What is the "best" that our society has to offer? Latest trends. . . make a fashion statement . . . new and improved model . . . be the first on the block . . .
These are some of the mantras of our self-indulgent, materialistic society. But how quickly what is in style at one moment becomes out of style in the next. What is the best today soon turns up at a rummage sale.
The "7 Doors of Spiritual Growth" help us focus on the basics of our Christian life. Good athletes continually review and work on the basics. This discipline applies to every aspect of our life. And it is also true of our Christian walk. What is basic to our faith?
"Sinners need a Savior.
His name is Jesus Christ,
Son of God and Mary’s son.
He took the sinner’s place,
And now he lives
With life and hope
For broken, empty people."
When we step through the doors to encounter Jesus he heals our broken, empty hearts. Then he takes us by the hand and leads us right into everyday life. He wants us to go to broken, empty people "out there." Where do we begin? The Best is Yet to Come is not a matter of externals but rather deals with the heart. It all begins with change in the way we think and act, i.e. the Spirit’s gift of repentance.
Turn FROM sin
Come TO Jesus for forgiveness
Yield ourselves to him so he lives
IN and THROUGH us
by the power of the Spirit,.
for the glory of the Father
and the salvation of many.
Peter expresses this in the climax to his Pentecost sermon:
"All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act, and each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift." Acts 2:38GW
In Ephesians 5:18-21, Paul gives a similar directive,
"Do not get drunk on wine, which will only ruin you, but be filled with the Spirit. (filled to produce a continuous flow of the Spirit)."
Repentance-produced flow of the Spirit causes wonderful things to happen in and through our lives.
- PRAISE toward God, as we address one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
- THANKS to the Father for everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- SUBMISSION to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Before I check this out to see how everyone else in the congregation is doing, I ask the Holy Spirit to search my heart:
Am I a person of PRAISE? Do I have joy in worship? Is God at the center of my life all week long?
Do I have a THANKFUL attitude? Or am I a grumbler? Am I able to see Jesus in every and all situations?
Is my heart YIELDED in accepting love of others in the in the congregation?
Or do I hold on to opinions and impressions formed in the past? Is the door of my heart open or closed to others beyond the four walls of the church?
Pray frequently: "Lord, renew your church" . . . begin with me.
That is why The Best is Yet to Come is a great challenge and opportunity for all the people of Grace as we grow in our walk together with Jesus.
Pr. Ferd
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