Category: Level: Intermediate

fivefold way stages of growth

What Stages Of Growth Are You Going Through?

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Many have found it very helpful to understand the different stages of growth that Christians go through. Here are some of the reasons we might find it helpful to recognize stages of growth: Stages of growth can be grouped into three categories: non-cyclical, cyclical, and felt. This post looks mostly at cyclical stages; sequences of stages that repeat during our lives. Below are two different models of cyclical stages. CROSS AND RESURRECTION This is the most basic and biblical model of stages of growth. We follow the same pattern that Jesus did in his life and in his death. This two-fold process is mentioned many times in scripture. 1.Cross. The old self is crucified. 2.Resurrection. The new self dominates more. We can see that it is biblical, for example: Cross=“putting off” (Eph 4:22), Resurrection=“putting on” (Eph 4:24). Also, in Philippians 3:10 Paul desires: … that I may know him and the power Continue Reading →

joy new earth

Classic Practices for Spiritual Growth

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One of my hobbies is reading the history of Christian spirituality back to the 2nd century. This led me to collect a list of the most common practices for spiritual growth. Following is a collection of practices based on scripture that believers have used for centuries to open up to God and grow spiritually. These are many of the most common practices for spiritual growth used across many cultures and times. If you truly want to grow then begin to incorporate these into your life. The first three are the most important. (Hint: The second one may be the most helpful!) Which of the first three are you weakest in? Are you willing to spend time on that one? Which of the other practices for spiritual growth do you want to explore more? May God bless you in these! God Will Honor Us – Weekly Words Of EncouragementJune 2, 2025Your Continue Reading →

pure water drop

You Can Make Progress Overcoming Your Key Fault

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Our lack of holiness can be very frustrating. We have the desire to be holy and to be Christlike but we struggle with our disordered desires for pleasure. Our culture provides many opportunities to satisfy our sensuality. As the passage below from Titus teaches, we have grace from God to reject worldliness and to be self-controlled. How do you make progress overcoming your key fault? Below is an exercise to help us receive God’s grace and to activate our will. It follows the general format of lectio divina. Do part or all of it and change it as you desire. For the complete guide go here. Purification Exercise: Read twice: Titus 2:11-14 (ESV): “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we Continue Reading →

heavenly body, shining

You Will Have The Glory Of God

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How much do you reflect on the idea that the people of God will have the glory of God? Revelation 21:11 promises that in the coming New Heaven and New Earth believers will have “the glory of God”. But this promise is not confined to Revelation ‒ it is a major New Testament theme. In a previous post we looked at the future luminosity of the body of Christ which is one dimension of God’s glorification of his people. Now we will consider what the New Testament says about this glorification in general. Warning: this is a very encouraging subject! It is surprising how often Scripture speaks of the glorification of believers. Apparently, this is an important truth for believers to keep in mind. Some of the mentions of this theme in the New Testament include (Bible quotes are from the ESV translation): • In John 17:22 Jesus states in Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

Our New Earth Of Righteousness – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” II Pet. 3:13 (ESV) We do not have to be distressed about this present age nor doubt that God will judge the good and the bad. Those who have received the Son will have life in the next age, the New Creation. We will dwell on a new earth underneath new heavens, and society will be as God originally meant it to be. So our hearts now dwell in the place of constant anticipation of the New Creation. Peter emphasizes that righteousness will dwell on the new earth. This is a big part of what we look forward to. Now, we suffer in a world immersed in unrighteousness, unholiness, destruction, dehumanization and opposition to God. But we look forward to a world where we can live without any unrighteousness! It is Continue Reading →