Yesterday, Pastor Brian taught us about the importance of belonging to a church. Wrapped inside that great message, was a challenge to me. And it had to do with planning spiritual growth.
I love to plan. I plan my menus for the week. I plan my day. As a family, we plan our vacations. My husband even puts our trips on a spreadsheet. I know that would freak out the spontaneous travellers, but it works for us. As much as I enjoy planning, I never thought about planning my spiritual growth until yesterday.
The Bible verse Pastor Brian read was Hebrews 6:1a. It says, “Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity” (NAS).
Brian asked if we knew anyone who had been a Christian for 5, 10, 15, or even 20 years who wasn’t very spiritually mature. While I might have been able to think of someone else, my mind immediately went to those areas in my own life that I wish were different. I can easily list a handful of spiritual fruit that is still unripe on the vine. And I can see how I haven’t applied as much consistent effort and planning to those areas of my personality, as I have to my to-do list.
Today, I’d like to invite some conversation on the blog about this concept. I’d like you to share one or two ways you have planned your spiritual growth. Or maybe you have a habit or practice that helps you grow spiritually. Please post a comment on the blog so we can all learn.
As an incentive, I’ll be giving away a book called ”His Princess Bride” by Sheri Rose Shepherd. This is a beautiful little hardcover book filled encouraging words of love from Jesus to His bride. On Wednesday at 5 p.m. I’ll randomly select someone who posted to win the book. Please make sure you include your email address in the post so I can contact you.
As an editor of a magazine, I get lots of free books. This is just the first of many we’ll be giving away.
Have a great week in Christ!
In His Love,
Glynnis
Hi Glynnis,
Excellent post you have made. Planning my spiritual growth has never been penned by me, however I think I have tried to be proactive where I want to be in the next year or so and on to the end of my life. My testimony is also one of mixed accomplishments in regard to spiritual goals. As one who grew up with alot of anger in the home, I have struggled with that as a christina. I know, say it isn’t so!) Through the years I have have to repent to my family for out bursts of anger, and as a family we have all seen progress in defeating this aweful ‘habit’. Sin really, let’s call it what it is. I have endeavored to be accountable to people in my small groups also, and have had lot’s of prayer. The tendancy to give in to the outbursts have gotten less and less, and remembering Gods Word has been key for me. Scriptures like not “letting the sun go down on my wrath” (Eph 4:26)…or “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (James 1:19-20) I have learned to apply this verse. It has not always been easy, but God is changing me. The more I realize His love for me, and understand His grace and mercy, the more I overcome. Every day now I wake up thanking the Lord for the day, asking Him to guide my paths in righteousnss thus ‘kick starting’ my spirit. When I do that, my flesh has less and less room to be self centered, and to remember each day is about Him and His kingdom.
When I heard Pastor Brian’s sermon Saturday night it made me think of my Mom who was a Christian for years and years before she died but I never really saw the fruit that the scriptures talk about. I never saw her read her bible or she never prayed with me. Although she she knew the truth she never really grew. It sadden me because I knew there was so much more that she was missing. I too am a planner. My husband and I are reading through the Bible this year as a study. We started at the beginning and are now in II Kings. I love God’s word but have never read it from beginning to end in order so it is it a goal for this year, a plan. Another plan I make is to attend a small group other than the one I lead so I can be filled and learn new things. This season I am learning about healing the sick. I want everything our Lord has for us so I make a plan to get to know Him and love Him more today than I did yesterday.
Congratulation to Linda Campion for winning the book “His Princess Bride.” She was randomly selected by my daughter Ruth who picked “2″ because she likes even numbers. Since Linda was the second one to post, she wins.