Develop habits of following God.
There are a lot of everyday tasks that are never finished. As soon as we do the laundry, there are more dirty clothes. Once I organize our budget, there are new expenses to categorize. When my wife and I start a movie, we get halfway through it before falling asleep.
Uncompleted tasks are an ordinary part of life. So it's no surprise that our life with God is incomplete. We're always in progress. In some areas, God is forming us into Christlikeness. In other areas, we're seeing regression.
On the most basic level, the two greatest commandments are to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Has anyone, on a single day, ever fully accomplished either of these tasks?
We are all wandering through life. There's confusion, ambiguity, and uncertainty in our journeys.
Yet I hope that by going through 12 Steps to God, you now have some ways of staying connected to God:
The Bible is realistic about our limitations as well. In Philippians 1:3-11, Paul expresses confidence not in our steadfast character but in God's. He sees God at work in the Philippian church, so he is confident that God will bring that work to completion. God has the infinite capacity, knowledge, and love needed to make us fully whole—forever.
So what's our response? We earnestly grow in love for God and others! We are filled with faith in Christ as we hope for the day of Christ to come. Our lives and our community are animated for the glory and praise of God.
We're all in process. But we eagerly press ahead, knowing that God is the one who will bring this work to completion. Don't you want to live in such a way that the Holy Spirit prompts you to love your neighbors throughout each day?
As you complete this course, it's time to create your lifelong plan for spiritual growth. The goal is to clarify what God is doing in your life and how you can respond to Him.
I encourage you to keep it simple and achievable. Break it down to questions like this:
**Imperfectly, but faithfully, we make holy resolutions to be transformed for God's mission.**
**The 12 Steps to God:**
**Our twelfth step to God is to develop habits of following God.**
I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
How do I feel about being unable, in this life, to achieve spiritual perfection?
What difference does it make that God is graciously involved in my imperfect life?
God promises to complete the work he began in me. How does God's commitment encourage my heart?
Do I hope for the day of Christ to come soon?
Spiritual growth includes my love for 'growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment.' What's one area where I need to gain wisdom in how I love?
What does God want to purify in me? What keeps me from being blameless?
What's my next step with God?
Write out your specific plan for spiritual growth. Include when, where, and how you will practice each habit.
Who will you share your plan with for accountability and encouragement?
Write down your plan for spiritual growth. Include specific, simple habits for each of the 12 steps. When and where will you practice them? Share your plan with a trusted friend who can encourage you.
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