How To: GROW

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Happy Thursday! 

There's a theme that has been resonating in my heart. And that is the message of a better you, a better me. Last week I was reminded (as if we needed to be reminded) that the deeper we grow in the Word the more we are forced to change. And this change can be a natural byproduct of the Word, or it can come about through our refusal, our surrender, our obedience, our stand. What we can't lose sight of is that this change is not to make us better Christians. The goal has never been to be better Christians. The goal is to look more like Jesus, in word and deed. 

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Spending time with God will cause us to grow. And with growth comes growing pains. It just ain't easy to grow. There is nothing we can do to help God, other than to daily surrender. OR you may stunt your growth, prolonging your growing pains. I don't intend on painting a picture that our walk with God is to be painful and gruesome. But reality is that sin is painful, it is gruesome, "ratched", evil, and so much a part of us that detaching from it will be (at times) literally a death to self. 

Maybe you don't need to be reminded of this, but I do. Because I forget that in daily surrender, daily pursuit, and daily encounters with my God I grow. I grow in the knowledge of His worthiness and how unholy I am. 

It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other,“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!    The whole earth is filled with his glory!”Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Isaiah 6:1-5

Oh wretched woman that I am. After considering this portion of Isaiah, I sat in silence and asked myself about my sin. I don't blatantly sin or curse God. I don't fornicate or self harm in other ways. I don't partake in illegal activities. I could check off my card and walk away feeling self righteous, but I got a glimpse of God's holiness and my lack there of. What does my sin look like? Laziness, Pride, Self Righteousness, Procrastination:
Laziness to read God's Word.
I know what it says, I could go without reading today.
I'll just take a look a YouVersion. as if it were a catalog 
Tonight I'll do.
Tomorrow I'll do.

I'm keeping it real. If we aren't in God's Word daily, how will we grow? How will be effective Christians?
I encourage you, as I am being encouraged, to open your Bibles daily and grow. Position yourself. Set a time. And do. As we have daily encounters with God, we will be radically and beautifully transformed into the image of Christ. That's the goal! And what I believe the only real way to be a better you, a better me. 

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. John 15:5-8

promise of the Spirit

Promise of the Spirit // by Jack Hayford (Check out this reading plan on YouVersion)

The blessing of being filled with the Holy Spirit is not for the sake of mere enjoyment. It is rejoicing, to be sure! But at the core of a life of growing discipleship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is what’s most important.

It is the Spirit who keeps the Word alive.

It is the Spirit who infuses prayer and praise with passion.

It is the Spirit who teaches and instructs.

It is the Spirit who brings gifts and giftedness for power-ministry.

It is the Spirit who will bring love, graciousness, and a spirit of unity to our hearts.

God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. Acts 2:32-33

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If you are interested in sound doctrine on the Holy Spirit, I recommend these: 

For an individual or home study: When The Spirit of God Moves

Reading: Spirit Rising, Fresh Power, The Holy Spirit, God's Promise of Power (a favorite of mine), Touched By His Spirit, Forgotten God, The Holy Spirit: Activating God's Power in Your Life, The Code of The Spirit. 

YouVersion reading plans: Who Me, Gifted?, Celebrate, Praise in the Presence of God

looking into the mirror

This past Friday was Jen's birthday. ((A little history for those new to the blog: back in January Jen, one of my best friends, moved to Atlanta, GA.)) She flew down to Miami for the weekend to celebrate. The gang gathered at a very cute restaurant called Berries. It was heavenly to have everyone together. My best friends sitting at one table, I couldn't ask for more. I miss my friends. I miss having the intimate connection of a friend that is closer than a brother. I miss the accountability. I miss the group prayers. I miss the adventures. I miss laughing at a joke that no one else could possibly understand. And a part of me yearns for the days when we all were without care.

This year has been rough for me.

Thus far, God has been doing a new work in me... I can't pin point one specific area but I feel Him stretching me. Growing pains... a lot of : Adjustments. Seeking. Discovering. Letting go. Accepting. Pondering. Brokenness. Wholeness. Restoration. Healing.

A whole lot of a whole lot.

I don't know what other word(s) would describe how I feel other than alone and lost.

I am learning that the life of ministry is a lonely one.

I am learning that it's OK to be lost, because I will hear a voice saying, "this is the way, walk in it."

I miss who I was but I am learning so much of who I am not and who God wants me to be.

I am learning to not be dependant on others, for God desires and requires holiness.

I am learning, in the most painful of ways, that life is not fair- but God works ALL things out for the good of those called according to His ways.

I am learning to wait upon the Lord and to be of good courage.

I am learning that I know nothing of God's love, grace and mercy.

I am learning, growing and becoming.

Between you and I, though I miss the yesterdays with my best friends and I miss who I was, what I have with God today, though alone, is wonderful. My mind and heart know that to be a lily among thorns, I have to lay down my life. That is, letting go of all that I miss, all that I yearn for, and (the hardest one of all) saying adios to all that is me. Looking into the mirror I hope to one day see not my own reflection, but the reflection of Christ.

This past Sunday at church my dear Pastor reminded me, that the Christian life is a radical life and a life of inconvenience. With that said I close with a word of hope, a word that is convicting me this very moment:

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. +Philippians 3:12-15