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My First Blog
  
A Work of Biographical Proportion-In Progress
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Hi BigChurch, I'm Baaaaaaaaaaack!!!!! Sep 22, 2008 4:06 am
Mood: Glad To Be Back!, 472 Views
I sure have missed you the last 5 days!

I awoke Wednesday morning to my computer not working. After over 6 hours of trying to make it work, lol, I discovered I had a virus. It was called "Anti-virus XP 2008". Talk about an oxymoron Jeffery!

I was so aggravated, so frustrated, not being able to work, not able to blog, I was having a fit of carnality! I ranted and raved, I screamed and hollered, I prayed, and I cried, to no avail. It had embedded itself, deeply, lol, and corrupted my files.

But, through it all, my God was on the throne, hallelujah! He led me to find a Christian computer technician, named Dean, who spent 5 hours at my house, working on it. Then he took it with him and spent at least 5 hours more, removing all the glitches, cleaning it up, running all kinds of diagnostics, and installing a new power supply. He also gave me 3 new anti-viruses and a new browser, more resistant to viruses, and only charged me $500!

Even though I missed all of you terribly, I was glad to have missed all the fighting going on, . I should send all of those involved to bed with no dinner! However, when I got on, very late last night, I was pleasantly surprised to see some old bloggers come back.

Hi Michael! How bout that Carl Edwards-1st in the NASCAR points!

Hi Jerry! So glad to see you're doing well my friend!

Hi Duncan! I see you're up to your old ways, lol.

Thank you to all of you who sent me emails, I'll get get to responding to them as soon as I can play catch-up.

Yes, Jeffery, it IS time to play with some more oxymorons, lol. But, for now, gotta get to work, sales taxes due today! God bless each of you and know that I am praying for you! Have a blessed day!
18 Comments
WOW!!! What A Response!!! Thank You!!! Sep 17, 2008 6:01 am
Mood: Blessed, blessed, blessed!, 641 Views
Alan and I were so blessed by all of your warm wishes and prayers for us! Between his post, In Love at BigChurch and mine, In Love At BigChurch, we were overwhelmed by over 70 comments from fellow bloggers wishing us well and praying for us. What an amazing blessing! What joy we have felt to know so many of you are cheering for us! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Today, we wish to encourage you that God has a perfect plan for ALL of us. That plan includes the one who is best for each of us. I waited 10 years and Alan has waited 3 years, for that perfect plan to be manifested. So, take heart and rejoice in Him! During this time of preparation, draw close to Him, allow Him to heal your heart and restore you to the person He created you to be. This process must take place, in order for you to be ready for the one He has for you. Cherish this time alone with God, don't rush the plan by stepping out in your own efforts. (I did, and it ended in disaster) It is vital and necessary for you to trust in His timing. He loves every single one of us, with a love that is unbelievable, and knows just exactly what we need and desire. And, He is no respector of persons, what He did for us, He will do for you, if you are willing to do what is necessary. That is to build a strong foundation in Him, allow the Holy Spirit to do a work in you to heal the wounds and change your mind and your heart.

We are so grateful to God for BigChurch and each and every one of you. I often say, "How amazing it is that I had to join an international Christian dating website, in order to find someone who lives only 6 miles away". But, God had a plan, and in that plan was also the opportunity to make wonderful friends and have such a bond and fellowship with the best people on this earth. So, while you're waiting and preparing, take advantage of this wonderful chance to be blessed by the excellent people that are here, and trust God's timing to bring you the person, the best person, for you. Believe me, He WILL do it! We are living proof! Thank you BigChurch for your love and your continued prayers for us. We will be praying for you also!

This is one of the many reasons that Ephesians 3:20 (AMP) is my fav scripture:

"To God, Who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly, above and beyond, ALL that I could ever dare to hope, ask, or think, according to His Spirit, that works within me."

May He perform that scripture in YOUR life too!
17 Comments
In Love At BigChurch Sep 15, 2008 7:36 am
Mood: Loving My Man!, 1588 Views
OK, the cat's out of the bag, lol.
Many knew of the love between My Dear One (AlanB2) and I, but since he has now made it public, In Love at BigChurch I felt I should express my side of the story.

One of the first contacts I had with Alan was back in April. He left a comment on my blog that he had been on Sanibel Island that day, fishing. He said that all he caught was a sunburn. I knew immediately he was a yankee, and remember thinking, "he probaby doesn't even know how to put his bait on the hook", lol. He has since then labeled me a "fishing snob", because I know so much about saltwater fishing and make fun of those who don't.

After conversing by email, text, and phone for a couple of months, we finally agreed to meet. He knew I was trying to get everything together for the BigChurch Bash on July 4, and jumped right in to volunteer his help. The day of our first meeting, he came with his van to help me go pick up two twin beds I was borrowing from my mom, for people to sleep in. Yes, he called me while he was in my driveway, to make sure he was at the right house, and yes, I went out to meet him. I was pleasantly surprised because he looked just like his pic, and it really helped that he had a beard, I love beards.

He was so unlike any man I had ever met, kind and thoughtful, sensitive and caring, funny, yet serious when necessary. The thing that impressed me the most was that during those initial days of our meeting, he asked me for paper and pen, then went around my entire house and made a list of all the things that needed to be fixed. It was an extensive list and he set about to fix everything. No one had ever done that for me! Wow! I think he had me at that point, hahaha. Then, he continued to bait me and reel me in. He demonstrated his cooking abilities by making me veal parmesan for dinner. No one had ever done that either. He was making good progress! Then, he presented his expertise at massage one night by giving me a backrub for over an hour, (appropriately clothed) and had me so relaxed I just wanted to doze off. He got my coffeepot ready, locked all the doors, and went home. Wow! Now, I'm past the point of no return. I, too am head over heels in love with this man!

Since then, we've continued to get to know each other and are learning to communicate. We read the Bible and other good Christian books together, pray together, and yes, we fish together. For the record, I've caught many more than he, lol. One of the best parts for me, is the laughter. It DOES do a heart good, like a medicine. I've never laughed so much in a relationship.

Yes, we do still have things we're working through, as he stated we're both very independent and that takes time to change. As he also stated, we're both very stubborn, lol, but most of the time, I win! He likes the Patriots, I like the Colts, and his fav racecar driver is Jeff Gordon-BOOOOOOOOO!!! But, in spite of our differences, we're very determined to make this work, as we believe our love is a gift from God, to be valued and cherished. And we both agree to wait for marriage to consumate our love. With the Holy Spirit's help and guidance, some compromise on both parts, and continued communication, there may just be a wedding next September. You'll ALL be invited, thank you for all of your prayers for us!
52 Comments
Broken Promises & Empty Meaningless Words Sep 14, 2008 3:37 am
Mood: Disillusioned!, 903 Views
Please forgive me today for venting! I'm so aggravated, frustrated, and disappointed with people that have no integrity. People who make promises and have no intention of keeping them. People who tell you something and then never do it. What is wrong with the world today? Is there no one who keeps their word anymore? How can one possibly depend on, rely on, or trust someone who has no regard for the words they speak?

Words are containers for power. They can be used for edification and encouragement or they can be used to tear down or destroy. We are admonished by God to keep our word, but who does anymore? People just spew out words, without thinking, to satisfy their needs at the moment. They really have no intention of keeping them, nor do they have any regard for the one who is depending on those words. What does God have to say about it?

The WORDS of fools will ruin them: their WORDS will trap them. People will be rewarded for what they SAY; they will be rewarded by how they SPEAK. What you SAY can mean life or death. Those who SPEAK with care will be rewarded.
Proverbs 18:4, 7, 20-21

Having been in business for 22 years, I have come to expect my associates to be lackadaisical about their words. I've had at least a dozen clients recently, tell me they're going to pay me on such and such a date, to no avail. That's just something prevalent in the secular world. It's a rare commodity to find someone who will keep their word. And, even though I've come to expect them not to keep their word, it still disappoints me when they don't. But, in the body of Christ, THIS SHOULD NOT BE SO!!! We KNOW by the above scripture and many more, that words can mean life or death. How can we, in good conscience, not keep our word? How have we come to the place of being so careless with our words?

The mouth SPEAKS the things that are in your heart. And I tell you, that on Judgement Day, people will be responsible for EVERY careless thing they have SAID. The WORDS you have SAID will be used to judge you. Some of your WORDS will prove you right, but some of your WORDS will prove you guilty.
Matthew 12:34, 36-37

How can it be any clearer than that? We are going to be responsible for EVERY careless word we have spoken! Our WORDS will be used to judge us! Please, I admonish you to be careful with your words. Someone may be waiting for that phone call you said you would make. Someone may be relying on the words you have spoken to them. Their pain and disappointment will be on you! God WILL hold you responsible!

I'm just disgusted, please forgive me for ranting. I'm so disillusioned at people and extremely disappointed that there are so few in my life I can trust and depend on. I just want to crawl back in my cave and never come out again!
29 Comments
Does God Punish Us When We Sin? Sep 13, 2008 5:05 am
Mood: Grateful!, 764 Views
When I was first saved, I thought God was this Being in heaven, sitting there with a baseball bat (or other weapon) waiting for me to sin so He could punish me. Today, many people view God in this same light, as angry towards us, and ever ready to deal out punishment for our sins. I've since learned that God is Love and a gracious and loving Father. He loves us with a love that most of us can't even fathom. He NEVER punishes us for sin. Therefore, when something bad happens in our lives, we can NEVER say it is God punishing us for our sins. However, lol, there is this thing called "discipline"........

For believers in Jesus, all our sin – past, present and future – has already been punished on the cross. As Christians, we will NEVER be punished for sin. That was done once, for all.
"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"
Romans 8:1
Because of the sacrifice of Christ, God sees only the righteousness of Christ when He looks at us. Our sin has been nailed to the cross with Jesus, and we will never be punished for it.

The sin that remains in our lives, however, does sometimes require God’s discipline. If we continue to act in sinful ways and we do not repent and turn from that sin, God brings His divine discipline to bear upon us. If He did not, He would not be a loving and concerned Father. Just as we discipline our own children for their welfare, so does our heavenly Father lovingly correct His children, for their benefit. Hebrews 12:v7-13 tells us, "As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? If God doesn't discipline you, as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children after all. Since we respect our earthly fathers, who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in His holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way."

Discipline, then, is how God lovingly turns His children from rebellion to obedience. Through discipline, our eyes are opened more clearly to God's perspective on our lives. As King David stated in Psalm 32, discipline causes us to confess and repent of sin we have not yet dealt with. In this way discipline is cleansing. It's also a growth catalyst. The more we know about God, the more we know about His desires for our lives. Discipline presents us with the opportunity to learn and to conform ourselves to the image of Christ (Romans 12:1-2). Discipline is a good thing! Although, it doesn't always feel good.

We need to remember that sin is a constant in our lives while we are yet on this earth (Romans 3:10, 23). And as such, we not only have to deal with God's discipline for our disobedience, but we also have to deal with the natural consequences resulting from sin. If a believer steals something, God will forgive him and cleanse him from the sin of theft, restoring fellowship between Himself and the repentant thief. However, society will present consequences, resulting in fines or even jail time. These are natural consequences of sin and must be endured. But God works, even through those, to increase our faith and glorify Himself.

In retrospect, I now welcome the discipline my Father gives, though perhaps not at the time, lol, but in the end, I know it is for my own good and will benefit me, if I will only see it through the eyes of my Daddy. His discipline reveals His love for me, brings to light sin I may not have dealt with, allows me to grow deeper in the things of God, and teaches me obedience. How can that be a bad thing?

How do you feel about God's discipline in your life?
23 Comments
How Do You Feel About Dying? Sep 12, 2008 5:55 am
Mood: Longing for home!, 532 Views
I used to be afraid of dying, didn't want to go there, and felt there was so much more left for me to accomplish. But, since then, I've had a change of heart. The Bible says that, "to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord." I long for the day that I am present with the Lord and I welcome death for that reason. Sometimes, I grow weary from the challenges that living has to offer. Sometimes I just want to end all this madness and be with Him for eternity. But, our lives are in His hands, our every breathing moment is up to Him. We ALL have an appointed time to die.

The Bible tells us that “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be”
Psalm 139:16
So, yes, God knows exactly when, where, and how we will die. God knows absolutely everything about us (Psalm 139:1-6). So does this mean our fate is sealed? Does this mean we have absolutely no control over when we will die? The answer is both yes and no, depending on your perspective.

The answer is yes from God’s perspective because God is omniscient—He knows everything and knows exactly when, where and how we will die. Nothing we can do will change what God already knows will happen. The answer is no from our perspective because we do have an impact on when, where, and how we die. Obviously, a person who commits suicide causes their own death. A person who commits suicide would have lived longer had they not committed suicide. Similarly, a person who dies because of a foolish decision (i.e., drug use) “expedited” their own death. A person who dies of lung cancer from smoking would not have died in the same way or at the same time if they had not smoked. A person who dies of a heart attack due to a lifetime of extremely unhealthy eating and little exercise would not have died in the same way or at the same time if they had eaten healthier foods and exercised more. Yes, our own decisions DO have an undeniable impact on the manner, timing, and place of our death.

How does this affect our lives practically? We are to live each day for God. James 4:13-15 teaches us, “Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.”
We are to make wise decisions about how we live our lives and how we take care of ourselves. And ultimately, we trust God that He is sovereign and in control of all things.

So, "if it is the Lord's will", I will remain here and continue to be about His work, but I sometimes find myself praying for Him to bring me home. This life we have here can be difficult at best, the daily stress and struggle can be overwhelming, and sometimes I'm ready for it to be over. Nevertheless, His will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. For as long as we remain, we have to be conscious of the fact that there is still a great deal left to do, to bring souls into the Kingdom, to be a blessing to someone in need of what we have to give, and to give God glory through the lives we live.

Just for today, consider that this day may be your last. What would you do with it? How would you live it? What relationships would you seek to heal? What kind of time would you spend with loved ones? Is there anything specific you would do and would it bring glory to God in any way? You know, there IS a very real possibility that today could be your last. See you in heaven!
16 Comments
Would God Vote Democrat Or Republican? Sep 11, 2008 2:55 am
Mood: Voting God's Way, 673 Views
Or perhaps Independent? What Party affiliation would He wish for us to choose? It may seem like a silly question, but I want God's approval in EVERY decision I make and that includes voting. He has blessed me with the opportunity to be born into a free country, a country that was founded on His Biblical principles, where I have a right and a responsibility to help decide who will lead it. How would He have me vote?

In all actuality, few political issues are truly spiritual issues. As an example, we may prefer lower taxes, but the Bible does not endorse low taxes; all it says is that we are to pay our taxes honestly (Romans 13:6-7; Matthew 22:15-21). Taxes and many other issues (social security, universal healthcare, education funding, prescription drugs, etc.) are not spiritual issues the Bible specifically addresses. As a result, Christians can, in good conscience, have disagreements on these issues.

An issue the Bible most definitely "takes sides" on is abortion. Jeremiah 1:5 tells us that God knows us before He knits us in the womb. Psalm 139:13-16 speaks of God’s active role in our creation and formation in the womb. Exodus 21:22-25 prescribes the same penalty of someone who causes the death of a baby in the womb as the penalty for someone who commits murder. This clearly indicates that God considers a baby in the womb as just as much of a human being as a full-grown adult. For the Christian, abortion is not a matter of a woman’s right to choose. It is a matter of the life or death of a human being made in God’s image. Therefore, Bible-believing Christians should strongly support candidates who are pro-life.

Another issue which is most definitely biblical is that of gay marriage. The Bible condemns homosexuality in the strongest terms possible (Genesis 19:1-13; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). Gay marriage is an attack on the institution of marriage that God created to be between one man and one woman. Endorsing gay marriage or even civil unions is basically giving approval to a lifestyle choice the Bible condemns as immoral and unnatural. Gay marriage, then, is an issue Christians must consider when they evaluate a candidate.

The Bible teaches that a leader in the church should be a godly, moral, ethical person (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9). This should apply to political leaders as well. If politicians are going to make wise, God-honoring decisions, they must have a basic morality on which to base the decisions they are going to have to make. So, if there is a clear moral distinction between candidates, as Christians, we should choose the more moral, honest, and ethical of the candidates.

Our vote should be based on what we know God would approve of. It may not be politically correct for me to say, but I've often wondered how any Christian could vote for a candidate that clearly endorsed things that God considers an abomination. Or Christians that don't vote at all, what's up with that? Beyond any shadow of a doubt, it is the duty and responsibility of every Christian to vote and to vote for leaders who promote Christian principles. God is most certainly in control, but that does not mean we should do nothing to further His Will. We are commanded to pray for our leaders in 1 Timothy 2:1-4. In terms of politics and leadership, there is evidence in Scripture that God has been displeased with the choices of leadership at times (Hosea 8:4).

In our day and age, there are many who want to drive the name and message of Christ completely out of the public eye. Voting is an opportunity to promote, protect, and preserve godly government. Passing up that opportunity means letting those who would denigrate the name of Christ have their way in our lives. The leaders we elect—or do nothing to remove—have great influence on our freedoms. They can choose to protect our right to worship and spread the Gospel, or they can choose to restrict those rights. They can lead our nation towards righteousness or towards moral disaster. They can appoint judges who will change the freedoms we've become accustomed to or carry out the constitution as it was written. Christians in the United States, and Christians in other democratic nations, must stand up and follow our command to fulfill our civic duties (Matthew 22:21).

So, what do you think? Democrat, Republican, or Independent? To vote or not to vote? If you don't reside in the U.S. how would you handle this in your country? How would Jesus vote if He walked the earth today?
14 Comments
Does Satan Have The Power To Control The Weather? Sep 10, 2008 4:27 am
Mood: Wet, wet, wet, wet, wet, 503 Views
I HATE HURRICANES!!!

I awoke several times in the middle of the night, to the sound of torrential rain. When I got up at 6 am, I discovered that the streets were flooded, all the way up my driveway to the back tires of my car. My patio is also flooded and my Boogity was not about to get her paws wet, lol.
Hurricane Ike is passing by to the west of Florida and is a huge storm, heading towards the Texas coastline, where officials are evacuating a million people. I suppose hurricanes are simply the price you pay for living on the gulf coast, but some years, it gets extremely tiring, physically and emotionally, dealing with the stress and having to clear everything off the patio repeatedly and making sure provisions are had to weather the storms.
Today, I wondered who controls the weather, God or Satan. It would certainly seem that Satan does, when you consider all of the damage and devastation, but......

An examination of Scripture reveals that Satan and his demon angels have no control over natural disasters. The Devil, our "adversary," must be taken seriously, however, by acknowledging his reality and his limited power over the secular world. Satan is super-human but not divine, having only that power that God ultimately allows (2 Thessalonians 2:6-11).

If Satan could impact the weather, it would only be by God's permission, though restrained, as in the case of Job. Satan was allowed by God to torment Job in order to test him, and this included “the fire of God” (probably lightning) which “fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants” (Job 1:16). This was followed by a “mighty wind” (possibly a tornado) that destroyed his home and killed his children (vv. 18-19). So if the fire from heaven and the tornado were somehow caused by Satan, they were still under the ultimate control of God for His purposes.

It is God, not Satan, who controls the weather (Exodus 9:29; Psalm 135:6-7; Jeremiah 10:13).
God controls the skies and the rain (Psalm 77:16-19).
God controls the wind (Mark 4:35-41; Jeremiah 51:16).
God upholds and sustains the universe (Hebrews 1:3).
God has power over the clouds (Job 37:11-12, 16).
God has power over lightning and Satan (Psalm 18:14).
God has power over all nature (Job 26).

Having experienced the devastation of a hurricane firsthand and witnessing the horrible effects of many, I often wonder why God allows all of the suffering associated with natural disasters. But, I know that there can be no meaningless suffering for the believer, whether the suffering is caused by mankind or by a natural event. We may not always know why evil acts or natural disasters happen, but we can be assured that in all our trials and tribulations God is working all things together for His glory and for our everlasting good.

Please join me in prayer for all those in harms way of this hurricane. The most likely place for it to come ashore is the Corpus Christi area. The Rio Grande Valley's residents are among those least equipped to handle hurricane flooding. It is one of the poorest parts of the country, with over one third living below the poverty line. In addition, there are thousands of illegal immigrants who refuse to evacuate for fear of being discovered and deported. Over a thousand busses are lined up ready to get people out, but a large number won't go. Many ramshackle homes there are ill-equipped to handle the flooding, as most of these poor communities lack proper sewage, paved roads, or flood control.

Let's all keep them in our prayers for the next few days. God is good and His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever! Amen!
7 Comments
If God Is All-Powerful, Why Doesn't He Just Kill Satan? Sep 9, 2008 5:11 am
Mood: Wondering........., 616 Views
Have you ever asked yourself that question? I mean, we know that God can do ANYTHING! Why does He continue to allow Satan to wreak havoc on the world? Why didn't He just end it when He kicked him out of heaven? Why let him have dominion over the earth?

One of the mysteries of the Christian life is why God didn’t just destroy Satan immediately after he sinned. We know that God will one day defeat Satan once and for all by throwing him into the Lake of Fire where he will be tortured day and night, forever! Hallelujah!(Revelation 20:10), but sometimes we wonder why God has not destroyed Satan already. Perhaps we will never know God’s reasoning in this particular situation, but we do know certain things about Him.

First, we know He is absolutely sovereign over all creation, and this includes Satan, who is "on a very short leash." Certainly, Satan and his demons wreak havoc in the world, but they're only allowed to go so far and no farther. We also know that God has planned everything from the beginning of time to the end. Nothing can thwart His plans, and things are proceeding exactly on schedule. "The LORD of hosts has sworn: ‘As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand’" Isaiah 14:24

Second, "we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose"
Romans 8:28
Whatever God has planned for Satan, that plan will be the best one possible, resulting in God’s perfect wrath and justice being satisfied and His perfect righteousness being glorified. Those who love Him and who wait for His plan to be fulfilled will be thrilled to be part of that plan and will praise and glorify Him as they see it unfold. (I know I will!)

Third, we know that calling into question God’s plan and its timing is to call into question God Himself, His judgment, His character and His very nature. The psalmist tells us, "As for God, His way is perfect"
Psalm 18:30
Whatever plan comes from the mind of the Almighty is the best plan possible. It is true that we can’t expect to understand that mind perfectly, as He reminds us: "‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts’"
Isaiah 55:8-9
Nevertheless, our responsibility to God is to obey Him, to trust Him, and to submit to His will, whether we understand it or not. In the case of His timing for Satan’s demise, it has to be the best possible plan because it is God’s plan. I believe that and accept that, but I can't wait to see him tortured and suffering, as he certainly has caused me enough grief.

What do you think?
11 Comments
Mature Christians??? Sep 8, 2008 4:46 am
Mood: Growing every day!, 799 Views
Maturity should be our goal, as we are more useful to God when we have grown in His teachings. He has set Jesus Christ as our model of maturity; the perfection of Jesus is what we hope to attain. Just as children have to grow into adults, so must Christians grow into their maturity; this work is a process and takes time. As we grow, our maturity is evidenced by our love for others and our understanding of the Word.

How can you spot a mature Christian?

The book of Hebrews teaches us what it means to mature as Christians and how we are to accomplish that task. For me, one of the easiest ways to know that a Christian is mature is by examining their love walk. Growth in our ability and desire to love other people and do work that is pleasing to God is an excellent sign that we are maturing in our faith.
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works." Hebrews 10:24
Notice use of the word "provoke" in the verse. Part of our job as Christians is to encourage, push, or prod each other along in the Christian life.
Persevering will be a key to maturing. It is through our difficulties and learning to surrender that we grow.
"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings."
Hebrews 2:10
We are being forged into new creations, a process that is painful at times. Accept these times as periods of growth and surrender the trials to God. If there is one place that we all stumble it is in learning to surrender and let God take on our burdens.
Growth in understanding will come to the Christian that presses on to a deeper relationship with Christ. Understanding includes discernment, too.
"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
Hebrews 5:14
It is from the meat of God’s Word that we learn discernment. Bible study, fellowship, discipleship and prayer will all lead to deeper understanding of the Word, the world and what God’s purpose for us is.
Those who seek understanding make their walk with God top priority. Many people say that they would read the Bible, go to church, pray or help others if they had more time. The serious student makes the time for God their top priority. This is wise, because it is from God that we get our strength, wisdom and ability to do all other things. When we put Him first, He puts our needs first.
Contentment will come to mature Christians. We come to an understanding that:
"all things work together for good to them that love God"
Romans 8:28
"…and be content with such things as you have: for He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5
Knowing and accepting that God’s hand is in EVERYTHING and that He has control of EVERYTHING, brings about peace and contentment. Being able to roll with the punches is a true mark of maturity. NOTHING that happens, happens for NOTHING! Whatever circumstances are presented in our lives must pass over God's desk, for His approval. If He approved it, we can do it, and even if it seems bad, He CAN and WILL turn it around and make it for our good. At the other end, we will come out of it more mature than when we went in.
Wisdom and maturity are going deeper into the things of God and continually seeking to know and understand Jesus' teachings and put them into practice. Many Christians never get beyond the foundational lessons. They believe that knowing Christ’s purpose of salvation, repentance and faith are all that they need to know. While these things are perhaps enough for salvation, enough to let us squeak through the pearly gates, they are not enough for the maturity that truly pleases God.
Starting today, spend more time practicing your love walk. Easily forgive those who hurt you. Reach out to someone who needs an act of love and encouragement.
Starting today, spend a little extra time in your Bible. Make reading it a daily priority, no matter what your time constraints. Join a Bible study or discuss Biblical lessons with a friend.
Starting today, expand your prayer life to include things other than personal petitions. Pray for someone other than yourself. Thank Him and praise Him more than discussing what you have need of.
Starting today, spend more time reading the blogs that teach and edify. There are many! Stay away from the gossip and contention that only brings you down and isn't condusive to maturing.
Starting today, make spiritual maturity your goal and ambition. The benefits and rewards are tremendous! And, ultimately, it pleases God for us to do so.
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