This is who I am now.  I'm no longer lost.  I am found in Christ and I'm FREE to act like it. Now it's time to grow. You grow the fastest in Christ when you set your love upon Christ.

I am clothed by Christ.  This is how he sees me.  I'm no longer naked and exposed in my shame.  I am covered by him. Understanding this makes me feel more comfortable, as I am growing in him.

I'm washed in his blood.  That matters to me because he paid a certain price to wash me.  It cost him his life.  To me that means I'm worth something.  You grow in Christ when you understand how valuable you are in Christ.

I need to understand this identity because I don't always feel clean or act clean, but this is how he sees me. His righteousness is bestowed upon me. You grow in Christ when you understand how he sees you.

This happened the day I called upon his name to save me.  It was a specific day and time at a certain place.  I went from being cursed unto eternal damnation to saved by his grace, all because I called upon the name of Jesus Christ to save me.  I asked him to be my Savior and I made him Lord of my life. It was then that I started to grow in him.

I'm not sinless, but as far as the east is from the west, all my sins have been remembered no more.  Why? Because they have been justified.  He sacrificed himself for them.  So now it's OK to grow in him.

I was far from him.  I was not in good standing with him.  But he redeemed me and brought me back to himself. It's amazing but the more I learn about him, the more I desire to grow in him.

Understanding this is very important.  I have been set apart "for him", for his work, his purposes. I'm sanctified. And now that I am growing in him, I am preparing for what he has called me to do.

There are none righteous, just him alone.  But when he sacrificed his blood for me, that offering covered me. And now I am his righteousness.  I am called to live in righteousness. Growing in this area, takes a lifetime.

I'm loved. Let that sink in.  Now I can be who he wants me to be.  I can live for Christ because it is Christ who loves me.  Now that I am loved, I can love.  I grow in Christ as I love Christ and love others through Christ.

I'm not just a child, I am his child. That means I belong. I am not alone.  I belong to his family. I can  live life with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Im adopted into something a lot bigger than myself. I grow in Christ with my family in Christ.

I'm a son. And I bear the name Son of God.  I am called to act like the Son of God, the only begotten of the Father.  I am made after his image. I grow in the Son of God, when I surrender to the will of the Son of God.

Christ told the disciples not to rejoice that they had the power over demons, but because their name was recorded in a book. You grow in Christ when you claim the eternal promises of Christ.

The day I got baptized, I outwardly confessed Christ before men. Now it is time to live Christ before men and glorify Christ.  You grow in Christ when you're not ashamed of Christ.

I am a new creation.  How good is it to know that I have been made new by Christ?  I am his workmanship, his vessel. You grow in Christ when you allow him to keep shaping you and molding you even though some days it's very hard. It is painful sometimes.  He is making all things new because it's "good" for you. So, hang in there!

I am blessed.  If he decided to take everything from me and leave me with nothing but his Spirit, I would still be blessed.  You grow in Christ when you count his blessings.

His children are the elect, his chosen ones. We  are the Called Out Ones, his Assembly, his Church.  The road leading to eternal life is narrow. His elect are the few. You grow in Christ when you live mission and purpose orientated. You're an elite person.  Rise to your purpose.

I am beloved of the Father, adopted, chosen and precious.  I mentally grow in Christ easier, because I know he is the one who chose to raise me. 

He doesn't just call me. He calls me then gives me a position in is Kingdom. I grow in Christ when I discover all the new talents he equips me with. Then I serve him with those very talents.

I am a Royal Priesthood?  It sounds far fetched but it is not. You grow in Christ when you fulfill every role he gives you to the best of your ability.  Write down 25 ways you can act, knowing you are a Royal Priesthood.

90% of the time I do not speak my full mind in Christ Jesus when I am out and about.  Why? Because my words would seen STRANGE. When I am preaching though, or teaching, I speak everything in my mind. I grow in Christ knowing I am a stranger in this world but known by Christ.

Im just passing through. My home is eternal and not made by human hands.  I grow in Christ every step of the way, as I walk this earth, with his Spirit. I'm his pilgrim on a pilgrimage, a journey, every day, one more step closer to home.

By definition - Noun; an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country.  You grow in Christ when you are a representative of Christ. Speak, listen, council, talk, negotiate, figure out what they want, figure out what they need, tell them what he wants, broker the deal, help him help them, warn them, bless them, pray for them, lead them, mediate, do what a Diplomat would do when you are representing a Kingdom.

Everyone is following something or someone.  Who are you following? Follow the one who truly satisfies. Follow his words then lead others to him. You grow in Christ through the highs and lows of faithfully following Christ.

We are called to be ministers of righteousness.  We help people, we comfort them, council them, encourage them. You grow in Christ when you minister to others so they can grow in Christ.

A faithful man, who can find?  Be a person people can count on.  Be loyal, be committed. You grow in Christ when you keep running the race and you don't give up.  Never ever ever give up! (Yes, I just yelled at you)

If you want the favor of God then live under the blessings of God. Favor is the result of your actions that are pleasing to God. You grow in Christ when you do things today that will help you grow in favor with God and man.  

Apart from Christ you can do nothing. Christianity is not floating in the air. It is walking in his Spirit.  Ask his Spirit to fill you.  You grow in Christ when you walk in his Spirit and in the power of Christ.

He has plans for you.  Big plans! That is why he equipped you with many talents.  But you need his FIRE to move you. You grow in Christ when you let his Spirit move like fire through you.

He is Creator, Savior and. Father. Yes. But then when he called his Disciples "friends", that is when I realized how much he cares about us.  It become so much more personal. You grow in Christ when you closest friend is Christ.

The old me, well, I dont live their any more.  Thank God!  I died to that rotten self.  My shame, my sin, it is buried in Christ.  You grow in Christ when you die to your old self and you are buried in the likeness of his death.

You are raised from the dead to walk in newness of life.  That should put a song in your soul! You grow in Christ when you release those chains and set yourself free. Dance, sing for joy! Your now alive.

I always thought that obedience was a communist word until I realized one day that obeying God wasn't just good, but good for me  personally.  You grow in Christ when you learn why you should obey him.

He call us his own.  He calls us by our name.  He calls us to serve him. He calls us to follow him. You grow in Christ when you listen to calling of Christ.

He chose you before the foundations of the world. Your name was written in the book before you were born.  He chose you. You grow in Christ when you realize your chosen to glorify Christ.

You are a member of the household of God.  Your a member of Gods eternal family. You have a Kingdom behind you.  You belong. Encourage one another.  You grow in Christ everytime you join up with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Oh yea, and dont forget to outdo each other in hospitality. Paul made every effort to make that point super clear. In my world, Christianity is not a boring lifestyle!

Being dead to our old life, our old self, our old conversations and our old self-destructive habits, is a great thing!! You grow in Christ when you understand WHY he called you to die to that old life. The wicked have no idea what they stumble at. Even Christ said, "Father forgive them. They do not know what they do." Thank God, that old life is dead to me. 

We are born again because we were dead in our sins.  Death waited for us patiently. But Christ made us born again and made us new.  Gave us new life. You grow in Christ when you surrender you new life to Christ.

You may be alive but not feel alive. Just like you can be in a room full of people but feel alone. You grow in Christ when you call upon his Spirit to MOVE through you with purpose, power and might. 

When you are a prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ, you are not free to do all the filth of the world. You are not free to live in shame no more. Your his prisoner, called to follow him. You grow in Christ when you are committed for life, to Christ.

This one puts a smile on my face, because one of the biggest secrets in Christianity is the FREEDOM found in Christ. You grow in Christ when you stop wrapping yourself in the law and the Son of God sets you free. It takes some Christians a lifetime to figure out they are FREE in Christ.  Some never figure it out. Thank God I figured it out sooner than later.  It was the FREEDOM I found in Christ that allowed me to leave everything behind and become a Missionary. I didn't care if I was alive or dead, I just wanted to be closer to Christ. He set me free. Of all these identities, I pray you discover this one first!

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery (Throught he law)." ESV, - Galatians 5:1

Wether we are castaways or not, rejected by man or not, accepted or not, we belong to Christ. You grow in Christ when your honor does not come from man.  It comes from your Father, through Christ.

Sometimes being a Christian is hard.  You feel the pressure. Serving the Lord is when you feel this the most.  You grow in Christ when you keep your eyes steadfast on the One who is seated on the throne.  Christ.

"Victory is yours!" they say. But you don't feel victorious.  Your bank account doesn't match the phrase. You grow in Christ when you start in the valley and climb the mountain with Christ.  It is in the journey and the battles that we grow stronger. Wiser. Every day he is molding you and shaping you and transforming you into his glorious image. Let him do what he is doing. He has already proven himself victorious.  Trust him.

God gives each of us different talents. We serve him according to the strength that he gives us. When the Apostles were beaten and thrown in jail they were doing what? Singing. You grow in Christ when you beomce so dependant on Christ, you just want HIM and you do not care about the pain or the persecution or the fiery trials. You swim out just far enough where you know you can't swim back.  Your in the deep. It's Christ alone.

Sometimes I mention things like this to people and it flies over their head.  That is because when you are a new Christian your NOT willing to be struck down. :) It is after your grow in Christ, and your ready for power from on high, then you become more stronger like Christ, and are willing to pick up your cross and follow him. The cost doesn't matter.

This doesn't mean broke.  We shouldn't be known as the LAZY PEOPLE. You grow in Christ when you are a servant of Christ. Counting others more  significant than yourself is a quality of the rich in spirit. To the world we look poor.  But great is our reward! 

The biggest commidity that money can buy is time.  We are beyond rich because of our inheritance in Christ. This doesnt mean our riches are measured in the next life.  It is the opposite. You grow in Christ when you start living with Christ "now". Don't wait for eternity to start enjoying him. That is a secret money cannot buy.

Light can never have true fellowship with darkness. That is why we are called to come out from among them and be seperate. Christ loved sinners and we should too. Not fitting in with darkness is a good thing. It means your changing. You grow in Christ when your rejected and you understand WHY. 

We are accepted. Meditate on that for an hour. You grow in Christ when you silent your soul and listen to Christ.  The cost he paid for you to be accepted, should fuel you to live for him.

A disciple is a dedicated follower, a dedicated student.  We are all disciples of something, someone. You grow in Christ when you stay faithful to Christ and follow Christ. A disciples shows his dedication because he creates structure in his actions.  Make a plan to serve Christ.  Create structure. Defend the Kingdom. Do great things!  

There comes a time in a persons life that they grow in wisdom.  The cycle of life turns as we share our wisdom with others.  We grow in Christ when we seek Godly wisdom and then share it. Have dominion over the earth. Be the salt of the earth. Grow in favor with God and man. Then teach the next generation.

A Pastor is a Shephard over the flock of Christ. But a Shephard feeds the sheep.  We are called to be clothed in Christ. Moms, you too! My mom led me in the sinners pray at age 7 becuase she was clothed in Christ.  Have you ever asked your children if they were interested in calling upon the name of Jesus to become their Savior? (Romans 10:9-10) Moms, Dads, live in your identity found in Christ! Don't play the role. You grow in Christ as you feed the sheep of Christ. 

A missionary is person willing to leave everything and everyone to spread the Gospel. You grow in Christ when you spread the name of Christ.  But think about this one carefully. Jesus said, "Where my servant is, there I am." Don't let this one pass you. Jesus is everywhere.  Yes, we both know this.  But "Where my servant is, there I am." What is the differance? Where his servant is... He shows up in a different way. His Holy Spirit comes upon his Servants in a mighty and powerful way when his Gospel is being spread. One day, I was asked 5 minutes before I went on stage to preach, "What are you preaching on today?"  I said "I have no idea".  I just preached JESUS that night and 60 minutes later, I baptized 26 people on the spare of the moment. - Fully dressed, into the water.  Where the servant of Christ is, there his presence is.  You want to grow deeply in Christ, serve Christ by spreading his Gospel. Lift up his name.  Many people speak of what they hear, but on this subject, I speak of what I know. 

An Evangelist spreads the Gospel on the move.  Everywhere. Anywhere. He does not stay in one place. In doing this, you meet many people, many personalities.  U get many questions. You grow in Christ when you bring his message to the rich, the poor, the prisoner, the young, the old, the mame, the sick, the blind.

Identifying as a Christian is just 1 way we confess Chrsit before man.  Living as a Christian is alot harder.  You grow in Christ when you are not ashamed of the name of Christ. 

Chrstians should not have a sucidal relationship with Christ. You grow in Christ when you are willing to die for the "cause of Christ".  That usually means the spreading of the Gospel. What Gospel?  The good news that the sins of the world have been paid for by a SAVIOR for the sinner who is SUICIDAL. Beloved,  we should be willing to die so another can live. That is being clothed in Christ. 

His mercies are new every morning.  Everyday is another day to enjoy with him. You grow in Christ when you let the Spirit of Christ renew you. A just man falls 7 times and then gets back up.  How?  Because he drinks from the well that never runs dry. Let his Spirit renew you daily.

We are crucified with Christ, therefore it is no longer us who live but Christ who lives in us.  You grow in Christ when you surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Let him live through you.

I can't hold a tune when singing. I know I am his vessel, his instrument.  But singing is not a talent he gave me. Trust me. You grow in Christ when you become his vessel and you use the talents he gave you to live for him. Glorify him through those talents.  Bring honor to his name through those talents.

We are his workmanship. If you hate your sin and you hate the molding process, guess what? That is him working on you. It sucks, because he is changing the last 2 decades of destructive habits that you do day in and day out. You grow in Christ when you just let him do what he desires to do to you. Change you. How rotten would he be if he just let you stay the way you were? You know what I am talking about.

You grown in Christ when you are confident that he who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it.

When you are in Christ Jesus, I am convinced that nothing will ever seperate you from the love of our God. You grow in Christ when you allow your emotions, your heart and your mind, to rest in his love for you, then allow it to fuel you, to position yourself under his Lordship. I am convnced. I am pursuaded that he is worthy. I dont follow him because he is my Mothers God.  I follow him because he is mine.

God is Holy.  I am a Pastor and a Missionary but I am not Holy. When I was young, I knew something really big had seperated me from my God. When I realized I needed a Savior, I realized only one person claimed he could reconcile my wrongs and make everything right. Christ Jesus. You grow in Christ when you tell others they can be reconciled too.

I am knowledgeable when it comes to the Holy Scriptures. I am also knowledgeable in life.  Balance Biblical wisdom in your life with Earthly wisdom too. You grow in Christ when you study the Scriptures, learn more about Christ, and seek Earthly wisdom. Solomon was the wisest of all Kings because he asked for wisdo to lead Gods people and Earthly wisdom too.  God respected his wish. What did you ask God for this morning?. 

Be patient to others, be patient to your loved ones, be patient with yourself. Slow down. Slow your thoughts down. Seek balance with your mind and body. And don't forget to be patient with those not up to your IQ level. Be patient with those far from God.  You grow in Christ when you are patient with sinners, like Christ was.

Always be kind.  One of my favorite preachers said he would always ask his wife, after he preached, "Was I kind to them?" You grow in Christ when you show people love by being KIND to them. This is an art that is getting lost so qucikly.

It is hard to forgive others, especially when you know they need a Mike Tyson punch in the face. Forgive others.  Forgive yourself. You grow in Christ when you are FREE to practice forgiveness.

Have I ever met Jesus?  No. But he said, "Blessed are those who believe in me though they have not seeen me." Do I know 1,000,000% Heaven is my eternal home?  No.  But I bet my life it is because my hope is in a Jewish Man from Nazareth who rose from the dead. You grow in Christ when you bet EVERYTHING on Christ, that he alone is enough.

Be on guard. Be alert. Be careful in where you go, what you do, why you do what you do.  You have enemies out there. Use Godly wisdom. You grow in Christ when you allow discretion and sound judgement to preserve you. 

You would be suprised how many people do not have they gift of understanding. You want this gift? Then ask for a heart of compassion. You grow in Christ when you are "concerned" about the things that matter to Christ. People matter to Christ..

A wise man picks and chooses his words very carefully.  When the world approaches you, they need real answers. Be direct. Be clear. Tell them what they need to hear, not want they want to hear. You grow in Christ when you let Christ speak through you. This is why we guard our heart, guard our mind, so we can distinguish between the whisper who lies and the still calm voice that guides us.

When your kids stop talking to you for the sake of the Gospel, when your friends slow down calling you, when you don't fit in anymore at your job, when you sacrifice the comfortable world you lived in, for a life that honors Christ, it's normal to feel BROKEN.  As a Missionary I can tell you from experience... You grow in Christ when Christ is enough.

What makes you whole?  What makes you feel complete.  What holds your life together? You grow in Christ when you know that not one molecule in your body is rouge, becasue you are complete in Christ.

As Christians we move with purpose. We  work.  We complete tasks. We play. We worship. We do it all with a sincere Spirit that lives in us. We are earnest for more.  We have to be. We are called to be the light of the world. You grow in Christ when you maake a sincere effort to do whatever you do.  Why?  Because you belong to a sincere God.

Often I feel satisfied in God. Complete.  But how can I truly feel complete when those around me are in need, including my own children? You should listen to the passion inside you for "others", because then it will guide you to help others.  You grow in Christ when you allow your hands and feet to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Kindness is not weakness.  Meakness is not being a push-over. They spit on Christ for "1" night. In Revelations, John saw the REAL Jesus, then fell on his face as if he was dead. That is how scared he was. And rightly so. Christ is not someone you spit upon. You grow in Christ when you learn the times and places to be meek. 

Being humble makes life so much easier. I don't tell people all my titles when I see them.  I don't tell all my stories. I enjoy letting them show me their favorite things and tell me their favorite stories.  You grow in Christ when you love others and count others more significant than yourself. When you show honor to them, you show honor to Christ.

His goodness is refreshing.  Christ told the woman at the well, "... then neither do I condemn you." Stop thinking you are gonna be condemend for every little thing you have done. His New Testament, his New Covenant is this. "As far is the east is from the west, I will remember their sins no more."  That, my friend, is refreshing. You grow in Christ when you spread his New Coveneant to those who have no hope. Help them feel refreshed so they can glorify Christ with you! 

I dont preach, teach and serve Christ 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.  But my life on a whole is devoted to one cause. Live with Christ and through his power, glorify Christ. You grow in Christ when you devote yourself to Christ. You win, you lose, you rise, you fall, you advance, you retreat... it doesn't matter. You're devoted.

Christ said, "The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence." After reading that, I didn't stumble off like nothing happened.  It stabbed me in my heart.  So I decided I wanted to be a defender of the name of Christ. You grow in Christ when you pick a position in the Church of Christ and become a Defender of the Kingdom of Heaven.

You grow in Christ when you study truth, live a life of truth, fight for the spreading of truth and you reconcile people to Christ who is the Eternal Truth. I used to hear about Jesus Freaks.  I never understood that. Christ didn't act like a freak. Neither did his angels or prophets or his Father. Don't be a JESUS FREAK! Be a person who walks the way of TRUTH. Give honor and strength to the Lord. Help people discover the truth of life. Teach them why they were created. What is their purpose. What awaits them for eternity. That is some wisdom that is GOOD for you and is full of truth.

Be careful if you go through life with no sorrow.  I have met people who show no sympothy.  If this is you,  ask God to replace your cold heart for a heart of flesh, a heart that cares for others.  You grow in Christ when your heart is full of compassio, like Christ.

Always be moving and abounding in the work of the Lord.  Everything we have and do not have is becasue of him.  His love and kindness endures forever. If you are a Christian, your name is written in a Book the Life. You grow in Christ when you are always rejoicing. When my mom was in a coma on her death bed, while my brothers tried to wake her up, I was asking the Lord to take her.  In my sorrow I was rejoicing "and jealous" because I knew who she would soon be seeing face to face. What held me together that day, was all my fountains are in Christ.  She taught me that. :)

This doesn't mean stand there like a steadfast concrete rock.  lol. It means the opposite.  Always be on the move, but in whatever you do, be steadfast.  You grow in Christ when you are a solid rock like Christ. Be the  foundation people can count on. People are so undependable these days.  One day on a Monday night, Pastor Jim from Waters Church Woonsocket texted me. He asked me if I would  come to the church and pray with him for an hour. I replied, "I will go war with you! Praying with you is the least I can do." That night we ended up praying for over 2 hours I think. Are you steafast in Christ? Are you unmoveable in Christ? I don't think I would be a Missionary today if I didn't first learn to serve Christ in Waters Church Woonsocket over a decade ago. That is where I learned to be steadfast.

Never try to be me.  I certainly do not want to be you.  That is too hard. I just wanna wake up and be me. That doesn't mean I listen to me.  lol - I have the Holy Scriptures. I listen to them. And I have the Holy Spirit. Serve the Lord with the strength he provides for you. Be a doorkeeper in the House of the Lord, or a Missionary.  You grow in Christ when you seek the calling of Christ in your life. Focus on the will of God over you. Increase your talents. Give honor to where honor is due. Always be moving and abounding in the work.

Woe unto you who are full for someday you will hunger. Being born in sin, it is not normal to hunger and thirst for righteousness.  You grow in Christ when you meditate and ask Christ to help you hunger and thirst for righteousnes. You will know he heard you, when you are hungry in your soul for righteousness. 

We should seek more because we were made for more. We  were made for so much more! I think back to many friends who still live in New England.  I left 6 years ago because Gods Spirit called me to move!  Im so happy I did.  I had no idea how much more I could do in Christ name. My friend, you grow in Christ when you seek more from Christ.

I am content because the Bible is not about me.  The universe is not about me. Waters Church Guatemala or Orlando, are not about me. Thank God, my LIFE is not about me.  He who is from above is above all. You grow in Christ when you remove you and you are content to let Christ have the pre-eminance. A little secret:  Life is alot easier.

The only person ever forsaken by the Father was Christ. As a missioanry, you are called to leave your children, friends, family etc. When we follow Christ sometimes we feel like we are forsaken by man. It can hurt, but I find peace because they only thing I never want to happen, is to wake up in the morning and that voice that is always there, is gone. His voice is all I have. It guides me, speaks to me, comforts me and councils me. You grow in Christ when you are forsaken by man for the glorification of Christ. 

I'm ignored by the world. I'm ignored by the enemies of God. I'm ignored by lovers of unrighteousness. King David told his soul often to be silent. You grow in Chrsit when you tell your soul to be quiet, you ignore it, then yield to the Spirit of Christ. 

One day I was asked to run Waters Church Guatemala. Then 5 years later, asked to run Waters Church Orlando.  Then I realized I don't have an official home. Nor do I need one.  Nor do I ever want one.  I love being free and knowing that the earth is my home.  I lived 46 years inprisoned to New England. Do you want to grow in Christ? Seriously? Then find the secret of FREEDOM found in Christ. When you do, the chains will fall off and I promise you this. You will have a new song in your heart because you are HOMELESS in Christ.

Im fearfully made.  Im created in the image of my Father. I have the power to take another mans life. I am wonderfully made.  My Heavenly Father found favor in me and today I have a BEAUTIFUL wife. Somehow she found me attractive. lol.  Im wonderfully made by a fearful and wonderful God. You grow in Christ, when you live your identity, given to you by Christ.

It doesnt matter how much money you have or the size of your muscles.  We all have some form of talent fit for our King. Day by day we are being trasnformed into the image of Christ, our King. Day by day we are being fit better and better for service to our King. You grow in Christ when you trust that you were created, fit and designed for Christ.

Christ is everywhere at all times.  He sees everything. He knows everything. He governs everthing. If you are his child then you belong to him. He is in you.  You are in him.  He has made you a King and a Priest. The Kingdom of Heaven is for you, not against you. You grow in Christ when you set your affections on things above and you are spiritually seated in Heavenly places with Christ. 

Christ said while he was in the world, he was the light of the World. Then he told his disciples that they would become the light of the world. You grow in Christ the more you do things that actually "reflect" that you truly are one of the lights in this world. 

Sometimes I tell struggling Christians to start flourishing!  Stop showing up to church late. Show up 30 minutes early. When you arrive Small Group, bring a pizza for once! When you visit family, bring a gift.  Go talk to your uncle. Listen to him talk.  Start showing initiative! Start being the first one to work and the last one to leave. Start exceling in life. Don't just slide through and be the last one to finish the race. When people think of you, they should think of how good God is. You grow in Christ when you are salt of the earth. Be the flavor of the earth. 

If Christ dwells in your body, don't use the same tongue to curse and then bless him.  Monitor what you put in your body! Make your body a healthy dwelling place for the Spirit of God. Seek peace. Your body and mind work alot better in environments of peace. When your body is healthy and you have longevity, you can grow in Christ for many more years to come. 

Christ can mold you into a vessel fit for the masters use in a short period of time, or it can take a life time. For me, it took maybe 45 years for me to finally surrender to him and let his discipline stop. Then I allowed him to have his way with me and his discipleship started. You grow in Christ when your body is a place of rest for Gods spirit to work through. Then you will find rest.

Jesus said "I am in the Father and the Father is in me". Today people are in everything but Christ. They are in a relationship. They live in L.A.  They are in debt. They are in Sports.  They are in trouble. They are in to something new. You grow in Christ when your identity is simply in Christ.  Do that and you will become a new creature.

I'm someone who likes history because it's the history of something that helps me define the character of it.  Sometimes when I think about my sin, I remember I am made by Christ.  There was no accident when I was made.  If he wanted me to be a sinless robot he would have made me that way. You grow in Christ when you remember WHY he made you - To glorify him.

You were made by Christ and for Christ. He wanted a larger family so he made you. Period. If you think about that, you will conclude that he wanted to love you, talk to you, enjoy you, council you, comfort you, father you and guide you.  You grow in Christ when you live your life for Christ. 

The disciples waited in Jerusalem and then they received POWER from on high. When is the last time you asked for power and then waited for it knowing that it was coming?  You cannot grow in Christ without the power of Christ, through the Spirit of Christ. 

Christian, you need his strength.  Walk in his Spirit. Walk by his Spirit. 'You cant do all thing in life, but the things you need to do will get done, so much easier, through Christ.  This is why Pauls said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." You grow in Christ by doing all things through Christ. 

I can fall. Get up. Do great. Do bad. Walk in the light. Stumble in the dark. Be married.  Be single.  I am his. Honestly, thats all that matters to me. Live through that. You grow in Christ when you know you belong exclusively to Christ.  All other relationships and things should be secondary.

You are not just his. He is  yours. That changes the whole game.  If he is yours, then the Kingdom is yours. The Holy Spirit is yours. The Father is yours! The Angels - They are all yours! You grow in Christ when you realize the power behind you is far greater than you could ever think or imagine.

If you are a Christian now, then you know, before Christ you were lost.  Since the beginning of time God has chased man and all man has ever done is run from him. Sometimes I think back to when I was lost. It puts a smile on my face because I will always remember how Christ found me, where  he found me, and what I was doing when he found me. Because of his great LOVE for me, I am now his servant and daily I seek his grace, forgiveness and his power. You grow in Christ when help Christ find other lost people, who were just like you.

I once was lost... but now I am found. Ugh. Thank God. The greatest commaIndment of all time is to love the Lord thy God with all your heart soul, strength and mind.  Most Christians act like loving your neighbor and the Great Commission are the greatest commandments. They are not. That is religion. The greatest commandment of all time is loving God. Don't forget to love the true lover of your soul first. Then you can love your neighbor.  Then you can explore the Great Commission. Mankind quickly can turn the Great Commission into a business and forget to love the Lord his God. My last point in this study is this... You grow in Christ when your love for Christ can be measured. :)