Break from this blog

I'm sure it's apparent if you look at the dates that I have not done well with keeping the blog up to date. I'll be back to updating it one of these days.

In the meantime, visit me at my "main squeeze". The blog I update much more regularly!

Weeks 9-12

....are on the way. It's taking me a while to get them posted :-)

Week 8: Clear Conscience - Dealing with Offense Toward Others

Making it Personal



These may be some of the most challenging and difficult steps you have ever taken in your spirutal journey. With with every step of humility you will receive more of God's grace and will be one step closer to experience the blessing of a conscience that is "void of offence toward God, and toward men" (Acts 24:16 KJV). As you work through your list, you will discover there is no joy or freedom like the joy and freedom hof having a clear conscience with God and every person.



1. Make a List of everyone God brings to mind



Is your conscience clear with your family?

Is your conscience clear with your church family?

Is your conscience clear with the lost world?

Is your conscience clear in your workplace?

Is your conscience clear from your past?



2. Seek God's forgiveness



3. Purpose to seek forgiveness from every person you have wronged.



4. Choose your words carefully.



5. Where necessary, make restitution.



6. Pursue reconciliation of the relationship.



7. Face the hardest situations first.



8. Don't stop until you have finished.



9. Determine to maintain a clear conscience.



Take time regularly to let God search your heart and show you any way you have sinned against Him or others. Seek to keep short accounts - to deal with each offense as God convicts you of it.

Week 7: Obedience - The Acid Test of Love

Making it Personal



If we were completely honest, many of us would admit that we already know one or more specific steps of obedience we need to take in order to return to the Lord. Perhaps there is something God has told us to do that we've not yet done; something we continue to do that we know is not pleasing to Him; or some limit we have placed on what we're willing to do for Him.



Pause for a moment to pray. Ask God to show you any matters where you are not walking in complete obedience. Ask Him to bring you to a place of willingnesss and surrender, as you consider the following "obedience quotient" questions.



1. Is there anything I know God wants me to do, that I've not yet done? For example,



__ forgiving someone and being reconciled to him or her?

__ calling or writing to encourage a Christian brother or sister?

__ honoring my parents?

__ devoting more time to my spouse or children

__ getting out of debt?

__ getting of some matrial thing that has captured my heart?

Week 6: Holiness - A Heart Like His

Below I have place an excerpt of day 5 of this week's lesson

Making it Personal

Below is a list of some things every child of God needs to "put off", along with corresponding qualities we are to "put on" in their place. Prayerfuly read through the entire list and put a check next to each item that God reveals you havev a particular need to "put off." don't h urry through this exercise - ask God to use it to reveal specific areas in your life that are not holy.

When you are finished, spend time alone with God in confession and prayer, using this list as a guide. In the days ahead, take time to read and meditate on the Scripture verses that relate to the items you have checked, and begin to put on the contrasting qualities in their place.

1. Put off Lack of love (1 John 4:7-8, 20), Put on Love (John 15:12)
2. Put off Judging (Matt. 7:1-2), Put on Let God search my heart (John 8:9; 15:22)
3. Put off Bitterness, unforgiveness (Heb. 12:15), Put on Tenderhearted, forgiving (Eph. 4:32)
4. Put off Selfishness (Phil. 2:21), Put on Self-denial (John 12:24)
5. Put off Pride (Prov. 16:5), Put on Humility (James 4:6)
6. Put off Boasting or conceit (I Cor. 4:7), Put on Esteeming others (Phil 2:3)
7. Put off Stubbornness (I Sam. 15:23), Put on Brokenness (Romans 6:13)
8. Put off Disrespect for Authority (Acts 23:5), Put on Honoring authority (Heb. 13:17)

(9 - 65 to come)

Week 5: Grace - God's Provision for Every Need

Below I have place an excerpt of day 5 of this week's lesson

Making it Personal

God's grace rushes to the scene of our weakness and need. Take a few moments to identify some specific ways that you need God's grace at this season of your life.

Circle any that apply.

I need God's grace in my life to ....

__ deal with major disappointment
__ be morally pure
__ forgive someone who has hurt me deeply
__ respond to a tough situation at work
__ seek forgiveness from someone I have wronged
__ bear chronic physical pain
__ mend a broken relationship
__ repent of a particular sin
__ resist a particular temptation
__ break off a wrong relationship
__ overcome a besetting sin
__ meet pressing financial needs
__ break a habit
__ guard my tongue
__ handle lonliness
__ love a family member who is hard to love
__ deal with the pain of my past
__ be faithful to my mate
__ deal with the guilt and failure of my past
__ take a specific step of obedience

Week 4: Repentance - The Big Turn-Around

Below I have place an excerpt of day 5 of this week's lesson

Making it Personal

Now it's time to look at your own heart. Prayerfully and honestly answer the following questions. As you do, ask God to reveal areas where you may be resisting His loving conviction. You may want to record a personal response to specific questions, as the Lord shines His light on your heart.

1. Have I ever experienced the repentance that characterizes genuine salvation?
2. Does sin in my life bother me?
3. Do I have an attitude that says, "Lord, everything I know to be sin, and everything You show me in the future to be sin, I am willing to forsake"?
4. Am I willing to call my wrong actions "sin," rather than viewing them as weaknesses, "struggles", or personality traits?

(5 - 10 coming soon)