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Friendships seem to have played an integral part of humanity since creation. This was God’s idea, not man’s. Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him” (Genesis 2:18, TEV). However, when sin entered the world because of Adam and Eve’s sin against God, relationships led to death when Cain killed his brother Abel. It might be said that relationships can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the heart of the person.

Jesus said You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40, ESV). It is noteworthy that Jesus prioritized them by calling one of them the first and the other the second, but stated each was a commandment. However, if we are not careful, our desire for relationships or caring for others can become more important to us and separate us from our relationship with God. When this happens, it becomes a curse. Our Trinitarian God intends for our love for man to flow out of our love relationship with our God and thereby become a blessing.

Relationships can also be a blessing or a curse to our faith in Christ. We will do fine so long as we regularly feed our spirit and soul on God’s Word. It is when we become weary in working for God, discouraged because God didn’t do what we had expected, physically sick or exhausted, etc. that we become most vulnerable to the words of a misguided Christian or an unbeliever. If, for example, we have a relationship with a cynical believer, Satan will be quick to use that relationship to eat away our relationship with Christ.

Being born again is never about rules and regulations, it is about being restored in your relationship to your triune God. Nor is it about mental assent. The fact is, if your belief in God is only that Jesus died to forgive people in general for their sins—but you don’t believe that Jesus died for you—you aren’t taking hold of Jesus by faith. You only have religion.

When Mary Magdalene went to the tomb on Easter morning, she knew and intensely loved Jesus. She, along with the other disciples, heard Jesus repeatedly say he would die and rise again on the third day. Yet, at the tomb, when Jesus was standing right in front of her, she could not believe he had risen from the dead. It had not even occurred to her. It wasn’t until Jesus called her name (a relational experience) did she believe. This is a great illustration of how no one is born again unless they have a personal encounter with Christ. And when that occurs, a new relationship is born. Everything becomes new and things look very different. It will be this relationship factor that will sustain us through the deepest of dark valleys we may encounter.

Because human relationships are physical, we typically default to thinking only of a physical relationship. We think only of what we see and feel rather than of what is invisible to the natural eye, what is above. This is why Paul had to write specifically Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2, ESV). Remember Jesus said, If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:26, NLT2).

If you ask someone to do a chore, would you rather they begrudgingly oblige, or do it with a smile and even do more than what was requested? We’re all familiar with those who do only what they’re supposed to do at work. What impression might that person leave on you? What is God thinking about your innermost feelings?

We often find it hard to discern what God wants us to do. We may even try to force God’s hand by wanting a sign of some sort. Yet we know from the Bible He offers to guide us in life. Jesus gave a parable about Him being the good shepherd and His sheep know and follow His voice. However, we feel immobilized because He doesn’t guide us the way we expect. When this happens, we become confused and frustrated with Him. Could this happen in our daily life because there is a misunderstanding between us and our shepherd? Do we become confused as to how He leads us??

Jesus told an odd parable in John 17:7-10 that may reconnect us with Him so we can follow His leading. Keep in mind, Jesus tells this parable in a culture where slavery was common.

7  “When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? 8 No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ 9 And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. 10 In the same way, when you obey me, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty’” (Luke 17:7-10, NLT2).

What in the world!? … not even a thank you? And what is with these “unworthy servants”? Could it be there is more to obedience that we are missing?

If the person who obediently does their assigned task is still called unworthy, then what would make up a worthy servant? I can only think it would be a servant who went beyond sheer obedience, which would be an expression that shows loving initiative and does more than expected. That would be a person who put their heart into their work and not just did their duty.

In sports, there are those who faithfully attend practice, obediently go through their exercise, and attend all the games. However, they still end up sitting on the bench. Why? Being a starter is more than just being obedient. The coach is looking for the person who knows what to do and when to do it, but ALSO puts their heart and passion into the playing the game. This mysterious ingredient also applies to the job, in a marriage, in a classroom, ministry, or business.

Isaiah chapter 1 describes how people were generous in offering sacrifices, worshiping with lifted holy hands, faithfully attending, and honoring holy days. Yet, God said all their obedience made Him tired and sick! Why? Because their obedience lacked heart or passion. The same was true of the church at Ephesus. (Rev. 2:2-5) God sees when a person’s passion is for their ministry, position, perks, or for knowing and loving Him and His heart for His kingdom. When you sense the heart of God regarding a ministry and share ownership of His heart, hearing His voice in the daily routines of life will be as natural as a baby duckling following its mother. What might you need to do to take more initiative in linking arms with Christ and His mission?

The reason for using the word ‘Biblical’ in the title is to highlight unique qualities that distinguish Biblical Christians from all others. Nominal Christians yield to that pressure and merge culture with Biblical truth. That is called theological synchronism. Biblical Christians face harsh criticism for not adhering to our cultural norms. Consider these examples.

The more anyone strives to be an apprentice of Jesus (a Biblical Christian), the more opposition the world will have towards them. At first, this sounds like it cannot be true. It may even sound repulsive because we all want so much to be liked by everyone. But Jesus said if the world hates you, realize that it hated me before it hated you. If you had anything in common with the world, the world would love you as one of its own. But you don’t have anything in common with the world. I chose you from the world, and that’s why the world hates you (John 15:18-19, GW). But if you read those verses slowly, you discover the hatred referred to is not about your person, rather, it’s about what your lifestyle stands for. Paul warned don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2, NLT2). Most Biblical Christians love unbelievers. It shows in their attitude and actions. But as soon as an unbeliever recognizes that person’s convictions about God, they will hate that for which they stand. The unbeliever articulates that by calling anyone who seeks to become one of God’s “normal” men or women, a fanatic or religious nut. Jesus Christ was God’s greatest expression of the normal Biblical Christian; yet the world would have nothing to do with Him. They claimed He was “out of his mind” (Mk 3:21).

Consider Jesus’ greatest passion. God, His Father, was the uncompromising center of His life. It determined His every thought and action. While He was the perfect specimen of humanity, He denied His own independent thoughts and desires by insisting on doing only what he saw the Father doing. John 5:19 (NLT2). While He most certainly loved everyone, He was never afraid to repeat whatever His Father said or did at the risk of offending them. Is it normal today to enjoy God and passionately seek a close relationship with Him? Is it normal to pause to ask the Holy Spirit what He might have to say about whom to vote for on electoral ballots, the decisions at work or play?

Unbelievers are not anti-God; they are just little-God. They want you and me to have just enough of God to make us “kind” but never enough to motivate us to kindly expose their unrighteous hearts. Our society’s god doesn’t interfere in people’s lives, judge LGBTQIA+ or abortion, or hold a politically incorrect stance. Their god separates himself from our daily cares of life, including politics. And they can’t understand a Bible God who would tell them ‘No’ or allow any judgment to come to those who deliberately choose to disobey His laws.

The normal Biblical Christian is not obnoxious nor condemning. But if given the opportunity, he or she respectfully resists cultural issues that violate what God’s Word teaches. A normal Biblical Christian pleases God over any human. They will confidently face being falsely accused of being a bigot, racist, intolerant, etc. Why? Because deep within, they have a healthy fear of the Bible God, who they deeply believe will be their ultimate judge. Jesus said, don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. The devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. Your suffering will go on for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 (GW)

Do those in your social circle know you as a normal Biblical Christian? If not, what might you need to do to change that? If I can help you, I will consider serving as your spiritual life coach?

I will never forget the days I spent reflecting on the Bible book of Job. There were times of strong fascination with what it taught me about God and other times I contemplated giving up on my study. But when I finished the book, I wept like a baby. I was so broken. As I looked back on the storyline, I realized how God purposefully allowed Satan to use severe pain and frustration in Job to shape him for his future.

As you look back on your life, I’m sure you can name encounters that shaped your future. My parent’s intense passion for God influenced me to the extent I share the same passion. On the other hand, dad’s insistence that I move with the family in the middle of my senior year of high school led to an inability to trust people. It took the Holy Spirit revealing to me that if I had remained with all my friends while my family moved, I probably would not have married Connie. My perception of God was transformed by that awakening revelation. But this experience also influenced my inability to trust others. How He works with humanity has fascinated me through the years.

God employs life’s events, whether good or bad, to shape us. He uses money, divorce, education, colleagues, sickness, misfortune, failures, and successes are just a few scenarios that contribute. God intends for those formative experiences to make us more like Him. However, Satan and his minions have cruelly used them to twist our attitudes and expectations for our future. I know an outgoing and athletic young woman who became paralyzed below the waist after a devastating accident. With immense admiration, I have watched her develop into a bubbly leader with a compassionate attitude towards life in response to her tragedy.

I marvel at Joni Ericson Tada, who had a tragic accident ending up being paralyzed from her neck down, yet has pressed through it to become a substantial source of motivation with her art (painting with a brush in her mouth) and the books she has written. Nick Vujicic, born without arms or legs, inspires thousands with his positive attitude. Similarly, it saddened me to hear about a young father’s devastating car accident. He and his wife grew angry and bitter. They allowed it to destroy their marriage, friendships and family relationships. I’ve witnessed how bankruptcy, rejection, and misunderstanding can devastate individuals and their loved ones. How you, as an individual, interpret these critical experiences will decide whether they make you a better or bitter person. The bottom line is our future is in our own hands. We can choose to be a victim or become a hero.

Make a list of all the good and not so good, life-changing experiences you’ve faced. Then slowly reflect on how you allowed each one to contribute to your current condition. I’m always amazed at how God can masterfully weave good and unfortunate experiences into a stunning trophy of His grace. David wrote, He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand (Psalm 40:2, NIV). … Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me… (Isaiah 30:15, MSG). He safeguards the steps of his faithful ones, but wicked people are silenced in darkness because humans cannot succeed by their own strength (1 Samuel 2:9, GW)

In a previous post, I pointed out that we are being saved, which means God intends to continue to change us until we enter His Heaven. I also mentioned that a survey I had our congregation take revealed I was pastoring people who had been stalled in their baby spiritual stage for 25 years or more. In seeking to understand the sad situation, I realized I wasn’t communicating well enough the need to keep changing, but I could also see people simply didn’t want to change. Let’s face it, change forces us out of our comfort zone that can be scary and painful. The only ones who enjoy change are those whose personality loves taking risks. However, these folks even resist change if it is not their idea to change.

The challenge with changes comes because of our tendency to see changes as problems rather than opportunities for learning and growth. The early Greek philosopher Heraclitus said there is nothing permanent except change. You change your life in the only way you can ever change it: change your mind, and then your life will change. You can begin by imagining that you had a baby, and it never grew up. You were still giving them the bottle and changing their diapers when they were 50 years old. Or imagine a stoplight shining red that never changes and a police car always sitting on that corner. Does that exercise make change look better?

When I refuse to change into Christ’s likeness, it is quite possible that God will farm me out to other masters for my own spiritual education. God farmed the Jews of Jeremiah’s day out to serve King Nebuchadnezzar for 70 years to get them to change from worshipping other gods. Paul told the Corinthians to deliver an immoral man in the church over to Satan so that he might come to repentance. (1 Corinthians 5:4-5) Could it be the obnoxious neighbor, boss at work, friend, spouse is who God is using to get us pried free so we can move on in our spiritual journey? After all, marriage is to make us holy more than to make us happy. If this is your situation, it would be to your advantage to praise Him and thank that person for getting you to change into Christ’s likeness. Or would you rather remain comfortable and miss out on God’s purpose for your life?

We must remember, God loves us more than we love ourselves. He is always good, even though we must pass through the valley of the shadow of death before we come to the brilliance and delight of His best for us. This means He will disrupt our life with discomfort if that pain can get us out of the ditch in which we are stuck. Without those disruptions, I will never become what God intends for me to be or never reach those God has planned for me to lead to Christ. Remember, a mother must go through the birthing pains before her baby is born. Jesus had to go through death on the cross before He could experience the resurrection or ascension.

This verse is so encouraging. I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness— secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name (Isaiah 45:3, NLT2).

John Maxwell says everything rises or falls on leadership. I get that. What I have not been able to get a grip on is how to help others have a sustained inner motivation to pursue God passionately. I believe this internal passion is the catalyst for having a sustained love and faith in God. Great kings in the Bible did noble things—until their motivator and guide died. I’ve seen believers at every level flame out. People have asked how I have sustained my passion to know God more fully. I’ve tried to analyze that and now my goal is to help believers develop a sustainable passion for God regardless of what life throws at them—including the aging process.

Ezekiel described what Jesus called being born again in chapter 36:25-27. The key verse is, I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules (Ezekiel 36:27, ESV). However, that strong intrinsic desire to love and obey God is delicate.

God plans for us to have peace and contentment. I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 (NLT2)  The Psalmist wrote LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me (Psalm 131:1-2, NLT2).

What confuses us is that while the Bible teaches, He wants us to enjoy His peace, it also teaches He allows Satan to afflict us. The Jews went to worship singing greatly, have they afflicted me from my youth (Psalm 129:1, ESV). God allowed Satan to afflict Job, Jesus, Paul and scores of others He loved. It is insightful that He allowed Satan to directly tantalize or attack their desires, e.g., for Jesus to make stone into bread. He does the same with us. Why?

Even though He is right by our side and ready to empower, He insists we initiate the God-given gift of desire for Him in the face of anything or anyone in our world. Jesus said, you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22, ESV). This is an incredible strategy God has in mind to sift us as He sifted Peter (Luke 22:31-32). He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault (Ephesians 5:27, NLT2).

God supplies us money to buy flowers to enjoy all summer. However healthy and beautiful those plants were, we (really Connie) had to plant, nurture and water them for them to mature into their beauty. God gives you and me the desire for Him, but we MUST do our part to pursue that desire for Him. How? By decisively choosing to be an apprentice of Jesus, you closely examine what the Bible teaches about His life and bend your lifestyle to conform to what it teaches. Passionately chasing after that fragile desire results in His peace and joy and faith growing stronger and stronger within you. As all of us reflect the Lord’s glory with faces that are not covered with veils, we are being changed into his image with ever-increasing glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18, GW). Here is the secret to the sustainability factor! 

How can you better guard and nurture your desire to be one of Jesus’ apprentices? If your spiritual desire has been compromised, ask the Spirit to help you reposition yourself so He can rekindle your fading desire to seek Him with all your heart. Sustainability is found in the intentional savoring of His peace and joy, and revelation, which are marks of His transforming presence.

Consider the differences in national economic systems. Differences are not based on the color of skin, native language, gender or diets. The difference is in its currency. On a trip to Alaska that Connie and I took, we also spent a night in Whitehorse, Canada. That night, we made a startling discovery. We could eat in only one restaurant. All but one required Canadian currency. Only one of many accepted the American dollar. We interpreted that as being quite exacting.

Connie has a form of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). These are a group of cancers in which immature blood cells in the bone marrow do not mature or become healthy blood cells. While they all have that in common, each type of MDS has a different operating system. This means one treatment will not work on every form of MDS. The best treatment they have found is a bone marrow transplant, which they don’t do at Connie’s age and under her circumstances. This disease is so exacting the medical world’s only treatment has its own limitations.

Some churches are very pluralistic, which means they accept every mindset and practice. But God has a dramatically different operating system. To us, Adam and Eve eating the fruit of the Tree of Life seemed like no big deal. However, in God’s operating system, it drove Adam and Eve out of His kingdom. God clearly declares, my thoughts are nothing like your thoughts. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9, NLT2). To make it clearer, His prophet wrote, Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter (Isaiah 5:20, ESV)! If we desire to live in God’s heaven, it is most vital that we live according to His operating system that He reveals in His Word.

We see just how exacting Jesus was when we read of His confrontation with an intensely devoted religious ruler (John 3:1-3) and an immoral woman (John 4:7-26). Based on His operating system, contrary to ours, mental belief in God and carefully following the rules does not change one’s spiritual status. He saw both of their hearts equally estranged from God. This was also true with spiritual leaders in Ezekiel’s time (Ezekiel 8:6-12). In his case, the priests were practicing detestable things in the secret closets of their minds while going through religious rituals. The prophet Isaiah faced the same difficulty. The people were going through all the honorable, religious motions, but their heart’s two-faced condition as they worshipped made God sick! The only thing that really matters in God’s operating system is the attitude of our heart, which only God can see. I wonder at times if inadvertently I have falsely presumed that my acts of worship, my attitudes and beliefs, are based on God’s value system when in fact they are based upon my operating system. I have been drawn to reflect on Aaron’s oldest sons. They presumptuously tried to replicate God’s presence and were instantly killed for doing so (Lev. 10:1-2). Could this be a problem today, when, with our will-driven worship, we try to duplicate what only God can do among us? Do we privately or publicly attempt to create an appearance or feeling of God’s presence to satisfy our longing for His authentic presence?

God is far more exacting than what we imagine. He simply uses His value system, not ours. My prayer is as David’s, put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart (Psalm 26:2, NLT2). If we humbly actualize that prayer, I believe He will delightfully guide and empower us to align with His operating system, and our freedom, joy, and satisfaction will be full.

Job, a character from the Bible, suddenly lost his wealth, his children, and was plagued with boils. This trauma caused him to feel immense frustration with God. In addition, his wife was unsupportive, and his friends wrongly accused him. He reacted to all that by becoming very defensive. Who among us would have reacted differently after having to put up with this never-ending negativity for months or even years?

Finally, when God entered the scene, He did not show Himself as a Savior, comforter, deliverer, or tolerant friend like we so often expect Jesus might be. No, He revealed Himself for who He was, Sovereign God Almighty and Lord of Host. He drilled Job with sharp stabbing questions, questions that quickly shut Job’s mouth. He left no wiggle room for Job’s defensiveness. This was necessary to shock Job out of his victim mentality and emotional condition. What might be necessary to shock you and me out of our delusional, prideful and self-centered thinking? Does God need to virtually slap us in the face with shock and awe before we will wake up and smell the roses??

The Jews had blatantly defied God to the point He had to have the Babylonians attack and defeat them in battle. The Babylonians then made slaves of the most brilliant, promising Jews and forced them to walk as hostages nearly 900 miles from Jerusalem to Babylon. God then let them stew in their juice for 70 years, feeling sorry for themselves. Can you imagine how steeped these Jews might be in their negative thinking after enduring those circumstances?

In the first thirty-nine chapters of Isaiah, the prophet had repeatedly and sternly warned them this would happen if they did not humbly and sincerely repent (turnabout face) in attitude and thinking. In chapter 40, Isaiah abruptly changes his warnings to comforting and encouragement. It is interesting how God motivated Isaiah to write to those in exile the same way He had spoken to Job. Here Isaiah said to them, [read this VERY slowly and consider how you might answer God] Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale? Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him? Has the LORD ever needed anyone’s advice? Does he need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of justice? No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand. All the wood in Lebanon’s forests and all Lebanon’s animals would not be enough to make a burnt offering worthy of our God. The nations of the world are worth nothing to him. In his eyes, they count for less than nothing — mere emptiness and froth (Isaiah 40:12-17, NLT2). If God’s words here don’t create such awe that silences your mouth, you have totally missed what God is saying in this section.

Job’s response when God asked him such questions was, In the past, I knew only what others had told me, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. So, I am ashamed of all I have said and repent in dust and ashes (Job 42:5-6, TEV). God responded to Job’s humility by giving him double of all the possessions he had before.

When we wake up to reality and take time to reflect on who God really is, we are deeply humbled and broken, but also blessed with twice as much joy, peace, and faith in Him. There is incredible, life-changing power released when we experience a fresh sense of the awe of God. It realigns our attitude, values, dreams, and confidence. I continue being changed as I soak my mind and heart in God’s awe-inspiring nature. It will also transform your inner being as you take the time to reflect on who God is.

I am fascinated when I see starlings fly in murmuration or in harmony with one another. Together, blackbirds abruptly fly to a tree, then snappishly fly to the water or to feed on the ground. I’m also fascinated by TV shows about synchronized fish movements and small animals working together.

In nature, we call what drives these behaviors instinct. Sometimes insects, birds, or animals seem to go solo, but those may show a voluntary response. Even though people follow trends, doing so is a choice they make, not instinct. The mystery to me is, why didn’t God create humans to respond as instinctively as other forms of His creation? Humanity responds more to their five senses.  Amidst that, some humans are more sensitive to their intuitive gifting. An exceptional athlete in a contest seems to know how to respond more effectively in the game they play. Math brains, music fanatics, philosophers, medical whizzes and mechanics outshine the rest. What gives them the edge over others in their field? Could it be they are inadvertently following their intuition more than others?

God implanted animals with an instinct to move, selectively mate, survive, etc., while God gave humans an intuition to thrive. Growing up, we are encouraged to respond to our five senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell) rather than our spirit. We get our intuition and emotions mixed up and emotions are seriously undependable.

Jesus taught His followers to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33, ESV). Could it be that He knew those who became His apprentices would soon develop their intuitive gifting? Somehow, the humanity of Jesus learned to follow whatever His Heavenly Father said or did. (John 5:19, 30). It may have been He learned to carefully follow His intuition (spirit) through things he suffered growing up. (Hebrews 5:8). Whatever the case, when under pressure from the Scribes Jesus immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit [intuition] that they thus the [scribes] questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts” (Mark 2:8, ESV)? We marvel at the power and words Jesus spoke and deeds leading us to see his deity instead of his humanity. Could it be that Jesus’ ability to say and do remarkable things was only because He depended on His inner intuition or spirit? If we strive to be His apprentice, we won’t be naïve about our sixth sense—intuition  — and we will learn not to depend just on words or our five senses. If all believers were more in touch with their intuition, I believe we could experience a similar oneness to what we can see among birds, fish, etc. Jesus did pray that His disciples would be one as He and His Father are one. (John 17:11)

Some suppose I am wiser than I really am. I attribute whatever wisdom they see to times when I am relying more on my gut than my brain or feelings. I’ve found the more intimate I become with Christ, the more naturally I see and hear His still small voice leading or speaking through me. For me, I see a strong correlation between being more spirit conscious and spiritual maturity. The more we become like Jesus, the more we react and think like Him.

Can you differentiate between what your mind and emotions tell you and God’s whisperings? If not, what can you do to be more like Jesus in that area of your life? What next steps could you take to come closer to being like Him? I like how the Message translates this goal; we work to train other believers until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ (Ephesians 4:13, MSG).

 

I don’t need a spiritual coach—or do I? I’m not an outstanding golfer. I enjoy golfing, but to be candid, I’m a duffer, not a golfer. I don’t play enough to correct whatever I’m doing wrong. Super-athletes report how a coach helped them change their naïve, inhibiting habits which led them to major improvements in their game. The most common hinderance to improvement is incorrect thinking. The fact is, until a person realizes he/she must take serious initiative to practice correct habits, they will never become the hero of their dreams. Skills rarely just happen. They develop by persistently pushing to make slight improvements each week or month.

An inhibiting factor to spiritual growth is the lack of recognizing that salvation is not a onetime decision, it is a process. A good start in a race certainly helps, but does not determine the winner. Spiritual life begins BEFORE surrendering one’s life to Christ. And it is not over until one’s death or Christ returns to take them to His Heaven. Committing one’s life to Christ is a most significant mile-maker, but it is not the finish line. This commitment is not a single choice but a lifestyle. The Holy Spirit continues to fulfil His work in shaping and reshaping us until the day of salvation from sin will be complete. Our commitment requires us to continue running hard for the finish line.

Paul wrote For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing [a verb in original Greek], but to us who are being saved [a verb in original Greek] it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV). A word-picture of being saved is Jeremiah’s lesson at the potter’s house. If the clay wouldn’t adapt to what the potter wanted to shape, he would crush it and remake it into a different pot (Jeremiah 18:4, MSG). God does the same with each of us unless we are too stubborn.

If there is an imperfection in me that won’t work out, God will crush me and remake me. My stubbornness minimizes His work in my lives. But when I acknowledge and change that faulty thinking, my humility allows the Spirit to proceed in shaping me into His likeness. Along the spiritual journey, there lay strewn the discarded clay of far too many self-centered spiritual adolescents instead of moldable spiritual adults. It is only because they have embraced deceptive, unpliable thinking.

Salvation is a daily miracle requiring continual active faith. It requires being constantly attached to Christ, just as a branch is bonded to the vine.

When discouraged because you are not seeing the spiritual progress you would like, take comfort in this truth. Your salvation is a journey with every failure, disappointment, and victory serving a meaningful role—if you allow it to do so. It is healthy to look back occasionally in recent months and compare your current spiritual condition with your past. If your responses in trials, value system, way of thinking continue to reflect Jesus more clearly, then rejoice. But if you sense a nudging to recalibrate, pay attention. Paul described we are continuing to run this race until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13, NIV). …we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church (Ephesians 4:15, NLT2). We are on this journey together, so let’s do what we can to support those around us, especially when they make choices in becoming mature in Christ.