Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Attitude”
Our Bible verse for today: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit – the Father will send Him in My name – will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. “ John 14:26 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Sorry, but you’re going to have to think.”
A common complaint I hear from Christians, especially Christians who have yet to grow deeply in spiritual maturity, is that they are unable to hear God or to get clear direction from Him regarding important decisions. It’s almost as if they’re expecting to be able to sit down with a paper and pencil to take dictation as God verbally recites for them, item-by-item, step-by-step, what He wants them to do. That rarely happens.
Instead what does happen is that over time God develops us in spiritual maturity so that we’re able to think things through and make good decisions of our own, decisions that honor and please Him. It’s similar to how a parent raises a child over the course of many years. As a parent we don’t want to have to be constantly giving our children step-by-step detailed instructions about every decision that needs to be made in their lives. Instead we want to train them to be able to think things through, evaluate the situation for what it is, and then make a good decision of their own (one that we as the parent would be proud of and pleased with).
That’s exactly what God does with us! He doesn’t want to have to dictate every step we take. Instead He wants us to use our spiritually mature brains to think it through and to then make a decision that pleases Him.
Welcome to the world of spiritual maturity. I know, I know, this is hard. In one respect life in the Old Testament world was easier because you simply had a long list of rules and regulations to obey. You could just go down the list checking them off one-by-one and you were good to go. But in New Testament times we have to actually think. It almost makes my brain hurt.
But, God has not left us to figure this stuff out for ourselves. It’s the job of the Holy Spirit to teach us, guide us, and to help us make those good decisions. That’s what Jesus was explaining in John 14:26.
Would you like to feel better about your ability to make good decisions in life that truly do please and honor God? It that’s your attitude God will honor it and bless you with greater understanding and increased ability to make good decisions. But you have to do your part too. You have to do the things that will bring about spiritual growth.
In March at Oak Hill Baptist Church we will begin a new Sunday night Bible study series called “Fresh Encounters”. It’s all about “renewing a right spirit within us” and bringing us to the point, individually and as a church, of spiritual revival and increased spiritual growth.
When it comes to spiritual growth attitude is important – you have to be willing to do the things that place you in a position before God whereby He can bring about your growth. Participating in the Bible study “Fresh Encounters” will help to revive our attitudes. I encourage you to join us.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 