Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.  From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” Ephesians 4:13-16

Principles of Growth and Practical Application – Last week I shared how important it is that we are growing and maturing spiritually, and the reality that many Christians are not growing in the things of God.  I shared scripture that urge us to grow up in the things of the spirit to flourish in our walk with Christ and experience the best things God has for us.  I also shared 3 basic questions to assess whether you are growing and maturing spiritually: 1) are you growing in godly character, 2) are you a giver or taker, and 3) Is your life baring fruit, see below.  This week I want to share several principles and practical applications that will ensure you are growing spiritually.

What are we doing to grow up in Christ?  Here are a few principles that if implemented will ensure spiritual growth and maturity:

Fostering God’s presence through spiritual disciplines & daily rhythms  – The word tells us that God is the bread of life and that we must remain connected to the vine of Christ to receive what we need to sustain our spiritual health and for our lives to grow and bare fruit.  This is a state of being but is result of the things we do day to day to remain plugged into the source of the spirit – Jesus.  It does not happen by osmosis but through making God a priority in our day to day life activities. 

• Are you making your connection with God the top priority each day by giving Him your first fruits of time and energy.  Are you spending time in God’s word and writing God’s word on your heart by memorization?  Are you thanking and praising God each day and letting Him know how much you love and appreciate Him by counting your blessing and having a heart of gratitude.  Are you having an ongoing conversation with God and sharing your thoughts, concerns and dreams with Him through prayer. “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” Matthew 6:33
• Are you connected to the body of Christ through the local church?  Are you attending church and small groups regularly?  Are you sharing and praying with others regularly?  Do you have spiritual authority covering your life and are you actively using your gifts and serving in the body of Christ.  Do you have other believers who know you intimately and allowing them to speak into your life.  Are you part of a small group of like-minded believers who are encouraging you in your walk with God and will speak the truth in love.  “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Romans 12:4-5

Living life intentionally with a plan – Very few things happen serendipitously as it relates to growth and maturity.  We must be intentional in planning and prioritizing growth.  The following are a few practical tools that will ensure you are growing:

• Do you have a life Vision, Mission, Values and Purpose and is it based on a Kingdom vision.  Just like the principles we use to grow our companies and in other areas of life, you cannot grow and develop if you don’t have a clear plan on where you are going, why you are going there and what it ultimately looks like.  You also need to have ways to measure and monitor progress along the way.  If you don’t already have a life plan that entails Vision, Mission, Values and Purpose then you should get busy working on one.  
• Do you have a spiritual friend, mentor or life coach who knows your life plan, goals and objectives and is encouraging you and holding you accountable.  Are you meeting with someone weekly, monthly or quarterly to discuss the plan and assess your progress?  I personally believe we should all have people in our lives who know us very well and are coaching us along the way.  I have all of these in my life and they are a huge part of why I am growing and maturing.  People who love us and want us to become all God desires for us to be. “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.  For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.  But woe to him who is alone when he fails and has not another to lift him up!  Again, if two lied together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?  And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him – a threefold cord is not quickly broken”. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Loving God by loving others by pouring out your life through ministry – To grow we must step out of our comfort zone and focus our energy on the greater good and making a difference.  Are we living for something bigger than ourselves?  Are we adding value to others and finding fulfillment in loving and serving others?

• Ministry is simply using the gifts, experiences and resources God has given to you to love, bless and help others in their journey.  It simply is a way to respond to your love for God by loving what He loves and values, His people.  He especially has a heart for those who are lost and don’t know him yet.  So how are you loving God and others each day?  How are you adding value to others to help them come to faith or grow in their faith?  This is the biggest opportunity we have and truly the biggest joy of life, to use our gifts to impact the lives of others for God’s Kingdom and for His glory.  “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” Matthew 20:28
• Knowing our God purpose and calling is one of the most important things in our journey of spiritual growth.  Discovering and understanding our unique God purpose is one of the most exciting and transformational aspects of our walk of faith.  I will never forget after I first stepped into my journey of faith and began to discover my God purpose, it was truly life changing for me.  I started living with a different perspective going from the “Got to, to the Get to”.  There is nothing more fulfilling or joyous in life than loving God and others in your gifting. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works that He prepared for us in advance” Ephesians 2:10  Living out our lives with purpose in communion with the Holy Spirt, this is the abundant life of the believer.  Understanding it is not about us but about us partnering with the God of the universe to achieve His master plan for all mankind and we get to play a meaningful role in God’s master plan.

To grow spiritually, we simply have to engage in a walk of faith whereby we are not walking by what we see but trusting the living God and His spirit to lead us.  Building our lives and identity on the rock of Christ so we know who we are in Christ. Recognizing that our life on this earth is preparing us for what is to come for eternity.  Like Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14 “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But the one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Have a great week growing in Christ and living “the life that is truly life”.

-Duane