Step 1 – Realize I’m not God. I admit I am powerless to control my tendency to do wrong things, and my life is unmanageable.

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

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. NIV

1. Earnestly believe that

   Reveal Answer

   There are valid reasons to believe that God exists. Faith is not a leap into the dark, it is a step into the light; but believing in God is always an act of faith.

2. Earnestly believe that

   Reveal Answer
   
   a.
   Reveal Answer
   
   Matthew 10:29–31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. NIV
   Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. NLT
   b.
   Reveal Answer
   
   Psalm 103:13–14 The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he understands how weak we are; he knows we are only dust. NLT
   1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. NLT

3. Earnestly believe that God has the power to

   Reveal Answer
   
   Ephesians 1:18–21 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. NIV
   1 Corinthians 10:13 But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. NLT

   How to plug into God’s power:

   Reveal Answer
   
   John 1:12–13 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. NIV

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

Matthew 11:28–30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

I. What could keep me from taking this step?

1.

Proverbs 18:12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud… .
2.

Psalm 40:12 Problems far too big for me to solve are piled higher than my head. Meanwhile my sins, too many to count, have all caught up with me, and I am ashamed to look up. TLB

3.

Mark 8:36–37 And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul? NLT

4.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on God because He cares for you.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
5.

Matthew 17:20 … If you have faith as small as a mustard seed … Nothing will be impossible for you.

II. How do I take this step?

1.

Acts 16:31 Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.     

2.

2 Timothy 3:16   All Scripture is inspired by God and is           useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what           is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. NLT 

3.

Psalm 40:8   I desire to do your will, O my God. . . .       

4.

Philippians 4:13   I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. TLB

Revelation 3:20   I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him.