Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. 1 Cor. 2:12
JULY 2020
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SISTERLY LOVE
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Why one sister-sister duo is giving new meaning to the term Philia love
TRUSTING GOD THROUGH INFERTILITY
MEET THE PASTORS OF REVIVE CHURCH
IT’S TIME TO SEEK THE LORD!
OUTPOUR MAGAZINE FOUNDER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Krystion Nelson COPY EDITOR
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CREATIVE DESIGN EDITOR Donald Currie, 12/24 Media
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Tavia Jackson, Tavia J Beauty
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY Donald Currie, 12/24 Media
JULY 2020 CONTRIBUTORS Charles Rose Jr. Ashley Cooper Michelle Tillman Traci McCombs Michael Shamberger
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“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.� 1 John 4:11
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Contributors Traci M c Co m b s
Ch a r l es R o s e, Jr.
Traci desires to shine a light on the unique infertility or pregnancy loss challenges women face, providing hope and healthy coping mechanisms through a solid foundation in scripture. She lives in Stuttgart, Germany and attends International Bible Church.
Charles helps others understand their career and calling, and how to do it all in service to the Lord. He lives in Charlotte, NC and attends Have Life Church.
LO V I N G G O D W H O L E H E A R T E D LY Meet the writers of this issue Want to become a contributor? Visit us at w w w.outpourmagazine.com
Michelle is a poet and inspirational speaker who turns her life experiences into creative writing and spoken word. She lives in Charlotte, NC and attends Have Life Church.
Michael, a former coach and now consultant, urges God’s people that now is the time to seek the Lord with our whole hearts. He lives in Fayetteville, NC and attends Covenant Love Church.
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Ashley explores Old Testament scripture and finds hope and freedom in God’s faithful promises. She lives in the Charlotte, NC area and attends Transformation Church.
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Contents 08
In Every Issue:
Keeping the FA I T H
PASTOR SPOTLIGHT
P A G E
FAMILY FEATURE STORY
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THE CHRISTIAN BOOKSHELF EDITOR’S LETTER
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Outpour Magazine Contributors
M A G A Z I N E
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Pastor Spotlight
Meet Founder and Senior Pastor
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Tr u s t i n g G o d T h r o u g h I n fe r t i l i t y
How can you trust God through what
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Sisterly Love Fe a t u r e
Two sisters share about their
John Das and Co-Pastor Roslyn Das
seems like an impossible situation?
sisterly bond, overcoming
of Revive Church in Charlotte, NC.
Read from writer Traci McCombs to
obstacles and their love for Jesus.
learn more about her and her husband’s journey of faith.
T R U S T I N G
G O D
I moved my eyes from beyond the river over to him. My forced smile tried to hide the carousel of fear going around and around in my mind. Yes, I had thought about his request, numerous times in fact. But as a Christian, I was ashamed that the fear of another miscarriage was testing my faith--Every. Single. Day. My jaw tightened behind my closed lips before I managed to say, “I’ve thought about it.” I then returned my gaze to the river.
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by Traci McCombs “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
T
(Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)
he humid 4th of July day was turning over to a cool summer night as we crossed the gravel path to the Potomac Riverfront. My husband Adam laid a light jacket on the grass for us to share.
I knew Adam wanted a more substantive answer but he kept silent. Watching the sun slowly fade behind the endless row of buildings across the river I finally whispered, “I’m so afraid.” I took a deep breath to suppress the tears.
I’m afraid of having a third miscarriage. I’m afraid the bladder cancer will come back. I’m afraid my body can’t carry a baby full-term. I’m afraid I’m going to pass down my genetic disorder to my future children.
“Are you having fun?” he asked.
I’m afraid that the past is an indication of our future.
Leaning back on the sloped ground I looked over the river towards the Arlington National Cemetery. The weekend was full of adventures. We took a Riverboat cruise on the Potomac, visited George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and watched the Washington Nationals beat the Giants at Nationals Park. The only thing left was the National Mall fireworks display that evening.
I exhaled deeply as the tears fell down my cheeks, thankful for the darkening sky. Adam scooted closer to me and wrinkled our jacket. “Traci, I’m afraid too. But we need to trust God right now. We need to trust his plan for us, and I think that’s to have a baby naturally.”
“Yeah, I’ve had a really fun time with your family and I’m glad they could join us this year.” “I’m glad to hear it. I am too,” he said. After a few seconds of silence, Adam asked me a question. It’s a question he’s wanted an answer to for a long time, something he’s patiently waited for. “Traci, have you thought about what I said? About us trying to get pregnant naturally one more time?”
A few weeks earlier, I shared something very important with Adam. I told him that God spoke a word to me a few days after my second miscarriage; She will be okay. For three months I kept that promise tucked in my heart until I gained the courage to share it with him after
T R U S T I N G
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You too can confront your fears with action, and experience the freedom that comes with belief!
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over the nation’s capital, I made a choice to address my misplaced fear. No longer did I want to be held captive by the laundry list of past experiences or possible future woes. I finally recognized my thoughts for the sins they were (Matthew 8:26) which freed me to trust God (Philippians 4:19), to walk in His ways (Psalm 128:1) and listen for His voice:
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3 NIV). Sometimes, to rid yourself of misplaced fear, you must act in faith before you feel the faith (Mark 9:23). My life was changed forever when I chose to act in faith before I felt the faith. After two miscarriages and a cancer diagnosis, we tried naturally to have a child one more time. I thank God for my beautiful daughter Morgan, conceived on that 4th of July. Every. Single. Day. More than that, I’m grateful that I realized my Savior is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow; no matter my circumstances or life’s outcomes.
photos provided by the mccombs family
Traci McCombs is a fertility blogger with her first book in progress, “My Road2Motherhood, A Journey of Faith,” forthcoming Fall 2020. Her goal is to shine light on the unique infertility or pregnancy loss challenges women face and provide hope and healthy coping mechanisms through a solid foundation in scripture. She’s a Christ follower and military spouse who currently lives in Stuttgart, Germany with her husband Adam, rainbow baby Morgan, and son Micah. Follow her and her incredible journey at Road2Motherhood.com.
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Jessica and Kelli Stroud
SISTERLY LOVE FEATURE STORY
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Photographer: Donald Currie, 12/24 Media MUA: Tavia Jackson, Tavia J Beauty
JS:
Outpour Magazine: Tell us a little bit about KS: yourselves: where did you guys grow up? Jessica Stroud: Kelli Stroud: JS:
OM: Who was the favorite child? KS:
OM: What are some of your best memories growing up? JS:
KS: OM: Was it because you were bad or to prevent you from being bad? KS:
JS: KS:
JS:
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OM: Your Parents have been married for 41 years - what a blessing! What is it about their relationship or parenting that OM: His hand was on you, that’s for sure. inspires you both, especially considering That’s good though - that’s real talk. God how independent, hardworking and doesn’t promise everything will be easy accomplished you both are? but He does promise He’ll be there with us JS: every step of the way. JS:
KS:
OM: You both are extremely accomplished. Jessica, you are an engineering graduate of North Carolina A&T and recently finished your MBA at UNC-Chapel Hill. KS: Kelli, you studied nursing at Winston-Salem State University and recently received your doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of South Alabama. That’s amazing! How has God impacted your educational pathways and career choices? KS:
OM: Sounds like God strategically placed people in your life to help you even take that first step. KS:
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OM: Jessica, in 2003 you were diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. How has God been with you during this diagnosis, up to today, 17 years later? JS:
OM: Speaking of your sister - you two are really close, being only two and a half years apart, best friends even. You often talk about “the adventures of J&K.” How has your faith in God impacted your sisterly relationship? JS:
KS:
JS: KS: JS:
OM: That’s a blessing! Kelli, how did Jess’ diagnosis affect you? KS:
OM: Oh wow. JS:
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OM: So Jess, how did God help you through this? JS:
KS:
OM: Kelli, how has your faith been foundational in your life? How has God kept you through some of the obstacles you have encountered, such as going after a doctorate while working full-time? KS:
JS:
OM: How has your faith been formative in understanding your identity and who you are in Christ Jesus? JS:
-OM
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Awake Christian Clothing To order visit www.awakechristianclothing.com A D V E R T I S I N G
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C R E A T I V E
W O R K S
Exegesis of Jesus By Michelle Tillman It’s all about Jesus.
Let me wash his feet; His name is so sweet. See, I was given the task of delegating a description of the one who sits at the right hand of the Father. One third of the Trinity, the ultimate demonstration of sacrifice for many. See the encryption of the word Christian comes from the phenomenal name of Jesus!
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I am far unworthy as the voice chosen to speak, on a man who is so unique, without him my life is incomplete.
How can you deny his conception? The Holy Spirit depicted his inception. He was never a part of sin’s digestion - his life is simply a reflection of perfection. He put on the skin of a homosapien, so he could carry on his back the sin of people who will eventually betray him. That’s why we call him Jehovah Nissi - a banner of love and protection. What greater love is that of one who dies, but don’t forget his resurrection. He is Jehovah Rapha, he bore those stripes - he suffered pain; but he is our physician and healer - there is power in his name. Know him, know peace. No him, no peace. See he knew me, before my daddy even met my momma- that’s why I call him Jehovah Shammah, for he is omnipresent. And his presence is a delegation to creation to know at times of war he is Jehovah Shalom my perfect peace, even when my life seems to fall apart, piece by piece by piece. I still honor his name because he is the glue that holds me together.
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W O R K S
He breathed the breath of life in me, my spirit is the bride of Christ in me, he began molding the personality through his one breath before my genealogical bloodline had the sight to see. My steps weren’t ordered last night you see, he dictated the life he would allow me to see. Vision clear and pristine, when my way gets cloudy Jesus is my clarity. What other man can you name who has walked in the sand of this earth, with enough power to demand demons to bow down and blind eyes to see. Time does not run out for Jesus, he is the world’s clock. So let’s synchronize our lives along the path of perfection: He is my Yes, when the world gives rejection. He is my Go, when people tell me No. He is my Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the End to any depression from confession of sin because he opened his arms and died for our transgressions. P A G E
Remember his name, His name is Jesus.
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You should dance like David danced, for the love of Christ is the ultimate
romance. No greater lover could you ever find in another exegesis, than the one of Jesus. Michelle Tillman is a poet and inspirational speaker who turns her life experiences into creative writing and spoken word. After totally surrendering from her “wild party girl” ways, she has a unique ability to capture the hearts of women, who despite their past can see how God can bless their future relationships. After her proposal video went viral on YouTube, she began an online ministry to uplift women of God with inspirational YouTube video content, and is also a podcast host for her show “Booty Call to Bride.” Follow her at https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleTillman
M A G A Z I N E
When you hear me say I do it for the vine, know it’s not a social media fad that makes my heart race, but the One who gives me grace! The vine who turned water into wine, because his spirit is so divine.
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So going forth give him your commitment to walk his way, for when your path gets crooked, he will make your way straight. His river of redeeming blood has made us anew, and our strength he has proven he can renew.
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He is my quiet retreat when life allows me a mountaintop, and my leader in the valley when I am alone in the midst of rain drops.
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Outpour Magazine: Tell us a little bit about yourselves.
OM: Talk to us a little bit more about your ministry journey. OM: Your vision for your ministry is for people to “encounter Jesus in a life-changing way and experience love and transformation through the application of God’s word.” Please talk to us more about your vision through your ministry and why the Bible still matters?
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OM: Pastors, you both highlight the importance of being in communion and fellowship with other believers and this is evident in your small groups, family and youth ministry, and church events. Can you explain why a “Christian community” is so important?
OM: Pastor, in a recent sermon, you mentioned the difference between Christianity and other “good” organizations - that Christianity is not about just doing “good” things for people. Can you expound on the difference between Christanity and “good” organizations and where “Jesus Christ” fits in?
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OM: What would be your advice to those just starting out in ministry?
OM: With that being said, can you talk about the role of the pastor in today’s society?
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-OM
OM: Talk a bit about prayer. Why is prayer still essential in the life of every believer?
K E E P I N G
T H E
F A I T H
Can you trust Him in this season of struggle? Not just trust Him, but anticipate the fulfillment of His promise and the good to come?
K E E P I N G
T H E
F A I T H
Again, I ask you, can you trust God in this season of struggle and anticipate the fulfillment of His promise and the good to come?
K E E P I N G
Because they were anticipating what was to come.
don’t forget to pack your tambourines.
T H E
F A I T H
T H E O L O G Y
Sow Righteousness for yourselves. Sowing means to put into, to give, to contribute, to invest. God commands us to act by sowing. But what is it that we are to sow? Righteousness. Well, we know from the scriptures that our own righteousness is as filthy rags before the Lord (Isaiah 64:6). As Christians we are made righteous (in right standing) because of the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. He, himself is our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Further when we seek “right standing with God” through the gift of salvation and the process of sanctification, we can have what the Bible says in Proverbs 12:28: “In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.” righteousness so that you may “reap the fruit of Seek God on how to sow [His] unfailing love.”
T H E O L O G Y
Reap the fruit of unfailing love. Here is another action verb – reap. In order to sow you have to actively do something. From an agricultural perspective, when it’s time to reap the harvest, if you don’t actually go and do something to bring in the harvest, then you will lose the “reward” of your sowing – that is—the harvest. If the farmer sows corn seed and a crop of corn grows and develops, if he/she does not go reap the crop at harvest time then it dies and becomes rotten in the field. What the farmer was supposed to reap has been lost. Whenever we sow righteousness, according to God’s word, we have a guarantee from the Lord that we will reap unfailing love. What that will look like specifically, I cannot tell you. But I can give you a description of His love. His love will be a mix of His goodness, kindness and faithfulness. God will always be there for you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will supply your every need. He will heal you. He will comfort you. He will strengthen you. He will protect you. He will lead and guide you, and so, so, much more. Psalm 86:5 says, “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.”
When my dad hooked up the plow behind the mule and started plowing the fallow ground, you would see the blade of the plow slide down into the hardened and settled soil. It would go down about six to ten inches turning over the dirt and tearing through roots from the weeds and the grass. What had been upright was now turned over, and what had been underneath was now on top. Roots were exposed to the sun and torn from the soil preventing the penetration of nutrients and water necessary to live. The weeds that had been growing in the light of the sun were now hidden in darkness underneath with the soil lying on top of them. Life for these weeds quickly became broken and abnormal; shaken and chaotic; painful and uncomfortable.
But as bad as this sounds keep in mind the purpose of the plowing. The purpose of the plowing is to prepare the soil for planting, which ultimately brings in your harvest. Plowing the hardened ground was absolutely necessary for creating the texture of soil needed for planting seeds and for reaping a harvest.
And break up your unplowed ground. Here is another action being required of us. I grew up in the country and worked in gardens many, many days of my childhood and youth. I can easily remember my dad plowing the unplowed ground in order to get it ready for us to plant seed and tender baby plants. We must understand that plowing the Before he started plowing the soil, which had hardened, fallow ground of our heart and soul been sitting undisturbed since late fall of the may be very disruptive and painful. previous year, the ground would look at ease with some weeds and grass growing in it.
T H E O L O G Y
Life will not be as it was before the plowing. But the beauty of it all is that the plowing is exactly what is needed for us to be more productive and fruitful in God’s Kingdom. As human beings we generally don’t like change. We like comfort and normalcy, even if we know that it’s not in our best interest or what God would require in our lives. Rather we must welcome the plowing.
that diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 KJV) As busy as our lives are, how often do we take time to slow down and diligently seek the Lord? Notice the word “diligently” there in Hebrews 11:6. To diligently seek the Lord is not something that most of us are taught to do. According to Webster’s dictionary, the word “diligent” is “steady (consistent), earnest (genuine), and energetic (with energy).”
For it is time to seek the LORD. It is time for true believers in Christ to seek the Lord. What does it even mean, to seek the Lord? Here are a few scriptures to help guide us toward that answer: •
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“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven, and say: “We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven.” (Lamentations 3:4042 NIV)
Following after the Lord and living our lives fully according to His ways can be and should be applied to every area of our lives, including in our family, at work, school, church and community. By diligently seeking of the Lord, “Seek the LORD while He may be found; He might even reveal some ways we have that call on him while He is near. Let the wicked are not His ways. forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, We have to be careful about societal standards and He will have mercy on them, and to and ways of living. For God rules according to our God, for He will freely pardon. ‘For my His word, and God and His word do not change. thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:6-9 NIV)
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“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33 KJV)
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“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of them
T H E O L O G Y
God, who created us, has given us tremendous capabilities, skills, thinking and reasoning. But He never intended for us to abandon him, the source of our blessings, in our pursuit of greatness. He wants us to look to Him as we use the many talents and abilities that He has given us. You have eaten the fruit of deception, because you have depended on your own strength. Too many of us are deceived and enjoying deception with no desire for repentance. We have turned away from our Source, our Creator, the One who loves us most. We have turned to other gods, including the god of self for our guidance, direction and dependence. God is not pleased. Rather God is looking for those who will humble themselves, seek His face, repent and pray: “If my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there ready for you: I’ll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 MSG) My brothers and sisters in Christ, it is time to seek the Lord until He comes and showers us again with His forgiveness, His love, and with His presence. Join me and my wife Cynthia, and other believers around our nation and the world in standing in the gap for our world, for our nation, and for the Church.
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How does Satan deceptively use “offense” in the life of a believer? Read this book to find out. Don’t let “offense” move you out of the will of God.
Prepare for spiritual warfare through this extensive study of Ephesian 6 by Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer. Get ready for war!
Learn how the love of God and loving God in return impacts our desire for right relationship with Him and with others. Encounter God’s love in a whole new way!
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Wives use this prayer tool to intercede on behalf of your husband. This book will empower you to give your husband and your family to God!
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Super Bowl Championship Coach Tony Dungy and his wife Lauren talk about their marriage journey and how to keep God first in their relationship.
Understand what it means to live, love and serve like Jesus through this timeless book that started the “what would Jesus do� revolution.
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EDITOR’S FINAL THOUGHTS Everyone’s spiritual journey may be different but the destination should be the same: to have a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For some of us, it might take an experience or encounter that wakes us up and shows us that we are far from God, despite how close we thought we were. For others, our foundation is solid, but God is requiring us to grow even more, to gain a deeper understanding of who He is and what His purpose is for our lives. And yet there are others of us who let obstacles, people, or things stunt our spiritual growth that keep us out of the presence of God and from truly developing the relationship with Him that He so desires. And yet, spiritual maturity does not happen overnight. It takes years to develop a strong and intimate relationship with God. It will require patience, persistence, and consistency to reach the level of spirituality and holiness that God wants us to have for Him and with Him. Just as a natural relationship needs to be cultivated and nurtured, so does our relationship with Christ. So what are some ways that we can enhance our spiritual walk? First you must receive the gift of salvation. You cannot know Jesus and have a relationship with Him until you first surrender your life over to Him. Read Romans 10:9-10 which offers a simple yet tangible prescription for salvation. Furthermore, Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6 HSCB) and you must “yield yourself unto God” (Romans 6:13 KJV). Only by taking this initial step can you began your Christian journey. Next, you must relinquish control to God. Part of the maturing process involves total surrender and obedience to God. You cannot develop spiritually by your own efforts. We must let the Holy Spirit lead and guide us “into all truth” (John 16:13 KJV). Ask God to help you, show you, and teach you how to be the Christian He wants you to be. Spend time in prayer and meditation and ask God to reveal to you the areas where you are weak in your maturity. Also ask God to order your steps (Psalm 37:23) so you will not fall into the temptation of living in your flesh. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:5-6 KJV). And let us not forget to study and meditate on the word of God, which will lead to a renewed mind (Romans 12:2). Everything you desire to know about God and building a relationship with Him is in His infallible word: the Bible. The Bible gives us a road map on how to mature and strive to be more Christ-like. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your word; I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You” (Psalm 119:9,11 HSCB). Only by studying the word of God, will we have a better understanding of who God is and the relationship God desires to have with us. Spiritual growth is further aided through relationships with other Christians. We are meant to live in community with like-minded people. God has placed in your path others who can help guide you and push you into having a better relationship with Him. God wants to see you grow and mature just as much as you desire to do so. Just remember, that it is a process, one that will be both challenging and rewarding. As you embark or continue on your journey towards spiritual maturity, remember that God is with you and for you!
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