Title: 'STEP 3' - Recovery Work

 

Title: *OBEDIENCE Step 3*/Acryl   -  Visual Prayer Art by Rev.Bola A.

Step 3. 
We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God. 
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Romans 12:1 states -Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.)    

At this point in our journey of spiritual recovery some facts have become apparent. We recognise that we have a will of our own, that is distinct and separate from God's will. 
This is often referred to as our free will. Up until now, we have been acting in our own will, either completely ignorant to, or just ignoring the higher will of God in our lives. Our actions have primarily been either self-determined or other-determined i.e. determined by other human-beings, or by the world, whom we have been reliant on for our survival. Many times actions have even been influenced by Satan, who is described in the Bible as the ruler of this world. So doing, has led us to the state of unhappiness, where we find ourselves presently. Try as we may, we have been unable to change or improve our condition by our own will or in our own power alone, and we have come to the realization that we needed help. 

The point then is where and to whom do we turn for help?
We are re-introduced to God, our higher power, and to His son our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. We have already learned in Step one about 'the fall' and our 'sin nature'. Now we learn about God's redemption plan for us. We are introduced to the Bible book of :
John 3:16 states - ¹⁶ Yes, God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not perish but have eternal life.

Now, we begin to understand and experience:
1) the depth of God's love for us, 
2) the sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross, and
3) how we can become free of our sin nature, by placing our complete faith in him. 

We get into intimate relationship with God, and make a conscious decision to let Him take over and direct our lives according to His will. We do so because we recognize that as our Source and Creator, God is far wiser than we are, and knows best what's good for us. Now, we can derive a sense of comfort and peace from knowing that we are not alone in life, and we do not have to shoulder every burden on our own, and in our own power only, but have a loving companion in the form of the Holy Spirit to guide and assist us.

*The Keyword for Step 3 is <Obedience>.

We learn to master the Spiritual quality of OBEDIENCE to God's will.
 

Pro16:3 states -Commit your deeds to the Lord, and your plans shall succeed.’

Matthew 11:28-30 states - ²⁸ “Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. ²⁹ Accept my teaching.^[a] Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest. ³⁰ Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is light. 
^{Romans 10:9 states -}  If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ Yes, we believe in Jesus deep in our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we openly say that we believe in him, and so we are saved.

At this point, we may often find that we have become quite desperate for help, like the Psalmist who said--

Psa 3:3 - But you, O LORD, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head.

Psa 3:4  -I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

Psa 142:6 - Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. 

Psa 142:7 -  Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise your name: the righteous shall surround me; for you shall deal bountifully with me.

This is indeed a crying out,  a plea for help from God, from the LORD who is the only one who can truly deliver us. Since our separation from God, on account of sin, is what got us into our predicament in the first place, then it is only God who can truly set us free, and restore us to wholeness. God however does not force Himself on us. God always respects our free will. So, we must ask for His divine intervention, and invite Him into our lives as a conscious decision. We have to make the choice to turn our lives over to Him to manage. Sometimes we may encounter fear in relinquishing control, as the enemy (i.e Satan) attempts to retain control over our lives, but when we consider the consequences of continuing as we are, we have no option but to surrender in obedience to God.

 

Mat 6:33 says:   But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Are you ready now to complete your Step 3?

If so, many congratulations! Well done.
Thank God for His wonderful  Grace and Mercy.
We would love to hear your testimonies concerning this step, so please do share them, that others may be inspired by your success.

If you are not yet ready or able to complete Step 3, what holds you back? 

You may wish to consider the following helpful hints:-
 

1.If you continue as you are, what do you think would be the consequences?

2.What positive characteristics of God would you like to have more of in your life?

3.What would be the benefits of a change, and handing your life over to God?

4.What people in the Bible can you find, who took this step?

5.Can you name people you know who have done this step, successfully handing their lives over to God?

6.What is it about those people's lives, that leads you to believe, they have done this step?

7.Have you listened to or heard their testimonies?

8.Can you describe what your life might be like if you take this step?

9.Is there someone you can share your Step 3 experience with? 

You may wish to pray this Step 3 Prayer with me now:-

Dear God, 

I offer myself to Thee, to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.

Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.

Take away my difficulties, denials or disobedience, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power. Give me the victory over Satan in my life now, in the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

If you would like to receive further information, assistance, or private/confidential life coaching sessions  from the *Christians Victorious Fellowship Program, with this step, or any of the 12 Steps, then please email your enquiries to Rev.Bola:-    
bolaamail-church@yahoo.co.uk

We would be happy to assist you further.

I am praying that you have a wonderful, joyous and victorious life in Christ Jesus. 

Peace and Love Rev. Bola
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