Keys to Growth - 5

...let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. Hebrews 12:1

Have you ever sat on a jumbo jet as it rumbled down the runway and wondered if it was ever going to make it into the air? As you watch those thousands of feet/metres pass below,and you think about all that luggage people put into the overhead lockers, you just pray that this runway will be long enough for this plane to get off the ground. So far we have always made it!

In a couple of weeks I am about to embark on a Christian Women Communicating International (CWCI) Central Safari. For most of that time, apart from getting to Darwin and then home from Alice Springs, the speaker and I will be travelling in a small Bible Society, single engine aircraft, something that I became quite accustomed to during our time in Papua New Guinea many years ago.

I have been informed by our pilot that I may take only 15 kgs of luggage....including my handbag!! For me to be able to do that I am going to have to offload some things that I would normally take on a trip. My hairdryer will not be one of them! The thing is the weight is critical to an effective and safe flight.

When we come into the Christian life we often come with loads of 'luggage'. This can include habits that are harmful, unforgiveness towards people who have hurt us, attitudes towards ourselves which hinder our progress in life or lies that we believe to be truth, that cause us to stumble over and over again. For example, "I am not good enough", "I deserved the abuse I went through", "It must be my fault", "I will never be good enough", "I have to deserve God's love/favour"... and so on.

We come with twisted thinking which has resulted from what life has served up to us. It is like excess luggage what we need to rid ourselves of. It is important because those thoughts and attitudes hinder us and cause us to sin. Did it ever occur to you that your thought life can be just as sinful as your actions? Thinking that you are no good or not good enough will cause you to be held back from your destiny. It will prevent you from properly appreciating and receiving God's grace, which is freely given to you, not because of how good or bad you are (Ephesians 2:8-9).
 
Yes, the "sin that so easily trips us up" can so easily be coming from how we perceive ourselves. Perhaps this is why there are many who sit in church faithfully each week but never venture out to participate in building God's kingdom. We are loved by God, gifted for His purposes in this world, an overcomer because we are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37). Get your thinking sorted out and in line with God's word and start to live the way he planned for you to live. Abundantly! Come on, it's time to lift off!

Prayer: Lord God, forgive me for allowing wrong thinking about You and about me to hinder my usefulness in Your kingdom. Help me to know how to apply Your truth to my life and walk in the joy and freedom of Your grace in a way that brings You glory.

Keys to Growth - 4

Continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, ..... not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard.. Colossians 1:23

This is not a creepy Australian insect, but a wayward sweet potato that 'jumped ship 'in my pantry cupboard. It separated itself from the rest of the potatoes and got missed until today.  I figured it was a good illustration in our growth series of something that, even though it was in a dark place, with no soil to grow in, and no one around for 'fellowship', it still sent out shoots to grow.  Now I know this illustration has some 'holes in it' I want to use it today to illustrate and enforce the previous Daydrops on letting the word of God dwell in us richly. 

If we will study and embrace the word of God and allow it to become a part of us, we will have a store of nutrients on which to feed if ever the time comes when we are cut off from fellowship with other Christians for one reason or another.

The Bible tells us that we should not give up meeting together with other Christians (Hebrews 1:25).  We need fellowship and good Bible teaching to keep us on the right track.  It is too easy to become deceived and unbalanced and unbiblical in our beliefs without good fellowship and teaching.  However, sometimes circumstances arise where we  become unable to be with others.  It may be a dark place of separation through incarceration.  There are many Christians imprisoned for their faith and cut off from their families and churches, even from their Bibles, but if they have stored God's word in their heart, the Holy Spirit is then able to bring scriptures back to their mind to encourage, bless and strengthen them. (John 14:26). Don't forget to pray for these dear ones (Hebrews 13:3).

There may come times when sickness or travelling or something else takes you out of routine and fellowship.  I always struggled with being away from my routine of time with God and in the Word when we were on holiday.  I found it difficult to feel like I was staying connected with God, but I learned that even when I feel a bit cut off from God, He holds me and brings His word back to my mind.  The word keeps us grounded and we need to keep believing in the good news of the gospel, that we are children of the living God and no one can pluck us out of his hand and we continue to trust in Him, (John 10:29). 

Let the word of God dwell in you richly so that you can remain grounded and steadfast in your faith.

Prayer:  Precious Lord, thank you for your word which is such a strength and encouragement to me in difficult times.  Help me to allow it rightful place and space in my heart and mind so that it can keep me steadfast and grounded in faith.  Amen