Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
July 10, 1996 -Singapore
Good Morning!
MUSHROOMS OR REDWOOD TREES?
Mushrooms sprout overnight.
Redwood trees take over a century.
When it comes to growing into spiritually mature men and women
we often have the illusion that it can be done overnight;
that somehow through certain spiritual experiences or the expression
of the gifts, the process of spiritual growth
can be hurried up or short-circuited. When we go this route,
we end up with squishy, weak, spiritual mushrooms: People
who are here today and gone tomorrow.
If, on the other hand we understand that the process
of spiritual maturity takes a great deal of time, energy,
nourishing, and just plain living through the storms of life,
we may actually end up with spiritual Redwoods: Tall,
stately paragons of strength and beauty that give nourishment
and shelter to others amidst the harshness of life.
Because obedience to God's word is generic to this maturing
process, let me put forth four suggestions on how to build the
word of God into your life:
#1 STUDY IT THROUGH+ - Choose a verse or passage.
Discipline your mind to carefully analyze it, asking the
question, "What EXACTLY is the meaning here?"
Come at it as an academician.
"...Correctly analyzing
and accurately dividing the Word of Truth." (2
Timothy 2:15b - Amplified)
#2 PRAY IT IN - Once you understand the Biblical
truth, surrender your will to it. Search your soul over it.
Absorb it into your bloodstream. Prayerfully ask God to build
it into your life.
#3 WORK IT OUT - Ask the question, "What
can I do in a practical way to apply this truth to
my life...to my situation?" For
example, you might write an
application as follows: "Starting today, we in
our company will no longer exaggerate what our product can
deliver to the public. Along with its strengths, we will explain
its limitations."
#4 PASS IT ON
- Once the truth of the Scriptures have become an integral part
of your life, it is only natural that you bear fruit by passing
it on to others. Spiritual multiplication:
"But the seed on good soil stands
for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain
it, and by persevering produce a crop." (Luke 8:15)
QUESTION:
JUDGING FROM YOUR PRESENT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WORD OF GOD,
ARE YOU IN THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A SPIRITUAL REDWOOD TREE,
OR SIMPLY SETTLING IN AS A MUSHROOM?
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
Dwight Hill
+Compliments of Mr. LeRoy Eims
© Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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