Growth.

What is it? Probably the easiest answer is a measure of what something has increased. But as one of the men pointed out last night, in the winter, root systems go deeper, so often there is work God is doing that isn't visible to the world. So I tossed the question out to the 14 adults; how much have you grown in the last year? And let me tell you it was moving like fire. I saw tears as people recounted their year of growth, laughter as they discussed their prunings and mistakes. But a strength grew out of all it. There was encouragement to each other. Some had been ripped up before they got here, and it was a year of healing.

How much have you grown this year?

Knowing that God is not finished with you, is often a happy thought, as we look at where we are. And yet for us, it was a challenge to get through some things. Yesterday brought some fruit to the vine.

They moved into discussions of ministry and we are seeing the unfolding of a solid youth, participating in the discussion. We are looking at the beginning of a dance ministry(this has been one of my fondest prayers in church!). We saw a woman reach out to help and she was "adopted" by some of the couples. Phone numbers began to be exchanged with the promise of stop bys to one of the women who has no vehicle in the day, and lives the furthest away.

Growth. A measure by which we are assured there is a God and He is changing us.

God desires us to grow and become mature believers walking in His ways. Last night someone shared that 95% of the Bible is really easy to do. But to get that in gear is a decision. A decision to grow. To not be satisfied with "just getting by".

God's church needs to take hold of the Word of God and begn to apply it to their circumstances. One of the ladies (saved 1 year) testified of how they had gone from poverty, welfare and plugged into the system, to seeing a debt free life unfold very soon. He has gotten a wonderful job and has been able to move his family off the system through the power of God. I received a letter from a man on this list who came to a place of debt freedom after 10 years, even relinquishing his veteran's benefits in obedience to God's Word to him.

Do we struggle with this growth? Most definitely. But when we accept the fact that it is part of the package, we can walk through, victorious in Jesus.

Growth. The result of a process frequently without discomfort and yet so necessary to us becoming who God desires us to be.