TRIGGER! a cg of 17 & 18 year old youths from WEFC Youth POD! ADELINE!! Eu Jin!! SARAH; BERYL; PEARLY; KEITH; JOSHUA; JOEL; DAVID; AARON; EZRA; BRANDON; ETHAN; LUKE; ESTHER; JIAMING; KELVIN GOD's word! :) TALK. ShoutMix chat widget PAST. November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 October 2009 March 2010 April 2010 June 2010 October 2010 November 2010 January 2011 February 2011 March 2011 April 2011 May 2011 June 2011 July 2011 August 2011 AFFILIATES. Adeline Joshua Keith Michelle Pearly Sarah David CREDITS basecodes by: Jane edited by: Pearly ©Trigger '08 ; '09 |
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 @ 11:10 PM
Testing Positive for Growth Ephesians 4:14-16 When it comes to spiritual maturity, we can’t simply take for granted that we’re growing. To evaluate personal progress, I’ve compiled a brief inventory of spiritual benchmarks. Check the list for an idea of how you’re doing. But remember, these items are just a place to start; see the Bible for a complete growth chart! We know we’re growing spiritually when we become increasingly aware of our sinfulness and weakness. As I read biographies of godly saints, it’s clear that they don’t “get better” with age and spiritual maturity. Instead, they become ever more sensitive to their dependence upon the Lord. Moreover, progress is apparent when we respond to sin with quick repentance.Failure to deal with sin is rebellion against God. Growing believers turn away from wrongdoing and embrace righteousness. As we live with the good results of dependence and repentance, our desire to obey intensifies, and the attraction of sin lessens. Growth is also marked by an increase in two things—joy and struggle. Faith is often developed through hardship because living out the principles of trust and endurance help us “get it.” So we’ll see maturity in our relationship with God when we view trials and temptations as opportunities for growth. Paul, David, and Daniel prove that adversity can help form spiritual giants. These men recognized sovereign God as the gatekeeper of their lives. We are maturing when we perceive whatever comes our way as being from Him, which also means that He’s working it for good (Rom. 8:28). Esther wrote. |