Are You Growing/Maturing in Christ Jesus?

I will bless the Lord at all times. I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. I am so blessed to be a child of God, a daughter of the Most High. Jesus is definitely the reason for the season, and we as Christians should strive to be just like Him. He is the ultimate role model. As I look back on this year, I had some highs and some lows, good times and bad. But with all the trials and tribulations I had to go through, I came out victorious.

Looking back I can see some growth personally and spiritually, and this should be happening with us all; we should be able to see some growth even if it is very little. We should all be improving in some area(s). Hebrews 6:1-6 states:

1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a] and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites,[b] the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so. 4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen[c] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Now I still have a long way to go, but I have long since made up my mind that I am going all the way with Jesus – to put it plainly – I’m not perfect. I am not letting anyone or any situation hinder my race. I am keeping my eyes on the prize that I will receive when Jesus comes, and Oh what a day that will be. I will admit that I didn’t always start strong in these trials and tribulations, but I came through standing on the Word of God. 1 Peter 5:6-11 states:

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

My pastor has been teaching on saying what God’s Word says concerning ALL of our situations. This is the success of my growth. I have learned, for the most part – still growing, to say what God says. Even when I've said things contrary to the Word, the Holy Spirit(or my mother) would correct me, and I would go back and ask God to forgive and speak the Word of God. Sometime I get to talking like a fool, not saying what God already said who I am, what I can do, and what I can have. But I love correction in my life – I love the correction of God. You can do the same too – ask for forgiveness when you talk like a fool – not saying what God said – and begin to say what He has already said. God is no respecter of persons. We all have an opportunity for growth – to do better, but I think some are just not willing to put for the effort to mature. We don’t want to take the time to read the Word of God or to pray, not even the time to listen. But we expect for God to bestow upon us great knowledge and revelation of His Word, to use us, when all we have to do is crack open a book. Now-a-days the Word of God is right at our finger tips with daily devotional scriptures through email, you can download a Bible app on your smartphone or you can go to different sites where you can read or even listen to the Bible. There is no excuse for us not maturing in Christ Jesus. We have everything that we need to mature. So why aren't some taking the time to do this; it is so simple, but we somehow make it so hard.

Take the time to look back on this year to see if you have improved, grown or matured. If you have, good – continue to grow. If not don’t worry, Jesus hasn’t come back yet. You still have time, how much time – no one knows. Today is the day for salvation. Today is the day to make Jesus Lord; and when you do this, you can go forward and grow; you can be ready to receive that prize we will receive when He comes back for us.

Remember there's a sinner's prayer on this site. If you have back-slid or haven't tasted and seen that the Lord is Good, say this prayer. You don't have to be in a church building to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. There is a moment that will happen, and it will happen in a twinkling of an eye (as fast as you can blink), and those who have confessed Jesus as Lord and have walked according to the Word of God will be raptured up to be with Him forever and ever. Yes, it sounds too fantastical to be real, but don't take the chance that it's not and be left behind. So don't put this off. No one knows the hour or the day when this will take place, but it is for us to be ready when it's time to go. The first step is to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. If you say this prayer, contact me; let me welcome you and personally encouraged you in your new life with Jesus!

Did you put your armor on today???

Be Encouraged Today!!!