'I'm Stuck!' John 13:17 (Self Control)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Self Control?

Read John 13:12-17:

'So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.'

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

What are your first thoughts regarding these verses of Jesus?

Go to 'Documents' above and read Oswald Chambers' observations.

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Oswald states:

"If you yourself do not cut the lines that tie you to the dock, God will have to use a storm to sever them and to send you out to sea. Put everything in your life afloat upon God, going out to sea on the great swelling tide of His purpose, and your eyes will be opened. If you believe in Jesus, you are not to spend all your time in the calm waters just inside the harbor, full of joy, but always tied to the dock. You have to get out past the harbor into the great depths of God, and begin to know things for yourself— begin to have spiritual discernment."

Is God using a ‘storm’ (personal upheaval or discomfort) to help cast you out to the 'swelling tide of His purpose'?

If so, describe what He is doing in the space below.

Oswald continues:

"When you know that you should do something and you do it, immediately you know more. Examine where you have become sluggish, where you began losing interest spiritually, and you will find that it goes back to a point where you did not do something you knew you should do."

What was the last thing you knew, or sensed, that God wanted you to do that you have not done? (Note: if you are not sure, consider praying and ask God to remind you. If you don't hear anything, write down what you think it might have been.)

Oswald observes:

"You did not do it because there seemed to be no immediate call to do it. But now you have no insight or discernment, and at a time of crisis you are spiritually distracted instead of spiritually self-controlled. It is a dangerous thing to refuse to continue learning and knowing more."

How important is it to you to continue to grow spiritually, to not lose your spiritual discernment (connection to God)?

Take a moment to imagine what your future might look like if you continue to not do what God is asking of you to do?

Image how it will affect:
-your passion and joy
-the relationships that matter most to you
-your sense of security
-your confidence and sense of well being

When you have that image firmly established in your mind, write down what you see in the space provided.

Contrasty, now take a moment to imagine yourself having completed the last thing God asked of you. After you have that image established, see yourself doing each and every new thing He asks of you on a continual basis. Give this everything you've got.

In the space provided, write down what you see and how it differs from the image of yourself in Step 8 above.

Regarding having been 'spiritually sluggish' to do what God has asked of you, is there anything you would like to repent of (express your sorrow)?

Oswald adds:

"The counterfeit of obedience is a state of mind in which you create your own opportunities to sacrifice yourself, and your zeal and enthusiasm are mistaken for discernment. It is easier to sacrifice yourself than to fulfill your spiritual destiny, which is stated in Romans 12:1-2 . It is much better to fulfill the purpose of God in your life by discerning His will than it is to perform great acts of self-sacrifice. “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…” (1 Samuel 15:22)."

How strongly do you agree that creating your own self sacrifice is the counterfeit of doing what God is specifically asking of you right now?

Oswald concludes:

"Beware of paying attention or going back to what you once were, when God wants you to be something that you have never been. “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know…” (John 7:17)."

Here's a very simple question: after completing this Navient, are you willing to take immediate action to do the last thing God ask of you?

How confidant are you that when you take that action, you will no longer feel stuck ("tied to the dock")?

How much has this Trail increased your level of self control?