Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.<\/p>\n
Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires.
\nMatthew 5:6<\/b><\/p>\n
Woo-Hoo Ladies!! \u00a0You are absolutely awesome!\u00a0 We have taken some amazing steps on this journey.\u00a0 First admitting we had a problem and were absolutely powerless over it.\u00a0 Then we began to understand that God could and will help us to overcome that hurt, habit or hang-up if we seek Him and turn our lives over to His care and control.\u00a0 We started writing our spiritual inventory and are sharing our lives with a trusted person.\u00a0 Wow \u2013 that is a lot of hard work and you should each be doing a praise dance with the Lord right now.\u00a0 I know you may feel tired and think \u2018no way, I\u2019m going to take a nap.\u2019\u00a0 But take some time to realize you have come a long way in this journey and God is pleased. \u2018But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.\u2019 Hebrews 13:16<\/b><\/p>\n
Now that you have realized what you want God to change or control, are you ready to let Him? Chapter 5 is all about change \u2013 now we all do not like this word.\u00a0 It can be scary, fun or an adventure.\u00a0 Moving forward into the unknown can be frightening, yet exciting.\u00a0 I was so excited when the verse used for this process was Romans 12:1-2.\u00a0 (These verses became my life verses over three years ago when I walked away from the gay lifestyle.) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God\u2019s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God\u2014this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God\u2019s will is\u2014his good, pleasing and perfect will.\u00a0 <\/b>I mean I had just walked out of a lifestyle into a world of the unknown.\u00a0 I had to walk away from almost all of my friends and change all the places I went to.\u00a0 I had to look at myself and ask \u2013 who am I?\u00a0 What do I even like now?\u00a0 God began showing me that I was a new creation, my sins were forgiven and He loves me.\u00a0 He was going to lead and teach me if I would do one thing.\u00a0 Offer myself wholly to Him \u2013 keep my mind focused on Him and allow Him into my heart.\u00a0 I was to keep away from the things of the past and renew my mind.\u00a0 That is where He wanted me \u2013 if I became willing, He is always able.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s break those verses down into the character defects John Baker talks about in the book.<\/p>\n
Biological\/Chromosomes<\/i>:<\/strong> “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God\u2019s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God\u2026.” We inherited some of our strengths, weaknesses, physical and emotional traits from our parents. We did not choose our parents, DNA or some of our tendencies toward addictions.\u00a0 However, none of these inherited traits give us the right to some of the behaviors we have chosen.\u00a0 We are to offer our bodies as sacrifices to God.\u00a0 We are to be willing\u2026Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Psalm 143:10<\/b><\/p>\n Sociological\/Circumstances: “<\/i><\/strong>Do not conform to the pattern of this world\u2026.” Where we were raised, the environment, what we saw, how those around us behaved all contributed to our character. Again, we did not have the opportunity to choose how those around us behaved or what our parents taught us.\u00a0 These behaviors or experiences actually shaped some of our hurts, habits or hang-ups.\u00a0 Out of our reactions, coping skills or hurt \u2013 we stepped into certain habits or addictions.\u00a0 As I stated before, when I walked out of my lifestyle, I had to walk away from many people, activities and places. We are not to conform back to our hurts, habits or hang-ups. \u00a0\u2018Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.\u00a0 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.\u2019 1 Peter 1:13, 14\u00a0 <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b>Theological\/Choices:<\/strong> <\/i>\u00a0“But be transformed by the renewing of your mind\u2026.” We can change the choices we have made that have driven us into hurts, habits or hang-ups.\u00a0 When we remove one of our old habits, we must be able to replace it with a good choice.\u00a0 Spend quiet time in His word, prayer time, volunteer at your church or a ministry in the area, go to a Bible study, (depending upon your hurt, habit or hang-up) find a support group in your area \u2013 these are a few things I found that transformed my mind into healthy habits.\u00a0 Luke 5:36 talks about not putting a piece of new cloth onto an old garment, the old will tear.\u00a0 Also, the new piece will not match the old.\u00a0 2 Corinthians 5:17: If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.\u00a0 The old has passed, behold all things have become new.<\/b><\/p>\n We have become new creations by an amazing Creator!\u00a0 Are you ready and willing to allow God to take away those defects that you are holding onto?\u00a0 Another way to phrase that question \u2013 are you ready and willing to become free of what has been dragging you down?\u00a0 Make the choice.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 He is ready to step in and give you your heart\u2019s desire.<\/p>\n ________________________<\/p>\n Let\u2019s Pray:<\/strong><\/p>\n Most Gracious Father, we are humbly coming before You with open hearts.\u00a0 We know we have made choices that have not been pleasing to You.\u00a0 Help us to be completely willing to allow You to change all our shortcomings.\u00a0 Teach us, Lord, to do Your will, to not conform to what the world may show us, but to allow You to lead us away from some of our old habits and into Your new path.\u00a0 Your Word says to be strong and courageous; Lord, we want to be strong through these changes.\u00a0 Heal the hurts of each one of us and help us to be the people You want us to be.\u00a0 In Jesus’ Name, Amen!<\/p>\n Your Assignment:<\/strong><\/p>\n We have talked about being willing to allow God to take control and change or remove our character defects.\u00a0 Have you been able to release control? After you have read the blog, go to our private Facebook page and share a positive change you have seen in your life through your releasing control.<\/p>\n __________________________<\/p>\n