2013, time to continue to grow

Wow it's been a long time...I promise to be better at the blogging here in 2013

I love being a husband.  I love being a Father.  My wife and our three children are my world.  That world is a joy and a blessing.  I am thankful that God had blessed me with that world. 

It has been a quite a journey watching my marriage grow as it has been with watching my children grow, too.  I remember when it was everything seemed simple being a bachelor but then I got married.  My home went from three to five (six if we count the dog and knowing my wife and children I will).  I have grown as a husband…not sure how my wife has put up with me these last 9 years of marriage (10 if you can’t dating and I will because that will earn me cool brownie points with my wife).  I believe she has been able to put up with because she too has grown as a wife.  I remember when my little guy was “iddy biddy” and now he is going on 11 years old.  He has finally admitted his like in girls. 

Sometimes I wish time would slow down a little but that isn’t happening.  I wish my kids would stay small just a little longer but they just keep growing.  I’m not the young man I once was and my body will attest to that notion.  I am closing in on 40 and I finally am starting to see gray hair.  Sweet!  I guess I’m saying all that to say this:  It’s natural to grow.  It’s true.  Now unfortunately in our world people are born with certain defects that cause them not to grow or the like.  But that defect is unnatural. 

It’s natural to grow in my walk in Christ.  I should be different than I was 10 years ago…5…2…6 months ago.  What I mean is that my faith should be stronger.  My knowledge of the scriptures should be better and stored in my heart (Psalms 119:11).  My willing to be patient, to love, to be graceful, to forgive all should be growing and continuing to grow.  I should be able to lead others to Christ on a daily basis.  My character in front of people and behind closed doors should be something that makes God smile.  I start standing where God calls me and I as I grow, I refuse to compromise God's Word for being comfortable.  I should be living a righteous life that is bringing the Father glory (Matthew 5:14-16).  In fact if I’m growing in my walk...it will be known by the fruit that I’m producing and leaving behind.    

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

-John 15:1-11

Jesus tells us 10 times in that passage above to “Abide in Him”.  That’s very significant.  Hey if you ever done gardening or farming…if something you've planted isn't growing and is no good and in the way of other produce growing…it’s thrown out, burned.  The evidence that you as a Christian and that you are growing is the fruit that you are producing.  This brings the Father glory.  That fruit is your personal growth in Christ and leading of souls to Jesus.  My challenge to you today is reflect upon yourself.  Are you growing in Christ or are you content with being complacent? Are you producing fruit that is bringing the Father glory or that’s going to have you cut off and thrown in the fire?  That’s my thought and challenge for the day.