"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52 NKJV)

Are you growing in your relationship with the Lord and the knowledge of His Word?

Many people are not growing. They stopped many years ago and are virtually in the same place they were decades ago. Some Christians have been one-year-old Christians for 30 years. How are you different in your walk with the Lord than you were a year ago? ... 5 years ago? Are you a life long learner? Are you grounded and rooted in God's Word? Are you doing anything new to stretch yourself and your faith? Do you plan to step out and do something new for Jesus in the near future? We all know that anything that isn't growing is dying. So are you growing?

Are you helping others to grow in their relationship with the Lord and obedience to His will?

Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20) Attendance at Sunday School and Wednesday night Bible Studies is not "just" for you, others learn "from" you too! So are you helping others grow?

What are you doing to grow in doing the work of God?

Others learn from you, too!

What is your personal growth plan? Does it include Church attendance, Sunday School, books, tapes, seminars, and Bible studies? These things are good. However, watch out for a common misconception that growth equals more head knowledge. Growth includes information. Growth includes inspiration. Growth also includes doing what we have learned! James cautioned us to "be doers of the word, and not hearers only."James 1:22) "Doing" launches us in to a whole new dimension of growth. Preparation as a teacher causes us to learn more than just attending. Dealing with difficult situations causes us to grow in faith and in prayer. Stepping out into the situations that scare us — those ministry opportunities out of our comfort zones — help force us to grow. So how are you growing in both "knowing" and "doing"?

Are you growing?

Are you helping others to grow?

Are you growing by just knowing or growing by both "knowing" and "doing"? "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52) I hope we are committed to grow, too.

 

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© 2006 Mike Barres.

Title: "Are You Growing?"
Author: Mike Barres
Publication Date: February 05, 2006

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Mike is a pastor and writer for a number of online publications.

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