command that says "sorrow not" ~ it chooses to turn from the comfort of the familiar way, and it seeks to trust God and walk in authority believing that Jesus bore all our sorrows. A mature man is able to control his tongue, and therefore his circumstance. God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. Therefore we choose to submit to God. We choose to resist self sorrow and the devils ways. We draw near to God and He draws near to us. "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. ~ Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed." James 4:10-James 5:16
MAKE A LIST. Check your spirit for any unforgiveness. GET FREE and RENOUNCE each false evidence appearing real. Name each spirit that keeps you from being fully effective for Christ: The spirit of shame, guilt, fear, pride, self-hatred, heaviness ~ wherever you gained entrance into my life I no longer give you right or access; I come out of agreement with the lies about who I am. As a child of God, today I command you to GO NOW in the name of Jesus!" I am free in Christ and I walk in His authority and speak His word with confidence for His glory. Halleluiah and AMEN!
"To the spirit of (name it).....I break your hold generationally over (name) the life of my beloved! I declare with full authority, by the blood of Jesus that you will no longer pass to (name) ....or through(name)...to their generations!"
"Lord Jesus we ask that You fill the newly vacated area with Your love, peace, joy and courage. We ask that You surround them with Your angels. We ask that Your Words replace all lies and that they are anchored secure as a redeemed and transformed child of Almighty God." AMEN
The twelve step program WORKS if one ADMITS there is a problem. During RECOVERY from our WORN out HABITS of thinking and doing, one huge stumbling block for most is to make a list of names of who we have offended and make amends. Make a second list of names of those who have hurt us, and then forgive them. If we have forgiven as we have been forgiven, the tale of what happened is forgotten and never repeated. Taking a MORAL INVENTORY as a Christian and sharing the TRUTH with another human being requires that we swallow our pride, and ADMIT our FEARS, PHOBIAS, FOIBLES, ABUSES, GUILT, SHAME, and for many a Christian, SELF-HATRED. Having an ACCOUNTABILITY partner in a 12 step program, is humbling. First we must admit that we struggle. Then we must get real honest with exactly where we trip and fall short. For a Christian to walk in righteousness, we must continue to take a MORAL INVENTORY, 
as a way of cleaning the temple where the Holy Spirit resides. The Galatians started out in grace, and then went off into WORKS to prove their value to God. We cannot hide from our Creator, He knows us, He knows we are quick to DENY we need forgiveness, or any HELP at all. Our Christian self-image is of a person REDEEMED and PERFECT. The Holy Spirit responds to TRUTH, not denial. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. FIRST we must admit our drive, our desire, our compulsion to accomplish or to be recognized for our excellent deeds. FIRST we must come to see that an inferior spirit of FEAR drives us to seek respect and admiration from man. TRUTH: The Holy Spirit is superior, and the Holy Spirit never seeks respect or admiration from man. The Holy Spirit in us teaches us, directs us, comforts us by the Word of God. He affirms our position of authority over all lies of a demonic spirit. Be reminded that demonic spirits come in to torment, tempt and destroy our effectiveness for Christ. SECONDLY 
God commands that we ASK for HELP, that we seek, that we admit to another person that we are struggling. The very act of asking humbles us, it makes us vulnerable, it makes us accountable, and it is a mark of obedience to the word of God. "Pray for one another". When was the last time you asked someone to pray for you? Or do you pretend that you are above such a need? The thought " I cannot show a weakness, I cannot be so transparent, I am a deacon of the church". This is a demonic spirit of fear masquerading as false confidence in Christ. Allow the touch of His Spirit to reveal all fear and the heavy burden of keeping your struggles a secret. As His beloved, He wants us to ADMIT, to CONFESS every detail with wisdom. To LISTEN to His still voice and OBEY requires that we share our burdens with ONE worthy spiritual advisor. We are wisely instructed to not seek honor for ourselves. 
SEEK one trusted advisor, one saint, one priest, one who will pray you through. If we say or think that we are beyond sinning, we have deceived ourselves. INSECURITY drives us to exaggerate our holiness, our importance, while we STRIVE to APPEAR secure, and manage our self-image of self-confidence. QUICK TO ADMIT that without Christ, Paul was nothing ~ What about me? Do I ADMIT that I need grace, mercy and HELP every day? Do I maintain a pure SPARKLE of the Holy Ghost by my honesty or my integrity? Knowing bible stories, quoting scripture and recounting how many times we have been to church DOES NOT take the place of a GOOD MORAL INVENTORY. The simple TRUTH about FEAR: Fear is interest PAID on a DEBT you do not OWE! Do you have any fears to ADMIT? THE FEAR OF: man, failure, intimacy, success, illness, death, love, rejection. DO YOU HAVE A WOUNDED SPIRIT? Wounds inflicted by a parent, a child, a friend, sibling? Do you feel like a victim? Do you shutdown or withdraw emotionally? Can you name one person who knows your weakness, and insecurities besides God? Have you been relying on yourself, praying by yourself, hiding your need to share your burden? 
DO YOU FEEL GUILT? Do you feel ashamed? Do you fear ridicule or condemnation? Do you feel worthless, or that you are being judged unfairly by others? Do you FEAR being found lacking the strength to do life alone? FEAR is false evidence appearing real. Can you ADMIT that fear separates you from God's best? SELF-HATRED will leave you feeling hopeless, or that you will never be good enough. Do you feel unattractive, undesirable, unworthy, unwanted? Do you feel inadequate, insecure? Do you reject compliments? Do you isolate? Do you say 'Iam sorry'? Do you choose to speak sorrow and sabotage success? A sorry soul does not walk in faith, but it seeks comfort from its own kind. A repentant soul seeks after God, and it believes God's command that says "sorrow not" ~ it chooses to turn from the comfort of the familiar way, and it seeks to trust God and walk in authority believing that Jesus bore all our sorrows. A mature man is able to control his tongue, and therefore his circumstance. God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. Therefore we choose to submit to God. We choose to resist self sorrow and the devils ways. We draw near to God and He draws near to us. "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. ~ Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed." James 4:10-James 5:16
MAKE A LIST. Check your spirit for any unforgiveness. GET FREE and RENOUNCE each false evidence appearing real. Name each spirit that keeps you from being fully effective for Christ: The spirit of shame, guilt, fear, pride, self-hatred, heaviness ~ wherever you gained entrance into my life I no longer give you right or access; I come out of agreement with the lies about who I am. As a child of God, today I command you to GO NOW in the name of Jesus!" I am free in Christ and I walk in His authority and speak His word with confidence for His glory. Halleluiah and AMEN!
"To the spirit of (name it).....I break your hold generationally over (name) the life of my beloved! I declare with full authority, by the blood of Jesus that you will no longer pass to (name) ....or through(name)...to their generations!"
"Lord Jesus we ask that You fill the newly vacated area with Your love, peace, joy and courage. We ask that You surround them with Your angels. We ask that Your Words replace all lies and that they are anchored secure as a redeemed and transformed child of Almighty God." AMEN
"Come, let us worship and bow down.
ReplyDeleteLet us kneel before the Lord our maker"
PSALM 95:6
"Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him"
PSALM 96:9 NLT
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation." PSALM 100:1-5 NLT
“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!"
MATTHEW 25:21 NLT
GOD desires that we choose to PRAISE HIM, that we would WANT to PRAISE HIM, without being asked - for all that He has done for us, and for all that He does daily in us, and for His plans to use us ~ to draw others close to Him, by our JOY, our kindness, and our genuine love for our Father. AMEN
ReplyDeleteWe are God's light in this dark world. Heavenly Father, in the precious name of Jesus, I thank You for revealing to me that it is acceptable to love myself. Help me to resist the thinking of the world regarding love of self, for my biblical view of this love is NOT self-centered, with me a s the focus, but God-centered with You my Lord as my focus. I pray that all readers who read this note, for each eye you created will embrace their IDENTITY in Christ completely that they would be enabled to love from the overflow of Your bounty of love. Our attitude of gratitude about ourselves, for how wonderfully we were made, for all the gifts, talents and abilities our Father has lavished on us.
ReplyDelete"God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too— Your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful—
ReplyDeleteI can't take it all in!
Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? To be out of Your perfect sight?
If I climb to the sky, you're there! If I go underground, You, oh God are there!
If I flew on morning's wings to the far western horizon, You'd find me in a minute—
You're already there waiting! Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light!"
It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to You;
night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to You.
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
You formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank You, High God—You're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
You know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, You watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I'd even lived one day.
PSALM 139 THE MESSAGE ~ Thank You Jesus!
"Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you."
ReplyDelete1 PETER 4:12-14 NLT
"Don't be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people.
2 TIM 3:1-5 THE MESSAGE
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
2 TIM 3:1-5 NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
GOD desires that we choose to PRAISE HIM, that we would WANT to PRAISE HIM, without being asked - for all that He has done for us, and for all that He does daily in us, and for His plans to use us ~ to draw others close to Him, by our JOY, our kindness, and our genuine love for our Father.
"For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority."
ReplyDeleteColossians 2:9-10 NLT
"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power"
Colossian 2:9-10 nkjv
"Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything."
COLOSSIANS 2:9-10 THE MESSAGE
"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no other commandment greater than these.”
ReplyDeleteMARK 12:30-31 NKJV