"For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out."
-Romans 7:18
"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order for you to fulfill his good purpose. "
-Philippians 2:13
"Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship."
-Romans 12:1
"Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord."
-Lamentations 3:40
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."
-James 5:16
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up."
-James 4:10
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
-1 John 1:9
"Do to others as you would have them do to you."
-Luke 6:31
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the alter and there remember that your brother or sister has somethings against you, leave your gift there in front of the alter. First go and be reconciled to them; then come offer your gift."
-Matthew 5:23-24
"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!"
-I Corinthians 10:12
"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly."
-Colossians 3:16
"If someone has caught you in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you may also be tempted."
-Galatians 6:1
I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable. "Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor." -Matthew 5:4
...that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover. "Happy are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.
to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control. "Happy are the meek" -Matthew 5:5
and Confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust. "Happy are the Pure in Heart" -Matthew 5:8
to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove any character defects. "Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires." -Matthew 5:6
Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I've done for others, except when to do so would harm them or others. "Happy are the Merciful" -Matthew 5:7
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. "Happy are the Peacemakers" -Matthew 5:9
To God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words. "Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires." -Matthew 5:10
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be
reasonable happy in this life
and supremely happy with You
forever in the next. Amen.