Growing Spiritually

Growing Spiritually:

Disciples of Christ want to grow spiritually.  They have a great desire for a deeper and more intimate relationship with Jesus. They want to have a greater understanding of God's Word and how to apply it to their lives.  They desire to connect with their Lord on a daily basis. What we must remember is that spiritual growth is a process. It must be tended like a garden so it can produce a crop. Disciples want their lives to be fruitful and pleasing to God. The only way they can produce fruit and stay on this path of spiritual growth is to ask God for help. He will provide it through the direction, power and teaching of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the real change agent in a believers life. Their is no such thing as a go it alone Christian. Jesus said this:

John 15:6-8 New International Version 
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.


The Church has an important role in the edification, building up, or spiritual growth of the body of Christ.

There are three areas of work, commissioned by God for the Church: (Stan Cox)
1.The church is to preach the gospel to the lost in the world (evangelism)
2. To engage in works of physical and material charity toward needy saints (benevolence)
3. To encourage and build up those of the household of faith (edification)
 

Warning to the Church:

The Church should be careful when pursuing Church growth in numbers that it is not at the expense of Spiritual Development of its congregation.

But ultimately it is the responsibility of the follower of Jesus to pusue a course of spirutal development.   

Here are some tips on what to do.

1. Daily work on becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus:

As followers of Jesus, we need to reflect a life of Christ-likeness through the way we love Him and devote our lives to Him. To become a fully devoted follower we must be willing to spend time with God, thinking about God, and with purpose, doing life for God. That way when others observe the way we live they will know we are set apart to God through our identity in Christ. The greatest way we can prove we are His disciples is by the way we love God and others.

2. We need to include spiritual disciplines in our daily activity to help us live a 

     life devoted to God.

One way to live a life devoted to God is through the spiritual disciplines: (Spiritual disciplines, are spiritual exercises that one engages in habitually which bring

 one closer to God and thus become more godly in character and behavior)

  Here are some examples of Spiritual discipline:

A. Prayer – Spending quiet time with God, making your requests known and  

spending moments just listening to your heart where the Holy Spirit can inspire you to act in accordance to God’s will.

Colossians 4:2 NIV

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

B. Meditation – A time where we contemplate the meaning of God's Word

Philippians 4:8 NIV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

C. Fasting - usually accompanied with prayer, in which one abstains from food, drink, sleep or sex to focus on spiritual growth.

Daniel 9:3 NIV  
So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

Joel 2:12 NIV  
"Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."

God considers fasting important, and His Word contains 92 passages mentioning it. Many of our heroes of the faith, including Moses, Elijah, Esther, Nehemiah, Daniel and Paul, fasted at crucial points.

One reason we fast is to demonstrate humility before the sovereign Creator of the universe. God responds when we diligently and wholeheartedly seek Him.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Acts 13:1-3 implies that church leaders were seeking God's direction for their ministry through prayer and fasting.

Acts 13:1-3 NIV

In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

In this instance, people fasted and prayed in order to determine God's will.

The Bible also talks about renewing our minds as a way to understand God’s will. Fasting can help us focus in on that renewal.

Romans 12:2 NIV 
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Here are some other activities that can help train us to become more devoted to God through regular practice.

      1. Praise and Worship: (Living a life of worship, not just on Sunday)

      2. Our giving/tithe:  (Trusting God with our finances)

      3. Corporate Worship: (Regularly attending church to help edify (build up) the 

          Body of Christ)

      4. Hospitality:  (Being Christ-like toward others)

      5. Teaching/Evangelism:  (Sharing the Gospel and train others to do the same)

      6. Stewardship: (Using the resources and gifts God has provided to benefit His 

          Kingdom)

      7. Bible Study: (maintaining a connection to the truth of God’s Word for 

          inspiration and daily living)

Through our daily spiritual disciplines we can move toward living a life that is Holy and pleasing to God.

Romans 12:1 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices (Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering), holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual  act of worship.

Our devotion and obedience to God is part of our offering back to Him for the new life and future He has provided us.  Together we can inspire and encourage one another to grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus which in turn will develop the Christ-likeness in each of us. With the help of the Holy Spirit and inspired by the Word of God, we can truly be part of the mission of the local church to play a significant

role in the community through teaching the truth about the Gospel of Jesus. We, as the local Church, can be the hope of the world.

“The local church is the hope of the world, and its future rests primarily in the hands of its leaders.” (Bill Hybels)

 “Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.” (Bridget Willard)

Just Sayin……………..Dave

Storing up Your Treasure in Heaven

Storing up Your Treasure in Heaven

Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

Treasures in Heaven

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

One thing that is affecting us all right now is our economy.  With gas, food and healthcare prices soaring we are now realizing that our dollars are not buying as much as they used to. The things that used to be affordable are stretching our wallets and causing us to make some difficult maybe even lifestyle changing decisions. 

With the state of the economy the way it is, many people are determined to get the most bang for their buck, and Looking to where they can get the greatest return on their investment.

According to God there is an even greater way to invest and to live abundantly.

When the Bible talks about storing up our Treasure in Heaven it is emphasizing an eternal investment. We should ask ourselves as followers of Jesus, what are the things that we are doing currently to make an eternal Investment in God’s kingdom?

The first thing we need to understand is what our Treasure is.

Our Treasure includes:

·        The Holy Spirit indwelled in us, changes us from the inside out  
      (Heart and Attitude)

·        Our Christ-like heart and attitude (Heart and Attitude)

·        Jesus’ love for us that compels us to share the Gospel (Mission)

·        Our love and service to God and others using our God given gifts and talents for  
      kingdom work (Ministry)

·        The Giving of our Tithe and Offerings (Resources)

·        Our daily relationship with Jesus which includes Quiet time, Meditation, Prayer & 
      Bible study (Relationship)

With these imbedded attitudes and actions we can truly live our lives with eternal significance. All other things we do in life pale in comparison to living a life set apart to God.  

In some ways we are all still drawn to the things this world has to offer. Many people, even those who claim to be followers of Jesus are not ready to live their lives completely set apart to God. Their main stumbling blocks are the  things they want  to do and accomplish before their earthly exit. But the reality is, life has greater significance when we live with an eternal perspective now, keeping in mind and realizing, God wants us to be a daily willing participant in His plan of Salvation.

With our Treasure we can play a significant role in life changing ministry that will resonate throughout eternity. 

God’s promise to us:

We can be assured that as we daily invest in God’s Kingdom, our Lord will keep His promise to take care of our daily needs and equip us for ministry.

Jesus tells us not to worry because God will take care of our daily needs.

Matthew 6:25-27 NIV

Do Not Worry

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Philippians 4:19 NIV

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

By putting God first in our lives we can be assured of His provision.

Matthew 6:33-34 NIV

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

God promises to equip us for ministry and complete the work He begins in us.

Ephesians 2;10 NIV

 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Philippians 1:6 NIV

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times,

having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

God’s Word will also help equip us for ministry.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Through Christ we will have the wisdom and strength to serve.

Philippians 4:13 AMP

 I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].

Let’s take to heart these next Bible verses.  They will help us live the abundant life by teaching us about what is really important.  The key is that our focus be on the right things so our Treasure will truly be invested in the right place.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 NIV

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good

confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Here are 4 great 'whatever you do" verses that help keep our focus on God:

1.  Proverbs 16:3

     Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

2.  1 Corinthians 10:31

     So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

3.  Colossians 3:17

     And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,  

     giving thanks to God the Father through him.

4.  Colossians 3:23

     Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human 

      masters,

 

 What we can do right now to make an eternal investment in God’s kingdom:

Look at all the ways you can play a significant role in helping fulfill the mission of the local Church and the great commission Jesus calls His followers to participate in. In the same way, whatever God has blessed us with, let’s use for His kingdom. By volunteering our time, talent, and resources, we can truly make a difference in the lives

of those who will be our guests in Church and reach out to those who do not yet know where to find real hope for their lives.

A huge stumbling block for many is how to support the Church financially. God made an Old Testament promise to provide great abundance for those who support His Kingdom faithfully. God even calls on His people to test Him by offering a tithe. Everyone must decide from his or her own heart what to offer to the local Church and to other mission oriented ministries and charities. But if we believe God keeps His promises, would it not be wise to give Him back what He desires. Most of all God desires the heart of a cheerful giver.

Malachi 3:10 NIV 
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty,"and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

God does not need our money yet He invites us to invest in His kingdom. God wants us to be good stewards of our time, gifts, talents and resources. At the same time we need to trust that those we support with our financial resources will use our offering to bring about great benefit and blessing to others. God can and will bless what we give from the heart. It pleases God when we give out of love and compassion and not obligation or pride. The motivation behind our giving Is the best indicator of the depth of relationship we have with God. 

The Bible says we cannot serve two masters “God & Money”.

Matthew 6:24 NIV 
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. 

God must always take first place in our lives.   

So it is important that we devote ourselves to God and view money as a resource provided by God to meet our needs and provide for the needs of others as well.

True direction and wisdom can only come from God.

The Bible says when we trust in God with all our heart He will make our path straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  

There is nothing more important in this life that to trust God with our eternity. Trusting God means we hand over every area of our lives for Him to direct. If God is telling us to store up our treasure in Heaven than we must obey. 

Storing up our treasure in heaven will enrich our relationship with God and will give our lives greater purpose through our participation in life changing ministry that will resonate throughout eternity.

Remember:

What we deem as valuable is our treasure.

Earthly treasure does not last.

Live life with an eternal perspective.

Invest your time and energy into things that have eternal significance.

Our greatest treasure is Jesus. He deserves our greatest depth of our love and devotion.

Through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit we can live the abundant life.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Just Sayin…………………Dave