Embracing Goodness: A Journey of Reflection and Growth

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often hear the simple yet profound call to "be good." This call encompasses honesty, generosity, truthfulness, and care for others. It's a reminder that we already know enough to keep us busy in our pursuit of goodness. Alongside this, we must remember that we are loved by God, our greatest asset. This love is the foundation upon which we build our lives.

Taking inventory of our lives is crucial. There are different ways to do this, such as spot checks throughout the day, daily reviews, and more comprehensive evaluations at regular intervals. These practices help us reflect on our actions, motives, and relationships. Like a coach reviewing game films, we must examine our lives to learn and grow. This reflection allows us to identify where we may have fallen short, such as when our motives were misguided or when we failed to truly listen to others.

The concept of a "spot check" is particularly important. It's a spiritual axiom that when we are disturbed, the issue often lies within us. Anger, fear, confusion, and temptation are signals to pause and seek God's guidance. The Apostle Paul speaks of the fruit of the Spirit, urging us to keep in step with the Spirit. This means being attentive to the still small voice of God, which guides us in our daily lives.

We must strive for progress, not perfection. This journey is not easy, and we will stumble along the way. However, we should not be discouraged. Instead, we should focus on growth and remember that we are loved by someone who sacrificed everything for us. This is the essence of the 10th step in our spiritual journey: to continue taking personal inventory and to keep coming back to the truth that we are loved.

Key Takeaways:

1. The call to "be good" is a simple yet profound reminder of the virtues we should embody, such as honesty, generosity, and care for others. It's a call to action that we already know enough to pursue daily. [06:16]

2. Taking inventory of our lives is essential for growth. Whether through spot checks, daily reviews, or comprehensive evaluations, these practices help us reflect on our actions and motives, much like a coach reviewing game films to improve performance. [08:05]

3. The spiritual axiom that disturbances often point to issues within ourselves challenges us to examine our reactions. Anger, fear, and confusion are signals to pause and seek God's guidance, allowing us to align with the Spirit's leading. [09:14]

4. Progress, not perfection, is the goal of our spiritual journey. We will stumble, but we should not be discouraged. Instead, we focus on growth, remembering that we are loved by someone who sacrificed everything for us. [11:57]

5. The still small voice of God guides us in our daily lives, prompting us to make the right choices and to enter into a personal relationship with Him. This voice is a gift that helps us stay in step with the Spirit. [11:29]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [06:16] - The Call to Be Good
- [06:42] - Recognizing Our Assets
- [06:56] - Types of Inventory
- [07:09] - Daily Review Practice
- [07:52] - Learning from Reflection
- [08:33] - Comprehensive Evaluations
- [08:59] - The Importance of Spot Checks
- [09:14] - Understanding Disturbances
- [09:48] - The Role of Anger
- [10:20] - Seeking God's Guidance
- [10:39] - Keeping in Step with the Spirit
- [11:13] - The Still Small Voice
- [11:57] - Progress, Not Perfection
- [12:28] - Resources and Community

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:22-25 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

2. 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."

#### Observation Questions
1. What are some of the virtues mentioned in the sermon that align with the call to "be good"? [06:16]
2. How does the sermon describe the process of taking inventory of our lives, and what are the different types of inventories mentioned? [06:56]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of a "spot check" in our spiritual journey? [09:14]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the role of the "still small voice" of God in our daily lives? [11:29]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of taking personal inventory relate to the idea of keeping in step with the Spirit as mentioned in Galatians 5:25? [10:39]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that disturbances in our lives can be signals for self-examination and seeking God's guidance? [09:14]
3. How does the sermon interpret the idea of "progress, not perfection" in the context of our spiritual journey? [11:57]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between being loved by God and our ability to pursue goodness? [06:42]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt disturbed or upset. How might this have been an opportunity for a "spot check" to examine your own heart and motives? [09:14]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of daily reviews. What time of day works best for you to reflect on your actions and motives, and how can you incorporate this practice into your routine? [07:09]
3. Consider the virtues of the fruit of the Spirit. Which one do you feel most challenged by, and what specific steps can you take to cultivate it in your life this week? [10:39]
4. How can you become more attentive to the "still small voice" of God in your daily decisions and interactions? What practices might help you tune into this guidance more effectively? [11:29]
5. Think about a time when you felt you fell short of being "good." How can the reminder of being loved by God help you move forward and strive for progress rather than perfection? [11:57]
6. Identify a relationship in your life where you feel called to be more honest, generous, or caring. What is one action you can take this week to embody these virtues in that relationship? [06:16]
7. How can you create a supportive community around you that encourages taking personal inventory and spiritual growth? What role can you play in fostering this environment? [12:41]

Devotional

Day 1: Embodying Virtues in Daily Life
The call to "be good" is a profound reminder of the virtues we should embody, such as honesty, generosity, and care for others. This call to action is something we already know enough to pursue daily. It challenges us to live out these virtues in our interactions and decisions, making them a natural part of our lives. By focusing on these virtues, we align ourselves with a life that reflects the love and goodness of God. This pursuit is not about achieving perfection but about consistently striving to be better and more aligned with these values. [06:16]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one virtue you struggle to embody consistently. How can you intentionally practice this virtue in your interactions today?


Day 2: Reflective Practices for Spiritual Growth
Taking inventory of our lives is essential for growth. Whether through spot checks, daily reviews, or comprehensive evaluations, these practices help us reflect on our actions and motives, much like a coach reviewing game films to improve performance. By regularly examining our lives, we can identify areas where we may have fallen short and seek to improve. This process of reflection is not about self-condemnation but about learning and growing in our spiritual journey. It allows us to align our lives more closely with the values we hold dear and the teachings of our faith. [08:05]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life that needs a "spot check" today? How can you create a habit of regular self-reflection to foster growth?


Day 3: Recognizing Inner Disturbances
The spiritual axiom that disturbances often point to issues within ourselves challenges us to examine our reactions. Anger, fear, and confusion are signals to pause and seek God's guidance, allowing us to align with the Spirit's leading. When we experience these emotions, it is an opportunity to look inward and understand what is causing the disturbance. By doing so, we can address the root of the issue and find peace and clarity through God's guidance. This practice helps us to be more in tune with the Spirit and to respond to life's challenges with grace and wisdom. [09:14]

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt disturbed. What was the underlying issue within yourself, and how can you seek God's guidance to address it?


Day 4: Embracing Progress Over Perfection
Progress, not perfection, is the goal of our spiritual journey. We will stumble, but we should not be discouraged. Instead, we focus on growth, remembering that we are loved by someone who sacrificed everything for us. This perspective encourages us to keep moving forward, even when we face setbacks. It reminds us that our worth is not determined by our achievements but by the love and grace of God. By embracing this mindset, we can approach our spiritual journey with hope and perseverance, knowing that each step forward is valuable. [11:57]

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." (Philippians 3:12, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life are you striving for perfection? How can you shift your focus to progress and growth instead?


Day 5: Listening to the Still Small Voice
The still small voice of God guides us in our daily lives, prompting us to make the right choices and to enter into a personal relationship with Him. This voice is a gift that helps us stay in step with the Spirit. By being attentive to this guidance, we can navigate life's challenges with wisdom and discernment. It requires us to be still and listen, creating space in our lives to hear God's voice. This practice deepens our relationship with God and helps us to live in alignment with His will. [11:29]

"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." (Isaiah 30:21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to listen for God's still small voice? What steps can you take to be more attentive to His guidance today?

Quotes


"you don't need a whole lot you don't need to know a whole lot be good and we mostly know what goodness consists of being honest being generous being truthful being caring not envying seeking to serve others seeking to encourage others being like you actually know pretty much enough to keep you busy all day be good and then know that you are loved" [00:06:15]

"there's this spot check inventory taking it any time in the day come back to that one in a minute spot check wherever we find ourselves getting tangled up and then secondly there's the one that we take at the end of the day so the idea is uh that you pause once a day and look back over the day" [00:06:56]

"so that review of the day is kind of doing that where were my motives messed up here where did I lie where did I try to deceive somebody where was I promoting myself instead of really caring about somebody else where was I with somebody now I don't even remember what they said because I wasn't paying any attention huh okay that's the Daily Review" [00:08:33]

"it's a spiritual axiom that every time we are disturbed no matter what the cause there is something wrong with us if somebody hurts us and we are sore I need to look at myself also isn't there such a thing as justifiable anger if somebody mistreats me am I not entitled to be mad" [00:09:14]

"anger is what we experience when our Wills get frustrated and it's uh purposes to notify us and to energize us to deal with that and there's not a problem with that but as soon as it transforms into toxic resentment and self-righteousness and judgmentalism and anger does this really fast ticks me off to think about it then I'm moving into spiritual trouble" [00:09:48]

"if I find for example that I'm afraid or I'm confused and I don't know what to do or I feel threatened or I feel tempted or I feel bored that's a real good time to just pause and do a little spot check search me God and know my heart and open myself up as much as I possibly can" [00:10:20]

"since we live by the spirit let us keep in step with the spirit now that's a way of talking about this 10th step I'm keeping in step with the spirit the spirit of God is with me God will speak to me God will guide me you ever have moment when uh something inside tells you that you're about to do the wrong thing" [00:10:39]

"that's often the still Small Voice Jordan Peterson talks about that in his book we who wrestle with God that uh part of Elijah's gift to humanity was the recognition that that still small voice means it's possible as I attend to conscience to enter into a personal relationship with God" [00:11:13]

"we do not get discouraged when we fall into the error of our old ways because this journey is not easy we look for Progress not Perfection that's step 10 progress not Perfection and then I remember remember it's not just be good but also you are loved and those words were spoken to you by someone who sacrificed his life out of love for you" [00:11:57]

"continue to take personal inventory keep coming back it works if you wor it hey you just finished a video from our series steps which is based on John's new book recently released also called steps so you can pick that book up anywhere that you like to purchase your books or find out more information about it at becom new.com" [00:12:28]

"we are a community that's dedicated to Growing spiritually in Christ one day at a time and a big part of that is prayer so there's a team of us that meet each weekday Monday through Friday to pray for become new and for viewers just like yourself so if you have a prayer request you can send it to us" [00:12:48]

"if you're someone that would like to start practicing working doing the steps with a friend or a small group or your church we've created a web portal for you that should get you all the resources you need to get started you can just go to doth steps.com" [00:13:01]

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Transcript
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