FINDING GROWTH IN STRANGE PLACES…
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
TEXT: Zechariah 9:12 Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;
Zechariah 9:12 (MSG) Come home, hope-filled prisoners! This very day I'm declaring a double bonus— everything you lost returned twice-over!
LIFE GETS DOWNRIGHT HURTFUL SOMETIMES. IS THIS MY OPPORTUNITY TO GROW??
1 Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
1 Corinthians 14:20 (MSG) To be perfectly frank, I'm getting exasperated with your infantile thinking. How long before you grow up and use your head—your adult head? It's all right to have a childlike unfamiliarity with evil; a simple no is all that's needed there. But there's far more to saying yes to something. Only mature and well-exercised intelligence can save you from falling into gullibility.
WE ESTABLISH HABITS, ADDICTIONS AND THINKING PATTERNS… Do we focus on growth?
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
I LOVE TO WATCH FISH? EVER PONDERED FISH GROWTH?
A fish in a small bowl will forever stay small? Take the same fish and place it in a larger bowl and it will grow larger. In a big aquarium the little fish will grow more? Place that same fish in a pond, watch growth occurs? I am saying your MENTAL ATTITUDES CAN LIMIT YOUR GROWTH PROCESS? You study and preparation can ENHANCE your growth?
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Real sustained growth is never by accident or happenstance. GROWTH MUST DEVELOP A PLAN and stick to it. Then we adapt as we need to change.
WE MUST COME TO SUBMIT TO THE RENEWING AND TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT...TO GROW.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
DO WE SEE GROWTH AS A PROCESS? UPS AND DOWNS?
PROCESS: a series of words, actions, steps in order to achieve a desired end,
Have you ever poured sand and watched the process? The sand will grow so high. Then watch, something amazing will happen. The high point of the sand seems to fall down. Poor old high sand now falls downward and spreads to widen the base. Now the base of the sand is widened the sand grows to another peak. After a while the peak point again starts a land slide downward. Once again there is a sand slide down the slope until the base widen. The top grows, then the base expands outward.
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Luke 6:45 (NLT) A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
Luke 6:45 (MSG) It's who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.
WE ACCEPT PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION… BY THE POWER OF THE WORD AND THE AID OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE BELIEVE THAT GOD CAN GUIDE OUR DAILY WALK, WHEN WE ARE PROGRESSIVELY SET FREE AND LIBERATED FROM THE CARNAL, FLESHLY TRAPS OF DAILY LIVING…
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE: COME ON, LET US GROW… CAN WE GAIN INSIGHT AND UNDERSTANDING ABOUT GROWTH BY ACCEPTING DIVINE INTERRUPTIONS ARE PART OF GROWTH?
JOSEPH HAD A DREAM. His Divine dream was interrupted by 17 years of problems and difficulty.
JOB KNEW THERE WAS MORE… Job faced emotional and health issues the interrupted his plans…
WE MUST LEARN DIVINE INTERRUPTIONS WILL TEST OUR FAITH AND GROW OUR TRUST.
LEARN TO THRIVE WHEN THE APPLE CART TURNS OVER… THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW.
Zechariah 9:12 (MSG) Come home, hope-filled prisoners! This very day I'm declaring a double bonus— everything you lost returned twice-over!
This trial, this storm, this conflict, this problem could be God preparing you for growth and a launching of your faith.
Take a pair of binoculars: Look through the lens. Turn the binoculars around? Did you vision change? Is this problem to kill you? Is this trial to grow you? This might hinge on your choices? TRY THE ROSE COLORED LENS OF JOY AND PEACE?
Will I walk in terror, fear, worry, anxiety--- these are mere speed bumps…
I am told the average day of the average high school principal has 25 to 30 interruptions a day. The principal must know this is a part of his job.
JAIRUS FALLS AT JESUS’ FEET AND FINDS HOPE.
Mark 5:22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet.
BUT THEN A MEAN PERSON INTERRUPTS JAIRUS SOLUTION WITH THEIR OWN PROBLEM… AND SLOWS JESUS DOWN… THIS OLD LADY HAS BEEN SICK 12 YEARS, GET OUT OF MY WAY TO MY MIRACLE…
ANOTHER INTERRUPTION: JAIRUS, WE HATE TO INFORM YOU, YOUR DAUGHTER IS DEAD…
Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
JESUS NEVER LET INTERRUPTIONS INTERRUPT HIS FAITH. THIS LEADS US TO GROW.
We are looking for more than self-help and self-improvement. We are searching for DIVINE OPPORTUNITIES TO REACH HIGHER THAN OUR PERSONAL ABILITIES… OUR MANDATE IS TO GROW.
Remember the child story of the tiger that started chasing his tail? He ran and ran until he turned into butter? Are we so stressed we lose sight of God’s blessings? We run in a hurry? We worry? We do not trust the unseen hand of God with his plans? Stress and worry breed doubt. Doubt kills the action of faith. This could grow us…
DO WE REALLY EVALUATE OR MEASURE HOW WE ARE HONESTLY DOING? DO WE READ THE BIBLE AND STUDY IT?
DO WE LOVE PEOPLE? HOW MUCH EFFORT ARE WE GIVING? Can you apply yourself a little more? HAVE WE LEARNED TO CRUCIFY SELF AND DENY OUR PERSONAL DESIRES? WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR YOUR CHURCH? COMMUNITY? Old people? Young people? CAN YOU DO MORE? DO WE WALK IN FAITH? AM I LEARNING MORE? AM I GROWING?
COME AND GO WITH ME: TO COCONUT GROVE, THE YEAR IS 1942, SATURDAY NIGHT THANKSGIVING WEEKEND… Doctor VINCENT SENNA was enjoying a meal at the MELODY LOUNGE. The basement lounge was so crowded with people celebrating the holidays. DOCTOR VINCENT SENNA received and urgent call: COME TO THE HOSPITAL THERE WAS A NEW BORN BABY IN DISTRESS. Dr. Senna complained and complained all the way to the hospital. Later that evening COCONUT GROVE BURST INTO FLAMES 490 PEOPLE WERE TRAPPED IN THE BASEMENT AND SMOKE AND FLAMES KILLED 490 PEOPLE. THE DIVINE INTERRUPTION SAVED THE DOCTOR’S LIFE. This could be God?
DO WE TRUST GOD? Growth is a process! Get ready for your miracle!
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Help me? Pass this to others, my hands are small.
