Step 7: We humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.
1 John 1:19 "If we confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all weakness."
Seven days ago when we started walking through the steps of A.A. and putting scripture with them my goal was to show that to recover or pull yourself out of a spiritual death of any kind caused by sin, you have to have a spiritual awakening. That's the only thing that in my life I believe will last. In looking back at all 7 steps we've covered, 5 of the seven mention God taking control of our lives. Do you think that coincidence? Do you think that Bill Wilson, the guy who wrote most of the Big Book, was just a drunken ex pastor with a thing for Jesus? No. He struggled his whole life trying to figure it out on his own. Finally when he's had enough he did like me and many other people of this world. He gave up! He quit trying! His drive drove off! Has that ever happened to anybody you know? What is the one thing we all do when we get to that spot in our lives? I don't know, but I'll bet it starts something like this, "God what the..." or "God..." or "Well God what are..." or "Please God give.." or "God, I can't...".
Now at times in my life I've used all these and I could keep going but I think you will get the picture. Why do we do that? Why do we ask for help from God when we need Him or when our life turns to crap? I know I've spent years and years doing what I wanted, how I wanted, when I wanted. As long as things weren't too bad, I didn't really show any interest in God. I wasn't really interested in God when things got bad, I just didn't know anybody else who could fix the crap in my life I had created. So, because I was desperate, I said it, "O.k. God, you win...what do we do now?". Why did I say all that? Because truly God is the only man I know of that the world can rely on to change lives. He is the only person capable of giving us the "spiritual awakening" that is necessary for us to "turn from sin" and stay that way.
Do you think it's weird that everyone in the world turns to God when their life turns to crap or they get in a tight spot? No, it isn't weird because He's the only one in the world we've ever been able to rely on! That being so, why don't we praise Him all day long, always obey His commands, and live our lives daily to please Him and only Him? I ask myself, "If you are sure that He is the only one in this world who can make a difference in your life what have you been doing for 42 years? Are you stupid?". Looking back on it, I'd have to say I just didn't see the writing on the wall! It helps if you open your eyes, just sayin'.
In looking at the first 7 steps, I've learned that they are all in line with biblical principals given by God to align our lives so that we can walk in fellowship with God. Psalm 50:14-15 says, "offer to God a sacrifice or thanks giving..." to me that means "obey" or "turn from sin". Next Psalm 50 says, "...and perform your vows to the most high, and call upon me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you and you shall glorify me." That is a very powerful message. Just listen to it. It says God knew a bazillion years ago we would have trouble in our lives. He tells us what to do, "perform vows", "call upon me", "offer a sacrifice", and for that He promises to deliver us and He does gladly because like when anyone is saved it makes the savior "glorious".
These 7 steps have been around for a long time and they try the best they can to hide spirituality from people who ordinarily wouldn't open a Bible to see what's "really going on". They simply help us to align our lives with the will of God, just without the thee's and the thou's. Putting a little humor on it, the Bible could be called an "instruction manual" and the Big Book of A.A. could be called an "instruction manual for dummies". So read, pray, turn from sin, and surround yourselves with people doing the same and lets see if God won't do what He said in 1 John 1:19 "be faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all wickedness". He's waiting on us to make the first move...
Prayer: Father God, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Forgive us our trespasses and forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Lord, please help us who need a little extra, see that there are a few things we need to do to get to the spot with you we really want to be. Amen.
Random Thought: I have a beautiful family and God is working on all of us right now. I know that each of us have things in our lives that we struggle with and I also know that I cannot be there for everybody to hold and to love the way that God wants for us to be together, but I know this: that if you "believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:31). That tells me that because I am believing in the Lord Jesus that Angela, Mia, Zarria, Nick, Savanah, Faith, and Hunter, you all are going to be o.k. and you can have faith that we will be together soon because Jesus said so and I believe in Him. So look to God right now and claim that with me! Then tell Him "thanks man" because I know that's what we all want is to be together and happy in Christ! Love you guys
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