In Touch Quarter 3 - 2014

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Summer Growth Keren Pryor looks at what the Biblical Feasts teach us about spiritual growth Our life’s journey, like a mountainous hike, is a constant challenge of upward growth – growth in spirit, in character, and in relationship with our God, which is reflected and worked out in our daily actions and earthly relationships. This inner growth continues throughout our years on earth for the destination is only found in eternity. Consequently, there are no “instant fixes” in one’s spiritual development. We need to learn and grow constantly in order to overcome negativity and the desire to quit and simply drift. If we are not moving forward intentionally and purposefully, then we will stagnate and drift further and further away from our true purpose in life; even slowly but surely away from God Himself. To help us in this endeavour, and to aid us in moving in harmony with His purposes, our Father has set up His calendar and made regular and special appointments, on a weekly, monthly and annual basis, to meet with His children. As we journey in sync with it, we are afforded relevant ‘rest stops’ to pause and review our progression through the Biblical Cycle of the year and to also bear in mind our ultimate destination, which is to be in the Presence of our Father and the Beloved of our souls forever. Then we can be grateful for the potential of each new day and can reinforce our motivation, and strengthen our determination to press on. From our present Spring to Summer transition point, (see diagram below), let us look back on the way we have come, and look forward in anticipation of the joy of the harvest ahead. We came through the darkness of winter illumined by the light of His Word and His Presence and rededicated the temples of our lives at Hanukkah. We experienced the “Time of our Freedom”, our Pesach /Passover Exodus from slavery, drawn forth by God’s mighty outstretched arm and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. We celebrated the Firstfruits of Messiah’s Resurrection Life and the joy of spring and new growth. We counted the days, the seven weeks of the Omer, until the gathering of the Spring harvest at Shavuot /Pentecost when we sang grateful praise for the bountiful provision of our King. We rejoiced at the great gift of His Torah, His eternal Word, and in the outpouring of His Holy Spirit in a bursting forth of new Kingdom life. Now, refreshed and empowered of spirit, we stand ready for the next phase of the hike – the long, hot summer during which all the fields and crops need to be carefully tended in order to celebrate the final great harvest in the Autumn of the year – the Fall Festivals of Rosh HaShana, Yom Kippur and the joyful Feast of Tabernacles – Sukkot. 6 // IN TOUCH
A Time to Grow Summer is a time of rapid growth. As we nurture our spiritual growth, we need to be as watchful, careful and industrious as good farmers who tend the crops in their fields. To be assured of a bountiful and fruitful harvest, invading insects and scavengers need to be warded off, the weather needs to be monitored, unwanted weeds must be uprooted and disposed of, crops must be watered and fertilized. Then, in the Autumn, like the farmer we too can rest back in contentment and celebrate the fruits of our labours and give generously in gratitude to the One who is the Source of it all. Through the coming season we can monitor our growth, as it were, by exploring and considering the following topics for which the word ‘GROWTH’ is an acronym: G – Gratitude and Generosity R – Repentance and Righteousness O – Obedience and Order W – Worship and Warfare T – Trust and Truth H – Hope, Humility and HalleluYah! For an exploration of these GROWTH principles, please visit Keren Hannah’s website His-Israel.com and click on Summer Growth receive and take pleasure in the many gifts of life that He has given us; and, (3) to give back to Him through offerings of worship and obedience, and through tzedakah – giving to charity and acts of are walking and working with God, our progress will be strong and will endure. The positive growth will be meaningfully etched in our characters. <strong>In</strong> addition, before setting out to face the challenges “When our motives are pure and we are walking and working with God, our progress will be strong.” A worthwhile exercise, as we now pause at the transition point, is to examine and clarify our motives for the journey. Why do we, and should we, desire to grow? Three positive motives to consider: (1) to fulfil God’s plan and purpose for my life, as His child; (2) to loving-kindness. On the other hand, negative patterns of motivation that hinder our Father’s purposes in our lives need to be recognized and dealt with according to His grace. Again, three of which are: (1) to impress others and gain favour; (2) to cover insecurity; and, (3) fear of reprisal or punishment. When our motives are pure and we of summer growth, here are three few basic, foundational concepts each one needs to have clear in his or her understanding: (1) you are worthy and highly esteemed in His eyes; (2) it is God’s Will that you grow; and, (3) you are equipped, by His grace, with all you need to grow in strength, in wisdom and in knowledge of Him. Dear fellow ‘hikers’, may all that we do flow from our heart’s desire to bless our Almighty God and Father, in the love of our Messiah Yeshua, and in the power of the Spirit of Holiness. facebook.com/cfiuk twitter.com/cfi_uk
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In Touch Quarter 3 - 2014

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