Growth

A couple weeks ago we started a new 6 month program that we will run at-risk women through to teach life and job skills based on Biblical principles.  Last week, I started the Bible portion of the program.  We have ordered a series by Charles Stanley sermons online, but the mailing system takes several weeks, so we decided to use another one of Stanley's sermon series that deals with first steps of Christianity.  We prayerfully thought that we should start directly from scratch and teach from our hearts and lives.  If you haven't read this blog by Luke yet, catch up here about what is going on ministry-wise with my work in the Dominican.

I take full notes on the sermon in the English, then we watch it in Spanish with the ladies to completely understand what is being said, then we can all talk about it as a group after.  The first one was excellent on eternal salvation.  You can check it out here.

This week the second step was growth.  It was just such a life-changing sermon that I wanted to share what he said...but don't just read this, go over here and check it out yourself.  Totally mind-blowing.

He started out by saying that children of God should grow.  If we do not grow, then something is wrong.  A very important question he posed was to ask yourself, "Am I growing?"

 If you are not growing, you are back-slidding.

WHAT. WOW.

Romans 8:29New International Version (NIV)

²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

It is God's will that we be conformed to the imagine of His son, Jesus.  It is His will that you GROW AND CHANGE.  

Parents are role models. Kids should look to us as their number one model of how life in Christ should be, not the Pastor.  Others should look at us and talk about how much we have changed and grown in Christ.  Stanley said, "Can you personally look at your life and say, '10 years ago, where was I?'  Or, have you been back-slidding for 10 years and not realized it?"  My jaw popped open when he said that.  I had never heard it like that, but that is true.  When you are not growing you are moving further and further away from God's path.  You don't just stop reading your Bible and stop following His will, you are not being led by the Holy Spirit and you are falling into sin.  No, this isn't the big sins everyone wants to shout from rooftops and hold signs for... no, these are the hidden sins that have become somewhat acceptable in society.  I just thought people stayed-still.  I can't believe how wrong I was.  I don't know why I didn't see it because I know you can't just live your life anyway you want....yet, I just assumed people were staying the same, in my head. 

Here is a list that Stanley poses to check in your life to see if you are "growing."  Take a minute to pray before you watch the sermon and read this list.  Really ask God to open your heart and break you down to see what you have maybe missed in the busyness of life and ladders...

As we grow in Christ likeness we become-

Aware of sinfulness and our personal weaknesses that need to change

Our response to sin in our lives is quick and repentance follows 

Our spiritual battles become more intense and we rejoice in the opportunity to grow

We view service to Jesus as a high honor, not a burden

We are able to view everything as coming from Him.  He can stop it but He allows it. (I think this one is HUGE. I am often baffled at the amount of Christians that do not consider God in their circumstances and only focus on the object that "causes" it. )

We sense our faith GROWING stronger

Our desire to obey Him becomes more intense, and sin is less attractive

Eager to share what Christ is doing in our life (When was the last time you shared anything with anyone about what Christ is doing in your life?)

We experience an ever increasing awareness of His presence.  The more you are aware of Him, you cannot tolerate sin in your life

WE GUARD OUR PRIVATE DEVOTIONAL TIME.  (As you grow in Christ, this time is non-negotiable.  You make the time to read because you cannot live without this knowledge and Him speaking in His Word.)

We LOVE to spend time with God.

We desire to give more to others, church, circumstances

We have a growing HUNGER in our hearts for God

WE FEEEEEEEL God's love. (Some can say that God loves them, but not feel it or feel like they deserve it.  When was the last time you felt so overwhelmed in His love that you smiled and cried at the same time in the Spirit?) 

Do you experience these? 

I am a broken record with this, but it's because it is true in my life...you have got to make time to read your Bible.  I cannot live without mine.  Mine is falling to pieces and missing like the first 4 books!!! but there are so many notes and dates in their that bring back to memory when God spoke to me, things He did, His faithfulness, His love, His provision, His character etc and I cant part just yet to start a new one.   (I just use my kindle for those books or online.)

I truly hope you click the link and watch the sermon today.  You can totally start anew...right now.  Get back on the path...you know you feel it and keep saying you are going to change something, here you go...

Love from the island!