Go Beyond

   In his letter to the Philippian believers, Paul wrote: “Not that I have already obtained it , or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:12). While Paul was satisfied with Christ, he was not satisfied with his Christian life. Watchman Nee said that all who aspire to spiritual maturity must maintain Paul’s attitude in Philippians 3:12. Warren Wiersbe agrees. He wrote, “A sanctified dissatisfaction is the first essential to progress in the Christian race.” Another commentator has written, “There is no progress possible to the man who does not see and mourn over his defects. ‘The soul of improvement is the improvement of the soul;’ and it is only a keen sense of need that stimulates the soul to continuous and repeated efforts. The ideal is ever ahead of the actual, revealing its defects and exciting to fresh and more earnest endeavors.” Lloyd John Ogilvie adds, “Satisfaction is a sure sign of an impasse of immobility. The evidence of the Spirit’s work in us is an urgent dissatisfaction with our present level of growth.”

   In December 2008, I posted a series on Personal Growth.  If you have not read these posts, I hope you will take a moment to do so. I offer the outline of each post below. Just click on the headings to read more about these practical and cool ways to grow in your walk with God.

Sharpen Your Mind
1. Read one chapter of Proverbs daily.
2. Memorize your favorite chapter of Scripture.
3. Bone up on apologetics.
4. Exercise your brain.
5. Write your own creed.
6. Learn conversational phrases in another language.
7. Research the answers to tough questions skeptics ask.
8. Learn to recite the alphabet backwards.
9. Have a friendly debate with a friend.
10. Mentor a younger believer.

Soften Your Heart
11. Focus on others.
12. Listen to what others have to say.
13. Keep a “count your many blessings” journal.
14. Write at least one thank you note per week.
15. Send a Valentine to a senior adult.
16. Invite someone who is lonely to share a meal with your family.
17. Pray daily for others.
18. Make more room in your life for the least of these.
19. Spend less on yourself and give more to charitable causes.

Strengthen Your Hands
20. Participate in a local service initiative through your church.
21. Prepare a meal for someone who is ill.
22. Assemble a “Candy for Cops” basket.
23. Volunteer at a local assistance ministry.
24. Go shopping for a homeless person.
25. Babysit for a single parent.
26. Mow the lawn of a friend or neighbor who is out of town.
27. Assemble a new parent’s kit for the arrival of a newborn.
28. Adopt a “grandfriend.”

Stretch Your Horizons
29. Open your eyes.
30. Get on your knees.
31. Move away from the table.
32. Get a clue.
33. Break the silence.
34. Roll up your sleeves.
35. Dig into your pockets.
36. Pack your bags.

Simplify Your Life
37. Learn to say no.
38. Plan ahead.
39. Reduce debt.
40. Stop upgrading.
41. Clear the clutter.
42. Stop maintaining.
43. Turn off and tune in.
44. Do the math.