Spiritual growth – Refining [Spiritual Growth]

Hello friends. Can you believe it is almost November? The winter months are upon us and the smell of pumpkin is in the air.

My husband and I have been busy gathering the last of the harvest the past couple of weeks. Tomatoes, peppers, squash, onions, dill, green beans, parsley, pumpkins, cilantro, etc. All the goodies we have watched grow day after day in broad daylight.

As I wash, chop, freeze, cook, etc. I am reminded of God’s pure light producing healthy fruit in my own life. I love the spiritual growth that comes as I stay under His authority and humbly surrender to His plans. He has a way of stretching me and directing my maturity in ways I have never even dreamed- much like the pumpkin that grew larger than the rest of the crop.

But today I want to truly chat about the dark side. The crop underground and never seen day in and day out. Yep, the carrots! It is always a mystery of the growth until the day of harvest. Year after year, we never know the yield we will receive nor the size of each, yet there is always growth happening below the surface.

Life has often been like this for me. The dark side of life-death, change, health issues, daily struggles, loss, deception, and the list continues-all the things hidden away in my heart which the world sees as agents of destruction while outwardly (on the surface) all seems fine and well. (The tops of the carrots are so pretty and green)

Like our prized carrots, I have learned the secret to growing in the darkness. (Yes, by trial & error)

In the darkness, God is in control. My reliance and focus are on Him because I must rely on faith and His will. He directs my path-growth-size, etc.
My inner transparency is protected from the surface elements the world offers. Yes, this earth has a million and one solutions to our problems, but only the Lord can provide true safety and shelter.
God’s maturity in His children is not always seen as appealing like those red, ripe tomatoes or those luscious squash. What He is doing inside of our hearts is much like the transformation of that small, small seed. Our struggles become a testimony-just like that beautiful carrot-a demonstration of growth in the darkness.
Only God can produce an abundance of goodness from the dark side of life but it is dependent upon our reliance on Him through the trials.

Just food for thought as I process the carrots.

What type of veggie can you identify with when reflecting on your growth with God?

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

Hello! How are you friends? What fall events have you had a chance to enjoy this month? Football games, harvest festivals, pumpkin patch, homecomings, retreats, craft shows…

I had the sheer pleasure to see Priscilla Shirer this weekend in Amarillo thanks to the encouragement of a sweet friend. As you know, I am still picking up some major pieces of life that recently shattered. My first instinct was to decline because the earthly “to do” list is quite lengthy with a double graveside service to plan, a stack of bills to sort through for my dad and sister, an estate sale to advertise, vehicles and properties to maintain and clean, and oh yeah-the legal stuff to handle. You might say I had a defensive attitude because I was letting worldly distractions hinder my submission to attend. But God said, “GO-sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to what I need you to hear through the voice of Priscilla.”

One of the beautiful messages Priscilla so eloquently delivered was that of spiritual maturity. (My passion and desire for all to obtain, including myself.) She brought several things to mind and spurred me on in several ways for my personal growth and for the Refining Ministry in the days ahead.

So, today I would like to give you 3 practical ways to continually mature in your spiritual walk. They will sound so simple but putting it into action routinely can be challenging. (BTW-This is why Refining exists-to keep you and us on track.)

Are you ready?

Read God’s Word. If you want a relationship that will flourish, you have to know Him. There is no better way to become familiar with His attributes than spending time in Scripture.
Find a way to be encouraged by someone on a higher level of spiritual maturity. How you might ask? Get in a Bible study, find a mentor, commit to an accountability partner, read solid Christian author’s work, listen to sermons, follow artists that spur on your worship, etc. You can’t get to the next level without being exposed to what that looks like.
Pray. Make time for it. Don’t really know how–just do it. God only cares about the posture you bring when praying, not some eloquent fluffy words.

Basic-Simple-Foundation! That’s it. Oh yeah, I hear you–but there is so much more!! Yes, you are right but if you overload yourself with “all the good things” which can benefit, you may paralyze yourself from doing the solid foundational things which are detrimental to your continual growth.

Set yourself up for success. Get good at the foundational so they become part of your DNA and you will not depart from them. Then remember, everything else is icing, sprinkles, yummy sauce, cherries, etc.

The Refining Ministry believes in these foundational skills so much that it is why we provide an outlet for you to grow through our weekly online studies. Our format is simple: one chapter once a week with accountability sheets to help you dissect and unpack Scripture based on the personal message God has directly for you. I would encourage you to join us on a Monday night for one hour beginning at 6:00 pm CST. For more details and/or the link, email us at refiningjourney@gmail.com.

Last but not least!!! Here is a TOPPING for you. There is a FREE Bible Journaling conference this week which actually begins in a couple of days. The conference has a multitude of speakers and lots of fun giveaways. Plus, it is from the comfort of your home or wherever you may be. You can pick and choose what to attend. I have enjoyed it over the years and I think you will be blessed as well this year.

You can register here: free Bible Journaling conference

Tag: Spiritual growth

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