Do We Really Want To Grow?
We just finished a series of lessons about Christian growth. Hopefully you learned a few things about your own personal growth in your relationship with God.
Notice the following formula that someone put together.
Formula for Spiritual Success
**If you want to be distressed -- look within.
**If you want to be defeated -- look back.
**If you want to be distracted -- look around.
**If you want to be dismayed -- look ahead.
**If you want to be delivered -- look up!
Trying to do anything without God is vanity. Thus we read in our study of Ecclesiastes. So we cannot be successful without God in the picture. That is why we need to look up.
True wisdom is ours only by revelation and the revelation comes from God. He is the source of spiritual insight. Wisdom is more than knowledge about God. It is a personally experienced knowledge of Him and a willful submission to His will. Without this knowledge of God spiritual growth is impossible.
It is God's desire for us to go on in our faith and to grow as a church. That can only be done through continued effort on the part of every one of us. If you want to grow spiritually you need to make up your mind and ask God to show you where it is that you need to grow. Maybe there is an area in your life that you would personally like to grow, ask and it will be given, seek, and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
I know that God wants us to grow spiritually. I want to see not only you grow spiritually, but also myself. As Christian's we need to get into the Word of God, Pray, and have a desire to grow as Christians.
Matt 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
Spiritual growth comes from having a deep passion for the things of God. A hunger and thirst for God. When you are thirsty and hungry what do you do? You satisfy that thirst or hunger by getting something to drink or eat.
You eat three meals a day, but how many times a day do you feed your soul?"
Notice Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1: 17-19 "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe...."
That is why we cooperate as a congregation of God's people. We are here for each other. We are to show our love and support for each individuals growth in Christ and pray for the strength to deal with the issues of the world. All the while keeping our faith strong and vibrant.
We do have the privilege of addressing our God and Father by prayer. We need to keep that lifeline active as much as possible. God has spoken to us via the Bible, and we must learn as much as we can so that we will do things that are pleasing to Him. Learning to love others is one of the greatest commands, and practically all of our Christianity is based upon our love for our fellow man. Showing love is fulfilling the whole law of Christ.
But also remember that growth is an individual choice that only you can make. We can encourage you, but it is your choice.

By Carey Scott

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