Growth

 What an interesting word and concept.  Just what does it really mean?  I think this definition is great:  Development from a simple to a more complex stage.  When we grow physically, it is in my opinion, a much easier process than when we grow as a person. Particularly in areas where more work and discipline are required.  I recall having a significant growth spurt when I was fifteen years of age.  I am 6’5″ tall today.  From the middle of my ninth grade year, up until the beginning of my sophomore year in high school, I grew three inches.  I was growing by leaps and bounds.  I was excited about growing into a bigger young man.  I wanted what the new growth would provide for me.  But, what I did not want was the pain that came with it.  The pain in my left knee was so great that it kept me from being the kind of athlete I wanted to be.  Everybody thought I was faking the pain because I was afraid of the competition.  Well, I was afraid a little, but I would have given it my best shot.  Does this not parallel us growing as a person?  We want to grow and be recognized as a person of character and integrity. But, a lot of the time, we don’t want the pain that comes along with it such as: discipline and structure.  There’s nothing that we can really do about our physical body growing up.  We just have to deal with the pain.  The same is not true about growing as a person.  We can avoid the pain, and fumble around all our life and choose not to grow as a person.  But, what we need to do is face the pain, reap the rewards, and be a help to others.

Rhon Johnson

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 Scripture Reference:

 2 Corinthians 4:16

 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

   We all have responsibilities; there is just no way to get around it. A lot of us shy away from our responsibilities because it requires us to focus all the way through to completion. So, what is your ability to respond?  Do you need to increase your ability to respond to the things that require your attention? We all need to; it is a muscle that should be exercised everyday.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

I Corinthians 4:2

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

This year, we are going to have Friday the 13th several times. Does this day of the year really determine what is going to happen to someone, good or bad? We should never leave our lives to chance, or what may happen in our lives to some silly superstition. We as a people have the ability make our on way. Nothing and no one, especially a particular day of year can determine our lives.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Excuse me while I waste my life.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Luke 17(b) – 18

Come, for all things are now ready , and they all with one consent began to make excuses

     Character is defined as the moral qualities of a man; particularly honesty, integrity, and courage.  Those are some tough areas.  I know I need to grow in all three of these areas.  None of us will ever be able to separate who we are as a person from what we do, especially in private.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Proverbs 20:7

The just man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

It is man’s nature to want a good life without having to go through anything.  Well, that doesn’t add up.  Pressure creates the most valuable stone.  There has to be adversity for us to grow.  Therefore, stand in there, survive, and be made better and stronger for it.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Proverbs 24:10

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

  Accountability is defined as being liable or answerable for whatever.  Can I count on you? When your life is all said and done, what will it have said, and what will you have done?

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Luke 16:2(a)

And he called him, and said to him, how is it that I hear this of you? Give an account of your stewardship.

There are some things that all you can do about them is change you.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Proverbs 10:32

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaks frowardness.

Today, let’s pay attention to the people around us. Someone that you my not be aware of just wants to be noticed by you. Recognizing that they exist could help them decide that life is worth living after all.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Luke 8:30

And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

We should never allow other people to rain on our parade. Here’s what I mean. It takes a lot of mental work to keep a positive attitude in a world where it is just easier to be negative and complain about everything. We all have people in our circle that would fall into the category of a rain maker. You might be a rain maker yourself. Nevertheless, we have to be careful that we don’t allow their negative view of the world to poison us and cause us to become ship wrecked and hopeless. Redirect those that are always painting a dim picture with positive and powerful word, and if they refuse to change, move on before they rain on your parade.

Rhon Johnson

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Scripture Reference:

Proverbs 14:7

Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you perceive that the lips of knowledge are not in him.