JULY 25th…GROWING UP TAKES TIME!! I have trees around my property that are close to 100 feet tall and I have trees that are 10 feet tall. The tallest trees have taken years to grow to their height. The same is true with our spiritual life. We are not instantly fully mature when we first place our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Spiritual growth is seldom made in giant leaps, it is often little tedious steps that keep up growing. We grow as we learn more about God and His Word. The old habits we had before becoming a believer have to be dealt with one at a time. Many have prayed for a miraculous removal of bad habits only to find the prayers they prayed were answered through a process of growing. It is important for you to remember the step of maturity as you take them. (Hebrews 2:1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.) We need to keep a spiritual notebook of the growth steps you have made. Don’t be disappointed in yourself if you are not where you think you ought to be, growth takes time and effort. As you cooperate with God in his process for your life, you will become more mature in Christ. Take a look at where you have come from to where you are today. Remember the hurdles you have crossed, the hills you have climbed, and the joy of all the accomplishments so far. Keeping a mental notebook of our progress will be what gives you the strength to make it to the level in your walk with God. You are doing good, keep up the effort. Pastor Don [image: image.png]