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PERSONAL GROWTH
From: Ron Hawks
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, Christian love...1 Peter 1:5-7.”
Are you growing as a person? Are you growing spiritually? How can you tell?
Personal growth is necessary for spiritual growth. Some people don't understand this. They think that they can grow spiritually without becoming more mature as a person. They hope they can become spiritual giants without becoming more honest and responsible. It will not happen.
Spirit life – the fruit of the Spirit - is described as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22) These are wholeness words that affect one's entire character. These are the by-products of the presence of God in your life, and your cooperation with His promptings.
Peter writes a personal growth list for you to consider: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. (2 Peter 1:5-7) He goes on to say that if you possess these qualities in growing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of Jesus Christ. God wants you to be faithful and fruitful in life. This productivity and effectiveness require ever-increasing wholeness – which ultimately stems from your cooperation with the will and power of God. It doesn't all rest on you, nor will God do it in you without your responsiveness.
If you are the same person you were one year ago, your effectiveness and productivity are the same, too. If, however, you would like to have a larger sphere of influence, or if you would like to have a greater impact, you will need to grow as a person.
Take a look at the growth lists emboldened above. Is God underscoring any of the words for you? If so, don't allow yourself to feel condemned; that is not what God is doing in you right now. Instead, commit each highlighted quality to God. Tell Him what you are feeling about that area. Consider whether you may have any confessing or repenting to do in reference to what you have or have not done. Envision and describe how you would like to grow and change. Ask for His help.
Are there any growth statements or steps that you think God would have you take at this time? You may need to consistently make some positive declarations of intent or change for a period of weeks to break your present ways of thinking and acting. Your Father in heaven may also lead you toward some practical action steps that you can take as a worshipful response to Him. Bring your personal growth into God's light, and choose to be responsible. Please, don't just sit there … grow, in the name of Jesus! ...Pastor Tom
From: Ron Hawks
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, Christian love...1 Peter 1:5-7.”
Are you growing as a person? Are you growing spiritually? How can you tell?
Personal growth is necessary for spiritual growth. Some people don't understand this. They think that they can grow spiritually without becoming more mature as a person. They hope they can become spiritual giants without becoming more honest and responsible. It will not happen.
Spirit life – the fruit of the Spirit - is described as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22) These are wholeness words that affect one's entire character. These are the by-products of the presence of God in your life, and your cooperation with His promptings.
Peter writes a personal growth list for you to consider: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. (2 Peter 1:5-7) He goes on to say that if you possess these qualities in growing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of Jesus Christ. God wants you to be faithful and fruitful in life. This productivity and effectiveness require ever-increasing wholeness – which ultimately stems from your cooperation with the will and power of God. It doesn't all rest on you, nor will God do it in you without your responsiveness.
If you are the same person you were one year ago, your effectiveness and productivity are the same, too. If, however, you would like to have a larger sphere of influence, or if you would like to have a greater impact, you will need to grow as a person.
Take a look at the growth lists emboldened above. Is God underscoring any of the words for you? If so, don't allow yourself to feel condemned; that is not what God is doing in you right now. Instead, commit each highlighted quality to God. Tell Him what you are feeling about that area. Consider whether you may have any confessing or repenting to do in reference to what you have or have not done. Envision and describe how you would like to grow and change. Ask for His help.
Are there any growth statements or steps that you think God would have you take at this time? You may need to consistently make some positive declarations of intent or change for a period of weeks to break your present ways of thinking and acting. Your Father in heaven may also lead you toward some practical action steps that you can take as a worshipful response to Him. Bring your personal growth into God's light, and choose to be responsible. Please, don't just sit there … grow, in the name of Jesus! ...Pastor Tom
