From the Council: Choose to Grow

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Are you the same person today as you were one year ago? Are you the same person today as you were six months ago? The answer to both questions is no. You have either grown or regressed.

Dr. Donald Ward, current Council of Elders member and long-time minister in the Church of God.

In this article we will explore strategies for growth, examine reasons for lack of growth and exhort all of us to resist and reject the things that hold us back from reaching our God-ordained potential.

The dimensions of growth we need to examine include: spiritual, mental, psychological, physical and social growth.

Physically—how is your health? Psychologically—how is your state of mind and emotional control? Both of these dimensions are related to your spiritual state. Mental illness is one of the deadliest plagues in our society.

What about mental and educational growth? Are you reading, studying and learning, or have you stagnated? Is your mind becoming duller and less active with each passing day? Only one-third of the American people say that they read. Those who do read read only an average of seven minutes a day.

Is there excitement and enthusiasm for learning in your life? If you have children, do you communicate that love for learning to them?

Have you grown socially? Are you having more social interaction with others? Does your life represent and reflect hope for the future? Are you a source of encouragement or discouragement?

Are you closer to God and your neighbor today than you were yesterday? Is your focus on God and the resurrected Jesus Christ sitting at the right hand of the Father who ever lives to make intercession for you, or is your focus on yourself and your problems? Are you seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?

Most importantly, have you grown spiritually?

Make a Plan

Do you really want to grow? Do you really? If so, do you have a plan for growth in each of the above areas? You can rest assured that if you do not have a plan for growth in each of these areas there will be no growth.

Physically, you must have a plan for improving your quality of life. Psychologically, you need a plan for achieving greater peace and greater insight on how to cope with life’s peaks and valleys. You need to grow toward emotional maturity and willingness to face the realities of life. Mentally and educationally, you must have a plan to grow in knowledge and wisdom.

You need to be aware of the political, social and economic factors that are shaping your life and the world. Socially, you need to develop a plan for quality social interaction; a plan to develop deeper friendships, leading to a greater positive impact on them and others. To grow spiritually, you must have a plan for reading, studying, serving, meditating, praying and growing in grace and faith—beginning at home and extending to others.

One way to approach this is to assess where you are now. Write a description of where you are now physically, psychologically, mentally, socially and spiritually. Then write a description of where you want to be, set goals and develop plans and strategies for achieving your goals.

I can assure you that things will remain the way they are now in your personal life and in the Church without directional leadership. You must learn to lead yourself and know how and when to support and follow others. You must not leave the direction of your life to time and chance.

Oftentimes we sell ourselves short when it comes to what we can accomplish in life and what we can do to make a difference in the lives of others. Some sell themselves short when it comes to the service they can render to the Church of God. We must not come to be comfortable with just treading water and becoming spectators in the arena of life. We must step out on faith and face the world with confidence and courage.

We cannot leave the future of our lives and the future of our children to circumstance and chance.

You can fall into a vicious cycle of feelings of helplessness. For example: “Why don’t I exercise? Because I am too tired.Why am I so tired? Because I don’t exercise.” “Why do I have spiritual problems? Because I don’t take care of my spiritual duties. Why don’t I take care of my spiritual duties? Because I have all of these problems.”

“Why do I have so few friends? Because of a lack of social interaction.” “Why is there a lack of social interaction? Because I have so few friends.” Remember Proverbs 18:24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
See All...: “A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.”

There are people in the Church who are not blessed with a support network. Sadly, we often do not know how lonely and helpless some people feel. This is one of the reasons why we need as much communication and social interaction as possible.

Why don’t I read more? Because my education is limited. Why is my education limited? Because I don’t read.

You Can Make a Differe nce

Never fall into the trap of thinking that the way you live your life is not influencing other people. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Every step we take on the road of life leaves a footprint in the minds of those we come into contact with.

One of the most valid laws of learning is that we learn method more rapidly than we learn content, children especially. In other words, they learn to do things the way you do things. They learn to respond to trial and trouble the same way you respond. They learn to treat family members the way you treat family members. They learn to relate to God as you relate to God. They learn to treat their neighbor as you treat your neighbor.

Your children are learning to manage their health, psychological state, mental, educational state, social life and spiritual life in the same way you do! The old sayings are so very true: “Example is the most powerful communicator,” and, “I can’t hear what you say because of what you do.” Don’t let your footsteps on the road of life become an offense and stumbling block (Matthew 18:1-14 [1] At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
[2] And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
[3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
[5] And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
[6] But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
[7] Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
[8] Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
[9] And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
[10] Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
[11] For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
[12] How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
[13] And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
[14] Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

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Apparently we think that if we don’t say it, we haven’t communicated it. God inspired the prophet Malachi to write a whole book about this frame of mind. In the book of Malachi, God brings forcefully to light the condition of the hearts of Judah and Israel. It’s written as a monologue in the form of a dialogue. God speaks His part and the response of Judah and Israel. Judah and Israel professed to be serving God, but in fact they had become God’s critics, even accusing Him of being unfair. They communicated their attitude toward God through their actions.

Let’s note the great rhetorical question in Malachi: “You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, wherein have we wearied him? When you say, every one that does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?” (Malachi 2:17Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?
See All..., KJV).

The last two chapters are basically devoted to addressing the rhetorical question of where “the God of judgment” is. God is where he has always been—on His throne in the third heaven watching over the sons of men. Because God is longsuffering and merciful He has not executed judgment on the sons of men. “For I [am] the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
See All..., KJV). If we received only judgment, we would all be put to death because the wages of sin is death. But God in His love and mercy has ordained His great plan of salvation and provided us with a redeemer, Jesus Christ the Righteous.

God sent messengers, priests and prophets to Israel, but they hardened their hearts and did not respond to Him and grow. God is pleading with us now to get our spiritual houses in order and grow in grace and knowledge. Respond to Him and encourage one another, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together and so much the more as we see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25 [24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

See All...). Your presence at church services may serve to motivate your brother or sister in Christ to grow. Now is the time to fill your lamp with oil and speak often one to another and encourage one another to keep on keeping on. Encouraging words to one another may be written in God’s book of remembrance (Malachi 3:16-17 [16] Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
[17] And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

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So we all need to ask ourselves, “What am I communicating to my spouse, children, brethren and neighbors?” We especially need to be aware of non-verbal communication. From your dress, speech, body language to the way you keep your house are all powerful communicators of growth or regression—of whether or not you love God and your neighbor. Remember the two great commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:37-40 [37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
[38] This is the first and great commandment.
[39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

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The problems that abound in this world can be overwhelming and instead of believing we can grow and make a difference, we may have a tendency to withdraw or take on an attitude of “What is the use?” We can grow and we can make a difference if we are willing to step out on faith. Remember the words of the apostle Paul: “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:35-39 [35] Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
[36] For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
[37] For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
[38] Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
[39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

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The whole of society today is basically in a state of denial and withdrawal. Withdrawal is a form of narcissism where the focus is on self-narcissism has become the “American Way.”

Do you believe you can make a difference in your marriage, in your family, with your children, with your parents, with your neighbor? Do you believe you can make a difference in the Church of God? Do you believe you can make a difference in your job? Do you believe you can make a difference in your neighborhood, community, town, county, state, country? If you don’t make a difference in all of these areas, who will?

If you don’t grow, you will degenerate. So will you leave your future and future of your family to time and chance, or will you have the courage to plan and shape your future? You are making choices that will determine your future—will you choose to grow and help others to grow or will you withdraw and wither away like the grass of the field?

You can choose to make a difference just as Jesus did here on earth. He said greater things than He did, we shall do (John 14:8-14 [8] Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
[9] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
[10] Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
[11] Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
[12] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
[13] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
[14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

See All...). How many of us believe that?

Avoid Crowd Mentality

Another mind set that prevents growth is the notion that you are safe as long as you are observing the same form as everyone else. There is some kind of false notion of security inherent in crowd mentality and behavior. It’s the notion that there is safety in numbers. “Everybody else is doing it” is one of the great cries of youth to their parents. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
See All...) Don’t falsely assume that because iniquity abounds and everyone else is doing it—whatever “it” is—that it must be alright.

Some fall into the trap that is described in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 [1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
[2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
[3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
[4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
[5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

See All..., and their growth is stunted. Note verse 5 states that some have a “form of righteousness but deny the power thereof…” Then the admonition is given to turn away from such behavior. God wants us not just to have a form of righteousness, He wants us to become righteous. The power thereof is the power to become new creations in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ask yourself, “Is my heart in this or am I just going through the motions? Am I becoming love as God is love?”

The parable of the ten virgins graphically demonstrates that they all had the identical form—they all took their lamps and they all slumbered and slept. Yet the conditions of their hearts and the substance of their hearts and minds were vastly different. This parable should be very sobering to all of us. God is looking on the heart. Seek God and a new heart. He wants us to grow in grace and knowledge and have our lamps filled with oil so we will be ready when the Bridegroom knocks on our door.

It is possible to become as little children, to have a perfectly teachable attitude to grow and become converted. You can change. You can grow. Will you be willing to write a description of where you are? Where you hope to be? And will you write out strategies as to how you plan to get there. SEEK COUNSEL, BREAK THE VICIOUS CYCLE. CAST OFF THE STRONGHOLDS, PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR AND GROW (2 Corinthians 10:1-6 [1] Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
[2] But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
[4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
[5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
[6] And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

See All...; Ephesians 6:10-18 [10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
[15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
[16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
[18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

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I hope we all choose to grow. To do otherwise is to die. Will you be the same person next week as you are now? The answer is NO. Will it be life or death? Choose life—choose to grow!