Meadowbrook Church Ocala: Recent Episodes
Tim Gilligan
Meadowbrook Chuch exists to help people move from where they are to where God wants them to be. Listen weekly to relevant Biblical teaching from Pastor Tim Gilligan that inspires and changes thousands of people's lives. Visit us online at www.mbcocala.com for additional messages.
Scripture reveals that God has divinely designed us as a 3-part being. We are a spirit. We have a soul. We live in a body. In order to live the life that intended for us, we are to steward all three of these well. In this series we will explore the scriptural and everyday principles and practices involved in living our lives wholly holy.
A standalone message, originally from the "Anti-Anxiety" series. Retaught on Sunday, March 29, 2020.
Pastor Tim unveils five new initiatives that will help us more effectively impact lives for Jesus
Palm Sunday begins Holy Week . . . the most important week in the history of the human race.
If we are not connected to Christ, we are living a false, counterfeit existence. Apart from Him, we can do nothing.
When we work together powerful, extraordinary, fulfilling and incredible things happen!
We move into our future either by design or by default. Make some effort – give God something to bless.
It’s not what happens to you . . . it’s what you do with what happens to you that matter most.
What you do day by day takes you to your future. There are spiritual disciplines that will start your day in the right direction.
It would do you well to slow down. Day by day your Heavenly Father is ready to faithfully, generously and even miraculously guide you and provide for you.
It is possible to serve without thriving, but it not possible to fully thrive without serving.
If He is not in first place, everything else is in the wrong place . . . and you’ll never thrive.
We all have gifts. Allowing God to work in us and through us gives us a chance to make a difference!
Many of us have felt unworthy or unusable. The truth is that God wants to use us in a big way, bringing us to a place of freedom in the process.
Don't drive past rest stops and end up running on empty. God provides for those who observe the Sabbath.
It’s not prayer that you need. It’s God that you need, and prayer connects you with God.
Don't pray reactive, vague prayers. Pray proactive, specific prayers. If you put something into it, God will put something into it.
Your home is ground zero. The devil’s strategy is disintegration. Don’t be ignorant of this. Fight back!
We must keep contraband out of our homes. The enemy will try every way to sneak anger and strife in. We've got to close the gap!
We need help, hope and health for our home. We need to fortify our families and prevent the devil from destroying them.
In the conclusion of this series, see how God guides his people through a) circumstances and b) pastors.
No matter what is going on in your life right now, and no matter where you’re at, there's a path. You don't have to be stuck.
Regardless of what happens this year, there are steps you can take to position yourself for your best year yet.
We are believers, but what is it that we believe? Why do we believe? Can we articulate what we believe?
We don't know what this year holds, but we know who holds this year. Let's seek God for the guidance to get us all the way through!
He is Immanuel - God with us! Everything is different when He is with us...when we allow Him to be present.
The Son of God became the Son of Man so that we the sons of men might become the sons of God!
This story is where you will find your context, meaning and purpose. It’s God’s Story and it’s your story!
Christmas is the entrance and celebration of Jesus into the world! Only His entrance into the world was able to fix the world.
If you're looking for God only in the spectacular, you'll miss Him. Look for the little. You'll find it's actually quite big.
Giving of thanks keeps us keenly aware of God’s active presence, goodness & power in our lives!
Though small, the tongue has the power to bring life or death. How do we get to the place where we are consistently speaking life over our circumstances?
Stewardship is about re-ordering your priorities to reflect that everything belongs to God! Don’t serve Him your left-overs!
You are a steward, not an owner! Everything comes from, belongs to, and is dispersed by God!
Generosity affects everything and everyone connected to you! Live open-handed - happy, healthy and blessed.
Standalone teaching by AR Bernard, guest minister from Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, NY.
We were all made for something special, and God wants to use us greatly! It's important that we know what our part is in the natural to help us get there.
The more you rejoice in your own forgiveness, the quicker you will be to forgive others.
It is not a question of His presence or His ability. The issue is our awareness of His presence and ability.
The devil works in darkness, so we need to be in the light. Light comes from God’s presence, God’s Word and God’s people!
We are all part of a Big Story with different roles to play. Every part counts and all parts are connected. If we miss our entrance, mess up our lines or our part, it will result in us messing up someone else’s part. We don’t want to alter the entire story.
We’re Heaven bound, but we aren’t there yet. We have a Heavenly Father and help from Heaven now.
While we are here on earth we need to be assured of God's Provision, be active in God's Purpose, and be confident of the help and presence of the Holy Spirit.
For the believer, “this” is the most hell you will ever have. For the unbeliever, “this” is the most heaven you will ever have.
Your Heavenly Father knows what you need. If you rest assured of that, you have nothing to worry about.
For faith to be powerful it has to be personal. Have a faith that will rise up and go through. He will get us through to the other side in 2013!
Christmas happened so that we could have a relationship with God and that’s worth celebrating!
Christmas is the celebration of the entrance (not the beginning) of the Savior into our world. He came to save sinners. We much reason to celebrate!
Grace will set us free and Truth will keep us free! It’s the kindness of God that we are able to receive His Grace and walk in His Truth.
Our part is simply to trust God. Once we add to or shave off grace, it is no longer grace!
The world only has substitutes for peace. We only have peace because we had a Substitute.
We are an object of God's grace. We are recipients of God's peace and we have every reason to rejoice. Stop thinking, acting and talking like one without grace and peace.
Once we find grace, His peace will follow. When we go to the throne of grace the peace of God that passes all understanding begins to work in our lives.
It is important that we take our values and vote and that we vote with a Biblical World View. Our vote is our seed of hope that will spring up in our families, neighborhoods, communities and country.
It's not prayer that you need. It's GOD that you need! Prayer connects you with GOD! Watch & Pray!
Once we establish Jesus as Lord we can begin putting our private world in order. When we have both of these areas right then we become less and less vulnerable.
Our future is paved in prayer. If we don't like our present then we should dive into our future through prayer. God is the One who can see and declare the end from the beginning.
We need to do the same thing to others that we would want done to us. It's not about reciprocity. It is about the Kingdom standard and in the Kingdom there is always a harvest.
The Lord's Prayer acknowledges God's honor, addresses our needs, and combines the power of the Kingdom with our everyday life!
In the Kingdom of God we don't hate our enemies. Instead we love our neighbors and our enemies. God will supply the power and love that we need.
Being poor in spirit enables us to be humble and dependent on Him. This awareness is the entrance into the Kingdom. It is essential that we continue to have this mindset in the Kingdom once we begin to experience His blessings.
This series will focus largely on The Sermon On The Mount. Jesus lays out the principles for our lives. Once His principles are established in our lives, 95% of our questions are already answered. We are able to live by principles and not by circumstances.
People who are away from God matter to God, and should matter to us. God’s love for them, in you, compels you to move to action. Be an ambassador for Christ.
You are a walking testimony. Be you, full of God! Don't hide your scars. People need to hear your story!
We work out our salvation with humble obedience. Salvation is not just something received, it is also something that is lived and worked out! Free people free people...through humble obedience!
A challenge to all believers to invite others to church. It is not about increasing "church attendance" but, rather, it's about "life change."
We have the Good News and yet we remain silent! We aren't sharing it with anyone! It's time to break up the "Holy Huddle." Church is not just about us!
Power and help for your life will flow from friendship with the Holy Spirit! Invite and involve the Holy Spirit in all you do.
The Holy Spirit brings spiritual gifts for the profit of all. Do not let your whole theology and opinion of the Holy Spirit and gifts revolve just around tongues.
The Holy Spirit is for now, because life is tough. Jesus, who is for you, is saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” All you have to do is ask in faith.
We’re not just Spirit-born BUT filled and led and being formed! THIS is what the enemy is so afraid of…because then you are able to outsmart, overpower and overcome his schemes!
The power, the help, the comfort, the guidance that you need in your life will flow from intimate friendship with the Holy Spirit.
The first love gift from God to us was forgiveness through Jesus; the second love gift He gave to us is “fullness of life” through the HOLY SPIRIT.
Ponder and meditate on the Word of God. Put your mind on it, and God will help you to put it together and get it into your heart.
Light or no light…what makes the difference? The Word! The Word is a light unto our path.
The Bible gives and strengthens HOPE. So don’t just sit there, hopeless, with your Bible closed. Open it, and speak His promises!
The Bible is the Bread of Life. Feeding on anything else can't give you life, better life, or more life. It will only make you feel “full,” but leave you weak, sick and starving!
The Word is full of warnings. Warnings are to preserve you! Warnings are God’s mercy. Don't miss them!
Absorb God’s Word! Focus on it. Don’t just read it…let it speak to you! Ponder, meditate, memorize, speak, sing, share, and soak in God’s Word.
The devil desperately wants to keep you from the Bible! Why? Because It is more than a book. It is the main way God wants to reveal Himself to you.
What you fail to learn from you are destined to repeat! The future belongs to those who learn the most from the past. Get wisdom!
Good is good, but good can go bad when you don’t acknowledge or thank Him. Don’t just think your thanks. Let it be the fruit of your lips.
Don’t allow anger and resentment to take root and spring up in your heart. Be proactive…FORGIVE! The past cannot be repaired without the practice of forgiveness!
Repent, uproot sin, and repeat as necessary! Repentance is a regular discipline, a holy work. Godly sorrow leads to repentance. Above everything else, guard your heart.
Your biography often shapes your theology. Somewhere a seed got planted, took root, and grew. It's time to uproot it!
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Prov. 4:23)
Your heavenly Father knows what you need. When you DON’T believe this, you worry! When you are assured of this, you don’t worry!
You are never alone and never without help. Get that in your heart, mind and mouth, and have confidence in God. He will see you THROUGH any storm you may encounter. Get the brand of faith called “through faith.”
Favor is looking for you because God wants to advertise how good He is! Be His billboard! Trust his mercy, walk in faith, and look for His favor. Everything always works out for you!
We can’t “earn” favor, BUT cooperating, aligning and positioning ourselves with God will qualify us for favor.
Favor is contained in the grace of God. God will give you unmerited favor, but there’s a merited favor that you qualify for as you cooperate with God. By faith you release what grace contains.
The ultimate issue is not that you have problems, but whether you know someone who can do anything about them. During tough times, go to God, our Maker, the One we kneel before, and cooperate with Him. Help is on the way!
Everyone has emotions, they are God-given. You will feel them, good and bad. It’s not wrong to feel them, but you must control them. Do not let your emotions control you!
If you're faced with a situation and not sure what to do, it's okay to say: "I don't know, but I will know!" Answers don't always come right away. Don't worry. God will refresh you, and you will know exactly what to do.
Foundations are for your future. Your future starts now. Make the adjustments in your heart, mind and priorities.
Our loving Father loves us and corrects us as His own dear children. Hear with your ears, take to heart His Words of counsel/correction, and you will see your COVENANT BLESSINGS manifest in your daily life!
We have two issues: 1) the problem and 2) fear. With help from God and strategic action, we can conquer both!
How do YOU respond to “correction?” How do YOU offer “correction?” Do you seek out “counsel” before big decisions? When you encounter big problems? Face it: we have a problem with correction.
“Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).” (Psalm 55:22, AMP)
Sleep is a promise and gift from God. When you’re off in your sleep, it affects everything. God is your shield and strength. So, rest and receive His promise of sleep. Lie down in peace and He will give you sweet sleep.
Your problem is not the issue—STRENGTH is the issue! If you have the strength, then, “no problem!”
Our emotions are given to assist us, not to direct us. Ultimately, our emotions should assist us in bringing glory to God.
"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life." 2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)
On a daily basis, you are a steward, and every day your attitude should be: “Lord, as a steward, what do You want to see happen with all that You’ve entrusted to me?”
God has plans for you, so do not listen to lies from the enemy about your circumstances. Your CIRCUMSTANCES do not determine your VALUE! Keep your vision clear!
If you don’t handle your “time” right, it will mess up your life. If you handle “time” right, your life will change immediately. Areas of your life that are unclaimed or contended for—that’s where the enemy lives.
We must use our WORDS in the right way to the people around us; otherwise, our faith doesn’t have a shot!
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Prov. 18:21, NKJ)
Key components to look at in the midst of dealing with being mistreated in relationships.
When you put self in the wrong place you lose control of it! Serving puts self in a better place! Serve God by serving others!
It is vital in your life that you exercise both SOLITUDE and FELLOWSHIP as Spiritual Disciplines—they will bring balance to your life and they are a crucial part of our training.
“If you praise him in the private language of tongues, God understands you but no one else does, for you are sharing intimacies just between you and him.” (1 Cor. 14:2, MSG)
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
We are in training. This has to do with spiritual disciplines (practices) and must include spending time in the Word first! Feed on it, ponder it, meditate on it, and taste and see that the Lord is good!
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Life is a continuous cycle of crisis and process. You don't drift into progress while in training. It is preceded by crisis, which forces a decision.
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Your view of God affects everything and will determine if you just keep “trying” or you start TRAINING.
Our goal is to be like a tree—happy, stable, fruitful, blessed, and a blessing. (Jeremiah 17:8)
We fail at many things because we are TRYING to do that we actually should be TRAINING to do. (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
The Gospel fills three needs for every individual: intimacy with God, intimacy with others, and self-worth.
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
The Gospel is made up of irreducible, unalterable truths. If we change The Gospel, then The Gospel cannot change us.
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
If you miss or lose Substituionary Atonement, you miss THE GOSPEL, and you’ll lose any real gratitude for Jesus.
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
The Gospel is “THE” single, most important message of the Bible, and our job is to proclaim, publish, and distribute it properly.
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Stay out of old crisis mechanisms and let PATIENCE do its job. That’s where God will meet you, strengthen you, and deliver you.
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
Insight and answers from the Bible for our real life problems & issues! To help you & to help you help!
It is vital that we engage and train the next generation. This mindset will ensure that the message of the gospel lives on, no matter how the methods may change.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
God loves you and would do every good thing He’s done even if you were the only person on earth—but still, it's not about you. The ultimate purpose is not to be blessed, but to be a blessing.
The “helmet of salvation” and the “sword of the spirit” keep you safe and secure by providing you with strength and armor so that you can stand against the enemy. You cannot stand without it.
"…above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." Ephesians 6:16
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
"For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared." When you are stable and fully-armed, you can help others to regain and maintain their footing. Be prepared in the Gospel and you will be prepared to help.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
The ultimate war is won, but we are still involved in a daily spiritual battle. One piece of our God-given “armor” that is necessary for our protection is the “breastplate of righteousness.“
Putting on armor is about more than just surviving; it’s about victory! The armor we're exploring is a symbolic spiritual armor – that, when applied and retained in the right way, ensures that we have victory.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
We must realize the reality of our spiritual battle and need for armor. This battle may be unseen, but is even more significant than what we do see. We are born into a battlefield, and when we are spiritually born again, we enlist into a winning army.
The main key to avoiding traps and tricks of the devil is proximity. You can’t get caught if you keep your distance. IDENTIFY the desire. IMAGINE the consequence. ISOLATE the desire. INCREASE time in the word, worship, prayer and church.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
Your heart and your mouth are connected, so take time and allow your heart to teach your mouth what to say. Never use your own words to speak against your hope. Instead, speak what you believe.
The power of influence and the people that we live life with point to the importance of the body of Christ, the family of God. "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." (Prov. 13:20)
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
Value is determined by how much someone is willing to pay for it. Consider how much God was willing to pay for you! When we grasp this, we’ll believe that we are life counts and that we have something to contribute.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
Busyness is one of the devil's main traps. "So be careful how you live . . . Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do." (Eph. 5:15-17)
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
The enemy is determined and busy, but if we are informed and trained, we can be alert and aware of the enemy’s traps and tricks. Rely on God’s direction. He will help you to avoid and to escape.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
As we encourage others, we are encouraged ourselves. Courage is a renewable resource, one that is received and delivered in cycles. Keep yourself encouraged, and make it your business and your ministry to encourage others.
Part of dealing with disappointment is knowing that it is a part of life. If you don’t deal with disappointment, you become discouraged, which leads to depression, and then defeat. We must deal with these emotions at early stages.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
Your First and Final 15 are the bookends of your day. How you start and how you finish are key to your daily self-encouragement. Just as life brings disappointments, we have countless opportunities for fresh starts.
If you are going to be a minister of encouragement, you have to be able to first encourage yourself. Discouragement results in depression and de-motivation, so you have to learn the vital skill of keeping yourself encouraged.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
You must be able to encourage yourself! You can't give what you do not have! Seek God- your source…for encouragement…for everything! He does not put everything in your hands, but He does put everything within your reach!
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
Encouragement is unique to Christian fellowship and family! We all have a responsibility to encourage the people we interact with or have influence with! Never be a part of bringing fear or increasing discouragement in others.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
Christians are to be “ambassadors” of their homeland in heaven, sharing the truth of Jesus as the only way to life and more life. As we look forward to heaven, we must make the most of our time here by being the light of the world.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
Retreat. Resolve. Respond. Make these moves to find purpose in the life God has given you. Do what you have decided, even if you are afraid. Many times, purpose is discovered in problems and adversity. This is where vision and action is birthed.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
Patience is more than just waiting around, but a longsuffering and constancy that keeps you in place and keeps you together. The more you let patience develop and work, the more complete you become!
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
Prayer is an exchange: your problems for peace. Peace is God’s deposit to work in your future. However, prayer isn’t a one-sided conversation. God will often give you instructions, correction or vision so that you may pave the path of your future.
Today & tomorrow are connected! Our choices & actions today determine our outcome tomorrow. Look forward…make the adjustments!
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
What you say and do reflects your hopes. Never use your own mouth to speak against yourself or God’s plans, but let your words tell of your continued loyalty to the future.
Join Pastor Tim to discover what the Bible has to say about living a spirit filled life, and how we as the church should seek to practice a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower us in every area of life.
We can't just attend church together- we have to dwell together in unity. There are four steps to reconciliation: Repent, Forgive, Look & Love, Start a movement. We need each other to survive!
We must resist aging & be intentional about staying fresh, young & open-minded. Aging is first seen in the face. Our “face” needs to represent the multi-cultural & multi-generational vitality within.
Growth depends on your health- If you are not in good condition, it will be stunted. You need to grow away! Remember that life is a cycle of crisis and progress, and decide that you will confront and resolve your problems so that you can move forward.
Self-control & discipline are essential to focusing your attention. Immaturity is shown when you’re easily distracted. You have to be responsible for what you see, hear & learn. Be intentional about your focus & direction, and you’ll achieve growth.
God cares about where you are and where you are going. Your growth will either be hindered or propelled by your direction, and a lifestyle of doing what the Bible says and walking with God will put you on the right path.
You must have regular intake of and exposure to the Word of God. Make scriptural literacy a priority and spend time with God though scripture. Get a reputable, readable Bible, make it your prized possession- and wear it out!
What you feed grows, and what you starve dies. Don’t fight these issues any longer, but allow them to be killed and cut off so that you can continue to grow more like Jesus.
Achieving true intimacy and spiritual growth requires Time, Transparency, Submission, and Consistency. Commit to cooperate with God in the pursuit of intimacy, and you will see growth.
Growth is a progressive work that involves our cooperation with God. This means we put Him first, become a learner, become a worker, and respond to authority wherever we are. Jesus did this, and He gained favor with men- one of the fruits of growth.
At Meadowbrook, we have marked 2010 to be "a year of growth". Growth is a vital part of being a believer. However, there are no shortcuts for growth. It is a day-by-day process in which the practical and the spiritual elements of growth are linked.
We belong to God, but culture behaves as if there is no God. That role needs to be filled, so man becomes “god”, worshipping the “I.” The “I” wasn’t equipped to fill this role. Only God can. Therefore, it’s vital that we respect our own limitations.
God is our source. This is one of the main reasons He deserves our respect. He will provide, but our response is paramount. Follow instructions. Guard your heart. Accept He is doing work in you. Rejoice and be thankful. Trust Him as your source.