STEP 4 REVIEW

AS WE LOOK AT THE WORD REVIEW, I WANT TO POINT OUT THE WORD REPENT AS WELL. SOMETIMES WHEN WE REVIEW, WE ALSO REALIZE THAT WE MAY NEED TO REPENT AS WELL. WE WILL DEAL WITH THE STEP 6 REPENT IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS FROM NOW. LISTEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT AS YOU DO YOUR REVIEW, AND IF YOU NEED TO REPENT OF SOMETHING, THEN DO IT, AND DONT WAIT!

Step 4: We make a searching and fearless, moral inventory of ourselves.

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

Today our RE word that we need to learn and use is: REVIEW!

Many of you use review in your everyday conversations such as:

I have to review my test papers before I turn it back in , so I can get a good grade!

My job is up for a yearly Review this week.

I need to review my to-do list, before I prepare to take off on vacation.

You get the point by now, I’m sure!

Today we will learn about making a review, by doing a moral inventory of ourselves.

APPLICATION OF STEP 4 REVIEW

After a long week, you may find it hard to truly reflect on your actions and choices. Set aside time on Sunday evening to write down instances where you felt you acted contrary to your values and beliefs. For instance, think about interactions with your spouse or kids that didn’t reflect your faith. Use this time to pray over each item as you write. This allows the Holy Spirit to reveal personal areas needing repentance and growth before the new week begins.

In social settings, you often encounter situations where your moral values can be challenged. Plan to carry a small notecard with two or three verses that speak about integrity, love, and truth. When faced with a compromise or difficult conversation, glance at your card to remind yourself of your convictions and the biblical standard you are called to uphold. This will strengthen your resolve to act with integrity in every public interaction you have.

MORAL INVENTORY

This moral inventory is Only about YOU!

Your past mistakes, abuses, struggles, etc.

Our sin does not happen in a vacuum, but when it is exposed to the light of God's word, that in and of itself, will cause us to become disgusted with what we may have become. (Plus push us to change for the better according to the word of God)

You may need to go back in your mind to do this (time wise)

You need to list the good things that you have been able to accomplish too!

6. This is a searching and fearless inventory by the way!

ILLUSTRATION OF REVIEW

Imagine a huge messy garage that hasn't been cleaned in years. You know you need to tackle it, but the thought of sorting through all those old boxes is daunting. Now picture inviting friends over, and you finally muster the courage to clean it out. You find treasures you'd forgotten about, and with each item, you decide whether to keep, donate, or throw away. Just like this garage, conducting a moral inventory is about exploring our lives, recognizing what's valuable, and letting go of the clutter that doesn't serve us. It’s a light-hearted way to clean up our spiritual act!

Picture a beautiful garden that has become overgrown. The owner knows it’s time for a thorough inspection. Armed with some garden tools, they laugh as they find weeds alongside vibrant flowers. As they uproot the weeds, they also celebrate the beauty of the flowers. In life, conducting a moral inventory might reveal our shortcomings, but it also highlights the goodness God has planted in us. With a light-hearted spirit, we can celebrate our growth, uproot the negativity, and allow our spiritual garden to flourish!

OBJECTIVES FOR REVIEW( SPEAK SLOWLY)

This step alone is foundational for you to accomplish the REST of the following steps that you will encounter.

Do not, I repeat, do not leave the negative side to be greater than the positive side.

If we do not balance our inventory, then we will remain stuck in our struggles as we try to review our lives.

When we do review ourselves we must decide to grow FORWARD in our struggles, and allow God to mold us and shape us 100%

What we believe, determines how we will live!

WISDOM NEEDED:

You may need to get alone by yourself to gain greater clarity, as you review your inventory! (You determine that time frame needed!)

Distractions themselves are destructive in accomplishing this review process.

(Don't forget that)

Bring a Bible with you to look up scripture to help you to review your inventory, according to the word of God

If you have journaled BEFORE this will be somewhat easy for you to do?

Major hint right now: start journaling 😀😀

BIBLICAL WEAPONRY

If you haven’t noticed by now, these materials are in each and every step that we will use!

Bible

Accountability partner

Prayer time daily and consistently

This recovery/discipleship meeting weekly

Disengagement from those things that squander your ability to review your inventory

LET ME SHARE SOME APPLICATIONS OF YOUR BIBLICAL WEAPONRY:

In our spiritual journey, we often feel overwhelmed by challenges and adversities, much like David when facing Goliath. Just as David had the sling and stones as his weapons, we have our own Biblical weaponry: prayer, Scripture, and faith. Each time we engage with God's Word, we sharpen our skills to combat the giants in our lives. Are we picking up our spiritual weapons or neglecting them?

The armor of God described in Ephesians 6 serves as a profound reminder of the strength we possess through faith. Each piece—the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness—provides us protection. A soldier does not go into battle without these essentials, and neither should we enter our daily lives without putting on God's armor. This preparation is fundamental in facing spiritual warfare.

Consider Jesus in the desert, armed only with the Word of God during His temptation. He didn't rely on physical strength or worldly wisdom; instead, He wielded Scripture against Satan's lies. This demonstrates the power of Biblical weaponry—when faced with temptation and trials, we can use God’s truth to combat discouragement and sin in our lives. Are we ready to respond with the same power?

Imagine a soldier who forgets his sword during battle. Just like that soldier, many of us forget or ignore our spiritual weaponry—prayer, Scripture, and community. We need to understand that neglecting our Biblical tools puts us at risk against spiritual attacks. When we actively use these weapons, we can navigate through life’s storms with confidence, knowing we have everything we need to withstand the battle.

REVIEW’S-PURPOSE

This inventory is not to beat yourself up with, but to look at maybe correcting past mistakes. By the means of forgiveness that we were told about by our Lord and Savior.

Matthew 6:14-15. “ If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your father will not forgive your sins.

I will share with you a saying that I learned a few decades ago.

That is “if everything is going, right, then something must be wrong“

We need to make it a point to check, double check, and even triple check our inventories on a regular basis.

An example of that would be 30 days, six months, and yearly inventory.

The more that you lean into your recovery and restoration, you’ll find that this time for you, will allow you to grow in humility, as well as remove any past barriers that could be affecting you, maybe even in your prayer life.

AT THIS TIME WE WILL DISMISS OUR ONLINE FAMILY. WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN, NEXT WEEK. WITH ANOTHER NUTS AND BOLTS VIDEO

REFLECTION TIME:

Do you believe your restoration depends on your Review?

How soon will you accomplish your review?