Category: Growth

Growth

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:6 (ESV) Where there is health there is growth. A healthy body will grow. A healthy believer will grow spiritually. A healthy church will grow both numerically and spiritually. You determine the level of participation in the process of maturation. God honors your devotion to daily spiritual disciplines. You also have the wonderful opportunity to assist in the maturation process in others. God is the source of growth. You have the privilege of participating and cooperating in the growth process. You join God in your personal spiritual development. You also join God in investing in the spiritual development of other Christ followers. Maturation results in multiplication. As you grow, you assist others in their growth. Moses mentored Joshua. Elijah mentored Elisha. Naomi mentored Ruth. Daniel mentored Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Paul mentored Timothy. Does your life evidence spiritual health? Are you growing? How have you invested in another believer’s maturation? Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

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Growth Love Ministry

Increasing Love

“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (ESV) How do you make your love for others grow? You place the same value on others that God does. If we could ever fully embrace God’s perspective on people, then our love for others would increase. Our tendency is to judge people based on externals while God evaluates the heart. We tend to overemphasize the outside and underestimate the inside. God has planted unlimited potential in every human being. The key that unlocks potential is an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. “‘I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.’” John 15:5 (ESV) “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” 2 Thess. 1:3 (ESV) Increase your love for others by serving them, praying for them, and viewing them from God’s perspective. Sometimes our expression of love for others is inhibited by busyness. Often our love for others is stifled by our self-centeredness. It’s difficult to increase our love for others when we become consumed with ourselves. Read through the Gospels and notice how Jesus had a perfect balance of guarding His love relationship with the Father and meeting the needs of people. As your love relationship with your Heavenly Father grows, your love for others will increase in proportion. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Growth Stability Teachable

Stability and Spiritual Maturity

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date April 15, 2014
59 Comments on Stability and Spiritual Maturity

“So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV) Your stability is linked to your teachability. Are you grounded in God’s Word? The anchor holds! In this life on planet earth, your faith will be challenged. Your beliefs will undergo scrutiny. The values you hold dear will be resisted. The world’s system and the anti-Christian culture will seek to dominate the landscape of your faith. Are you able to grow spiritually in a hostile environment? You must make a decision to conform to the culture or to confront the culture. As you grow spiritually, your roots will go deeper and your stability will become more evident. Notice that in all things you will grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. In all types of situations and scenarios, you can grow. Regardless of your current reality, you can and should grow. Maybe you are facing a challenging situation or a difficult relationship and wonder how you will grow in the midst. The good news is that God can cause you to grow through whatever you are facing. God does not waste the difficulties we face. God will bring you through at a deeper level than you entered the circumstances. Remain teachable. Allow God to form you and fashion you through the challenges of life. Let God strengthen your resolve to remain faithful at all costs. Finish strong! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Growth Spiritual Maturity Unity

Spiritual Maturity

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV) Where do you fit in this picture? God has placed equippers in your life to help you develop into a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. God has placed a systematic process within the local church to promote spiritual maturity. Are you an intentional part of the process? Take a close look at your level of participation in the life of the local church family. Are you being built up? Are you reaching unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Jesus and becoming mature? Are you attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ? What is your level of teachability? Your spiritual maturity will be proportionate to your teachability. Are you teachable as you listen to your pastor’s message? Are you teachable as you sit under the teaching of a godly small group leader? Are you teachable as you spend time alone with God in prayer and Bible reading? Make the most of the opportunities God has given you to grow spiritually. Maximize the moments you sit under anointed teaching from God’s Word. Move from hearing and reading God’s Word to applying God’s Word in daily living. Live out what God is depositing in you. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Growth Harmony Order

Orderly

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NIV) Take a walk outdoors and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. You will quickly notice that God values order and that everything is in its place. You will see that God values variety, harmony, and unity. The nature of God’s character is exhibited throughout His creation. When you examine the human body, you will notice that balance and symmetry are valued by God. God is not a God of disorder. Chaos is not consistent with God’s nature and character. God is a God of peace. Bring that concept into your personal relationship with Jesus and assess your daily walk with Him. How would you categorize your love relationship with the Lord? Is your relationship sporadic, chaotic, and inconsistent? Or would you say that your love relationship with Christ is vibrant, healthy, and growing? One of my pastor friends would often say, “Where there is order, there is fruitfulness.” God values order in the family. Is your home an oasis or a war zone? Make adjustments in your home to reflect the order God values. Seek to work together as a family to bring order to the home and to create an atmosphere that honors God and benefits your family. Assess your schedule and be wiling to adjust your time and energy allocation. God values order in the church. Is your church unified, focused, and organized to mobilize? Be a life-giving member of your local church and be faithful in participating in worship, connecting in small group Bible study, and exercising your spiritual gifts through serving others. Give sacrificially to the Lord’s work and join God in His activity. Is there anything out of order in your life? Bring everything in submission to the Lordship of Christ. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Growth Harvest Partnership

Partnership in Planting

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (NIV) Who was more important in the kingdom of God: Paul or Apollos? Both were devoted to God’s mission of reaching others with the saving news of Jesus. Both men were fully devoted followers of Christ and selflessly served to advance the kingdom of God. Both men were devoted to honoring God and benefiting others. God makes it clear in His Word that neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything. Our value in the kingdom of God is not based on our productivity. I remember early on in my ministry, I would be asked by fellow pastors, “How many are you running at your church?” I wasn’t sure if they wanted to know how many we were running on Sunday in a worship service or how many we were running off by preaching the truth. Through a season of searching for God’s answer to my dilemma, God affirmed that my value in His kingdom is not based on the size church I pastor. My value in the kingdom of God is based on my faithfulness to God. Success is defined by God as obedience! Are we obedient in partnering with God’s people to accomplish God’s mission on the earth with what God has entrusted to us? Are we faithful with what we have been given to accomplish God’s will? We are to be faithful in planting the seed of the Gospel and we are to be faithful to water the seed and to remember that God makes things grow. Let’s do our part to plant and water and leave the results up to God? God will make the seed grow! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Growth Ministry Prayer Serving

Numerical Growth & Serving

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date June 10, 2013
57 Comments on Numerical Growth & Serving

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV) As you grow you serve and as you serve you grow. In the midst of your serving, God brings others into the equation. He will bring people into your path to give you an opportunity to serve them and to meet their needs. At other times, God will bring people into your life to help meet your needs. Keep investing in the lives of others. Continue to shine His light and share His love through serving. God will add to our number. Serving produces numerical increase. God will draw people to know His love as you serve sacrificially. “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:41 (NIV) “…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47 (NIV) Serving puts feet to your prayer life. Serving gives evidence to a watching world that you are living to benefit others. When you give your life away through selfless service, God multiplies your impact. You become a channel of God’s blessing as you build bridges to people in need. Remember, you are never more like Jesus than when you are serving. As you live out the Christ-centered life in a self-absorbed world, God will use you to bring others into the Kingdom. That’s right! Heaven’s population is multiplied by your faithfulness in serving the Living God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Growth Harmony Order

Orderly

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” 1 Cor 14:33 (NIV) Take a walk outdoors and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. You will quickly notice that God values order and that everything is in its place. You will see that God values variety, harmony, and unity. The nature of God’s character is exhibited throughout His creation. When you examine the human body, you will notice that balance and symmetry are valued by God. God is not a God of disorder. Chaos is not consistent with God’s nature and character. God is a God of peace. Bring that concept into your personal relationship with Jesus and assess your daily walk with Him. How would you categorize your love relationship with the Lord? Is your relationship sporadic, chaotic, and inconsistent? Or would you say that your love relationship with Christ is vibrant, healthy, and growing? One of my pastor friends would often say, “Where there is order, there is fruitfulness.” God values order in the family. Is your home an oasis or a war zone? Make adjustments in your home to reflect the order God values. Seek to work together as a family to bring order to the home and to create an atmosphere that honors God and benefits your family. Assess your schedule and be wiling to adjust your time and energy allocation. God values order in the church. Is your church unified, focused, and organized to mobilize? Be a life-giving member of your local church and be faithful in participating in worship, connecting in small group Bible study, and exercising your spiritual gifts through serving others. Give sacrificially to the Lord’s work and join God in His activity. Is there anything out of order in your life? Bring everything in submission to the Lordship of Christ. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Growth Harvest Partnership

Partnership in Planting

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Cor 3:6-7 (NIV) Who was more important in the kingdom of God: Paul or Apollos? Both were devoted to God’s mission of reaching others with the saving news of Jesus. Both men were fully devoted followers of Christ and selflessly served to advance the kingdom of God. Both men were devoted to honoring God and benefiting others. God makes it clear in His Word that neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything. Our value in the kingdom of God is not based on our productivity. I remember early on in my ministry, I would be asked by fellow pastors, “How many are you running at your church?” I wasn’t sure if they wanted to know how many we were running on Sunday in a worship service or how many we were running off by preaching the truth. Through a season of searching for God’s answer to my dilemma, God affirmed that my value in His kingdom is not based on the size church I pastor. My value in the kingdom of God is based on my faithfulness to God. Success is defined by God as obedience! Are we obedient in partnering with God’s people to accomplish God’s mission on the earth with what God has entrusted to us? Are we faithful with what we have been given to accomplish God’s will? We are to be faithful in planting the seed of the Gospel and we are to be faithful to water the seed and to remember that God makes things grow. Let’s do our part to plant and water and leave the results up to God? God will make the seed grow! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Growth Ministry Prayer Serving

Numerical Growth & Serving

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date June 10, 2011
59 Comments on Numerical Growth & Serving

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matt 25:35-36 (NIV) As you grow you serve and as you serve you grow. In the midst of your serving, God brings others into the equation. He will bring people into your path to give you an opportunity to serve them and to meet their needs. At other times, God will bring people into your life to help meet your needs. Keep investing in the lives of others. Continue to shine His light and share His love through serving. God will add to our number. Serving produces numerical increase. God will draw people to know His love as you serve sacrificially. “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:41 (NIV) “…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47 (NIV) Serving puts feet to your prayer life. Serving gives evidence to a watching world that you are living to benefit others. When you give your life away through selfless service, God multiplies your impact. You become a channel of God’s blessing as you build bridges to people in need. Remember, you are never more like Jesus than when you are serving. As you live out the Christ-centered life in a self-absorbed world, God will use you to bring others into the Kingdom. That’s right! Heaven’s population is multiplied by your faithfulness in serving the Living God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Growth Love Ministry

Increasing Love

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” 1 Thess 3:12 (NIV) How do you make your love for others grow? You place the same value on others that God does. If we could ever fully embrace God’s perspective on people, then our love for others would increase. Our tendency is to judge people based on externals while God evaluates the heart. We tend to overemphasize the outside and underestimate the inside. God has planted unlimited potential in every human being. The key that unlocks potential is an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. “‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.’” John 15:5 (NIV) “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.” 2 Thess 1:3 (NIV) Increase your love for others by serving them, praying for them, and viewing them from God’s perspective. Sometimes our expression of love for others is inhibited by busyness. Often our love for others is stifled by our self-centeredness. It’s difficult to increase our love for others when we become consumed with ourselves. Read through the Gospels and notice how Jesus had a perfect balance of guarding His love relationship with the Father and meeting the needs of people. As your love relationship with your Heavenly Father grows, your love for others will increase in proportion. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Growth Stability Teachable

Stability and Spiritual Maturity

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date April 19, 2010
114 Comments on Stability and Spiritual Maturity

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” Eph 4:14-15 (NIV) Your stability is linked to your teachability. Are you grounded in God’s Word? The anchor holds! In this life on planet earth, your faith will be challenged. Your beliefs will undergo scrutiny. The values you hold dear will be resisted. The world’s system and the anti-Christian culture will seek to dominate the landscape of your faith. Are you able to grow spiritually in a hostile environment? You must make a decision to conform to the culture or to confront the culture. As you grow spiritually, your roots will go deeper and your stability will become more evident. Notice that in all things you will grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. In all types of situations and scenarios, you can grow. Regardless of your current reality, you can and should grow. Maybe you are facing a challenging situation or a difficult relationship and wonder how you will grow in the midst. The good news is that God can cause you to grow through whatever you are facing. God does not waste the difficulties we face. God will bring you through at a deeper level than you entered the circumstances. Remain teachable. Allow God to form you and fashion you through the challenges of life. Let God strengthen your resolve to remain faithful at all costs. Finish strong! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Growth Spiritual Maturity Unity

Spiritual Maturity

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Eph 4:11-13 (NIV) Where do you fit in this picture? God has placed equippers in your life to help you develop into a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. God has placed a systematic process within the local church to promote spiritual maturity. Are you an intentional part of the process? Take a close look at your level of participation in the life of the local church family. Are you being built up? Are you reaching unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Jesus and becoming mature? Are you attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ? What is your level of teachability? Your spiritual maturity will be proportionate to your teachability. Are you teachable as you listen to your pastor’s message? Are you teachable as you sit under the teaching of a godly small group leader? Are you teachable as you spend time alone with God in prayer and Bible reading? Make the most of the opportunities God has given you to grow spiritually. Maximize the moments you sit under anointed teaching from God’s Word. Move from hearing and reading God’s Word to applying God’s Word in daily living. Live out what God is depositing in you. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Bearing Fruit Growth Worthy

Bearing Fruit

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” Col 1:10-12 (NIV) As you invest your time, energy, and resources, consider what matters most. Does it matter how much you acquire during your brief stay on the earth? Does it matter how many trips you make to distant lands? Does it matter how many accolades you receive from others? If not, then what really matters? The answer is: living a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him. That’s what matters most! Now you can give your life to that. You can wisely invest your time, resources, and energy to that ultimate pursuit. What does that look like? That kind of life involves bearing fruit, growing spiritually, operating in His power, enduring patiently, and giving thanks joyfully. Take personal inventory. What are you giving your life to? Are you living a life worthy of the Lord? Is your life laser focused on pleasing God? If not, why not? Begin making adjustments in your time allocation, your energy allocation, and your allocation of resources to bring your life into alignment with God’s priorities. It’s not about comfort; it’s all about life change! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor (This devotional was originally posted in ’07 or ’08. I’m taking a break from writing for a season of personal renewal.) Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Growth Love Maturation

Love In Action

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Cor 13:1-3 (NIV) The “Love Chapter” has been read most often in weddings. Marriage is a portrait of love in that one spouse is to seek to meet the needs of the other spouse. Love is putting others first. Love flows from God because God is love (I John 4:8). As the Source of love, God demonstrated His love to us by allowing Christ to die in our place (Rom. 5:8). As you read the Bible, you will see a common thread of God’s love in action to restore fallen humanity. Love takes the initiative just as God took the initiative to bring us into a right relationship with Himself. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Cor 13:4-7 (NIV) “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor 13:13 (NIV) Is there anyone you find difficult to love? Choose to love that person not based on what they can do for you or based on what they have done for you or to you. Choose to love that person based on what God has done for you. Love is a choice. God chose to love you long before you chose to love Him. Now seek to love those Christ died for. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Growth Lordship

Your Real Boss

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.” Eph 6:5-8 (NIV) Where do you work? Now think about your workplace and rediscover your ultimate boss, Jesus. Therefore, you are working for Jesus. When you are working, in the workplace, for the Lord, what does that look like? Snapshot #1: You willingly do what you are asked to do. When your passion is to please Jesus, you will obey your earthly boss. Your obedience is not based on how your boss treats you; your obedience is based on pleasing your ultimate boss, Jesus. Snapshot #2: Your attitude will be consistent with your actions. Your beliefs determine your behavior. If you believe that Jesus is your ultimate boss and if you believe that you are truly working for him, then your actions at work will be consistent with your beliefs. Your actions will reflect the authenticity of your attitude. Do you have an attitude of gratitude, even at work? Snapshot #3: Your actions are consistent when no one is watching. Do you give your best when no one is looking? When the cat’s away do the mice still play, if they are Christian? You know that Jesus, your ultimate boss, is all-knowing and all-seeing. He is watching even when your earthly boss is not in visual contact. What you do when no one is watching is a clear indicator of your caliber of character. Take a close look at each snapshot of a believer working for the Lord. Identify the snapshot that needs improvement in your life. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Clarity Growth Maturation

Clarity and Maturity

“‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.’” Acts 26:16 (NIV) Paul stood before King Agrippa to give witness to his personal salvation story. Paul was converted from a persecutor of the church to a preacher of the Gospel. He recalled his Damascus road experience in the hearing of King Agrippa and other bystanders. Bringing clarity to his life purpose, Paul identified his appointment by Christ as a servant and as a witness. Paul was investing his life in the process of knowing Jesus and making Jesus known. Jesus affirmed that Paul was a servant and a witness of what Paul had seen of Jesus. Paul encountered Christ personally on the road to Damascus. This personal encounter was a defining moment for Paul that radically changed his forever. Not only was Paul’s eternal destiny changed, but his life mission was changed. The focus of Paul’s life became that of proclaiming Christ. In his letter to Timothy, Paul said, “And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher“(2 Tim 1:11 NIV). What have you seen of Christ? Since your conversion experience, what have you seen of Christ? Is Jesus a living reality in your life? As Dr. Johnny Hunt says, “If you are going to reign in this life, Jesus must reign in your life.” You have been appointed as a servant. In God’s display of mercy and grace, you have been appointed a witness of what you have seen of Christ. Jesus has more to show you! Are you ready for His revelation? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Growth Maturation Messiah Parenting

Parenting the Messiah

“When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.” Luke 2:42-43 (NIV) Can you imagine what it would have been like to parent the Messiah? How would you embrace the responsibility of parenting the Son of God? Joseph and Mary were devoted to God and faithful to the task. Jesus was unique in that He was the Son of God and was born of a virgin. It is important also to remember that Joseph and Mary had other children (Mt. 13:55-56). If you have ever been separated from your children by accident, you know the terror of the experience. Your heart drops to your feet and your mind begins racing. You frantically search for your child until he or she is found. Your terror cascades into refreshing comfort. The restoration of your valued possession brings instant relief. Jesus was left behind. As the massive caravan moved a day’s journey away from Jerusalem, Joseph and Mary realized that Jesus was not in their company. Luke tells us, “After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions”(Luke 2:46 NIV). That must have been the longest three days of their lives up to that point. Your parenting is not always going to be flawless. You will make mistakes along the way. You may experience some delays and detours along the way. However, you must position your parenting for impact. Ask God for wisdom to make decisions that will benefit your children and add value to their upbringing. Depend on God’s provision of grace to fill in the gaps where you may fall short. Only God can provide the way for you to parent your children His way! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Growth Intentionality Maturation Parenting

Intentional Parenting

“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deut 6:6-9 (NIV) The people of God embraced this confession of faith, known as the Shema, to acknowledge their commitment to the One true God and their obedience to His commandments. Loving God and obeying His commands were the marching orders for the people of God to employ. This way of life was to be personal and familial. It was not enough to love God and obey His commands personally. This lifestyle of obedience to God was to be modeled faithfully and handed down intentionally. With the privilege of parenting comes the awesome responsibility of modeling Christ in the home. God wants our homes to be a place of intentional parenting. As parents, we have been given the assignment to lead our children into a growing relationship with Christ. We are to model what God wants us to multiply through our children. The lifestyle of loving God and keeping His commandments is to be visible in our homes. Our children should not receive mixed signals from us as to what our God-given priorities are. We are to impress upon our children the commandments we have received from God that are upon our hearts. A few years ago I had a parent meet with me to complain about their teenager picking up the habit of smoking. I then asked the parent, “Do you smoke?” The parent immediately affirmed that reality. Why would a parent criticize a teenager for something the teenager learned from that parent? God wants us to intentionally model Christ before our children. God wants us to intentionally live lives of moral purity before our children. What are you impressing upon your children? Are you leading them into a growing relationship with Jesus? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Growth Maturation Parenting Passover Upbringing

Reflecting on Your Upbringing

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date January 13, 2009
59 Comments on Reflecting on Your Upbringing

“Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.” Luke 2:41 (NIV) Growing up in a single-parent family after my parents divorced had its challenges. As one of my close friends likes to say, “A challenge is just an opportunity to excel in adverse circumstances.” As I reflect on my upbringing, the one constant in my life was weekly church participation. My mom brought my brother and me to church consistently with her each week. It was very evident that her walk with God was valuable to her and that her service to God through our local church was important. She faithfully modeled Christ before us and imparted the value of serving God. In the midst of adverse circumstances related to divorce, my mom demonstrated that serving God through the ministry of the local church was worth giving your life to. Joseph and Mary exhibited religious devotion to God and to parenting their children. Each year they went to Jerusalem to participate in the Feast of the Passover. They annually celebrated what God did, as recorded in the Old Testament, when He allowed the destroyer to pass over the children of Israel because they had placed blood on the sides and tops of the doorframes of their houses (Ex. 12:7,13, 23). God’s mercy and grace were exhibited when He chose to “pass over” those who obeyed His command. Joseph and Mary were faithful to travel to Jerusalem each year to participate in this Jewish festival celebrating the Passover. As you reflect on your upbringing, identify the spiritual heritage you received. What did your parents value? What did your parents model? Perhaps you have memories of a healthy spiritual upbringing that have added value to your life. Maybe you cannot recall favorable memories of a healthy spiritual upbringing. In God’s abundant provision of mercy and grace, you can begin establishing a healthy spiritual heritage to pass down to others. You can break generational spiritual neglect and begin to formulate a vibrant love relationship with God worth modeling before others. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

God's Provision Grace Growth Relief

God Works

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV) While you were sleeping, God was working. He does not sleep. God is always at work. His work is continuous and consistent. Whatever you are facing today, God is working. Whatever you are dreading today, God is working. Whatever you are fearing today, God is working. In all things, God works! He takes the initiative. Regardless of how confusing your current circumstance may seem to you, God is at work. He takes the initiative to work for your good and His glory. In all things God works for the good of those who love Him. Do you love Him? Have you been called according to His purpose? Then you can walk in assurance today knowing that in all the things you face, in all the things you are wrestling with, in all the things that seem impossible, God works for your good. He will do what is best for you. He formed you and fashioned you and He will orchestrate all of the circumstances that surround you in order to work for your good. Now that is the favor of God! You are favored by God. You are His treasure. Trust Him. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Growth Learner Teachability

Teachability (7)

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV) Warm memories flood my mind as I think about our annual tradition of adding lights to the outside of my house growing up. Each Christmas, my brother and I would go up into the attic to retrieve the Christmas lights. We would spend hours untangling them and threading them throughout the shrubbery. Each bush would be covered in lights. We would also get up on the roof to strategically place lights along the edge of the roofline. Each year, we would add to our collection of lights. It was a blast! Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. You house the Spirit of God. Your daily privilege is adding to what God has begun in your life. The faith that you were given by God to become His child and to be adopted into His family is the faith that God wants you to add to. Adorn your faith with goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Add these to your life as you would add Christmas lights to your house. These qualities are to be added to your faith by a conscious decision. You are in the process of becoming who you are in Christ. You are in motion. You get to participate with God in your development. Be teachable. Allow God to show you areas of your life that need improvement. Cooperate with God in building you into the man or woman of God that He created you to be. “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:8 (NIV) What are you adding to the temple of the Holy Spirit? You are the walking tabernacle of God’s Presence. You may be the only Jesus others see in their lifetime. What will they see? What are you becoming? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Growth Learner Teachability

Teachability (6)

“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4 (NIV) Where do you lack? That’s a personal question to say the least, but an important one to consider. God’s desire is for you to be complete, not lacking anything. One of the tools God uses is the conduit of perseverance. Why would you need to embrace perseverance? Living the Christian life in the laboratory of our fallen world demands a response. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you get to choose your response. You can persevere or you can buckle. You can breakthrough or you can break down. Perseverance is a mark of a maturing Christian. As you mature spiritually, you learn how to respond to adversity. Your response to adversity reveals your level of spiritual maturity and develops your spiritual maturity. The process includes your teachability. What will you learn from the chisel of adversity? Will you become bitter or will you become better? God values your maturity. God wants you to be complete. Rely on God’s power to persevere in this life. Your perseverance informs your spiritual maturity and impacts your eternity. God is building you. You are still in process! You are still on the assembly line! Be patient, God is working! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Growth Learner Teachability

Teachability (5)

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” Heb 5:11-12 (NIV) How long have you been a child of God? When did you have your conversion experience? Recount the moment you turned from your sin and confessed Jesus as Lord of your life. Now take a look at your life now compared to then. How much have you grown spiritually since the day of your salvation? What has changed over the years related to your spiritual maturity? As you grow spiritually, you develop an appetite for the meat of God’s Word. You move from the elementary truths of God’s Word to the deeper things of God. There is a clear process of movement from milk to meat. If you have been a follower of Christ for several years, then your appetite ought to give evidence to the level of your spiritual maturity. If you are slow to learn, then it is time to examine your level of teachability. When you are teachable, you receive, believe, and apply God’s Word. Your teachability enables you to experience progress in your spiritual journey. Feeding on God’s Word becomes a delight instead of a duty. What is your level of spiritual maturity? What is keeping you from reaching your God-given potential? God has designed you for physical and spiritual growth. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Growth Learner Teachability

Teachability (4)

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29 (NIV) We take comfort in knowing that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rm. 8:28). Our comfort is found in the sovereignty of God, knowing that He is on His throne and has the final say. Yet, there is more to the purposes of God than our comfort. God also treasures our conformity to Christ. The ultimate goal for the believer is to be conformed to the image of Christ. To become like Christ requires our participation. God provides the environments and opportunities for our transformation. We get to join God in His redemptive activity. Our teachability determines the level of our conformity. Are we responsive to God’s corrective measures? Are we sensitive to God’s prompting? “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will–to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Eph 1:4-6 (NIV) God’s desire for us is that we operate as holy and blameless in His sight. We are clean before Him because we have received the imputed righteousness of Christ. However, there is a practical daily response to God’s work to conform us into the image of Christ. When you stand before God one day to give an account for your life, how many adjustments will be needed in order for you to be completely like Christ? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Growth Learner Teachability

Teachability (3)

Growth Learner Teachability

Teachability (2)

Growth Learner Teachability

Teachability (1)

“Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’” Luke 23:43 (NIV) The thief on the cross received the greatest gift of all, the gift of eternal life. In our vernacular, we would say that he was in the ninth inning with two outs and a full count. His next decision would determine his future. When the thief made the decision to turn to Christ, his forever was radically changed. Instead of going to hell, the thief, now as a newly converted child of God, went to heaven. We rejoice in the immense mercy and grace Jesus demonstrated upon the cross for this thief. However, this thief had no time to grow spiritually and to develop his spiritual muscles. Was he authentically saved? Yes! Did he have time to develop into a mature follower of Christ? No! Fortunately, you have the privilege of knowing Christ personally and growing in your love relationship with Him. The challenge for you is not the matter of salvation, but the matter of sanctification. Are you growing? Are you becoming who Christ made you to be? You have both the privilege and responsibility to maximize the time you have in order to grow spiritually. What have you learned so far in your spiritual journey? Life on earth is a classroom of preparation for the life to come. How are you utilizing what God has given you with the time you have? Are you intentional about your spiritual maturation? Are you growing in your love relationship with Jesus? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Conflict Resolution Family Growth Speech

Family Spats (5)

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Eph 4:29 (NIV) Our words have such power. With our words we can encourage and comfort or we can shatter hearts and dreams. God wants our words to benefit others. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Prov 15:1 (NIV) “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Prov 15:4 (NIV) Let’s talk about the wheel of conflict. Now, let’s imagine that conflict enters your path. You experience hurt feelings which may lead to anger. Someone has wounded you. You have a choice to make. You can flee and withdraw which leads to isolation and unresolved conflict. Or you can choose to face the conflict. Once you make that decision, two more options arise: fight or invite. You can go head-to-head with that person and launch a verbal assault and fight. Or you can take the better option: invite the person into dialogue. Simply say, “Let’s talk.” In fact, practice saying that right now. Then be willing to extend or receive forgiveness. When you respond to conflict this way, you experience growth in your relationship. The very conflict that could have destroyed the relationship actually takes the relationship to the next level based on how you respond. Would you be willing to allow the wheel of conflict to roll in a healthy direction? Ask God to give you the wisdom to make proper decisions to navigate through the tunnel of conflict and come to the place of healing, restoration, and growth for His glory. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Growth Spiritual Maturity

Blooming

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph 2:10 (NIV) Bloom where God has planted you. What are you waiting for? Don’t put off what God wants to do in you and through you. Don’t delay in being and portraying what God has created you for. The time is now. God wants you to shine His light and share His love right where you are. You don’t have to wait another moment. God knows where you are and what are you experiencing. God knows the spiritual condition of every person you will come in contact with this week. You have been saved by knowing Jesus. Now that you are saved, you grow by connecting with Jesus and doing life with other believers. Your salvation event is to be followed by a lifetime process of spiritual growth and development. You grow in order to bloom for God’s glory. God has strategically placed you right where you are so that you can be an irresistible influence for Christ. “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matt 5:16 (NIV) “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Cor 9:8 (NIV) “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Col 1:10 (NIV) Are you growing? Are you allowing Jesus to live His life in you and through you to draw others to a saving relationship with Jesus? Will the population of heaven be increased by your life on earth? Your life matters for eternity! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor