Growth
Growth
That’s the one word I heard from Holy Spirit this Saturday morning.
I wrote the word down and when I didn’t hear anything additional, I opened my Bible with anticipation of Holy Spirit continuing the conversation there. He did!
I flipped to 1 Peter 4:1-11, but when I read it in the New Living Translation, I could see how Holy Spirit was speaking to me about GROWTH. Let’s read it together, shall we:
So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. 2 You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. 3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.
4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. 5 But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead. 6 That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead —so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit.
7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.
10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
— 1 Peter 4:1-11 NLT
It was verse 2 that stood out most, but all of these verses spoke to me. I realize how much I have grown spiritually! As I was looking at the page adjacent to 1 Peter in my Bible, I read one of the pull out stories. Side Note: I really do love how this Bible is so relevant with study notes, applicable life stories, and videos. But in the applicable life story, God confirmed a word He gave me yesterday during my 6:33 p.m. prayer time and then He also showed me the definition of a spiritual individual.
A spiritual individual is someone who see things spiritually and responds in faith.
I recognized from reading this that I have grown from DOING spiritual things (like reading the Bible, praying, and going to church) to actually BEING spiritual. I mean I grew up going to church so I definitely was DOING that spiritual thing almost to perfection. I was not going to miss church. But while I had close to perfect attendance at church, I wasn’t BEING spiritual, I was simply DOING spiritual things.
Again 1 Peter 4:2 says:
You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. — 1 Peter 4:2 NLT
When I really sit with that verse, I see my growth spiritually. I am anxious to do the will of God and live my life the way HE wants now, not what I want. I used to attend church all the time, but I wasn’t focused on His will, I was focused on mine. Holy Spirit told me yesterday (also during that 6:33 p.m. prayer time) that if I will just keep my focus on Him, everything I want will be added to me after that.
Growth for me can be measured by how anxious I am to do the will of God! How can I know His will, by spending time in conversation with Him like today.
P.S. I just love my Conversations With God! Don’t you?
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SALVATION PRAYER
If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and you’re not a believer, but you have a desire to be, all you have to do is openly confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). When you pray that prayer, you are saved. Get connected with a good, bible-based church in your community, stay connected to other believers, and start having daily conversations through prayer with God every single day. Welcome to your new life with Jesus Christ!!!
ASSIGNMENTS
What did Holy Spirit say to you in your conversation with Him this morning? (Be sure to write it all down).
According to the definition above, are you growing spiritually by seeing things spiritually and responding in faith or are you still thinking that you’re spiritual because you read your bible, pray, and go to church? (Be honest with yourself so that you can GROW).
Record yourself reading the Word of God on video or audio and watch how God will use your own voice to give you revelation and build your faith (keeping this assignment on here for a while).
Struggling with Consistency? I want to help you! Leave me a message! Text 601-299-4398!
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