CROSSROADS

Jesus says, “If you live as I tell you to… you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32, TLB). By working the principles and following Christ’s directions, the foundation of your life has been rebuilt. You will undoubtedly see major changes in your life, if you haven’t already! But now you are at the CROSSROADS of your recovery.

First Corinthians 10:12 warns us, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” Steps 10 through 12 (Principles 7 and 8) are where we will live out our recoveries for the rest of our time here on earth. They are much more that maintenance steps, as some have referred to them. These are the “how I want to live the rest of my life steps and principles.”

As we begin to work Step 10, we will see that it is made up of tree key parts, each on corresponding to the acrostic for this lesson, TEN.

Take time to do a daily inventory

1. The what: “We continued to take personal inventory…”

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:40)

Evaluate the good and the bad parts of our day

2. The why: and when we were wrong…”

“If we say that we have no sins, we are only fooling ourselves, and refusing to accept the truth…we are lying and calling God a liar, for he says we have sinned.” (1 John 1:8-10, TLB)

Need to admit our wrongs promptly

3. The then what: “…promptly admitted it.”

“This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.” (Matthew 5:23-24, MSG)

Practice keeping a daily journal for one week. Write out your daily inventory – the good and the bad. Look for negative patterns, issues that you are repeatedly writing down and having to promptly make amends for! Share them with your sponsor or accountability partner, and set up an action plan for you – with God’s help and power – to overcome them.

Principle 7: Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.

Step 10: We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.  “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12)