Testing Our Spiritual Growth

(Taken from Charles Stanley’s monthly devotional “In Touch” magazine Aug 2007)

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Kids are excited by their physical growth. They will stand back to back to see who is taller, and most probably know how they compare in height to their parents—“I come up to my dad’s chin!” Adult believers may be finished with physical growth but are still maturing spiritually. And checking progress is still an exciting experience. Here are three ways to evaluate growth.

1) We know that our relationship with God is growing when we can see our true nature clearly. As the Spirit gains greater control of our life, we become increasingly aware of our own sinfulness and weakness. We realize we cannot live the Christian life on our own.

2) We know we’re growing when our response to sin is quick—the prick of conviction brings about immediate and genuine repentance. Ignoring our sin is rebellion against God, and disobedience halts spiritual growth.

3) We know intimacy with God is deepening when we guard our devotional time. Private moments spent in prayer and scriptural meditation must be a top priority for maturing believers. By listening to the Lord and talking with Him about our needs, we stay connected to His will and are reminded of His love.

Seeing spiritual growth within ourselves should give us joy! Why? Because our spirit is looking more and more like that of our perfect Savior, Jesus Christ. And we do not have to stand back to back with people of the world for them to see that we are “children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Phil. 2:15)

Ponderings - People Will Let Us Down

Today is different, I don't have any devotional to post... I'm just musing as I ponder ideas and rumage through my thoughts for scenes in the novel I've attempted writing.

It shouldn't be difficult to think of ways people let us down. And I'm not saying that because I am surrounded by terrible people. On the contrary, I am blessed to be surrounded by some VERY WONDERFUL people! However; being human, we do not cease to let one another down once in a while. We can't be all for all. And until we find true satisfaction in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we will never be truly satisfied.

I will continue mulling this one over...

Acts 2:37-39 ~ Aug. 13, 2007

"Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" Acts 2:38

"Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin" (Charles Stanley) James talks about authentic faith, "faith without deeds is dead." It isn't that you aren't saved until you lead a perfect lifestyle, but you are saved once you believe in the forgiveness Christ offers you and have that desire to live a life that pleases Him. Your sin nature was put to death at the cross, so how can you intentionally live in sin? We are freed from that now, free to choose to live righteously and in a way pleasing to God.

Genuine faith is dependant on a repentant heart, and a repentant heart is dependant upon faith. By God's grace he gives us the power and strength we need to live the life he desires for us. Ephesians spells out so clearly all God has graciously done for us and how we should live our lives in honor of all that!
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

If God has prepared good things for us to do, how can we go on desiring the evil this world offers? The message is clear to stand firm against the devil's schemes and all he represents in Ephesians chapter 6. We are not to live the way the world lives. We are aliens proclaiming the message of God's saving grace and living honorable lives out of love for our Savior.

Aug 2 '07 ~ 1 John 4:19-5:5

I don't know how people think that they may continue on in life with little or no regard for God, yet claim to be Christian. It is so clear in scripture that there is a lifestyle by-product, if you want to call it that, from believing in Jesus Christ. How can anyone say their faith is genuine when they don't display these character traits in their life?
Loving Others! We are only able to love each other because God loved us first. (4:19-21)
Loving God & Carrying out His Commands (5:2) A sign of our love for God is obedience to His commands. If we don't desire to obey Him, do we really love Him?

John then writes the next section defining God's commands and reminding us that they're not burdensome or impossible to carry out. Verse 4 says, "everyone born of God overcomes the world," meaning we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us giving us the power and the ability to obey God and resist sinfulness. We have been born a new creation.

Psalm 101
This Psalm is a really great testimony for the believer. It begins by recognizing God's love and praising Him. (v1)
(V2) "I will be careful to lead a blameless life." Being aware of your actions, desiring to steer clear away from evil.
(V3) Talks about not allowing ourselves to look at vile/perverse things. Shielding ourselves from evil tv programs, movies, websites, books and magazines. Not lingering on the deeds of faithless people.
(V5) Is a call to action! Silencing gossip and not puttin gup with prideful and arrogant attitudes.
(V6) Desire to fellowship with others who truly love God and obey Him. They will encourage us and minister to us.
(V7) Deceit and lying are unacceptable behaviors.