Growth & Maturity

"May 2016 be a year of growth and maturity for the body of Christ"

Words I prayed Wednesday afternoon, shortly after acknowledging, yet again, that I had no idea what God would have for #deaconThursday. With so much going on, in the world, in ministry, in relationship of family and friends and co-workers, the body of Christ should reflect more and more, Christ himself and less reflect the character of those who call themselves Christians.

Time is flying. Kids are growing up; miles are rolling on the odometer, the gray-hair count in my goatee is ascending, etc. And if I didn't need further proof that time is getting away from us, my youngest child is developing an attitude that would make you think she is closer to being a teenager than her older sibling.

We don't have time for superficial Christians giving lip-service to religious activities. We don't have time to be concerned whether the world likes us or agrees with us. God turns the hearts of kings as a water-course. God works in the hearts of His creation. The body of Christ must share the truth of who God is and what He has done.

That requires a genuine faith, as a foundation.
It requires a growing, maturing faith as we encounter hearts more resistant to Christ.

Interestingly enough, Pastor closed our Wednesday prayer service by giving opportunity for people to offer encouragement to the congregation. A relatively new attendee stood and thanked our congregation...

...for the genuine faith they have witnessed by our people. For the mature faith that has shown itself, in service, in conversations, in moments of prayer.

I smiled as he spoke... knowing God had already answered my prayer.

But achieving this feat takes intentional prayer, planning and vision-casting.

Pray, this #deaconThursday, for intentionality, as church elders, leaders and staff plan, propose and carry-out opportunities for the body of Christ to grow... in the depths of their faith, in the quality of their relationships, in the closeness of their walk with God. Pray for vision, as Pastors seek and pray what God has in store for their church in 2016. Pray for clarity; that there would be no doubt as churches move forward with what God has in store for them. May we boldly speak the truth in love, for those desperately needing to know there is forgiveness and love for their troubled lives trying to make eternal sense out of a temporary life.

For the glory of God and the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

---