Step 10 – We CONTINUED TO TAKE PERSONAL INVENTORY & WHEN WE WERE WRONG PROMPTLY ADMITTED IT.       

LIFE FIX 12 – STEP 10 – CONTINUE THE INVENTORY, 9-14-25, Lead Pastor - Jeff Aenk, New Hope Christian Church

Key Verse – John 14:6 - Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father (God) except through me.          

*When something Difficult or Frustrating Happens in OUR Day (which it will), What do we Do?

1. DON’T GO ON AUTO-PILOT, BUT SLOW DOWN, PAUSE, BREATHE, PRAY, & WAKE UP YOUR INNER OBSERVER.

James 1:19-20 - My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Proverbs 14:29 - Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.  (A.K.A. – Does Stupid Stuff!!!)

Proverbs 29:11 - Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

”It is a Spiritual Axiom that Every Time we are Disturbed, No Matter What the Cause, there is Something Wrong WITH US.” - Bill Wilson

Psalm 42:5 - Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

*We Need to Recognize We Own our Soul (Mind, Will, & Emotions), & that We can Choose What We Do & How We Respond to Life.

1. We Surrender our Will to Jesus, Letting Him Drive our Train Engine, 2. Transform Our Minds to His Thinking, & 3. Let our Emotions be the Caboose in the Rear End.

John 16:33 - I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. 

*Serenity Prayer – God grant me the Serenity (Peace) to Accept the Things I Cannot Change, Courage to Change the Things I Can, & Wisdom to Know the Difference. 

2. TAKE A MENTAL OR WRITTEN SPOT CHECK INVENTORY, DISCERN LIES FROM TRUTH, & GET GODLY PERSPECTIVE. Like Doing Steps 4-7 in One Fell Swoop

Psalm 139:23-24 - Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Proverbs 4:26 - Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 

John 8:44 - You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 8:32 - Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 - We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ"

Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

*Spot Check Inventory Self-Questions: 

1. What am I Feeling?      2. Why?    3. How did it Affect me?    4. What was My Part?    5. What could I have Done Differently?    6. What should I Do Now?

3. RATHER THAN INSTANTLY REACTING, CHOOSE TO RESPOND IN THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT LED LOVING WAY POSSIBLE.

Ephesians 4:26-27 - 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

Romans 12:2 - 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’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 8:5-6 - Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

*Between Stimulus & Response there is a Space. In that Space lies our Power to Choose our Response. In our Response lies our Growth & Freedom.

4. TAKE A NIGHTLY INVENTORY TO REVIEW OUR DAY (SUCCESSES & FAILURES) & WHAT WE NEED TO IMPROVE. 

Lamentations 3:40 - Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.

Acts 3:19 - Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

*Nightly Inventory Questions to Write Answers to or do Mentally. *If Google 10th Step Inventory – Many Free Apps & Written Forms

1. Was I Resentful?    2. Was I Dishonest?    3. Did I Promptly Admit When I Was Wrong?    4. Do I Owe Anyone an Apology or Amends? 

5. Did I Do or Say Something Out of Fear?    6. Have I Kept Something to Myself that Should be Discussed with Another Person Immediately? 

7. Did I Think Today of What I Could Do for Others?    8. Was I Kind & Loving Toward All? 

9. Did I Reach Out to Someone in Recovery Today to See How They were Doing?    10. What Could I Have Done Better?

*Also Consider a Periodic Whole Life Inventory – Annual or Bi-Annual Day or 2 Retreat Away to do a More Comprehensive Self Inventory. 

Bill Wilson – “For the Wise have always known that No One can make much of his life, until Self-Searching becomes a Regular Habit, & Until he is able to Admit & Accept What he finds, & Until he Patiently & Persistently tries to Correct What is Wrong.”

Here’s What I Want us To Do This Week

*CONTINUE TO TAKE PERSONAL INVENTORY & WHEN WE WERE WRONG PROMPTLY ADMITT IT.       

*Read Chapter 10 – Step 10: Continue the Inventory - Pages 95-104 in Black “The Fix Workbook” below to Left, & Answer the Questions in it in Writing. *Also, Attend your “Life Fix” Group this week. If you’re Not in one, Get the following Workbook, & Book or AudioBook, & go through them Yourself. *****Disclaimer – “The Fix” Books are NOT God’s Word, but Man’s. The Bible is God’s Word & we Filter Everything through it. However, the 12 Steps are Based on Teachings of Jesus. 

ß “The Fix Workbook: How the Twelve Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation for the Well-Adjusted, the Down-and-Out, and Everyone in Between.”

by Ian Morgan Cron. *Amazon carries the Paperback & Kindle Version of the Black Workbook. 

*This is the Workbook with Lots of Questions you will Write Answers In, Working you through the 12 Steps. 

                “The Fix: How the Twelve Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation for the Well-Adjusted, the Down-and-Out, and Everyone In Between.” à       

                 by Ian Morgan Cron. *Amazon carries the Book Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, & Audiobook Version of this Book through Audible.

*This is the Crème Book – which gives much more detail & perspective of the 12 Steps & how to work them. 

*Scripture Assignment this Week: 1. Write/Type following Verses, One Each Day, in your Own Words. 2. Write/Type what God is Saying to You Personally through it. 3. Write/Type what You will Do as a Result. *Mon – James 1:19-20, Proverbs 14:29, Proverbs 29:11, Tue – Psalm 42:5, John 16:33, Wed – Psalm 139:23-24, Proverbs 4:26, Thu – John 8:44, John 8:32, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Proverbs 27:17, Fri – Ephesians 4:26-27, Romans 12:2, Romans 8:5-6, Sat – Lamentations 3:40, Acts 3:19, 2 Corinthians 7:10.        (All Scriptures used are from the NIV 2011 unless otherwise noted.) *If you miss a Sunday & want to catch up, want to watch or listen to a message again, or want a friend to see it, visit our Church App, Website www.gothope.cc , FaceBook, or YouTube.