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I believe there are three vital aspects of Christian growth. The three aspects I’m referring to here are regular Bible reading, prayer and being part of a Community of Faith. God expects you and me to do all these three until our lives end.
Remember prayer is just ‘talking to God’. Nothing more, nothing less. It can be simply “Help!” (I have prayed this prayer more than once). It can be simply “Lord, I feel like crap, I can’t pray!” (again, I have prayed this prayer more than once). We need to pray at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:17), not just in the good times, not just in the bad times. We have a heavenly father who longs to talk to us and just be with us, at all times. Prayer is so important in evangelism.
Reading the Bible is equally important (Psalm 1:2-3, Joshua 1:8, James 1:25). God loves us too much to simply leave us in the dark about who He is or what he expects from us. I have five children and I love them all very much. I let them know who I am because their identity and destiny in life (whether they like it or not!) are tied to me. The same goes for us and our Creator. I teach my children Christian values and expect a standard of behaviour because it is good for them and others around them. It is so sad to see children whose parents really don’t care less what they do. That is certainly not God’s way.
Last, but certainly not least is our ‘Meeting Together’ (Hebrews 10:25), our church. I mean by this a community of faith. This can be a full-on Sunday Mega-Gathering or it can mean (as it did for me when I did shift work) a mid week small bible study gathering. By being together, we can minister to others in our chosen community. The reverse is just as vital. We need to be ministered to by others as well. Both are pretty hard to do staying away. God knows that and even designed it like that. He gives us only a few personal gifts (meant for others) each. When we come together we have many gifts and God works powerfully. The gathering gives meaning to our evangelism.
The best way to NOT grow in faith, or worse still, lose it all together is to stop praying (or only praying in the good times or the bad times), stop reading scripture and stay away from Church.
May God bless you in all your endeavors.
Captain Andrew D. Carter
“Everyday Evangelism”
www.everyday-evangelism.com.au
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