10 things you need to know to Grow

 

Wake the Faith up Slayer… This is Garth Heckman with the David Alliance and you can reach me at

TDAgiantslayer@gmail.com 

 

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July 9th - Saturday - A Father Daughter/Son conference called PROTECTOR! Speakers on how to protect your son and daughter Emotionally, physically, sexually, socially and spiritually. Ages 10 and up if you feel your student is mature enough. Price $100 per family. At HillSpring Church New prague south of the Twin Cities

 

 

10 things to know while being used by God 

 

 

 

  - 6 Just because your current Christian life is growing doesn’t mean you should do more.

 

I can imagine Jesus used the picture of fruit and gardening so much as examples of our christian walk because they both are so transferable. If you plant a garden in a 200 by 300 foot plot of soil, water it, fertilize it, weed it and it becomes lush and fruitful… why not plant even more in it - right? I think we can see how absurd that would be. The ground (that being a 200 by 300 foot plot) can only hold so much activity and nutrients to provide the ability for optimum growth. Your life is much the same… you are growing leaps and bounds as a follower of Christ… you go Sunday to church. You are involved in a Tuesday mens bible study and you serve 2 weekends at church helping feed the poor. You actively are sharing Christ with those around you and your personal discipleship time is spot on… and it shows in your life. 

So do you do more? The easy answer is pray about it… but in this scenario I would most likely say No, you have found your sweet spot and if you do add more or less it should be under direct supervision of the Holy spirits leading. 

 

 

 

 

  - 7 Just because your current Christian life is NOT growing doesn’t mean you should do more. 

Now you say wait what? Garth you just said if it is growing don’t add more… but if its not growing… uhm… you still don’t add more?

 

Well I would do two things… one is check what you are doing. Here is an example… you are going to a bible study, but you and I know very little bible is studied. You talk a lot, you read very little, guys love to just chatter and no one in the group has a deep intense relationship with God. So just eliminate it and find a new one. Don’t add another.

Secondly I would remind you that in regards to planting, there is a waiting period. Sometimes we are doing the right things but it is winter time in our spiritual life and it will take a while to see growth. Pray over and know the difference. 

 

  - 8 Perseverance is underrated  - 

Man oh man this could preach! Just never give up… regardless of the outcome of your life, circumstances, goals, visions, dreams… whatever they are and no matter how much the crash… keep persevering in your walk with God and your desire to be used by him. Here is conviction I have…. 

 

satans greatest strategy is patience… we should outlast him! 

 

  - 9 Loving people is hard

So you want to minister to people. So yes lets minister to the single mom who is 28 years old, has a child and is sooo appreciative of your time and talent and it makes you feel like a super hero. Or if you are a woman you want to help the young adolescent girl who needs self reassurance and love to see the beauty she has inside her.

Scratch that… those come along rarely. You will be asked to love the person who constantly disagrees with you, simply doesn’t like you and who opposes all your beliefs regarding Christianity… now go love them.

YOu will love people who in turn will gossip about you, turn on you, lie about you, LOVE THEM anyway… thats the truly hard and most rewarding part about ministry. 

 

  - 10 Let your kids grow up loved, with a great example…. but let them be normal.

Ok if you don’t have kids apply this to your bone head friends who say they are Christians.

Look if you are a deeply committed Christ follower then you can definitely feel the pressure of wanting your kids to tow the line and be as passionate about Jesus as you. They should not talk back, should not go to parties, should not be attracted to ungodly people, should not dress in that manner… etc.

Love your kids, give them a great example of someone who is crazy about Jesus. Talk to them about everything, and I mean everything and use those awkward conversations to build a trust and a friendship with them. You can disagree and they can still feel loved in the process. Let them be normal, put them first before ministry. It will pay off and beside they are your number one ministry !!!