Matthew 5:10 Matthew 10:8

Principle 1 Realize I’m not God; I admit I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable.

Principle 2 Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover.

Principle 3 Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control.

Principle 4 Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to others.

Principle 5 Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask him to remove my character defects.

Principle 6 Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who’ve hurt me and make amends for the harm I’ve done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others.

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.

Today’s Principle Yield myself to God to be used to bring Good News to others, both by my example and my words.

“Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires” Matthew 5:10. “Freely you have received, freely give” Matthew 10:8

Introduction Road to Recovery God wants to use your experience to help others Understanding this principle solidifies your recovery

Introduction Lord’s Prayer “Our Father... Hallowed” – step 1 and 2 “Your will... Your kingdom come”– step 5 “Give us... Daily bread” – Step 3 “Forgive us our debts” – Step 4 “As we forgive others” – Step 6 “Lead us not into temptation” – Step 7 “Deliver us from evil” – Step 8

Why has God allowed my pain? He gave us free-choice – Deuteronomy 11:26-27 – “I am giving you a choice today between God’s blessing or God’s curse...” – We have an ability to choose

Why has God allowed my pain? – Free-will is both a blessing and a curse Others made wrong choices – Hurts and hang-ups We have made wrong choices – Habits

Why has God allowed my pain? – His prevention would take your free will away from you

Why has God allowed my pain? To get our attention. Pain screams “Help!” – “Painful situations make us change” (Proverbs 20:30). – “... Because the pain turned you to God” (2 Corinthians 7:9). – Jonah – “When I lost all hope, I turned to God”

Why has God allowed my pain? To teach us to depend on Him! – Paul – “... We put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us... And he did help us...” – “The punishment you gave... Taught me to pay attention to your laws ” (Psalm 119:71).

Why has God allowed my pain? To give me a ministry – Everyone needs some kind of recovery – “He comforts us... So when others are troubled... we can comfort them” ( paraphrase ). – God NEVER wastes a hurt, hang-up or habit!

How can I help others? “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience (1 Peter 3:15).

How can I help others? List your experiences – Think through lessons learned – Write out your testimony – Ask “God, who could be helped by my story”

How can I help others? Keep the following in mind – Keep the answer in focus – Be humble – Be gentle – Be respectful