Saturday July 9, 2016
Building People of Substance for Works of Power
Let’s follow Jesus, Friend!
I was reminded recently of a counseling session I had years ago with a married couple who were having heated battles over a number of issues. The husband displayed an attitude that just reeked of arrogance and selfishness. I approached him with some scriptures on the subject, even asking him to turn to them in his own Bible. Though he had brought a Bible to our session in hopes of straightening out his wife, he refused to open it to consult the Word concerning himself. Finally, after several attempts to direct him to the scripture, he became angry (-er), slammed his bible on my desk, and yelled “I don’t care what the Bible says!” Exactly! The root of the problem is revealed! While many folks are less honest about it, that attitude is the block that keeps them from overcoming life’s difficulties.
In order to have genuine victory over any problem in life, I must be willing to commit to live by spiritual principles. I must make a decision to do it God’s way. Whether the problem is addiction, marital strife, physical malady, emotional distress, job or financial difficulty, or some combination of the above, the answer begins with a few simple steps:
1. Make a decision to follow Jesus: John 14:6 / Luke 9:23
2. Make Getting to know Him personally your daily quest: Matthew 6:33-34
a. Pray: Ephesians 1:17 Hebrews 11:6
b. Read the bible: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
c. Look to Jesus to see how God acts: John 14:9
3. Intentionally begin to trust Him with every part of your life: Proverbs 3:5-6
a. Pick a particular area of concern for you
b. Find what the Bible says about your problem
c. Ask God for help with your problem.
d. Do what the Bible says about your problem.
4. Strive to obey His singular command to love others. John 13:34-35
Somebody Said: The one badge of Christian discipleship is not orthodoxy but love. Billy Graham
Scripture Reading: And we know that the Son of God has come, and He has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and He is eternal life. (1 John 5:20 NLT)
A spiritual way of life is a series of decisions, prayers, and adjustments. It is a direction rather than a destination. It is relationship with a God who is personally interested in the details of our individual lives. It is an ongoing adventure of discovery. If you have come to the end of self-reliance, there is no other reasonable place to go. Let’s get started!
Pastor Virgil Stokes
FCF of Tucson
3141 W. Ironwood Hill Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85745
520-792-FCFT
www.fcftucson.org
For more information on our 7 Principles of Recovery Program and materials contact our office or visit the website.
pastorvirgil.com 