Going through life will often time bring confusion. Death, grief, loss, and many other things that will often make us question God. The question we tend to ask is one that shows how much we don’t know about our Heavenly Father. We see our pain and ask, “If You love me God, why did this happen?”
We have been inundated with an idea that says God’s love is His way to serve me. We must understand as it says in Proverbs 3:12 “The Lord reproves him whom He loves..” Meaning God’s love is a tool of perfection not of pampering. Almighty God desires you to look more and more like His Son, Jesus (Rom. 8:29). That being the case, God will take away anything that will not promote Jesus in you. Whenever a true believer has a something removed from their life they press into God’s presence to find out how to grow. When one does this, he finds an eternal, or everlasting love awaiting. God’s love is proved in the cross, in pain. Coming to God you realized you’re not perfect, and you needed a love that would work perfection into your life. God gave perfection, Jesus, for you. His love is brought to us through the pain of Jesus on the cross. When pain enters our life we must remember the cross and realize our high priest has been tempted in every way we have been, yet without sin. He has experienced this pain and so much more! Press into Him today.
Where is God reproving(correcting) you today? What adjustments do you need to make so that you can grow in His eternal blessings? Instead of asking “Why did this happen?” say, “God, this hurts! My desire is to trust you completely. I know, that You know what You’re doing. Don’t let my pain be wasted, and let me live in the blessing of Your eternal love that really doesn’t make sense to me right now. Amen!”
Alex Stephens, Pastor, Sept. 29th 2015
Transformation is the result of being a disciple of Jesus. That being said, certain things must be implement into our lives so that we constantly live out a lifestyle of “biblical teaching in relational environments”. Here at Zion Baptist Church our desire for you is transformation in Jesus. That type of transformation comes through a conscious decision to follow Jesus into growth. We have put together some things to help you build a spiritual growth plan. This list is by no means comprehensive, but it will serve as a guide to get you started growing.
Word (John 8:31-32)
-Reading the bible (Write down the books you want to read this year)
-Meditating on Scripture (Write down at least 2 sections of Scripture that you will internalize)
Memorizing Scripture (Write down the verses that you will memorize this year
-Teaching what you have learned (Begin to teach those around you what God is showing you)
Prayer (John 15:7)
-When are you going to pray
-What are you wanting to pray about
-How are you going to pray (intercession, petition, thanksgiving)
-How many times are you going to fast and pray this year
*What are you going to fast from i.e. media, food
Fellowship (John 13:34-35)
-What days do you open up for Christian fellowship
*These are days other than your ordinary worship days of Sunday and Wednesday
-Where do you plan to meet to have fellowship
-What are you going to do i.e. coffee, shopping, shooting
Witness (John 15:8)
-Who are you going to Witness to this year
-When do you plan on doing that
-What do you believe God is saying to them
-How are you going to go about speaking to this person
Put these things in writing and allow the Holy Spirit to direct you into all truth regarding your growth, and transformation in Jesus Christ.
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