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by Muriel Larson
**Are you standing still spiritually? Would you like to know how to surrender your life fully to Christ? We would love to pray with you. http://thelife.com/interactive/share.html
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25).
There are two major kinds of palm trees in Florida—the coconut and the date. But only the coconut palm produces edible fruit in that climate. The date palm is purely ornamental. The dates do not mature in Florida because the weather gets too cool at times. Yet in many parts of North Africa and the Middle East, date palms are a principal source of food and wealth. They go beyond the ornamental and perform a vital function. Climate makes the difference.
In some ways, the non-fruit bearing date palm in Florida is a picture of Christians who fail to mature and thus do not produce fruit for their Lord. And the failure in many cases might be attributed to a similar problem: the climate isn’t right for the maturing of fruit.
Apparently some Christians in New Testament times were failing to mature properly, for it was said to them, “Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” (Hebrews 5:12-13).
We have no reason to believe that their doctrines were not correct, but the people seemed to be standing still spiritually. What went wrong? Well, perhaps many had fallen fully or partially away from attending the regular meetings of their fellow Christians. And that’s why the Jewish Christians were urged to get back to the church established by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost for the empowerment of God’s people and their growth in the Lord.
Today it is wise for us to make sure that the church we attend teaches God’s way of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone (not by works). We also would be wise to make sure its teachings are in accordance with God’s Word, not in accordance with manmade ideas. That’s why we need to know and search our Bibles, and need to ask the Lord to lead us to a good church if we have any question.
According to Paul, Christian fellowship provides a climate in which Christians grow. He wrote to the Colossian Christians, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).
Growth is a command: “Grow in grace” (2 Peter 3:18). Christians who are in the right spiritual climate will grow in grace. Even though they may have been backsliders or have had some problems in living the Christian life, they have the potential for growth. If they will attend Sunday school and church regularly, they will be in an atmosphere conducive to growth.
We need to attend church, not only to hear and learn God’s Word, but also to be strengthened by fellowship with God and with others of like precious faith. At church we lay aside other interests and bask in the sunlight of God’s love and presence.
~Lord, I open my soul to You today. Please help me to grow in grace and bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. Help me to serve You through my church and in other ways of service. Help me to be intentional about maturing in my faith by exposing myself to the right spiritual climate. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
“Christianity can never come to us as a bargain; it can never be had at a wholesale price. We must be willing to pay the full price of surrender and trust.” (William L. Krutza: The Alliance Witness.)
Questions: If you have fallen away from attending church, why have you done so? If you are no longer serving the Lord in any way, why not? Have you been in the right climate for growth in the Lord?
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/muriel-larson/
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Great message, Muriel! I remember once hearing that we don’t just go to church to be blessed, but for the Lord to use us to bless others! You are so right about the importance of surrounding ourselves with maturing Christians, as they encourage us to grow in our faith, they offer godly counsel, and seek mutual spiritual accountability. The company we keep does rub off on us!
AMEN to your comment Marilyn. and yes this is a wonderful message. Thank you Muriel. I always love to talk to the older women at the church we are members of and listen to their godly wisdom. when I listen to them I always learn something. the older ones sure do bless our SS class members by their input on the lesson. I pray God uses me to tell others every chance I can. Hannah
What struck me about this devotional was the remark about faith, not works leading to salvation. It’s not an easy thread to explain to those who think otherwise (my husband for instance), but for me it’s so central to my life as a Christian. I don’t believe that anything that I *do* is going to spare me from God’s wrath — I think that anything that comes from my hands, if blessed, is from God alone. I’m just a faulty vessel. But so many people tell me it’s up to me to change myself, make myself better, become wiser, more spiritual, through my own deeds. I just don’t see it like that — all I can do is be honest about my shortcomings, make amends, and go on to the next day as open to God’s instruction as possible. I don’t have the luxury of Christian fellowship where I live, and I’m so grateful to benefit from all the work that goes into what I read in my daily devotional for women.
It is so wise of you, Hannah, to learn from the older, godly Christian women in your church family, as they have had many experiences that God has brought them through, and have surely gained wisdom to share!
Hi Ann! Those people telling you that “it’s up to you to change yourself and make yourself better” are partially right. It isn’t through our deeds, however. In essence, once we are saved, it is the work of the Holy Spirit in us, that changes us from the inside out, molding us to become more like our Savior! This is a process, and develops over time. However, it is only by our humble submission to His authority in our life that we mature in our faith. As we have been given a will, we can choose to rebel against the Holy Spirit’s efforts to ‘grow us up,’ which leads to spiritual defeat and loss of God’s blessing. (not loss of salvation — salvation cannot be lost) If we genuinely love God, then we will want to grow in our knowledge of Him, and the Holy Spirit will open opportunities for expanding our faith. However, if we claim to be saved, but have little desire or interest in developing our spiritual life, or seeking to know the Lord more intimately, then we must examine our faith more carefully. I hope this has been helpful to you, Ann! God bless!
Thank you, dear sisters, for your comments about my devotionals. They are very encouraging–and as I said before, I just love the way you sisters minister to one another! May the Lord bless and use you for His glory. In His love, Dr. Muriel
I’m so discouraged today, ladies. “Please Lord, increase my faith. Let my life be of some plan toward The Kingdom.
I know I am not worthy…………but please Lord, use me in some way……….
I know these things………..I love You, Lord…I thank You Lord for dying for my sins…….unspeakable sins…….I Praise You for forgiving me and dying for me……….
My life, Lord…………..please use it…as unworthy as it is and has been………”
In Your Name, Jesus…………Most Holy Name I ask, believing…
Dear Patti
No, you aren’t worthy, in and of yourself, as none of us are, but you are worthy in Chirst!
Just think about it- Hebrews 3:14 says that we are partakers of Christ, and Revelation 5:12 says that He is worthy of power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing.
This may be a bit hard to grasp, but there are other scriptures that support the fact that we can receive each of these things in and through Christ.
So, dear sister, do just believe it and allow God to work all things together for your good.
Love
Patti, like Patricia says, none of us are worthy in and of ourselves, but we are in Christ.
Patti, on this blog ever sincce I started getting on, you have been such a blessing to me. You just dont know how much your posts influence others. You truly display your love for the Lord and say such sweet and calming prayers that help others with their problems, and let us know how much God loves us.
Dear Sister Patti. Please love yourself as God loves you for who you are. I understand where you are coming from. I am always asking God to examine my heart as David did. There are things I did in my earlier life, even with all the Godly teachings from my parents, that I am so ashamed of. One of the older Godly women from our church , Martha, that is my mentor and teaches me a lot would tell you to quit beating yourself up so badly, for anything you have even done and ask for forgiveness for and meaning it, is off the books. God is so merciful and loving and He loves you so much.
All of us on this blog love you as well and you are so important to us here.
You have such a sweet and giving spirit as you minister to all of us here and I thank you for that as you have calmed me many days.
I am still praising God for the miricle he performed on you last week. You were so bathed in prayer and I know He heard our prayers for you, and answered them as well as He did for the prayers He heard from your husband and daughters and grandchildren. My heart went out for them as well, for things effect our families more than we know. They love you for who you are in Christ and for your love for them. Please feel our love for you here, In Him, Hannah
Dr. Muriel, thank you for reminding us of the way we are seving the Lord. For some time now, I have been having bed trouble with my bladder and bowels and have not been able to attend our wonderful church, but I keep in touch with all of my SS class members and others from the church and am a prayer warrior for it and a neighboring church. right now I have to be content with doing that until God sees fit to change my health. My Drs. are doing all they can and I am going through tests right now, one coming up this Wed. AM on my bladder and kidneys, taking pictures in them. They tell me that my MS , and tethered spinal cord that I was born with are the reasons why. Maybe God has me in this position so I can pray and mininter to the ones on our prayer lists at the churches and put my time in prayer for them and also for the ones on here. I have become tolove all of you so much. You have welcomed me and made me feel loved. Thank you so much. Bless God and may He bless you, Hannah
P.S. For any of you that are going through a hard time, whether you have posted today or are just reading the blog and not posting, I ask God to minister to your needs and concerns that you may have. He is right there with you and waiting on you to ask. Blessings, Hannah
Dear Hannah, I am so sorry to hear of your serious health concerns, and the continuing evaluation you are having to submit to! Your radiant testimony to God’s peace in your heart, and His work in your life is inspiring to all of us, and is a blessing! May He continue to sustain you, strengthen you, comfort you, and encourage you in your trial! Thank you, dear sister, for being a witness to His hope that is in you, and His love that shines through you! God bless!
Oh, sister Hannah, as you are learning, sometimes we can do more for the Lord when we’re ailing–so He has given you a new important assignment–praise the Lord! I am always surprised at the way our Lord gives me assignments, sometimes very different.
Now let me pray with you.
Our Father in Heaven–We thank you for your Word that tells us in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious about nothing, but in everything, with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let our requests be known to God. And the peace of God that passes all understanding will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” And we pray you will help Hannah in her situation and may she have your perfect peace in her heart as she looks to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keep looking up, Hannah dear! In Christ’s love, Dr. Muriel
Joining you, Muriel, in prayer for our dear sister, Hannah, whom the Lord has chosen to testify to His grace in her life, as she faces her health trials with faith and courage! May His mercy be upon her, His perfect peace comfort her, His joy refresh her, and His abiding love continue to sustain her! In His holy Name, Amen!
Am praying, dear Hannah, for the Lord’s healing mercies to use you as a glorious testimony to His power and sovereign dominion over His creation! Whatever His will is for you, I praise Him for His grace in you that sees the opportunities that He gives us in the midst of our trials! What a beautiful witness you are for Him! Thank you, sister, for allowing His light to glow in you! God bless!
Thank you so much Dr. Muriel and Marilyn for your loving prayers. It means a lot to me and calms me about the tests tomorrow. They said I would not be in any pain and I am glad, because I am a big sissy when it comes to pain.
I know God will be with me and all of my friends prayers will both carry me through the day. I will keep you all posted after I find out anything from the tests. They may not know right after them. I think they have to study them and compare them with the ones I have been doing at home. God is so good and may He bless you for your prayers and your witnessing to all of us here. Both of you are a delight on here. Hannah