Posted on Wednesday, March 07, 2018 at 10:34 a.m. (EST) & 09:04 p.m. (IST),  MARCH 2018 Edition

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“Growth Rests On Wonderful Truth's Help! (G.R.O.W.T.H)”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” (Mark 1:12-13, NIV)

Observations:
I asked myself in whose COMPANY Jesus was according to v.12?

  1. The Spirit

  2. Satan

  3. Wild Animals

  4. Angels

Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what role each played and the significance?

Point 1: The Spirit

I found it very interesting that right after the voice told Jesus, ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’, 'At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert.'

This is very significant for me because what came to my mind is before the Spirit sent Jesus into the desert; He was built up with love and support, after being acknowledged as His Son, by the Voice. Right after being baptized, Jesus could have been sent to the desert but He was not. Instead, He was built up first with love and support.

(To be continued...)

Implications:
I asked myself what is the implication for my life?
What I have learned is that Father God will never send us into a situation without equipping, enabling, and empowering us. This is what Father God did for Jesus when Jesus was built up with love and support before being led into the desert by the Spirit. Only after that did the temptation begin for Jesus.

I remember when I first became a follower of Jesus Christ, I was built up so much in love, encouragement, and support. I felt so much loved by Jesus. Jesus was helping me to grow in Him. After awhile, the testing began but by then I already felt so loved by Jesus and felt His continued presence in my life. Even if we do not feel His presence He still is there, for when He comes in, He will never leave us or forsake us. I am so thankful that right after I became a Christian I was not plunged into temptation but protected from it. But being protected all our life from temptation does not really help us grow as a Christian.

It is in adversity that our true colors and character shines forth. I was built up enough that the Lord allowed temptation to occur in my life. I wish that it could be like it was in the beginning but that would not help in my growth. I am so thankful how the Lord Jesus handled me as His new follower. I am so thankful for how the Spirit has worked in my life and will continue to work in my life.

I ask you now dear friend, what determines your growth in the Lord?
Dear friend, your growth in the Lord is determined by where the Spirit leads you and how you react to that leading. But remember that the Spirit will never lead you anywhere that is contrary to His Word. So when you say 'I feel the Spirit's leading in doing this or that' you better test it with God's Word to make sure it is not your own desires or temptations that are creeping up but it is the Spirit of the Lord leading you. When the Spirit leads you, if you react positively and have a 'The Lord will not give me more than I can handle' attitude and seek the Lord through the leading, then you will know that you are growing in the Lord. But, if the Spirit leads you and you react negatively to the Spirit's leading by fighting for your own way then that will determine your growth too. But, this time there will be a negative effect on your growth.

This morning, I felt the Lord wanted me to get up and spend time with Him in prayer and His Word even though it was 4:40 am. I wish I had done that but fell asleep. I lost 3 precious hours I would have had if I had just followed the Spirit.

Friend, I used to think a lot that 'if this person were not acting this way, then of course my attitude will be good', 'if this were not happening in my life, then of course I can be joyful', 'if I had all the things they had, then of course I won't have to complain', etc. You see the point. When we focus on ourselves, the result will be deadness and selfishness for a selfish heart cannot produce selflessness. It will hinder our growth in the Lord when we react negatively to our situations no matter what they are.

When the Spirit leads us as He led Jesus, there will always be preparation and we need to remember that preparation for that preparation will help us pass the test we are put in. God will never test us without equipping, enabling, and empowering us.  You have to prepare for tests to pass them; the more you prepare you will even be able to ace them with the Lord on your side. It is the same when it comes to our growth in the Lord. Thank you Jesus. But this is only one dimension on how our growth in the Lord is determined.

Growth in the Lord Jesus can never happen without putting into practice what you learn by spending daily time in prayer with the Lord, spending time in His Word revealed in the Bible during your personal Quiet Times, spending time in small group Bible study, and being part of a local church for community. When you have Deeper Faith, Stronger Community, and Greater Impact it is a fruit of your growth in the Lord. To be able to have that, you need to be able to find the right church that will help you in your growth. When we have growth in the Lord, it is because of our time with Him and in community. Growth in the Lord is also revealed through the ministries we listen to and watch that are biblical.

"Growth rests on Wonderful Truth's help! (G.R.O.W.T.H)/"What determines your G.R.O.W.T.H in the Lord?"

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I thank you so much I learned how you were led by the Spirit into the desert after you were built up in love and support by Father God. That really excites me Lord because it tells me that the Spirit will not lead us anywhere without us first being prepared for it. You provide us the preparation for our growth no matter what situation you lead us into. Thank you for being there for us. We need your help to see things positively remembering 'All things work together for good to them that love you God and are fitting into your plans!'. Also, thank you so much that our growth in you is determined by the situations we are in and how we face and cope with them. Help Oh Lord. Take our fears and guide us by your love for You are our Wonderful Truth. You know where you want to lead us and we need your help. Thank you Lord that your Word says, "You will not give us more than we can handle!" Thank you Jesus. I pray that you help us grow in you Oh Lord. We need your help. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Pray the prayer below or use your own words to invite Jesus Christ into your life and have a personal relationship with Him. Now is the time of Salvation. Don't wait. 

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I read that you alone can give me access to Heaven and be delivered from the bondage of sin and death. I want that Lord. I believe you died on the cross for my sin and rose again to give me new life. I believe your Blood shed on the cross saves me when I turn to you. So I turn to you now with all that I am and ask you to make something of my life for you. Please be my Lord and Personal Savior. Please come into my heart and make my heart your home. Thank you Jesus. Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering me. Thank you for delivering me from my sin as I am sorry. I love you Jesus. I need you. Help me Jesus! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help!

May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His love now and forever! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory@gmail.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Express Your View

 

 

Mark 1:10-11: "Who will you P.R.A.I.S.E publicly today in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (March 06, 18, 10:02 a.m.)

Mark 1:9: "What will you take a S.T.A.N.D for in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (March 03, 18, 10:39 a.m.)

Mark 1:4-8: "Who do you P.O.I.N.T to in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (March 03, 18, 10:39 a.m.)

Mark 1:1-4: "Why bother seriously with P.R.O.P.H.E.C.Y everyday?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Jan 04, 18, 7:19 p.m.)

 

 
   
 

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