[Nia]

Great post @phil4krist! I absolutely believe that personal development is a basic responsibility for anyone, but especially as a Christian, we ought to be intentional about the steps we take in agreement with God’s will for our lives. God doesn’t just do our lives for us – we have a free will to use and we must choose how to spend our time and what to commit our mind, energy and resources to every day.
I really like the tip #4 about recording your progress in personal development. I haven’t been doing that in an organized way and I think it would actually be really encouraging to acknowledge the tangible steps I’m taking toward my personal vision. Most recently, I am preparing for a career shift toward education and have revamped my resume, taken early childhood education classes and am beginning to apply to jobs as I feel led. Even though I don’t know exactly what’s next for me, I know enough about where God is taking me to prepare myself. And I think that’s what personal development is about.

[Nia]

Good word!

[Nia]

What a remarkable post @michael! The fact that believers can easily remain babies in Christ expecting to reap the spiritual blessings from a pastor of “man of God” is just tragic. It’s truly a shame that we would ever think that’s how life should be! As you so carefully explained and showed in Scripture, we must put in our own spiritual work of personal consecration and service to others. That’s the only way to maturity. There are no shortcuts and there is no special impartation for spiritual maturity that you can get from someone else. It is and always has been a deeply personal process and requires a conscious decision to partner with the Holy Spirit. The spiritual leaders in your life are there to offer counsel, prayer and encouragement, and correction according to God’s word – but they are not the ones to mature you or get you whatever blessing you’re seeking. Phew, I really pray that the body of Christ would come to understood that! 😅

As for my service, I enjoy teaching and encouraging believers around me. I like to teach from the Word of God as well as practical life skills like financial management, career development or parenting that ought to be done in excellence because we are ambassadors for Christ.
I really enjoy getting to know people better in 1 on 1 conversations. I am the one who often listens more than I speak in conversation because I want to understand where someone is coming from and have a sense of what the Spirit is saying before offering any suggestion. I want to offer timely encouragement or wisdom whenever I can.
I also have administrative and management skills that I use to serve the local assembly. Keeping things organized comes pretty naturally for me and it’s only right to use my natural abilities to benefit the church.

[Nia]

This reminds me of our VA fellowship study of the beatitudes last weekend. Jesus promises a blessing and great reward for persecution we face as a result of our faith, so we ought not give up when people come against us.

[Nia]

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[Nia]

Excellent post @phil4krist ! Such a succinct definition of the kingdom. Only have one hand free so I decided to respond using video 😊

[Nia]

@Michael, what a wonderful post. There’s enough here for 3-part sermon series! In terms of trying something new in my own life, the first thing that comes to mind is parenting style, especially when it comes to educating Joshua and encouraging his independence and intellectual, emotional and spiritual development. I think I’ve always had a sense that small children are capable of far more than we give them credit for. So I started Bible verse flashcards with him when he was 1 yr old, and he memorized verses like 1 Tim 3:16 and Joshua 1:9 so quickly! I created “character cards” so we have been having conversations about good character and the fruit of the spirit since he was 2. I try not to “baby” him but instead encourage him to try things for himself so that he learns what he is capable of. I agree it’s important to expose yourself to knowledge, wisdom and best practices that are out there with the Holy Spirit’s leading. This year as I was researching preschool options for Josh, I came across an education philosophy called Montessori. I was familiar with it before but as I studied it more this year and got a certification, I realized that the entire philosophy and its principles align really closely with what I had been inspired by the Holy Spirit to do with Joshua. Had I not taken the initiative to seek out more knowledge about early childhood education, I would have missed out on so much that God wanted me to know.

[Nia]

Thanks for this @phil4krist. I like the how you talked about the potential to be led by someone you are technically supervising like your son. That is the sign of humility, being ready to learn from anyone doing right. In that respect, this was a good reminder for me that leadership is about function and influence. If a 3 year old can be a leader, certainly none of us mature, adult believers have any excuse! Just like Paul would say, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor 11:1) – that’s our call to leadership. We lead by setting a good example, not by demanding things from people because of a title or position. It inspires me to be more mindful of the people around me and more conscious of the influence my life has on them.

[Nia]

@Michael, I loved this post! Such a timely word. As you explained the importance of inner peace, I was immediately reminded of Psalm 131 where David says, “I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother is my soul with me.” I think of all of the drama that David faced or got himself into, and yet he knew the only way to endure the crazy circumstances in life was to cultivate inner peace. And I love the imagery of a weaned child with his mother – not a child who is nursing and dependent on his mother’s milk, but a child who in some ways could choose independence and even defiance, but desires to stay in the safety and protection of his mother’s embrace. If only we could realize we are ALWAYS in the safety and protection of God’s embrace! That ought to inspire us to calm our souls and remain at peace… how many times does God remind us in Scripture not to be afraid because He is with us?
When I am overwhelmed, I turn to God’s promises, recite them out loud or listen to audio Bible to encourage myself. I’m very sensitive to sound and I’ve noticed that what I put in my ears is critical – so listening to the Bible or worship music makes a huge difference for me. And hearing my own voice declare Scripture is powerful. But all of this just helps me to maintain consciousness of God’s presence and the Holy Spirit inside of me which ultimately brings peace.

[Nia]

@Michael Ummm… you play drums?! I didn’t know that!!

[Nia]

How wonderful, Elyon! Thanks for sharing. I can attest to those gifts you mentioned. I have seen you use them in service to God to bless people around you. 😊

[Nia]

Wow, such great testimonies @michael! Thanks for sharing.

[Nia]

Thanks @michael! What an great reflection on the life of Peter. It’s interesting that Scripture recounts all those examples of when he stumbled, and yet he ended up playing such a key in the growth of the early church. I never really thought about what was required for that personal transformation to happen! It’s just shows you that it’s never too late to grow and supplement your faith… God can do such incredible things through us when we are fully committed and consecrated to Him.

[Nia]

Thanks for sharing @Feng! It’s good to recognize the specific circumstances and troubles that come to distract and worry you. One of my old mentors used to remind me not to ignore when I feel overwhelmed or just try to “push through it” because it’s an opportunity to stop and repent, to let go of whatever has distracted me, and refocus on God’s Word. That’s how we overcome. Like you said, staying in the Word and in worship is what actually helps us keep our peace.

[Nia]

Absolutely. You made a good point about not seeking peace in the way the world seeks it, ie trying to do attain the right status or family or house or degree or job for the sake of “security” and peace of mind. That is the rat race that we so easily get caught up in, trying to convince ourselves that we are “good enough” and that other people will esteem us highly. Reminds me of John 14:27 where Jesus reminds us that He gives us peace not as the world gives. The “peace” of the world is a gimmick – it’s like smoke and mirrors, but the peace of God is real and eternal and absolutely worth pursuing.