GROWTH point_ Love Right

Romans 12:9  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 

The word dissimulation means sincere and without hypocrisy. Our love should be pure and Christ centered. We should not love the things of the world and the flesh. The things that oppose our Lord or violate his word should not be of interest to us. Those things that hurt others and take us away from God should be avoided at all cost. We are clearly instructed to abhor (detest) them; we are commanded to cleave (cling or stick to) to only the good things.

If we are going to GROW in CHRIST then we must Love Right! Love doing good to others, love telling the truth, love to study Gods word and pray for his cause. We should love to help others and love to make peace where grief may be dwelling. Love Christ-honoring music, love sending words of encouragement to the hurting and lonely. Love to win souls to Christ and then love teaching and mentoring them into a deeper walk with God. Love them that teach you Gods word, love them that invest their time into you and into your family. Love to do right and live holy….I could go on and on, but you get the picture; LOVE RIGHT!  Love what God loves and you will GROW in the RIGHT LOVE.

 

GROWTH point_Do Good

Galatians 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

As we Grow in Christ we become more like him. We share his interest in people and his concern for their well being. An important aspect of Christian growth is thinking more about others than you do for yourself. This unselfish attitude is a key characteristic of Christ. The verse tells us to use every opportunity to “do good unto all men.” This would include; rich, poor, the good and the bad, your friends as well as your enemies. ALL men means ALL men! But the verse goes on to say we are to be “especially” good to other Christians. We as Christians have enough enemies and trouble from without; we should not have to worry about trouble from within our own ranks.

Go out of your way to be good to other Christian brothers and sisters, find ways to be a blessing to them. Some ideas would include: pray for someone regularly, buy someone’s lunch, send them a card, invite them to your home for fellowship & dinner, find something they really like and take it to them. You could also sit down and write them a kind letter or simply call them to say you’re thinking of them. Pray for other ideas that will brighten their day and encourage their faith. As you GROW in Christ, be especially good to your Christian siblings. The family of God is a precious and very valuable unit. Treat others as you would like to be treated and see how your own life is enhanced and encouraged in the process.

 

GROWTH point_ Do Good, Feel Good

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Just as salvation in Christ delivers us from the condemnation of Hell; there is no condemnation or guilt to the Christian who walks after the Spirit. When we obey Scripture and follow the Holy Spirit we feel good. We feel pure, innocent and close to God. When we walk after the flesh and do those things that God has forbidden; it brings a feeling of guilt and shame. If we are going to Grow in Christ, then we must follow his Spirit. Every time the Spirit reveals truth to your heart, make it a point to obey what you learn. As you obey God’s word and follow his Spirit’s leading you will Grow in Christ. Do right, and live in the joy of God’s Love.

 

GROWTH point_Learn to Let it Go!

Proverbs 19:11  The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

Growing in Christ means we learn to control our temper, and when people transgress against us, instead of lashing out in anger we just let it go. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines “discretion” as that discernment which enables a person to judge critically of what is correct and proper, united with caution….primarily regarding one’s own conduct. As we grow and study scripture we see how Christ handled his scorners and learn how he controlled his anger as he dealt with them. Just because we think someone deserves a piece of our mind doesn’t mean we have to give it to them. Let Christ fight for you. You focus on growing in the grace of Jesus Christ. Next time give grace to your offender and let it go.   -2Peter 3:18

 

GROWTH point_Admit Failure

Proverbs 19:3 “The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.”

Foolishness or unintelligent/unspiritual decisions will pervert or twist our way. Sin always makes life harder and always carries tough consequences. This verse says that after people get themselves into trouble they begin to fret against, or blame and speak angrily toward God. It is often easier to blame others for our failed situations, but the growing Christian owns up to failure, repents of sin, learns his lesson and moves forward. If we are continually Growing in Christ, we will make fewer foolish choices and experience a better quality of life. Grow in Christ by admitting failure and seek Gods help.

 

Growth Point_Hard Work

With our church theme this year being “Growing in Christ” from 2 Peter 3:18, I thought it would be helpful to send out some Growth Points. Just a small devotional thought that has a point of spiritual growth attached to it. I pray it is a blessing to you as you Grow in Christ this year.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…” Jesus said in John 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

From these two verses we get the concept of HARD WORK. Work as hard as you can, while you can, for as long as you can. I know sometimes it gets hard but don’t stop! Keep pressing on! God is watching, he will reward; and when we get busy, he will help when he sees that we mean business. John Phillips once wrote “We must do what we can do; then God will do what we can’t. As you GROW in CHRIST, grow in the discipline of faithfully working hard.

 

Developing a Healthy Marriage_pt.2

4. The Respect Connection

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines “Respect” as, to regard; to have regard to in design or purpose. To view or consider with some degree of reverence; to esteem as possessed of real worth.

a.     We must respect the design and purpose of our spouse

Genesis 1:27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 God designed man and woman differently. There are the obvious physical differences, but there are also the more subtitle internal differences also. This is not an exhaustive list of differences or purposes for our design, but rather just a glimpse so we can acknowledge and respect the differences of our spouse.  

God made the woman more sensitive and compassionate to care for and to mother her children. The mother is often bombarded with multiple tasks, so God gave her the ability to multi-task; that is, she is constantly aware of the children, the stove, the phone call and the next step all at the same time. She has an array of gifts and talents unique to her alone.

On the other hand, God designed the man with a rougher texture. Men are often the disciplinarian; they tend to lead with a stronger hand and voice. They are often limited to doing one thing at a time but this is advantageous in times of war and trouble. Men can turn off emotions and block out distractions that would take them away from the task at hand, where in most cases mother may be overwhelmed and emotional about the situation.

Don’t take this the wrong way. I am not saying men are superior to women, I am saying God made us equal in value but different by design, so that we can each fulfill our God  given purpose in life. When we respect each others role, we are respecting God’s design. When we belittle or down play our spouse’s position, we are disrespecting God’s desired plan. If men and women were built and wired the same, why then would God have had to make two, male and female; he could have just made one human with all capabilities. Instead, God made man and then his “help meet,” his other half, to complete the design. Genesis 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. When husband and wife serve God together and respect one another they are showing the unity and perfection of their creator. God made two so that they could work at being one, and when that happens God gets all the glory and the picture of Christ and his church are clearly seen.  

b.     We must daily consider their worth and contributions to the relationship

Too many spouses today compare themselves against each other. They are good score keepers but not good encouragers. Don’t look at your marriage and keep count of all you do, but consider what your spouse contributes as well. Hebrews 10:24 Tells us to “consider one another…” God knows that when we compare instead of consider, we become more selfish. This is why 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” The more we praise and worship God, the more we think of him and the less we think of ourselves. When pride enters any relationship, trouble is soon to follow. Proverbs 13:10 says “Only by pride cometh contention”this means pride and self-centeredness is the sole source of all strife. When you are constantly looking at the good in your spouse and thanking God for their presence, you will find their shortcomings will grow smaller in your eyes and their worth, and your love for them will grow greater.

 c.      Respect effects behavior

We have seen that respect is an understanding and appreciation for someone’s person and purpose. But respect is also a displayed action. When we respect people it makes a difference in the way we treat them. For example, respect causes us to talk kindly to our spouse. Respect prompts us to hear them out and not be rude in our conversations or gestures. We treat our spouse as Christ treats his bride the church. I will go a step further, you may look at your mate as just a husband or wife but that is only the half; if they are saved, they are also your Christian brother or sister! You should never treat your spouse with any less respect then you treat other Christians. This may sound like a small matter, but it carries enormous results. Treating your soul-mate with respect will brighten your home and sweeten your time together.  

 

5.      The Encouragement Connection

You’re not the only one that had a bad day. Daily encouragement is a must for a healthy marriage. Hebrews 10:24 says “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” God teaches us in his word that in order to encourage someone to good works, we must first consider them. Consider their thoughts, their feelings and their needs. Consider their daily struggles before you start barking about the burnt dinner or the grass that is not cut. Consider his day at work might have pushed him over the top and now instead of needing corrected he just needs encouraged. Take into consideration that her day may have been filled with rowdy children, endless errands and a terrible headache on top of it all.

Encouraging words will produce good & kind works from your spouse. Provoke your spouse to good works. Do things that will cause them to smile and they will in turn do things that will cause you to smile. Proverbs 15:23 says “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!”   When we allow unkind or selfish words to come out of our mouth, we are creating our own misery. On the other hand, when we build-up others with our speech, we experience a joyful feeling that comes from doing the right things. Your spouse is the “other half” of you! Build your spouse and you build yourself; tear them down and you also hurt yourself.

So what about when your spouse messes up and fails? Shouldn’t I correct them, you ask. Not always, let the Holy Spirit do the correcting in their heart and you just be that encourager calling out positive helps, cheering them on to the finish line. Try not to be too critical. I know honesty is the best policy, but sometimes its best to keep your mouth shut then to blurt out that honest statement.  This is the practice of “a word spoken in due season” or at the right time. Words need to be properly placed and timed. That truthful statement may be best spoken tomorrow after emotions calm down. If you find yourselves in a heated discussion, take 30 minutes to calm down and pray about the situation; then come back to talk it over.  Ephesians 4:29 says “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”  This verse teaches us that our words should help, not hurt. The word “edify” is an architectural term meaning to build up or construct. Our words should build the spiritual and emotional being in our spouse. Never speak to destroy, hurt or get even, speak only spiritual and helpful words that will lift your mate closer to Christ.

Speak the words of God; quote the Bible in an uplifting manner, post Bible verses around the house, put scripture verses in your spouse’s lunch box or briefcase where they are sure to find them. God’s word will work in them. n and asy, teardown them down and you also hurt yourself. So what about when yoru spouse messes up andPeople admire and desire to be encouraged and they also love those that encourage them. Your marriage will be stronger when you are your spouse’s biggest supporter.

(Look for part 3 coming soon!)