What Does The Bible Say About Spiritual Growth

How Much Am I Willing To Sacrifice

In verse 5 Paul encouraged his readers to have the same attitude Jesus had. In verse 6 he wrote,

Though He was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, HE GAVE UP His divine privileges.

Have you ever thought about all that Jesus had to give up in order to save us? It says He emptied Himself or gave up His heavenly and divine privileges. He gave up a perfect environment in heaven to come to earth to be a carpenter. To sacrifice means to give up something that is valuable to you. It could be your time, money or anything else very important to you. When God challenges you to do something does He normally end up getting the short end of the stick? Does work always win or are you willing to sacrifice and be obedient to God? Our willingness to sacrifice to God and for others is a great way to measure our spiritual growth.

Bible Verses About Spiritual Growth What Does The Bible Say

Bible Verses about Spiritual Growth What Does the Bible Say?

10. Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:31, 32

The Cost Of Discipleship

We can start with the definition of a disciple. A disciple is a learner a disciple of Jesus is one who learns and lives from the teachings of Jesus himself and those whom Jesus directly taught . One discipleship ministry called the Navigators gives this definition: A disciple continues in the Word, loves others, bears fruit, and puts Christ first.1 Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor who ministered in Germany during the difficult days of Adolf Hitler. His ministry and resistance of the Nazi regime eventually led to his execution toward the very end of the European portion of the war. In his work the Cost of Discipleship he writes, Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ. It remains an abstract idea, a myth . . . . The disciple places himself at the Masters disposal, but at the same time retains the right to dictate his own terms. But then discipleship is no longer discipleship, but a program of our own to be arranged to suit ourselves.2 The call to spiritual growth is the call to be a disciple of Jesus. Its a call to be more like Jesus. Its a call to submit ourselves to the lordship of Jesus. Jesus summarized the cost of discipleship with a vivid metaphor: Then Jesus said to his disciples, If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me . This leads us to the importance of understanding what God has done and is doing in our life.

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Ii Reasons Why You Need Your Bible

A. The Bible is like an instruction manual for a car owner. Without it life is hard at best, impossible at worst.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is Gods way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

If you have a new car, one of the first things you do is read the instruction manual. Find out how often the tires need to be checked, rotated. Find out how often the oil needs to be changed. Find out how often it needs to be serviced. Find out how fast you should drive it for the first 500 miles. If you fail to do this, you can ruin the engine and wreck the car.

Someone has said the Bible stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

God cares enough about us that he didnt just plunk us down here on the earth and say, Do the best you can! Hope you figure it all out! Good luck!

He gave us an owners manual. It tells us everything we need to know about Him, about us, and about life. But it doesnt do us a bit of good unless we read it! Read Gods instruction manual!

B. The Bible is like a flashlight for a camper. Without it youll stumble and get hurt, or wander and get lost.

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

C. The Bible is like a weapon for a soldier. Without it youll be captured or killed.

Matt 4:2-4

Eat Gods food!

What Does The Bible Say About Your Spiritual Growth

Apr 7th, 2019 / Salt and Light

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:1719

We live in increasingly strange days. Hardly a news cycle passes without some expression of a novel opinion based on half-baked thinking. And if, perchance, someone shares sound, principled, clear-headed truth it is almost a shock to your system.

I do not mean to dismiss the seriousness of the matter at issue. But in a case of such sharp division it is imperative that all parties apply wisdom, based on the realities of sinful human nature, and honoring the God-given rights our Constitution is designed to protect. We live in dangerous times and that which is good needs to be able to defend itself against that which is evilwhether in speech or in deed. Times such as ours require maturity, borne of moral growth and godly knowledge, not diminishment by driving people to a common core of societally approved behaviors and options.

Their poor thinking not only harmed others around them, but it was a twisting that lead to their own destruction relaxed morality will always bring a payday. Consequences of evil cannot be avoided. In the face of this overwhelming, over-reaching, and over-intrusive evil, Peter says, You, believer, remain faithful!

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How Much Am I Willing To Serve

Concerning Jesus Paul said,

He took the humble position of a SLAVE

One thing that was clear in observing Jesus life is that He was always serving others. He taught others. He washed their feet. He healed people. He made disciples and poured His life into people. His life was about serving others and adding value to their life. So, the question we should ask here is, do I normally look for people to serve me or am I actively looking for ways I can serve others? And what Ive learned is that the attitude of service is just as important as the act. Are you willing to do tasks that no one else will do that seem beneath you or do you see yourself as being too good to perform such tasks? Ouch! If Jesus came to earth to serve people who eventually crucified Him, who am I to say that I am not willing or too good to serve in a certain capacity?

Admissions Committee Student Member

Microbiology Doctoral Training Program admissions committee

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Reviewed incoming applicants to the Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, selected the top candidates and, with the rest of the committee, reached consensus in selecting applicants to be invited for recruitment to the MDTP.

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Senior Director Of Research & Development

Amnyo Biologics

4 months

Flagstaff, Arizona, United States

Working to develop and expand a regenerative medicine and stem cell based product line. Research and development within new product schedules is always patient safety-focused as top priority. Built out and equipped a tissue culture based R& D lab, maintained within GTP/GMP standards. Duties include designing production flow, overseeing and advancing R& D efforts, writing standard operating procedures, maintaining quality/compliance documentation, carrying out equipment validation and

Working to develop and expand a regenerative medicine and stem cell based product line. Research and development within new product schedules is always patient safety-focused as top priority. Built out and equipped a tissue culture based R& D lab, maintained within GTP/GMP standards. Duties include designing production flow, overseeing and advancing R& D efforts, writing standard operating procedures, maintaining quality/compliance documentation, carrying out equipment validation and qualification, etc.

What Is The Paranormal

Becoming involved with the paranormal is not encouraged for Christians. God warns us about not seeking out mediums or necromancers.

Believers need to flee from any fascination with ghosts as the ghosts are only demons. You cannot have a seat at Gods table and the table of demons.

Satan and his demons want to cause your downfall. They want to scare, harm, and hurt you . Becoming involved with ghosts can cause bad things to happen to you.

God is more powerful than the devil and his demons, but we should never test the Lord . The Lord wants you to live in the freedom, love, and joy of knowing Him.

Gods plan does not involve becoming involved with demons, mediums, or the occult. As believer, we do not have to fall victim to their tricks. The One who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.

The Holy Spirit will keep you safe from demons, but we also have to use our own knowledge to abstain from the paranormal. If demons know that a loved one has passed, they may try to deceive you with visions, dreams, or encounters with your loved one.

Even in the difficult times of losing a loved one, you still must stand your ground against Satan and his schemes. Lean on God, talk with Him, and pour out your sorrow to Him.

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Seven Virtues To Pursue For Spiritual Growth

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness and to goodness, knowledge and to knowledge, self-control and to self-control, perseverance and to perseverance, godliness and to godliness, brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness, love .

Picture in your mind a Volkswagen and a 747 airplane. Now imagine the Volkswagen pulling the 747. Believe it or not, a Volkswagen can actually do this, but the power of a Volkswagen could never make the thing fly!

You cannot live the Christian life apart from the power of the Holy Spirit. The New Testament talks about people who have a form of godliness, but they deny its power . That kind of religion is rather like the Volkswagen pulling the plane. It takes a great effort, but its ultimately futile it will never fly! Jesus said Apart from me you can do nothing .

Here are seven virtues that we are to pursue vigorously in the power of the Holy Spirit. The list is similar to the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, but Peters emphasis is on our effort to actively pursue these things: Make every effort to add these things to your faith. Go after them. Make them your own. You are not in the position of the Volkswagen trying to pull the plane. God has given you power, now stretch yourself out in the pursuit of these things this year.

How Much Am I Willing To Submit

Paul continues,

When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in OBEDIENCE to God

The idea here is OBEDIENCE. Jesus was obedient to what His Father was requiring Him to do. A major way to measure your spiritual growth is to honestly assess how obedient/submissive you are to what God wants from you. How obedient are you in the areas of sexual purity, lust, time management, using your gifts, overeating, and giving? Next we must ask the question, how submissive am I to the people God has placed over my life ? A maturing Christian is one who can see progress not perfection.

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How Selfless Am I

Paul said,

Do nothing out of SELFISH AMBITION or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.

How much do I think about others in comparison to thinking about myself? How much am I willing to take a genuine interest in the things that matter most to other people even if they dont matter to me at all while making them feel as though it does matter to me? How much do I put other peoples needs before and above my own?

I What Does It Take To Grow The Bible

Were beginning a new series this morning, What Does It Take To Grow? This poinsettia is part of an experiment . I want to see if plants really need water and soil to grow, or if its just a widely believed urban legend.

A. The Purpose of this series:

The purpose is the same goal that Epaphras had for the Colossian Christians. He prayed for them,

That you may become mature Christians and that you may fulfill Gods will for you. Col 4:12

Thats what God wants for us. He wants us to grow up. You can circle the word mature and Gods will. They are both in the same sentence. It is Gods will that you grow up.

Listen to this verse from the Apostle Paul:

Ephesians 4:14-15 We are not meant to remain as children but to grow up in every way into Christ.

Did you realize that God wants you to grow up? I have a friend who works at the Medical Lake facility for those with developmental disabilities. I went out there one day with him and saw men and women with mature bodies, but immature minds. It was tragic. One young man looked to be in his late 20s, in a wheelchair. The aide would place a plastic ball in his lap, and hed try and try to knock it off with his hands. Sometimes it would take him a full minute. Sometimes it would take him 3 or 4 minutes.

If we look at arrested development mentally, physically, and think, How tragic, what must God the father think when he looks at arrested development spiritually? Heres a question for you

r x t = d

Rate x Time = Distance

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Bible Verses About Spiritual Growth

As soon as we put our trust in the blood of Christ on our behalf the spiritual growth process begins. The Holy Spirit begins to work in us and transform us. We become less like the world and more like Christ. The Spirit helps us to overcome sin and deny the flesh.

Spiritual growth glorifies God in many ways. Here are a couple. First, it glorifies God because we see how God is working in us.

Hes making beautiful diamonds out of us. Second, it glories God because as we grow and the love of God works in us we want to glorify God more. We want to honor Him with our life.

Spiritual growth is centered around Christ. You must trust in Christ, focus on Christ, pray that God conforms you into the image of Christ, and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to yourself daily.

• If it doesnt challenge you, it doesnt change you.
• God didnt bring you this far to leave you.
• Pray hardest when its hardest to pray.
• Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth.
• The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. A. W. Tozer

I am tired of people judging peoples spirituality by knowledge.

2. Matthew 23:25 Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

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