In the book of Hebrews, the writer brings up an interesting church problem: “For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Hebrews 5:12, KJV). First, the writer is not talking to new converts, but he is talking to Christians who have been in the faith long enough that by now they should be serving as teachers in the church.

Secondly, not only did these believers fail to grow, but also they had actually regressed spiritually. They needed to be taught AGAIN, the basic doctrines of Christianity! Though God inspired the writer to pen the above verse over 1900 years ago, the problem is just as real today.

Let me quickly share with you several reasons why our failure to grow as Christians is a problem. The first one has to do with the will of God for us. He wants us to become like His Son. God is actively working in our lives to finish the good work that He has begun in us. He has no desire to stop until we attain unto the fullness of Christ so that as Christ was in the world so shall we be.

The second reason has to do with our service to God. If we fail to grow, we limit what He can accomplish through us. Of course, there are many things He can use us to do even when we are babes in Christ, but there are many things that only mature Christians can effectively do. A case in point is the verse quoted above. This portion of the epistle was specifically aimed at those members of the local church who by virtue of their time in Christ should now be teachers. Their failure to grow, however, made that impossible.

Thirdly, in a local church where Christians fail to grow, excessive carnality can be the result. Paul the apostle wrote to the church of Corinth regarding this selfsame problem (see 1 Corinthians 3). He said the evidence of their carnality was reflected in the envying, strife and divisions among them. It is certainly true that people who are spiritually mature handle conflict in more Christlike manners than immature and carnal-minded Christians do. A pastor whose church is plagued with carnality will feel the burden of the increased disharmony.

I could on and on listing the problems with Christians failing to grow. But a more important question is, what is the solution? How do Christians who have been babes way too long stem the tide and put themselves on the road to maturity? In the book of Hebrews, two verses down from the verse I quoted above, here is what the Bible gives for an answer: “Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14, NIV). In other words, the key to spiritual maturity is to constantly use or put into practice the truths that we are exposed to.

There is no groundbreaking revelation in that verse, but we know it’s right. The bottom line is that Christianity is not simply a religion, but more importantly, it is a way of life. We must live it each day. In doing so, we exercise our spiritual senses, thereby learning to discern good from evil. This dynamic is fundamental to Christian growth. Those who fail to do this will not experience significant spiritual growth.

Frank King is a former church pastor. He is currently an evangelist. Frank is also the author of two books, Indiscreetly Yours and Steps to the Victorious Walk. Website: www.efrankking.com. Blog: http://wwwefrankking.blogspot.com/

Article Source: FaithWriters.com http://www.faithwriters.com and FaithReaders.com http://www.faithreaders.com

I stand in the very presence of God. (Luke 1:19)
Have you ever said something you really wished you could take back? Ever thrown out a phrase that you’d give anything to be able to retract? If so, then I’m sure you can relate to Zechariah.

When an angel appeared to Zechariah to tell him that he would be having a son, he was completely caught off guard. At the time Zechariah was in the sanctuary burning incense to the Lord. He was an old man and had long since given up praying for a son. The last thing he expected to see was an angel of the Lord prophesying his future.

“Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! For God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John …. He will be great in the eyes of the Lord …. He will precede the coming of the Lord, preparing the people for his arrival” (Luke 1:13-17). You and I know his son as John the Baptist. But Zechariah wasn’t sure what to think of this encounter. He said the first thing that popped into his mind: “I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years” (Luke 1:18).

Zechariah said what you and I might have said in the same circumstance. He knew that having babies was a young person’s job, and when you get old, you put away such foolish dreams. He probably couldn’t even remember the last time he’d prayed for it. I think you’ve got the wrong person, he thought to himself. And that’s when he uttered the phrase that could be taken as lacking faith, the phrase that he’d have given anything to be able to take back: “I’m an old man now.” Zechariah wasn’t trying to be disrespectful, just practical. But the reality he saw didn’t set too well with the angel.

“I am Gabriel!” the angel shot back at him. “I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!” (Luke 1:19). And because of Zechariah’s doubt, the angel struck him dumb on the spot. Zechariah was unable to speak again until his son was born. The angel probably did it for his own good. It was the only way to keep him from speaking out even more curses on himself.

Zechariah defined his identity by his circumstances. The angel defined his identity by the One he served. The only question left on the table is for you and me. How are we going to define our identity? Who are we going to be in the eyes of the Lord? How are we going to see ourselves in light of God’s power and glory? How we answer that question makes all the difference for our future.

Devotional by:New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Wanda L. Ball
Ball Publications Christian Books

Father's Day

Related Article:
What does the bible say about being a father?

Be blessed,
Wanda L. Ball
Author/Publisher
Ball Publications Christian Books

Yesterday was Easter Sunday. And as I attended church service, my pastor preached about Jesus cruxificion and resurrection, as most pastors would have done. His sermon came from Matthew 27:62-66 which speaks about the chief priests and Pharisees speaking to Pilate about guarding the stone in front of Jesus tomb after his death. They were worried that someone would steal Jesus’ body after three days and say he had risen. Pilate believed them and told them to post a guard in order to make it secure. But we as Christians know that it didn’t matter if the stone was there or not… Jesus had risen just as he said!
The light bulb moment happened, when my pastor said the stone was there for us and not for Jesus! This stone was proof to us that he would rise again. Jesus didn’t need to move the stone to rise again – He’s God…

This was done so WE would believe and testify to the world about his death and resurrection. Not for his benefit, but for ours! Because Jesus died and arose again, we as Christians will rise again once we leave this world. We will be like Christ once again, just as God wanted for us all along… we just have to remember what Jesus went through for us. He didn’t have to do it, but he did. Thank God he did… because Easter Sunday and everyday will not be in vain. We as Christians need to let a dying world know what Jesus did for them. We exist on earth to help bring lost souls to God – that’s our purpose!

Christians need a earthly resurrection today, so we won’t lose our faith in these hard times. We need to be resurrected so we won’t waiver in our belief when things are unbearable or seems that it won’t get any better. We need to put all fears, cares, issues and burdens on God and leave them there! It doesn’t matter how difficult, because that’s why God resurrected himself. Not for himself – but for you and I!

Be blessed,
Wanda L. Ball
Ball Publications Christian Books

As we know, the world celebrates Easter most importantly, as a day to focus on hunting for eggs and chocolate bunnies. And as each year goes by, this tradition becomes the number one focus of this day. Easter egg hunting has even crept into our Christian celebrations, by becoming a fun event that our children participate in. We buy new clothes, big hats and fancy shoes in order to look our best. And the retailers use this day to market to us in this manner. Even if you allow your children to participate in the easter egg and bunny traditions, should Christians really celebrate Easter in this manner?

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Be blessed,
Wanda L. Ball
Ball Publications Christian Books

We have fought our way through time to fight in wars, to vote, to earn the same wages and to live without a man taking care of us. We fought to have control over our bodies through pregnancy and to become leaders in our churches. We have also asked for equal rights, to be recognized in same sex marriages and for our environmental contributions in society. Some of us are also strong Christian women who believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. Many of these roles are great, but what does the bible say regarding the role of a women in today’s society?

Be blessed!
Wanda Ball
Author/Publisher
Ball Publications Christian Books

raising the white flag

Christians call it the “Believer’s Prayer,” but it’s so much more than that. It’s not so much a prayer as it is a spiritual white flag. It is an act of surrender, a willful giving of ourselves to another. It is you and me finally admitting that we’ve run out of reasons not to believe in Jesus, and that we’ve given up trying to make it to heaven on our own. We’ve tried to live life on our terms, and we know it doesn’t work. So we come before God and ask him to show us how. We want more than a better way to die; we want a better way to live. We’ve seen the promises of Jesus, and we want them for our own. So we kneel before the throne of God, raise our white flag, and surrender.

If you haven’t done that, I encourage you to do so today. If you have, then pray the words anyway, as a statement of continued faith. There is no magic in the words. Words mean little to God, but the condition of our heart means everything. The following prayer is simply a guide to follow. Make the thoughts your own, and say it only if you really mean it. As you do, know with all your heart and soul that God can hear you. And that he will honor his promises.

Dear Father, I turn from my sins. Please forgive me for all the wrong things I’ve done. I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son, and that he came to earth in the form of a man. I believe that he died on a cross and was raised after three days. I believe that his death paid the price for my sins. And I know that Jesus is the only path to eternal life. I trust in the promises and claims of Jesus, and I put my life in your hands. I submit myself to the lordship of Jesus from this day forward and to the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray that the Holy Spirit will come into my life and dominate every part of my being, and that he will deliver me from those things in my life that are displeasing to you.Thank you, God, for sending Jesus to die on the cross for me. I know that my sins are forgiven because of Jesus. I commit myself to your Spirit and give myself over to your will for me. Thank you for loving me. Show me what you want me to do next. I love you, God!

If you just prayed that prayer for the very first time and don’t feel any different, don’t worry. God has promised to save those who put their trust in Jesus, and God always honors his promises. You can believe with all your heart that God heard your words and that he has saved you. You can believe that the Holy Spirit led you to this moment of decision and that he is now living within you. Your relationship with God is sealed!

Recommended Reading: Romans 10:5-11

• Reflection
  If this is your first confession of faith, how does it feel to finally put your trust in God? Why not spend some time in praise and worship to him?

  Submitted by: New Beginnings Christian Fellowship

  Wanda Ball
  Ball Publications Christian Books
  Related Info: Do You Know God?

Appreciate Friends

Be blessed,
Wanda Ball
Author/Publisher
Ball Publications Christian Books

Appreciate Life!

AND TELL US WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR?