Growing Up in Christ: How Are You Growing?

 I heard in my quiet time "Jesus grew in stature". And in God's sure way of getting my attention, the phrase repeated and repeated frequently, "Jesus grew in stature."

Luke 2:52 says "As Jesus grew, so did his wisdom and maturity.  The favor of men increased upon his life, for he was loved greatly by God."

I ventured to look up the definition of stature and came upon two meanings.  1) someone's height or size, 2) quality or status gained by growth, development, or achievement. 

How are you growing?

The first definition is pretty self-explanatory.  For the most part, physically, we all have increased in size from childhood to being an adult.  It was the same for Jesus.  He grew from a boy into a man.  Everything about Him physically grew.   

Side thought:  As our body grew, did our spirit man grow as well?  Or did it remain in a childlike state?

1 Samuel 2:26 says "Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew taller and grew in favor with the Lord and with the people."  As with most individuals in the Bible, Samuel shared this same feature with Jesus.  Both grew taller and in favor with the Lord and the people.  However, let's look closer at another characteristic both had in common.

1 Samuel 2:20 says "And the Lord gave Hanna three sons and two daughters.  Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord."  

Luke 2:40 states, "The child grew more powerful in grace, for he was being filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him."

Not only did they grow physically but also spent time in the Presence of the Lord.  We know through scriptures that Samuel was a prophet used by God in his day to bring the Word of the Lord to the nation of Israel.    Likewise, Jesus spent quality time with God, often stilling away to pray and be with His Father (Luke 5:16) and was used by God to reconcile mankind back to God throughout the ages and even until His return.

How are we growing in the wisdom, love and favor of God?

Many years go, I received and was able to share a message entitled "Check yourself before you wreck yourself".  This message was based upon John the Baptist's message of "repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand" (Mark 1:15).  Looking back, I believe it was a call to the church to check how we were living for Jesus was soon coming?  

Today, I believe the same question is being asked again.  How are we living?  How are we growing?

In every area of our lives physically, mentally, socially and spiritually, God is concerned about it all.  However, sometimes it seems as though our spiritual well-being can get pushed to the back-burner with all of life's daily demands and our own desires for self-improvement.

We are commanded to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else will be added to us (Matthew 6:33).

Are we growing in righteousness?

Matthew 5:48 says "Since you are children of a perfect Father in heaven, you are to be perfect like him."

The word "perfect" in the Greek and Aramaic can also mean "whole, complete, fully mature, lacking nothing, all-inclusive, well rounded.  Another translation says maturity and wholeness in response to Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom, and complete consecration to God.

How are we maturing in the things of God?

Matthew 19:21-22, Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor; and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me."  But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

God is not asking us to sell all that we have but to examine our hearts to see what idols we have placed there ahead of Christ.

How are we growing in Christ?

Steps for Growing

1. Desire to be in the Presence of God always.  Jesus has made this possible to boldly come before the throne of grace regularly without fear.  This can simply be done by acknowledging God often throughout the day.  Seeking His wisdom then obeying (Proverbs 3:5-6, John 14:15).
2. Identifying, repenting and asking Holy Spirit to remove any idols in our hearts (Exodus 20:2-5)

God is concerned about our maturing in the things of God.  He is concerned that His bride be whole - mentally, physically, socially and spiritually.  He is concerned about His church being prepared not only for His coming but how we live here on earth.  The hour is now where true worshippers worship who they know in spirit and truth!

His Reward Is Comng

 I heard this morning...

I'm coming back with my reward and great is my reward. (Revelation 22:12, 11:18).  My reward is in my hands canst thou not see it?  Can you not perceive it?

12) Behold, I am coming quickly! I bring my reward wth me to repay everyone accordng to their works.  13) I am the Aleph, and the Tav, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the Completion.  14) Wonderfully blessed are those who wash their robes white so they can access the Tree of Life and enter the city of bliss by its open gates.  15) Those not permitted to enter are outside:  the malicious, hypocrites, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, murderers, idolators, and every lover of lies.  16) I, Jesus, sent my angel to you to give you this testimony to share with the congregation.  I am the bright Mornng Star, both David's spiritual root and his descendant.  17) "Come", says the Holy Spirit and the Bride in divine duet.  Let everyone who hears this duet join them in saying "Come."  Let everyone gripped with spiritual thirst say, "Come."  And let everyone who craves the gift of living water come and drink it freely.  It is my gift to you!  Come."

There is a war in the heavenlies.  A war for souls.  A war for justice and righteousness that the church must arise too.  The victory is already secured.  There are territories to take, souls to be brought into the Light.  

My Kingdom is advancing.  Allow the Light of Christ to shine from within!

Fix My Eyes

 

I heard this morning judgment is coming to the household of faith.  I must begin with my children before I can fairly judge the world.  It is my desire that none should perish but that all will come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). I desire my sons and daughters to live with me through eternity.

I woke up to the phrase 'we fix our eyes, we fix our eyes' repeating over and over recognizing that this was one of the ways Abba gets my attention...rejoicing over me with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).  Fix our eyes on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), the Hope of our calling.  This will be important for believers in the upcoming days.  

I AM coming back for my bride without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:26-27), I heard the Spirit of the Lord say.  

I am coming so that we may spend eternity together!

Absolutely Good News!!!

 A Letter from Father God...

Dear Sons and Daughters,

I am coming to visit my people, my bride, my church again!

It has always been my desire and is still true today for you to live my Presence, for us to live intertwined with one another here on earth just as I did in the beginning, the Garden of Eden, with Adam and Eve, and throughout eternity.  

But something happened...

Deception crept into the garden and Adam and Eve were deceived by the serpent, Satan.  Because of this one act of disobedience man took on a sinful nature.This caused a separation between us for I am a holy God.  Nevertheless, I had a plan to reconnect us.  

That plan was and is still in effect today.  That plan is JESUS CHRIST!

In times past, I created standards, rules, commandments that if followed to the letter would allow my people to dwell here on earth with me.  It was known as the Old Covenant.  This was only a temporary solution until the eternal plan arrived on earth.  Unfortunately, this created a fear of My people ever approaching and enjoying My Presence.  So, I selected and set apart a few to act as the mediator between Myself and My people.  This went on for quite some time.  It didn't produce the desired relationship I wanted nor was it the permanent cure to man's sinful nature.  

Enters My plan, the New Covenant, Jesus!

I sent my Son, Jesus Christ, into the world as a gift so that if anyone believes in Jesus they can reconnect to Me again now and throughout eternity. (John 3:16-17)  The original plan was reestablished again.

How do I become part of the plan or New Covenant

• The first way to approach God is through His Son, Jesus.  If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, that's the beginning. Jesus is the only Way! (John 14:6, Romans 10:9-13)

• God wants to be your God (Father) and for us to be His people.  He wants to be with us, lead and guide us, not in condemnation but to enjoy doing life together. (Genesis 3:8-9, Exodus 19:5, John 3:16-17, 1 Peter 2:4-10, Revelations 21:3)

• Live in reverential feal or awe of Him as believers who know this life is temporary. (1 Peter 1:1, 17)

God is beckoning us to come close, not in fear, but recgonizing that He is a holy God and we are an unclean (sinful) people.  But have hope, Jesus has made it possible for us to come close, to encounter this holy God, our Abba Father!  How did Jesus accomplish this task?  By dying on the cross for our sins.  In the book of John, Jesus declared that he was the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father by no other way.  To know Jesus is to know the Father.

The reverential fear of the Lord is coming back to the church.  Purify yourselves for the fear of the Lord is coming!  

Love,

Abba God