Thoughts on Spiritual Growth
I'm away at Student Life Urban Serve Mission Camp in Atlanta this week. I wanted to share my top visited blog posts a few times this week. Here is a post I wrote on spiritual growth last year.
Spiritual growth happens when disciplines are put in place to focus upon becoming like Christ. God has shown me that it is easy to become distracted with being “busy” and miss out on the joy of intentional focus upon God’s Word and prayer. Spiritual formation is much more than a class, but a daily walk with God. My goal is to become a better man of God personally so that I can impact more people publicly. Pharisees focus upon Spiritual growth as retaining knowledge. God’s Word is not meant only for information but transformation of hearts and lives! Spiritually mature people help those far from God know about the gospel through their words, actions, and attitudes! Spiritual growth leads a person from the bench and plugs them into the action of loving and reaching people that need the love of Christ.
Another area of my life I plan to grow in is to spend more time praying with my wife. Although we lead in ministry together, we can never get too busy ministering to others that we miss out on caring for each other. My prayer is that I will be a better spiritual leader in my marriage and one day my children. Spiritual disciplines are the heartbeat of growing to become like Christ. Without filling our hearts and minds with God’s Word and prayer, we can easily become swayed by the tide of the our “prayerless” culture.
The last aspect is to simply trust God in each decision and situation in life. God is strong enough to carry our burdens. Over the past three years I have been through extreme low times and extreme exciting times. God is showing me that He stays consistent with His provision, love and mercy. Knowing who God is fuels my desire to become more like Him. Spiritual growth is the process of becoming and living for Christ in all areas of life!
Discover. Grow. Go.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Doin Work - Taming the Beast
Main Thought: Words reflect what is in our heart.
Doin Work - "Taming The Beast" from Source Student Ministries on Vimeo.
Messsage Explanation: James: 3:2-10. When God created man, he gave us two eyes, two ears, two nostrils and one mouth. Our words reflect what is in our heart Matthew 12:34 “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Our words can either GIVE life or TAKE life away from others. Words have the power to direct our lives (v. 3-5). Words have power to destroy (v. 6-7). We can assassinate others with our words. “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble” Proverbs 21:23.
Ephesians 4:29: “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
Here are some action steps to WATCH OUR WORDS 1. Read and apply Scripture (Proverbs a day, James)
2. Think First - remember the acronym THINK, try to ask these 5 questions before you speak:
Is it True? Remember this rule about gossip: “The more interesting it is, the more likely it is to be false.” Is it Helpful? Will your words help bring about a solution to a problem? Is it Inspiring? Will your words build up someone? Is it Necessary? Do we have to say anything at all? Is it Kind? Are your words based on a desire to help?
3. Talk Less. Your chances of blowing it with your words are directly proportional to the amount of time you spend with your mouth open. Listen to the words you say.
4. Build Others Up - Proverbs 12:25 says, “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” Do your words destroy others or give life?
