Lesson #5 Turn (1 of 2) - For God Fore His Glory

I would like to welcome you to For God, Fore His Glory, and invite you to join me on the road to Emmaus. Of course, this is a spiritual journey but one uniquely designed with you in mind. It doesn’t matter what road you are walking the Lord will accompany you. Information has been made available for you to read and determine what is of interest and applies to you. This information is not meant to overwhelm; quite the opposite, it is meant to enlighten and empower as it has done for me.

My purpose for sharing has a threefold intent: (1) That God’s love would radically impact lives, (2) That eyes and ears, hearts and hands would open so ALL that God desires to personally bestow would be received, and (3) That knowing God and His Word and His loving-kindness would result in negativity just naturally losing ground/control in our lives because strongholds would be broken by the resurrection power of the Spirit of the Lord.

It makes no difference who you are, what your personal beliefs or where you call home we are all functioning in some fashion in the error deception causes. And of course, if we knew we’ve been deceived then it wouldn’t be deception. With this in mind, there is no way we could possess the “IN-TO-ME-SEE” knowledge that only the Spirit of Truth can reveal about ourselves and God and our human condition. There are so many things to learn like feelings and beliefs are not facts. Please don’t let offense sway you, for what is generated by offense: Discomfort, upset, anger, insult, sin, shame, disapproval…rises from deep within us and works against us.

My heart’s desire is to share knowledge of God and His Word, Christ Jesus, so you too can find rest for your soul. Our thoughts, feelings, attitudes, behaviors and beliefs have been affected by negativity – Fear, pride, anger, rejection, rebellion, bitterness…the list is long and can prove debilitating.

Revelation 12:11 says, “we overcome the forces of evil by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.” Now a testimony can offer encouragement and hope, but it cannot provide what’s absolutely essential a profound personal impact. Nor can a personal impact bring about lasting change, for that can only be accredited to a miraculous metamorphosis: Spiritual Transformation. For the Lord has surely said:

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.”
Zechariah 4:7

If anger, fear, unforgiveness, resentment…are present, then true compassion, kindness, respect…for self and others will in some measure be lacking. This life-changing transformation is not about plastic surgery or weight loss. Outward appearance is what people look at, but God sees the appearance of our heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

We possess a very special knack for making what is wrong seem right. Not before, not during but afterwards, when the heat of onus (reproach, admonishment) occurs, the heart responds though the flushing of shame and guilt and embarrassment may not. How the heart manipulates thought and feeling to do what it desires. But, what can’t be manipulated; instead, only obscured by denying, rationalizing, justifying, comparisons…the crimson stains sin places on our soul.

A life-changing transformation is accomplished when God and His Word and Holy Spirit recreate (restore, renew, revive) our spiritual being! Their work won’t be seen or felt it will become evident when we’re thinking, behaving, believing somewhat differently.

FINE – Favorable, Illuminating, Noteworthy, Effectual

Adjustments are made, for God imparts spiritual gifts – Faith, truth, wisdom, knowledge, prophecy, healing, counsel, fear of the Lord, joy, peace, discernment of spirits….Gifts that change us from the inside out so we can: Arise and shine when heaven’s Light comes and the glory of the Lord rises upon us (Isaiah 60:1).

How can what injures so personally be overcome if a different perspective cannot be viewed? Paul explains this better than I can: I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. I have discovered this principle of life – That when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong (Romans 7:15,19,21). Now there are so many who have been abused unjustly, and I’m sorry. You did nothing to do deserve such mistreatment.

But, there are answers. There is hope. What has holistic harmful effects – Anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred…from the bondage of such powerful forces we can be released. Psalm 146:3-5 says: Blessed are those who seek God’s help, whose hope and trust is in the Lord their God. Why? No mortal man can save, when their spirit departs, they return to the ground. On that very day their plans come to nothing. But a child of God will overcome them, because the One Who is in them, Holy Spirit, is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

God’s plan, His purpose spans throughout time and eternity! There is much to discuss with this being the motivator – Knowledge is power, A power we need because there is much that comes against us. And though you may not be very familiar with the Lord, Jesus Christ, God’s Word will strengthen you (Isaiah45:5-7). So you too can hear Him say, “Friend, move up to a better place,” (Luke 14:10). So you too can be among those who come to know Him with a deep, instinctive, personal affection as for a close friend (John 21:17 Amp).

Truly, we could all use such a Friend who is faithful, and works to strengthen and protect us not only from the evil one so we won’t be outwitted, but also as I have learned despite ourselves, for we’re unaware of the devil’s schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11). Jesus is a friend we can have confidence in. Acts 10:38 tells us Jesus of Nazareth went around doing good and healing ALL who were under the power of the devil because God was with Him. God anointed Jesus with the power of Holy Spirit. He offered the kindness of a friend to everyone.

God has given us His Word, and Jesus has revealed His Father’s great compassion for mankind. The problem, which is made quite apparent just by turning on the news, knowledge of Gods’ loving-kindness may be lacking for all sorts of reasons: but, what’s absent is personal experience, and this is what this journey offers.

How can we come to know the One Who directs our heart into God’s love and His perseverance (2 Thessalonians 3:3)? How would we come to believe it is the hand of God that sustains us (Psalm 89:21)? How can we pass through those gates to walk the Way God has prepared and chosen for the people (Isaiah 62:10) without knowing the thoughts and feelings the Word of Truth, Christ Jesus, shares?

If you invest in this precious commodity God has given us -Time, then most definitely interest will grow! Come along! Embark on a personal journey on the road to Emmaus, which means a warm spring and mule. Luke 24:13 tells of two men who had left Jerusalem, which includes this meaning: To flow as water, to point out, to teach, which was about seven miles from their destination – Emmaus.

Along the way they were discussing everything that had happened that day. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up and walked with them; but they were kept from recognizing Him. When asked what they were discussing, they stood still, their faces downcast and said: “Do you not know the things that have happened these days in Jerusalem?”

“About Jesus of Nazareth, He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. He was crucified. We had hoped He was the One Who was going to redeem Israel. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning, but didn’t find His body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said Jesus was alive. Some of our companions went to the tomb, and found it was just as the women had said, they did not see Him.”

The Man walking with them said, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” Then, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.

They strongly urged the stranger to stay with them for the day was almost over, so He went in to stay with them. The Man sat with them at the table, took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them, when their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus, Who disappeared from their sight. They asked each other: “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked to us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned to Jerusalem to find the eleven and those with them saying: “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon?”

While they were still talking about this, Jesus Himself stood among them and said:

“Peace be with you!”

This is what God wants us to have peace of mind and heart, which His Word freely bestows. Jesus appeared to the one who denied Him not once but three times – Peter. How many times have we behaved in ways that have caused us to feel ashamed? All that is said about this time Jesus spent with Peter is exactly what those men said: It is true the Lord has appeared to Simon. Why? We each need His personal attention. We desperately need His individual and compassionate care. Anger, denial, rejection in words cannot prevent Jesus from coming to us. It’s a heart filled with anger and deception and wantonness that places distance between the Lord and ourselves.

Jesus may be a complete stranger to you, or He may be as those two men thought a Prophet, but it wasn’t until they became familiar with God’s Word that Truth was able to emerge and Christ, the Anointed One, was truly recognized.

Time flows like a spring of water, but a mule can’t be led to drink. And, like sands through an hourglass, so are the days of our lives. We can’t change the past or what tomorrow will bring, but we don’t have to be stuck or stymied by stubbornness or rejection or fear.

Jesus invites us to walk with Him in miraculous realms. This may stir your spirit, but there is much about us that robs us of experiencing its reality. Quite possibly there’s a mountain of obstacles that must be moved, but God is the only one who can help us overcome our ordinary life perspectives so extraordinary accomplishments can be realized and achieved.

Only God can accomplish what is impossible for us, and this is the mission He sets us on – Renewal (Inner Healing) and Recovery, and there is so much to discover. For God has designed a process that promises transformation will just naturally occur:

ASK SEEK KNOCK

For this is God’s promise. ask it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; those who seek shall find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7-8).

Know, there are multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision (Joel 3:14) so I ask what is your decision? Are you willing to seek a friendship with Jesus? In Isaiah 26:7 the Message Bible identified the Lord as the Leveler, Who stops us at the crossroads so we can look around (Jeremiah 6:16), and give thought. Consider well your decision, to develop a friendship with the One Whose righteousness levels and evens a path in this fallen world with Truth and Grace so we can linger, for it is sign-posted with His decisions (Isaiah 26:7 The Message).

Praise God! The Lord desires to show you a more excellent way!
Corinthians 12:31

God’s Word reveals the One, Who offers Peace instead of confusion; Truth instead of our patterns of denial; Understanding instead of ignorance; Wisdom instead of foolishness; Righteousness instead of error; the Way to an abundant Life. Where fear is overcome by Love, for God is love! And His desire is to fill us with His Word so we not only come to know, but receive all the benefits that result from knowing the only One Who is Good (Matthew 19:17). For we are surely very familiar with the drawbacks and disadvantages of knowing evil!

The information I share has not been gained by just reading books, though the knowledge I received from them was essential. I also share what is based on experience. A lifetime of experiences has been woven together by the only One who could accomplish such a miraculous life-changing feat – Supplanting (usurping, displacing, cutting out) fear with Love and Power and the Soundness of Mind that God’s Word of Truth bestows.

Our will, our words, our emotions are powerful for how we think and feel generates action. However, what cannot be disputed there are only ever two choices: Good or Evil, Life or Death, Peace or Discord, Right or Wrong…and two wrongs will never make things right. And, unfortunately our heart and the ways of this world keep us bound to self-interest, and many lessons are being learned the hard way.

If there was interest in the image God created us to be, then it would be possible for the likeness of the Lord to be seen. For then, we’d better understand how our prideful nature really does set us up for failure. For the first Adam became for us a living soul; however, the second Adam, Christ Jesus, became for us a Life-Giving Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45).

So much interest has been invested in the standards of this world, and as a result, moral and ethical, social and work-related decorum (civility, correctness) is not only being trampled, the techniques-of-deceptions are readily being used. Yes, the white-washing of denial: Rationalizing, justifying, minimizing, accusing, blaming, excusing… is being applied in attempts to cover wrong-doing. Prayer was removed from schools and metal detectors are being installed. What is being gained? What is being lost? What really matters?

OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES MATTER!

Every person born on earth is automatically enrolled in the world’s school of hard knocks. However, a choice must be made to enroll in Holy Spirit’s Academy “Transformational Life.” Jesus shows Love and saves – Not by bow, sword or battle by horses and soldiers, but by the Lord God (Hosea 1:7), by the power and authority of God’s Word. He brings us victory over any enemy (anger, addiction, fear, shame, guilt, hatred, offense, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness…)! He will put these adversaries of ours to shame (Psalm 44:6).

Along with Knowledge, Understanding and Insight, Holy Spirit gives us everything we may need to overcome and rise above those things that come against us. No matter our circumstances and whatever our differences God’s Word will always help us.

A banner has been set up for those who fear and worshipfully revere God; a standard displayed because of the Truth (Psalm 60:4). Twenty-five lessons are being offered that to date have evolved from a 30-year process of growing and gaining knowledge of God’s Word of Truth, Christ Jesus. During those early years, my mouth was filled with empty talk since insight and discernment were simply not a concern. Too much time was devoted to earning approval, seeking acceptance and validation in order to feel valued, in order to feel loved.

Countless attempts were made to protect and defend against all the regrets, disappointments and failures of my yesterdays, while at the same time being hindered even, impeded by the fear I projected into my tomorrows. Working to earn the love and respect of others: however, going about it with character deficits and learned behaviors that caused people to be put off. Unable to recognize the Truth of our human condition, so surely not realizing how flawed my efforts and how unrealistic my expectations.

I was being frightened and made off-balanced by my own doings: Critical, disrespectful, judgmental and self-righteous opinions and attitudes that absolutely affected, while also infecting my soul, my spirit, my way of thinking with diseases such as codependency, people-pleasing, the confusion and fear and deep-rooted anger that emotional traumas generate.

So much fear and confusion amassed since childhood wanting to please and be accepted, to be valued and loved. Trying to cope; yet, deluged over and over by the uncertainties of life. How difficult to remain even-keeled when feelings specific to self-interest are unpredictable and fragile, and so easily injured by the teeter-tottering of emotion.

I was made aware of God’s process for transformation while going through the upset and emotional trauma adversity causes. I would not wish such adversity on anyone, but I have personally experienced, like so many of us have, the turmoil and pain that stubbornness and trusting my ways were actually better causes.

Hurting people hurt people intentionally and not so intentionally, we still get hurt. There’s an insanity involved in all of this when we’re doing the same things over and over yet expecting, hoping, praying for a different result. God can’t snap His fingers so our learned behaviors could be removed. The result would be like suffering a form of amnesia, with this essential component unrecognizable: What we really, truly believe. But God, He is very aware of the purpose and potential He has placed in us, and He is very willing to birth new Life within us!

If your interest has been peaked, I pray you consider taking part in these lessons and receive whatever God is waiting to impart. Each lesson has the title given to it by Pastor John Baker, so steps can be taken, twelve, that will take us further than we could have hoped or imagined. Like Jacob who wrestled with the Angel of the Lord, and afterwards received the new name Israel, which represents his change of character; we too can experience miraculous changes when the strength and power of God’s Word is known.

Yes! These steps have been established so we can walk into realms of understanding with Holy Spirit as our Guide, as we set off on this journey of Renewal (Inner Healing) and Recovery. There are principles Pastor Rick Warren established, eight in all, that will provide support and protection, as spiritual guardrails, during this process of our becoming more God-dependent rather than codependent. For then, we can truly experience what it means to celebrate Renewal, to Celebrate Recovery, to celebrate friendship with God, Who seats us in heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6), and does immeasurably more for us than what we could ever think or ask (Ephesians 3:20).

The first key is to maintain an honest view of the spiritual reality God wants us to know. Begin by not only considering circumstances and events as substantial, but by becoming aware of the substance of Truth – the Life, the Alpha and Omega, the heart and spirit as we work on taking steps of faith remembering, proclaiming:

God exists and I matter to Him
That God could and would if He were sought

Admitting I am powerless
If God is your co-pilot, switch seats

Acknowledging in certain areas my life became unmanageable
Sorrow shared is halved; Joy shared is doubled

Believing God will restore me with Love, a Sound Mind and Power
Success means getting your BUT out of the way

Believing God will help me stay committed to this decision to put all of who I am
Into His possession and safekeeping
There is no magic in this process of renewal and recovery only miracles

Believing the Word of God will encourage, support and strengthen me as I make
A searching and fearless moral inventory of myself
There is pain in this process. Misery is optional

Because of God’s loving-kindness I have become willing to admit to God,
To myself and another person the exact nature of my wrongs
The road to resentment is paved with expectation

With Truth as my solid foundation I have become entirely ready to have God remove
All my defects of character
Courage is faith that has said its prayers

Having received faith and hope and love for the Surety God has given
I humbly ask Him to remove my shortcomings
F.A.I.T.H. = Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him

Having gained knowledge and insight and understanding I have become willing
To make a list of anyone I have harmed, and to make an amends to them all
Just for today I will try to live through this day only,
And not tackle my whole life problems at once

Having gained confidence and trust in God’s refuge I have become willing to step out
With the mindset I am doing this with God and for His glory to make my amends
Whenever possible unless to do so would cause injury to others –
Remembering nothing is going to happen today that you and God can’t handle

I embrace my covenant relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit by continuing
To take a personal moral inventory, and when I am wrong being prompt to admit it
We are not human beings having spiritual experiences;
We are spiritual beings having human experiences

I invest in my relationship with God by communicating through prayer and meditation
To improve my conscious contact with Him seeking knowledge of His will
And the power of grace to carry that out
If God seems far away, who moved?

I seek Revival, Restoration and Reconciliation, a spiritual awakening, as a result of taking
Steps to carry God’s message to others and to practice these principles in all my affairs
Worry is a conversation you have with yourself about things you cannot change.
Prayer is a conversation with God about things He can change!

Within each lesson information from the following sources has been included:

Co-Dependent No More Melody Beatty
Beyond Co-Dependency Melody Beatty
Codependents Guide to the Twelve Steps Melody Beatty
The Trauma Zone R. Dandridge Collins, PH.D
Breaking Free Pia Mellody & Andrea W. Miller
Celebrate Recovery Leader’s Guide John Baker

Denial is the first of 25 lessons incorporated into our journey of Renewal (Inner Healing) and Recovery, an undertaking that will make you ride high and soar above what disillusions and shames. You’ll be free to enjoy God (Isaiah 58:14 Message)! Honoring the Lord in what we do, not following our own desires and pleasures, not talking idly. Then the Lord will be our delight! He will see to it we each receive our full share of blessings as God’s will is being done to Refresh, Replenish and Revive – a spiritual Rebirth – as His purpose is given definition: Rebirth. The English Language Learners helps us to better understand:

1. The act or process of becoming healthy after an illness or injury; the act or process of
recovering INNER HEALING

2. The act or process of returning to a normal state after a period of difficulty

DELIVERANCE

3. The return of something that has been lost, stolen, etc.

SALVATION

Denial has been defined as:
- A false system of beliefs that are not based on reality
- And a self-protecting behavior that keeps us from honestly facing the Truth

—

The Psalms have been my prayers, and I asked: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting,” Psalm 139:23-2. For surely Lord, “You desire truth in the inner parts; therefore, teach me Your wisdom in the inmost place,” Psalm 51:6.

The Lord answered and sent me on this journey of inner healing and recovery, and it’s my pleasure to share the discoveries I have made with you. Within each section the amassed information emanates its own distinct findings and encouragement; however, when worked and melded together, like a kaleidoscope, they offer radiant portrayals of God’s love and concern for our overall well-being. For this quest is one designed with the support of God’s Word, which provides a solid foundation one not swayed by opinion or emotion for this sole purpose: Life changing breakthroughs would be experienced!

The Message Bible tells us not to shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of us. Look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ (Colossians 3:2).

Yes, the Son of God has come and offers us knowledge, insight and understanding, so that we may know Him Who is True (1 John 5:20a); Who said:

“I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear, to be in awe and wonder of Me, so that they will never turn away from Me. I will rejoice in doing them good with all My heart and soul. I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness and you will acknowledge the Lord,”
Jeremiah 32:40.

This is God’s testimony: He gives us eternal life, and this life is in His Son (1 John 5:11). And this is eternal life: That they may know the Father, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom He has sent (John 17:3).

Praise God! It took time but I received this Good News, and now I know that Jesus, God’s Word of Truth and Life and Grace, continues to walk on earth accomplishing the miraculous so we can open our eyes and see, open our mouths and taste how good God truly is (Psalm 34:8). The Lord doesn’t leave us lame, He becomes our Righteousness making us upright, putting us in right standing with God (1 Corinthians 1:30), for He desires the upright to see His face (Psalm 11:7), and share in His glory (2 Thessalonians 2:14). This is why He says:

“Come now, let us reason together.”

Are you aware of the exchanges God was able to make for you through His Son?

Jesus was condemned that you might be forgiven
Jesus was wounded that you might be healed
Jesus was made sin for your sinfulness, that you might be made upright by His
righteousness
Jesus tasted death for you that you might receive everlasting life
Jesus was made a curse that you might receive an abundance of blessings
Jesus endured poverty that you might prosper and be in health even as your soul
prospers
Jesus bore your shame that you might receive His glory
Jesus endured rejection that you might know God’s acceptance
Jesus was cut off that you might be united with your heavenly Father
Jesus laid His life down so you could be made alive in Him

This is why I have prayed over this outreach – For God, Fore His Glory – that it would be as a beacon that signals safe refuge in the arms of Jesus, while holding out to all – the Word of Life (Philippians 2:15 TLB); which is a Beacon for sound advice; a Light that emanates good teaching; a Life path of moral and corrective discipline (Proverbs 6:23).

There is much that has been lost, given away and taken from us. This time is God-given for you to recover from the abuse and trouble and harsh (codependent) servitude you have endured (Isaiah 14:3 The Message). This time is God-given for you to discover tools, keys and truths that will work to free you from the chains of injustice and the cords of that yoke (cruel and abusive exploitations of this world). To set free those who are oppressed (dominated, coerced, belittled, demeaned); and break every yoke (anger, hatred, prejudice, lust, greed…). (Isaiah 58:6-9).

All that’s needed is a willingness to say Jesus,

“Here I am! I’d like to be Your friend.”

This is the God-given time to be edified so any falsehood in which you have been living can be identified, and those things weighing you down can be removed. Along this course of Renewal (Inner Healing) and Recovery, I saw myself walking down a very brightly lit white corridor, and as I navigated through each and every step, following principles, receiving what these lessons imparted, I saw myself setting things down – emotional baggage. Ridding myself of self-blame and shame and guilt. I was learning the difference between accountability and responsibility what was mine and what was not. I was learning to be patient, respectful and kind to myself, to take care of my side of the street, to live one day at a time.

There is a lot of information; however, remember to keep in mind this material is meant to work in your behalf to release you from character deficits and self-destructive behaviors that are harm-filled one step at a time; one day at time (a process). And, if assistance is needed for one moment, one hour at a time, God’s Word will always be there to support and empower. That you might recover cheerfulness and encouraging strength and know gladness (Psalm 39:13) and wonderful times of refreshment that God sends from heaven, the presence of the Lord
(Acts 3:19 TLB).

This information is life changing! For you will grow in knowledge and confidence knowing, trusting, believing – God loves you; and it is God Who will help you remain confident in His love for you as He helps you to apply what pertains to you and your life at this present time. God will help you reclaim your power from the likes of fear or anger or issues of control that we have empowered for such a long, long time. And what’s so very sad, the empowerment we provide the forces of negativity is being used to inflict harm against ourselves and others.

So I encourage you, no matter how simple or complex the circumstance you face – keep in mind there are only two choices – two directions in which to go. My prayer, my hope is you choose daily to continue on God’s mission of Renewal (Inner Healing) and Recovery. Come, travel its paths and find rest for your soul (Jeremiah 6:16). Discover God is a fountain of Truth (John 3:33). Discover His words and live, really live; body and soul, you’ll burst with health (Proverbs 4:22) as this discovery is made – Who you really are, and your place in God’s family (Matthew 5:9).

STEP THREE

(WHILE SEEKING FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS)
WE MADE A DECISION TO TURN OUR LIVES AND
OUR WILLS OVER TO THE CARE OF GOD

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy,
To offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God –
This is your true and proper worship,” Romans 12:1

PRINCIPLE THREE

CONSCIOUSLY CHOOSE TO COMMIT ALL MY LIFE
AND WILL TO CHRIST’S CARE AND CONTROL

“Happy are the meek,” Matthew 5:5

LESSON FIVE
TURN
PART ONE

Step Three: “We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God
as we understood God”
- For me the Trinity:
  - Father
  - Son and
  - Holy Spirit

This step is an act of faith that a loving, life-changing Higher Power will be there for you
as you turn your life over to His care
The purpose is to help you see more clearly how you live life according to your own will
- Rather than turning your will and your life over to a Higher Power
We are responsible for acting in our own best interest regarding our lives, making sure
that we are taking care of ourselves without offending other people in that process
It is our responsibility to make an effort at change
However, God developed a unique process that holds the guarantee of His Word:
- ASK
- SEEK
- KNOCK
  - For surely you will receive
  - Make life-changing discoveries
  - With doors being opened to ensure you experience inner healing

I pray you receive every blessing God desires to bestow in everything you do,
I pray for good health and well-being, that you find rest – peace of mind and heart,
As you enjoy refreshing times in the presence of the Lord.
That your everyday affairs prosper, even as your soul prospers”

We work at changing regardless of a Higher Power
When we reach the point where we can see that using our will is not enough to
make a change take place
- We can use Step Three by making the decision to turn our life and our will
  over to the care of God
When we are in a state of powerlessness and become aware that we can’t change
any further
- We then turn our will over to our Higher Power to assist us in changing
- We let go of determining how we’re going to change
  - Even if we’re going to change

This is a “LETTING-GO” Step

You can acknowledge by saying:
- I’ve done all I can. I can’t do the changing that I know I need to do.
  Therefore, I turn myself over to Your will for me
  - If I change it will be because it is Your will
  - If I don’t change, I will live in that experience and learn to
    embrace myself
    - In my PERFECT IMPERFECTION
This step is third in the order of steps
- If we truly do Step One and become aware of our disease
  - We have a tendency to feel overwhelmed with how “sick” we are
In Step Two, we see that our behavior is SELF-DEFEATING to the
- Point of insanity
At this point, Step Three keeps us from being overwhelmed by what we
learned in Steps One and Two

We say, in effect:
- “I turn my skewed reality and my codependent life (leaning on,
  trusting in and relying on people instead of God) over to You to deal with.
  I can hardly stand to even acknowledge my codependence right now.”
We turn our will and our lives over to the care of
- Addictive substances
- Processes
- Compulsions
We turn our will and life over to the care of other human beings
We have spent many years trying to impose our own plans onto the scheme of
things
It is time to remove ourselves from anyone or anything’s control
- Including our own control issues and
- Place ourselves in the hands of an extraordinarily loving God
We can tell God every day to
- “Take it, all of it”
  - Who we are
  - What’s happened to us
  - Where we shall go
  - How we’ll get there

This step does not mean we resign ourselves to a bunch of
- Should of’s
- Ought to’s
- Don self-pity

This step in no way implies a continuation of martyrdom
The exciting thing about this step is it means
- There is a purpose and a plan
A great, perfectly wonderful, usually enjoyable, and worthwhile plan that takes
into account our
- Needs
- Wants
- Desires
- Abilities
- Talents
- Feelings
A plan and purpose intentionally designed for each of our lives
This is good news for us
- We may believe we are a mistake, and there is nothing significant
  plannedfor our lives

We have been stumbling around, trying to make the best out of being
here when we learn:
- We are here to live as long as we are alive
- THERE IS A LIFE FOR EACH OF US TO LIVE

Before we began this process of renewal and recovery the majority of us
spent most of our lives turning our will and our life over to the care of
other people
The rest of the time we worked at getting others to turn their will and lives
over to us
Now is the time to learn to do something different
- Turn our will
- Turn our life over to God
Though it is important for us to grow in our understanding of God
- It is more important to know that God understands and cares about us
Many imagine God’s will is a place where we are expected to
- Be more
- Do more
- Give more
  - Not ask for anything in return
You may even call every unpleasant, distressful circumstance that happens to you,
- “God’s will”

Working these steps helps us to reevaluate our ideas about God and His will
- We will most likely discover they have to do with the deprived, restricted
  way we have learned to treat ourselves
There are many confused ideas about what it means to surrender to the care of God
Those of us who battle with issues of control have a hard time
- Giving up
- Giving in
- Letting go
We blame God because we become victimized
- Refusing to take care of ourselves

The Third Step will help us FIND ourselves

The Third Step can set us FREE

The Third Step is the “GOD AND US” part of the process

Like so many, you may be convinced your life was and is a mistake
- It has no purpose
The Third Step tells us differently that we are not a mistake
- God has a plan and purpose for our lives
In this step we make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the
care of God
- A decision to live our life with God’s help
  - Each of us has a life to live

In this Third Step we are making a conscious decision to
- Place ourselves
- Our lives
- Our internal affairs
- External circumstances
  - OVER TO THE CARE OF GOD
It is in this Third Step that we make the decision to
- Take responsibility for our lives
- Allow others to do the same for themselves
In Step Three we do what needs to be done to let God restore us to sanity
- We turn ourselves over to His care
Our part is to learn to
- Be kind to ourselves
- Be patient
  - THIS IS A LIFE-TIME JOURNEY
To accept our perfect imperfections
- We don’t have to feel what God is doing
  - We believe
  - We trust
    - The good He is accomplishing in us and for us
  - Consider the time it took to develop those undesirable
    - Character deficits
    - Self-destructive behaviors
    - Addictive tendencies
    - Compulsions
    - Addictions
Some of us struggle with the concept of God
- Due to what we have been through before finding our way
  to these steps
  - How could a loving God allow this to happen in my life

Our heavenly Father desires the best for us, as do those who love us
- He will not interfere with the choices and actions that cause us pain
- Nor the onset of consequences that accrue

This Third Step helps us to realize if we stay open, and begin with whatever
amount of belief or disbelief we possess
- Things will work out

The Third Step helps us to realize that SURRENDERING IS
- NOT FAILURE

The Third Step will help us endure the emotional phase of surrender, when
memories rise like flood waters revealing times
- We were afraid to say NO

During Step Three we are encouraged to
- Take care of ourselves
- Stand up for ourselves
- Say no when we want to say no
  - Realizing by doing so lightning won’t strike us dead
Working Step Three will help us realize our relationship with our Higher Power
will have a lot to do with feeling better about ourselves
- Not feeling alone
We may not start living happily ever after
- We can start living our own lives
  - They will start getting better
We may trudge through our journey of renewal (inner healing) and recovery
from leaning on and trusting others, feeling afraid and uncertain about where
we are going
- We now have the Faith and Hope to realize we are going somewhere
  different than we have ever been before
We may struggle and work at changing our behaviors the
- Care-Taking
- Controlling
- Low Self-Esteem
We begin to watch ourselves in relationships, and learn how to behave
in ways that will leave us feeling
- Less victimized

Working Step Three will help us realize we will always get into trouble
when we think we’re the power
- Which may mean butting into other people’s lives
- Caring more about what is happening to others
  - Then caring about what we think and feel
Working Step Three will help us realize it is safe, NOW to
- LET GO OF OUR NEED TO BE IN CONTROL
We can go to God as
- Our Source
- Our Creator
- Our Inspiration
- Our Guidance
- Our Direction
We hold ourselves responsible for our behavior and choices

Step Three helps us to develop a relationship with God and with ourselves
based on trust

The Third Step declares that God is an important part of this process of
- Inner healing
- Recovery
- Our lives

Though we may practice a certain religion, this Third Step is about us coming to
terms with a personal relationship with God because
- God knows our hearts
- He understands our healing needs
Some may believe the lie that God is malicious because their parents were
emotionally unavailable to them all their lives
Some may believe the lie that God is not punitive, He will not discipline or correct,
because our spouses stuff was abusive to us
This Third Step will help us to
- Trust God
- Trust ourselves
- Do what’s in front of us that needs to be done
- Trust our accountability partners and sponsors to give us
  - Reality checks

Working this Third Step you will find that these two concepts will be of
tremendous help
- Acceptance
- Gratitude
Gratitude can be practiced even
- When it is difficult to surrender
- When we are struggling with what is going on
- When we resist or deny reality
Gratitude can be practiced as we seek knowledge of
- Ourselves
- God
- His will

“It is God Who equips you in every good thing to do His will,
Working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ”
Hebrews 13:21

“God predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself,
According to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace,
Which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved”
Ephesians1:5-6

“God appeared in visible form and became Man (Jesus) to take away (upon Himself)
Our sins, and in Him there is no sin”
1 John 3:5

“God made Jesus Who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf,
So that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”
2 Corinthians 5:21

“And this is the will of God, that everyone who beholds His Son
And believes in Him will have eternal life,
And Jesus will raise them up on the last day”
John 6:40

Gratitude can be practiced
- When we can’t see the good in what’s happening
- When we think we know best and no one is listening
- When we don’t know what to do next
- When we know what we want to do next, but just can’t do it
We can be grateful though we have been hurt and made sorrowful
- The pain caused you to repent and change your ways, which is according
  to the will of God and produces a repentance
  - Without regret
  - Leading to salvation
    - Worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death
      (2 Corinthians 7:9-10)

“For everyone who commits (practices) sin is guilty of lawlessness,
For (that is what) sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God’s law
By transgression or neglect — being unrestrained and unregulated
By His commands and His will”
1 John 3:4

Gratitude can be practiced when we feel
- Deprived
- Unloved
- Uncared for
- Abandoned
- Left out of life

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
That whosoever believes in Him shall not perish,
But have eternal life”
John 3:16

“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses
Against them. He made Jesus Who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf,
So that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”
2 Corinthians 5:19

In this Third Step we practice self-care
- We can discover the immense transformational powers of GRATITUDE

“Therefore, do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
By the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is,
That which is good and acceptable and perfect”
Romans 12:2

This is why Jesus gave Himself for our sins that
- He might rescue us from this present evil age
  - According to the will of our God and Father (Galatians 1:4). NASU.
Gratitude will help us feel better while stressful things are happening and
- When things are going good

“Thank (God) in everything (no matter the circumstances be thankful
And give thanks), for this is the will of God for you (who are) in Christ Jesus
(The Revealer and Mediator of that will)”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP

“Blessed is the Lord Who has not left you without a Redeemer”
Ruth 4:14

GRATITUDE HELPS US TO ENJOY THE GOOD

“Let those who want to enjoy life and see good days
(Good — whether apparent or not) keep their tongue free from evil
And their lips from guile (treachery, deceit). Let them turn away from
Wickedness and shun it, let them do what is right. Let them search for
Peace (harmony) and seek it eagerly”
1 Peter 3:10-11 AMP

A major part of our problem
- We tend to focus on the negative, focus on the
  - “What’s wrong with this picture”
Gratitude empowers and increases what’s right in our lives

Dear God, I have tried to do it all by myself on my own power,
And I have failed. Today I want to turn my life over to You. I ask You to be
My Lord and my Savior.
I ask that You help me think less about me and my will.
I want to daily turn my will over to You, to seek Your direction and wisdom
For my life. Please continue to help me overcome my hurts and habits
And may that victory over them help others as they see Your power at work
In changing my life. Help me to do Your will always.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen