Message Action PlanDear Saddleback Family,
In last weekend's message, "Set Free from Me," Pastor Rick looked at the seven antidotes in Romans 8 to overcome the seven weapons of self-destruction. As you go through your week, use the Message Action Plan below to help put the things you've learned into practice.
If you missed last weekend's message, click here to watch it online.
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Seven truths for seven days of the week. Focus on acting on one of these truths each day this week.
Day 1: Remind yourself of what Jesus did for you.
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NLT)
Day 2: Ask the Holy Spirit to give you better thoughts.
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the SPIRIT have their minds set on what the SPIRIT desires. Romans 8:5 (NIV)
Day 3: Put into practice your new ability to say no.
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are [now] controlled by the SPIRIT if you have the SPIRIT of God living in you. Romans 8:9a (NLT)
Day 4: Turn your thoughts to God whenever you're afraid.
For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, "Father! my Father!" Romans 8:15 (TEV)
Day 5: Focus on the long term, not the short term.
Since we are his children, we WILL possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we WILL also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory. I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:17–18 (TEV)
Day 6: Remind yourself that God is good and in control.
AND we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Day 7: Trust that God will never stop loving you.
I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38–39 (NLT/TLB)
