CH19[
Lesson 19
Crossroads
Principle 7: Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible
reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and
to gain the power to follow His will.
Step 10: We continued to take personal inventory, and when we
were wrong, promptly admitted it.
"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't
fall!"
1 Corinthians 10:12
Think About It
Jesus says, "If you live as I tell you to,. you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32 TLB). By working the principles
and following Christ's directions, the foundation of your life has
been rebuilt. You will undoubtedly see major changes in your life, if
you haven't already! But now you are at the CROSSROADS of your
recovery.
First Corinthians 10:12 warns us, "So, if you think you are standing
firm, be careful that you don't fall!" Steps 10 through 12 (Principles
7 and 8) are where we will live out our recoveries for the rest of our time
here on earth. They are much more than maintenance steps, as some
have referred to them.
As we begin to work Step 10, we will see that it is made up of three
key parts, each one corresponding to the acrostic for this lesson, TEN.
1. The what: "We continued to take personal inventory ."
"Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the
Lord" (Lamentations 3:40).
Take time to do a daily inventory.
2. The why: ". and when we were wrong ."
"If we say that we have no sins, we are only fooling ourselves, and
refusing to accept the truth . we are lying and calling God a liar, for
he says we have sinned" (1 John 1:8-10 TLB).
Evaluate the good and the bad parts of our day.
3. The what then: ". promptly admitted it."
This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If
you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly
remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then
and only then, come back and work things out with God. (Matthew 5:23-24
The Message).
Need to admit our wrongs promptly.
Practice keeping a daily journal for one week. Write out your daily
inventory-the good and the bad. Look for negative patterns, issues
that you are repeatedly writing down and having to promptly make
amends for! Share them with your sponsor or accountability partner,
and set up an action plan for you-with God's help-to overcome
them.
Write About It
1. Before you start working on Step 10, take a moment to reflect
and list some of the changes in your life that have come from
working the steps and principles with Jesus as your Higher
Power.
How has your behavior changed?
What specific relationships have been restored or improved?
How has your relationship with Jesus grown since you began
your journey of recovery?
List the new relationships that you have made along your
journey.
2. In your own words, what does Step 10 mean to you?
The what: "We continued to take a personal inventory ."
The why: ". and when we were wrong ."
The what then: ". promptly admitted it."
3. Keep a daily journal over the next seven days (feel free to use the
following pages). Record the good along with the bad. Write
down victories and areas of needed growth. Look for patterns.
Share them with your sponsor or accountability partner.
Your Step 10 Journal
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
(Continues.)
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