Direction Magazine
Direction magazine is the official monthly magazine of the Elim Pentecostal Church.
This high quality magazine provides inspiration, vision and teaching for everyone in Elim and beyond.
Click here to view the latest issue contents.
Why do we...?
Why do we Worship God?
"You must worship the Lord your God; serve only Him."
Matthew 4:10
Why do we have Speaking in Unknown tongues and the Interpretation in the Church?
"So, dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophecy, and don't forbid speaking in tongues. But be sure that everything is done properly and in order."
1 Corinthians 14:39 & 40
Why do we have Audible Praise to God?
"Praise the Lord I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will raise his holy name."
Psalm 103:1
Why do we Sing Songs as well as Hymns?
"Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the holy spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:18-19
How do we Worship God?
"But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship Him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth"
John 4:23-24
Why do we Sing in Tougues and in English?
"Well then, what shall we do? I will do both. I will pray in the spirit, and I will pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I wil sing in words I understand."
1 Corinthians 14:15
Why do we Stand to Sing?
"Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout."
2 Chronicles 20:19
Why are Musical Instruments part of the Worship Service?
"Praise him with a blast of the trumpet; praise him with the lyre and harp! Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;praise him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise him with loud clanging cymbals."
Psalm 150:4
Why do we Clap our Hands?
"Come everyone, and clap your hands for joy! Shout to God with joyful praise!"
Psalm 47:1
Why do we do Prophecy?
"But one who prophesies is helping others grow in the Lord, encouraging and comfronting them"
1 Corinthians 14:3
Why do we Lift Our Hands?
"So whoever you assemble, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy"
1 Timothy 2:8
| Spiritual growth can ultimately be described as becoming more like Jesus. |
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Spiritual growth can ultimately be described as becoming more like Jesus. The Scripture continually affirms that God's goal is for his people to become like his Son, Jesus: Romans 8:29 (NLT) 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Colossians 3:9-10 (NLT) 9 Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord-who is the Spirit-makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. Theologians have used the word "sanctification" to describe this process of spiritual growth. Wayne Grudem defines sanctification as "A progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and more like Christ in our actual lives." This definition is helpful because it tells us that: (a) Spiritual growth is a process that takes time. Though we would like to be instantly changed in all the aspects of our character, this is not how the process works. (b) Spiritual growth is a work of God and of man. This means that there will be no spiritual growth without God's help and there will be no spiritual growth without our effort. If we try to grow apart from God's help and grace, we will fail. If we do nothing and simply assume that growth will "just happen" we will not experience much change. This process is described well in Philippians 2:12-13, which says that Christians should "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling [our part], for it is God who works in you [God's part], both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (c) Spiritual growth always involves increasing freedom from sin. There is one primary obstacle that prevents us from fully enjoying God: sin. Therefore, it does not matter how much Bible knowledge we acquire, how much volunteer work we begin to do for the church, or how spiritual we feel-if we are not becoming increasingly free from sin, we are not really growing. (d) Spiritual growth is becoming like Christ. Jesus not only avoided sin, but he also lived a life of righteousness and blessing to those around him. True Christlikeness is not just avoiding sin, but also loving God and people like Jesus. True spiritual growth always makes us more loving. (Luke Simmons. Devotional thoughts) Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation. <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/d/deltontru130096.html> D. Elton Trueblood What reservations do you have about this life of faith that God has called you to? What are you holding back on that is causing your spiritual growth to be slow or even stunted? Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) tells me to.... 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Psalm 92:12 (NLT) 12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. |
