WAYS TO "C" GROWTH

Growing up in a tall family, when I was vertically challenged, was very hard on me.  Watching my brother, only a few years older, sprout up two feet taller than me, made me wonder when it was going to be my turn.  But, instead of gaining height, I kept getting wider.  I got impatient and started trying to stretch my body by tying weights around my ankles while dangling from the backyard elm tree.  When that didn’t work,  I started thinking that I was adopted.  When my mom found out about this, she most emphatically set me straight; telling me she risked her life to bring me into this world.  Although I never caught up to my brother, I eventually grew taller at a very slow, but steady rate. 

Normally our bodies grow until our late teens and we usually can expect to stop growing in height by the age of 20.  (Of course, after that we tend to grow in width).  However, in our spiritual lives; it is just the opposite.  Once we are born again by the Spirit of God, we can continue to grow in the life of godliness for the rest of our lives.  There is no age or “height” limit.  Whereas, in the natural we stop growing taller and cannot do anything about it; in the spirit it’s our choice to continue to grow in our lives.

So, if you want to see growth and increase in your life, here are five scriptural ways that just so happen to begin with the letter “C”.

1. Consecration – Put God's Word First

Spiritual growth and temporal blessings begin when your life is consecrated to God and His Word.  You are empowered to prosper and succeed when you don’t hang around the ungodly and by daily meditating on His Word (Psalm 1:1-3).  For the Word of God will strengthen your faith, renew your mind, and reveal His will for every area of your life.  Contemplate it day and night and be careful to follow every word it contains; then you will enjoy incredible prosperity and success (Joshua 1:8 TPT).  When you put God’s Word as your highest authority above all personal opinions, cultural trends, or the philosophies of society, you position yourself to see divine growth and increase.     

2. Compliance – Walk in Obedience

Obedience is the ultimate test of faith in God.  By your compliance and submission to God’s instructions, you are trusting that God is leading and guiding you into His perfect plan and absolute best.  If you obey and serve Him, you will spend your days in prosperity and your years in pleasures (Job 36:11).  It doesn’t matter if God’s commands are simple, challenging, or don’t make any sense; your blessings are contingent on your prompt obedience.  Deuteronomy 28:1-2 says, If you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today… all these blessings (verses 1-13) shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.  When you diligently walk in obedience to God’s Word, you position yourself to see the rich, abundant blessings of God upon you.

3. Commitment – Practice Diligence and Hard Work

Diligence will make you rich (Proverbs 10:4) and is required to achieve any success. Your earnest, hardworking, persistent and painstaking effort will determine the level of your commitment to God as well as your goals in life.  God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6) and those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied (Proverbs 13:4 NLT).  This means that growth and increase will not come to the lazy and lethargic.  It takes diligence and hard work to achieve your goals, so be constant in your commitment and be willing to do whatever it takes.  It is your commitment that will transform your potential into productivity and your dreams into reality.  When you are committed to practice diligence and hard work, you position yourself to see a rich, successful life.        

4. Contribution – Sow and Expect a Harvest

The law of seedtime and harvest is an established principle of God.  While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease (Genesis 8:22). God created every seed to produce after its own kind (Genesis 1:11).  So, whatever you seed you sow – finances, time, kindness, encouragement, etc. – the law of seedtime and harvest will prevail.  Your seed, without a doubt, will reap a harvest.  It is an irrevocable law of creation, what you sow, (good or bad), you shall reap.  When you contribute generously and faithfully, you position yourself to see a harvest of increase. 

5. Connections – Increase Through Godly Associations

Believers are urged to encourage one another, gather together, and stir up one another toward love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25).  Proverbs says that godly companions can help you grow in wisdom: Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise (Proverbs 13:20).  As you worship, study the Word, pray, and serve together, your faith grows, wisdom increases, and you mature spiritually through mutual encouragement and correction. Such relationships can help you resist temptation, be accountable, and reflect Christlike character.  These healthy connections can accelerate godly increase, while unhealthy ones will hinder progress.  When you surround yourself with godly associations, you position yourself to see continual spiritual growth and increase.  

These five scriptural ways of growth and increase have the common thread of obedience to God’s Word.  God’s Word provides all the wisdom, direction, and principles you will ever need for you to have a successful life.  It is not just about the accumulation of material possessions.  God wants to bless every area of your life – spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and materially. Your growth comes through Consecration to God’s Word, Compliance through obedience, Commitment to diligence, Contribution by sowing, and Connections with godly people.  Therefore, when you want to experience the blessings of increase that God desires for you, diligently put into practice these WAYS TO “C” GROWTH.