Category: Step 10

2022 | Day Sixty-Two | Thought for Today

2nd March 2022 aeboyle 2022, March, Step 10, Thought For Today Comments Off on 2022 | Day Sixty-Two | Thought for Today

Worry! Worry! Worry! It’s how I used to spend my life. It’s not anymore. Because I have learned to ‘Rely on God’ It wasn’t easy, it took time, it took practice, but I finally learned it. Relying on God doesn’t mean do nothing. It means do the best you can with what you have available to you and leave the outcomes in His hands. Most of the worry I experienced in life was about things I had no control over.

Step Ten in the Twelve Steps says WE CONTINUED TO TAKE PERSONAL INVENTORY. I try daily to analyze my day. My method of daily inventory has changed through the years> at the moment I use the SERENITY PRAYER:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. I ask myself each evening the questions. 1. What things did I try and change in my own strength that need God’s intervention. 2, What things could I have changed but didn’t? and WHY?

Courage to change the things I can. The questions I ask for this one are. 1. How did I allow fear to stop me today? 2. How can I overcome my fear tomorrow?

Wisdom to know the difference. What stopped me from allowing God to be God in my life today? How will I submit to His will tomorrow?

MEDITATION
Blessed are you who give yourself over to God, turn you back on the worlds ‘sure thing’. Trust God absolutely people. It’s far better to take refuge in Him than follow the ways of the world. Trust Him from the bottom of your heart. Don’t try to figure everything out on your own. Listen for His prompting in everything you do. He is the one who will keep you on track. Those who think they can work it out on their own end up measuring their own moral muscle and never get around to putting into action what the learn.

When we trust God we are open to the truth. God does not give up on us so we should not give up on Him,

PRAYER
Just for today Lord help me not to worry about the things I cannot change and to act on the things I can.

Step Ten ~ Week Four

24th October 2021 aeboyle 2021, October, Step 10 Comments Off on Step Ten ~ Week Four

STEP TEN Now that I am in the process of change, I will check myself daily to make sure I am not slipping back into my old ways and if I am, I will take steps to rectify it.

I. Romans 3:24 “God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity, he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.” 

“The fulfillment of God’s promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does. God’s promise arrives as a pure gift. That’s the only way everyone can be sure to get in on it, those who keep the religious traditions and those who have never heard of them. For Abraham is the father of us all. He is not our racial father—that’s reading the story backward. He is our faith father.” Romans 4:16

“He embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us!” Ephesians 2:5

II. Romans 8:3 God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn’t deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that. The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it.

“Our involvement with God’s revelation doesn’t put us right with God. What it does is force us to face our complicity in everyone else’s sin.” Romans 3:20

“We’ve finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade.” Romans 3:28

“A number of you know from experience what I’m talking about, for not so long ago you were on that list. Since then, you’ve been cleaned up and given a fresh start by Jesus, our Master, our Messiah, and by our God present in us, the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 6:11

The Best Version of Me

9th October 2021 aeboyle 2021, Living Life Recovery, October, Step 10 Comments Off on The Best Version of Me

Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites. But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him. Philippians 3:17-21

All of us in the process of recovery and right living need people we look up to. This scripture tells us to “keep track of those running this same course, headed for the same goal” For me this has meant in my life being in relationship with two groups of people. Those on the recovery road, looking to change their lives for the better. Learning and applying the steps and processes required to live new lives of sobriety, new lives of changed attitudes, actions and behaviours. And, followers of Jesus Christ seeking to know and to do God’s will in their daily lives. People who not only read and study God’s Word but also apply what it says. People who are in daily relationship with the Holy Spirit and are seeking to make God’s promises their new way of living.

I write this today because I don’t believe it is one or the other. I believe we need both. There is no thing as secular recovery groups or Bible based recovery groups. They are all Spiritual and both have something to teach us and to offer us as we walk this road together with the same goal – to be the best version of ourselves we can possibly be and encourage others to be the same.

One day Christ will come to make us beautiful and whole for many of us I believe He will ask the question “wHY?” “Why didn’t you attend AA, NA or other Twelve Step Groups? or “Why didn’t you attend Bible based recovery groups?”

It says in the scripture above “easy street is dead-end street” Shouldn’t we be using all the tools that He has given us to be the best version of ourselves we can be?

Step Ten – Week Two

9th October 2021 aeboyle 2021, Living Life Recovery, October, Step 10 Comments Off on Step Ten – Week Two

Set a good example

Consider yourselves to be dead as far as sin is concerned. Now that you believe in Christ Jesus, consider yourselves to be alive as far as God is concerned.

Recovery changes us and we need to live lives that demonstrate we believe that. We should not be ashamed to show others the changes God has made in us. We should not be embarrassed about making different choices of acting different than we used to.

If we are in recovery and act like we have always acted why would anyone want what we have?

Through the process of recovery, we are reborn into a new way of living. A way that is available to anyone who wants to pursue it and we have a responsibility to introduce them to it.

1 Peter 1:15 The one who chose you is holy. So you should be holy in all that you do.

– To be holy is to be set apart. To live differently. To live by example.

1 Peter 2:21 Christ suffered for you. He left you an example. He expects you to follow in his steps. You too were chosen to suffer.

– God transforms our suffering into success.

Romans 16:19 Everyone has heard that you obey God. So you have filled me with joy. I want you to be wise about what is good. And I want you to have nothing to do with what is evil.

– As we grow spiritually through recovery other people notice. We should be happy about that. Through our change in attitudes, actions and behaviours other people should be seeing us change and looking to follow our examples.

People Reliance vs God Reliance

5th October 2021 aeboyle 2021, Daily Reflection, Living Life Recovery, October, Step 10 Comments Off on People Reliance vs God Reliance

This weeks topic is self reliance. Today I want to train our thoughts to the mistake of relying on people instead of relying on God.

Most of my using days all I wanted to do I was impress other people. My parents, friends, bosses I worked for, the girls I went out with, my friends. It was hard work creating an image to present for each of them. And, remembering which mask to wear in each situation. In the process of identity creation I lost ‘the real me’

It wasn’t till I arrived in recovery in 1989 I began to take time, though learning and applying the Twelve Steps to discover who I really was. I also began then to investigate the question of who God said I was and was prompting me today.

Step Ten in this process became my life line. Taking time, daily to do an inventory on my day, My attitudes, behaviours and character, and asking God to help me improve the things I needed to improve and change my character to become all that He is calling me to be. I am still on that process as I walk daily with Him, so Step Ten and daily check up on myself still a lifeline in my relationship with Him.

For a long time I relied on the approval of others. Today I only need the approval of One, my Lord, my Saviour and my One True Higher Power Jesus Christ.

Step Ten – Week One

4th October 2021 aeboyle 2021, October, Step 10 Comments Off on Step Ten – Week One

STEP TEN  Now that I am in the process of change, I will check myself daily to make sure I am not
slipping back into my old ways and if I am, I will take steps to rectify it.

“Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.” 1 Corinthians 10:12

Have confidence in God’s involvement in your spiritual growth. I knew a guy once. Shared a halfway house with Him in early recovery, who believed the way for God to help Him was to write out the Bible word for word.

I am not saying that was a bad thing but there was no evidence of any change in him because of it. Other than the fact he would get down on himself if he didn’t write the Bible every day.

I don’t believe God wants us to kill ourselves doing things that have no obvious effect on our character.

Psalms 119:66 says “Train me in good common sense; I’m thoroughly committed to living your way.” We all know the difference between right and wrong and God wants us to live right.

Psalms 25:8-10 says “God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, Sends them in the right direction. He gives the rejects his hand And leads them step-by-step. From now on every road you travel Will take you to God. Follow the Covenant signs; Read the charted directions.”

We need to place our faith securely in Him. We need to allow Him to point out the things in us He wants us to change confidently trust that step by step He will lead us down the road He has prepared for us to travel.

Step ten is about daily checking we are doing what God is prompting us to do, not just going through the motions of sobriety but checking our and adapting our character to align with His Word and His guidance.


Listen to “Step Ten – Week One” by Archie Boyle ⚓ https://anchor.fm/living-life-recovery/episodes/Step-Ten–Week-One-e189e5t/a-a6fhvl

What the Bible Says about Self-Confidence

“Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn’t pleased at being ignored.” Romans 8:5-8

Hebrews 10:26 If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice

Luke 21:34 “But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap,

Romans 8:29 God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.

Ephesians 1:4 Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.

“”Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Recovery Costs

2nd October 2021 aeboyle 2021, Discussion Starters, Step 10 Comments Off on Recovery Costs

Luke 14:27 Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple..

Recovery is not free, it costs, and we need to carefully weigh up the costs as we go through each step. We need to realise up front the sacrifices we are going to have to make to pursue a life of continual spiritual growth

Psalms 50:14-15 says “Spread for me a banquet of praise, serve High God a feast of kept promises, Call for help when you’re in trouble— I’ll help you..”

All through this process of recovery we have been making commitments to God and today is no exception. Today we are committing to wearing the cost of recovery regardless of what it is.

“Don’t begin until you count the cost.” Luke 14:28

Whenever you start a project, plan ahead and make sure you can handle the costs—not only financially, but also physically, relationally, and spiritually.

Whatever you pursue, remember that God is in control and that you are completely dependent on Him in everything

Psalms 37:37 Keep your eye on the healthy soul, scrutinize the straight life; There’s a future in strenuous wholeness.

Are you willing to pay the price that may be required to succeed in the recovery process?

Describe Your Past

26th September 2020 aeboyle 2020, Living Life Recovery, September, Step 10, Step 3, Step 9 Comments Off on Describe Your Past

Today we are encouraged to live ‘one day at a time.’ To learn the lessons we need to learn from our past mistakes and failures

Relapse Prevention

19th October 2019 aeboyle 2019, Acrostic, October, Step 10 Comments Off on Relapse Prevention

NOW THAT I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGE, I WILL CHECK MYSELF DAILY TO MAKE SURE I AM NOT SLIPPING BACK INTO MY OLD WAYS
 AND IF I AM, I WILL TAKE STEPS TO RECTIFY IT

 

RELAPSE

Remember how you got to where you are now
“Think about this. Wrap your minds around it. This is serious business, rebels. Take it to heart. Remember your history ………………. I am God, the only God you’ve had or ever will have– incomparable, irreplaceable. Isaiah 46:8-9


Evaluate what’s not working
Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. 2 Corinthians 13:5

 

Learn from your mistakes
God gives a hand to those down on their luck, gives a fresh start to those ready to quit. Psalms 145:14

 

Adjust your attitudes and behaviors
Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:2

 

Practice the principles of recovery
Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived. 1 John 2:6

 

Step out in faith
we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me? Hebrews 13:6

 

Expect setbacks
“It’s different with you: Be strong. Take heart. Payday is coming!” 2 Chronicles 15:7

What The Bible Says

19th October 2019 aeboyle 2019, October, Step 10 Comments Off on What The Bible Says

NOW THAT I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGE, I WILL CHECK MYSELF DAILY TO MAKE SURE I AM NOT SLIPPING BACK INTO MY OLD WAYS AND IF I AM,
I WILL TAKE STEPS TO RECTIFY IT.

RELAPSE

“You walked away from your first love–why? What’s going on with you, anyway? Do you have any idea how far you’ve fallen? A Lucifer fall! “Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I’m well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle. Revelation 2:4-5

bible black and white book close up

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