- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 17,078
Let's Keep Growing
- July 08, 2005
I have a friend who is peeking today. She's expecting and it's ultrasound time. I told her it would be an easy call. If she sees a pink bow on the little head, it's a girl. If she sees a remote in the little hand, it's a boy. Of course, my husband might say that you can tell it's a girl if there's a tiny credit card in one hand, a can of hair spray in the other, and a ring of chocolate around the little lips.
Actually, as a mom, I remember that the best part of taking a peek was seeing for myself that all was well with the wee one yet to be born. It was always so reassuring and so amazing to see how the baby was growing and developing.
We're called to be constantly growing and developing spiritually, too. In Acts 2 we're told about the first century church. "Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church. They joined with other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship. They worshiped together" (NLT) It's interesting to me that the same things that were encouraged for growth at the very first teaching, fellowship and worship are still important factors in growth today. We need to stay plugged in to a local church body, joining with other believers, and working to advance the Kingdom.
People often think of plugging into a church when they have their babies. It's a wonderful thing to recognize our responsibility to raise up the next generation to love Jesus. But we don't start needing the church at the point of parenthood. With or without kids, we're instructed to stay faithfully connected to other believers. Hebrews 10:25 says, "You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other." (NKJV)
You can find great teaching, fellowship and corporate worship in the local church. You can find support from fellow Christians and a place to roll up your sleeves and get involved in the lives of people and in your own ministry. God has given each of us a gift of service that we need to be using in the church. "A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church." (1 Corinthians 12:7, NLT)
Let's use our spiritual gifts to help the church; let's keep growing. And let's consider using our ultrasounds to find out if we need to buy batteries or chocolate.
Rhonda Rhea writes for dozens of Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. You can find her newest books, "Soup for the Soul-Tastes Just Like Chicken", and "Amusing Grace", at your local Christian bookstore. "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge-Serving Up Hope and Hilarity Family Style", will be available in March. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is a pastor in Troy, Missouri. You can reach them through her Web site.
- July 08, 2005
I have a friend who is peeking today. She's expecting and it's ultrasound time. I told her it would be an easy call. If she sees a pink bow on the little head, it's a girl. If she sees a remote in the little hand, it's a boy. Of course, my husband might say that you can tell it's a girl if there's a tiny credit card in one hand, a can of hair spray in the other, and a ring of chocolate around the little lips.
Actually, as a mom, I remember that the best part of taking a peek was seeing for myself that all was well with the wee one yet to be born. It was always so reassuring and so amazing to see how the baby was growing and developing.
We're called to be constantly growing and developing spiritually, too. In Acts 2 we're told about the first century church. "Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church. They joined with other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship. They worshiped together" (NLT) It's interesting to me that the same things that were encouraged for growth at the very first teaching, fellowship and worship are still important factors in growth today. We need to stay plugged in to a local church body, joining with other believers, and working to advance the Kingdom.
People often think of plugging into a church when they have their babies. It's a wonderful thing to recognize our responsibility to raise up the next generation to love Jesus. But we don't start needing the church at the point of parenthood. With or without kids, we're instructed to stay faithfully connected to other believers. Hebrews 10:25 says, "You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other." (NKJV)
You can find great teaching, fellowship and corporate worship in the local church. You can find support from fellow Christians and a place to roll up your sleeves and get involved in the lives of people and in your own ministry. God has given each of us a gift of service that we need to be using in the church. "A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church." (1 Corinthians 12:7, NLT)
Let's use our spiritual gifts to help the church; let's keep growing. And let's consider using our ultrasounds to find out if we need to buy batteries or chocolate.
Rhonda Rhea writes for dozens of Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. You can find her newest books, "Soup for the Soul-Tastes Just Like Chicken", and "Amusing Grace", at your local Christian bookstore. "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge-Serving Up Hope and Hilarity Family Style", will be available in March. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is a pastor in Troy, Missouri. You can reach them through her Web site.
:boy_hug: Mike
