SPIRITUAL GROWTH

We all have our spiritual mentors, those who contribute to our spiritual development.  Many of us however become too involved in the mentoring and idolized those whom  God has appointed to our lives for a season.  In the educational system students are given a teacher for each scholastic year. These teachers are assigned to prepare students for their next grade or level in education.  If these students refuse to move on, they cease to develop and to learn those things necessary for their survival in this world's system.

The same applies to each believer in the Church.  We are appointed mentors to assist us in developing spiritually for God's glory.  Too often we have become so committed to the individual or the Church that we inadvertently stagnate our spiritual growth.  We must become spiritually sensitive to discern the seasons in our lives.  Our spiritual mentors are not permanently assigned unto us, they must move and we must do the same.  

We are assigned to ministries and ministers are assigned unto us, together edification and perfection is birth in our lives.  When the aforesaid has been accomplished, it is time to move on to the next level, the next spiritual mentor, and the next step towards perfection in Christ.  Spiritual growth is not about how long you can remain faithful to a ministry or an individual. Spiritual growth consists  of your faithfulness to the call upon your life and your level of obedience unto the Spirit's leadership.  We must learn to embrace the Spirit's guidance when we are being unction to move towards the next level.  This means that for some of us as ministers its another flock, as followers its another ministry, but we must move on. The Word had to leave heaven to become our Saviour. Our Saviour had to leave the earth to become King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Saul had to leave the Council to become the Apostle Paul, Elisha left his family to receive the mantle of Elijah, the Prophet and the list goes on.  You might have to leave your job, someone else will have to leave his siblings like Abraham, another might have to attach herself to another ministry and others will have to relocate. All of this is a part of growth. Can God's Spirit lead you towards your next level in your spiritual walk?

Spiritual Relationship

I believe that the most difficult time in the life of any Christian or Believer is those moments when Jehovah is silent.  We are waiting for an answer to our prayers.  If only to hear yes or no or even wait, we will be relieved and know that our lives are pleasing unto Him. 

We must come to the realization that our relationship with our heavenly Father is similar to our relationships with each other. In no relationship will it always be our way, on our standards, in our time, it just doesn't work like that.  The same applies to God, He doesn't answer us  because it is urgent on our end, or because we know that He can change our circumstances with one word.  

Our relationship with Jehovah is spiritual.  It is a relationship which consists of a variety of conditions.  As our heavenly Father, we must honor God and wait on His instructions and guidance as any parent provides for his child.  As our Healer we must wait on our healing regardless of our physical discomforts.  As our Savior we must come as yielded vessels unto Him realizing that without His assistance we would drown in the sea of sin.  As our Creator we esteem Him as the Greatest, The Almighty God which demands of us reverence.  

Regardless of how we relate to God, we must realize that our relationship with Him is spiritual and we must respect all of His functions and offices.  The most difficult time in our lives as Christians or  Believers is those moments of silence.  However I have learnt that we can endure those times when God is not speaking because they are the times when He is most observant of our conduct.  What is the message that you're sending to Him when you can't get your answer when you want it, can't get  your breakthrough how you want it or have your own way in a situation? God's mouth may be closed and  His hand withheld but this does not mean that His eyes are closed.  Our relationship with Him is spiritual.  Don't let your flesh get in the way!

Rice and Peas or Peas and Rice

What is so different about the order of words in this topic?  Is it the same combination?  Most certainly the ingredients are the same, but there is a significant difference.  If it is Rice and Peas then it means that the rice has been added to the peas. If it is Peas and Rice then this means that peas were added to the rice.  The difference therefore is that there is more of one ingredient than the other.  

Flesh and Spirit or Spirit and Flesh? This is the question that we must ask ourselves as Believers or Followers of the Christian faith.  Are we living our lives more in the flesh or more in the Spirit? The difference is that one is more influential in the daily decisions that we make. Too often Christians have said, "I'm only human."  This is complete defiance unto the spiritual rebirth!  You are either flesh and spirit or spirit and flesh.  Neither of us are only flesh or only spirit, however we must realize that one overpowers the other.  

Rice and Peas meas that the rice was added to the peas, the peas out numbers the rice.  Flesh and Spirit is how we should be living which is the flesh added to our spiritual lives for survival in this natural realm where we exist.  However most of our lives are being lived in the opposite, i.e. spirit and flesh.  The Spirit of God was not added to our flesh. When God created the male and female they were more spiritual than carnal (flesh); this is how we were created to exist.  Peas and Rice is the proper dish and I highly doubt that most persons would prefer more peas than rice.  We should neither prefer more flesh than spirit because living this type of life only  ushers us to a quicker death.  Rice and Peas or Peas and Rice; Flesh and Spirit or Spirit and Flesh - you decide which will out number the other.