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It’s true. Christmas does create conflict, especially between the material and the spiritual. Ouch! We all feel it and struggle dealing with it. How good of God to give us stories like that of the shepherds to help us never forget what Christmas, and all of life, is all about. Now the challenge is to do it!

 

Heavy? In some ways yes! Delightful– yes as well. Pleasing the One who is our  creator, redeemer, and provider is both. Perhaps the best word would be “privilege!” It is a privilege to serve God! But it does take big shoulders to be a faithful steward of God’s resources. But how fulfilling will it be to hear those words one day, “well done, good and faithful servant?” 

 

The Apostle Paul reveals that a day will come when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). Until that day we must live amongst chaos and pain. As Christ-followers, our challenge and joy is to be transformed into His likeness and conformed to His will-getting on the same page.

Most of us are not Forest Gump when it comes to running. We wear out! Isn’t it interesting how many times we have to learn that running from God’s presence is  ALWAYS stupid? I know, sometimes it feels so “right” or even “necessary”. Jonah and the dramatic opening of his story illustrates just how far God will go to bring us back to Him! Are you running? Maybe it is time God caught up with you-just because He loves you!

Feelings and circumstances are two realities we are most aware of in our lives on a constant basis. It is understandable that they have such a great influence over our decision making. Wisdom and God’s word however must always be the  arbitrator as we seek to make decisions that reflect the image of God to the world and honor Him the most.
 

You’re ON! Are we ever! More so than most of us realize. When it comes to living our lives, as image bearers of God, we are responsible decision makers. That means the better persons we become, the better decisions we will make. Lets give ourselves to it.
 

Eugene Peterson calls this a maintenance Psalm. He means that it needs to be read and applied with regularity lest we drift into ugly arrogance, creating tension, stress and destructive relationships. In other words, our pride and our need for humility and trust in God is ignored at great personal price. How do we “do humility? I have not figured that one out yet, but I think the first step has something to do with being willing to admit our pride. Let’s at least ask God to help us do that!
 

God made us in His image to worship Him. Nothing makes God more supreme and more central than when a people are utterly persuaded that nothing - not money or prestige or leisure or family or job or health or sports or toys or friends - is going to bring satisfaction to their aching hearts besides God. May our lives be an act of worship reflecting His supremacy and centrality.

 

One of heaven’s grandest features is the deep and uninterrupted harmony we will enjoy for the rest of eternity! Every once in a while we experience the refreshing and satisfying taste of unity here on earth. Imagine what could happen if we actively pursue this quality together.

This week we explored our fifth dynamic, Socially Responsible. As we learned, growth in social responsibility is an  essential and integral part of Christian growth. Throughout the Bible, we see a compelling call to reach out and minister to the needy of our world. As we respond to this call, God not only answers it by growing us in social responsibility, but surprising us with the greater need we have for his heart toward others to grow in us.

Nothing seems more complex thank human relationships. Relationships among Christians are to be uniquely different says Jesus (John 13:34-35, 17:2-3). We all know that these ideals are often not reached. We are all a "work in progress" when it comes to healthy relationships. It is progress that we must always seek, not perfection. This study and your response to it, could be a major step in the right direction. You won't regret it

There is an order to the Six Dynamics of Balanced Christian Growth. Spiritually Vital is first for a reason. Everything flows from the heart of the believer that is spiritually vital. Of course, the other dynamics contribute to being spiritual vital, but there is no substitute for abiding in Christ! Consider carefully the vitality of your faith and humbly seek God in the midst of your curent reality.