From Hopscotch to Holiness

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70 From Hopscotch To HolinessComing to the cross is the answer.God gives us a new nature which is the result of Jesus’ finished work onthe cross. Our part is simply to admit our inadequacy and accept God’sgift of redemption. Beloved, we need freedom from anything hinderingour fellowship and intimacy with God. Perhaps you see yourself in thispicture. You truly want to know freedom from bitterness, resentment,broken relationships, sinful behaviors, and feelings of unworthiness, butthe cycle of bondage continues. How is our freedom accomplished?Only through total surrender at the cross. And interestingly, when we’vetasted the true freedom that comes from God we will always want more.That’s the process of growth. Then the cycle continues as our growth infreedom spurs us on to more surrender and more growth.STAND FIRMThe process of growth involves standing firm in the victories Christestablishes in our lives. Consider Galatians 5:1. “For freedom Christ hasset us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke ofslavery.” The Holy Spirit enables us to act contrary to our sinful natureand natural impulses. That’s the joy of the Spirit-filled life. When welearn to walk by the Spirit we are released from hatred, jealousy, rage,envy, selfishness and all manner of sinful behaviors. The fruit of the Spiritbegins to grow strong in our lives. However, remaining free is a choice.Slaves can choose to live in slavery even after they are emancipated. I canrelinquish my freedom. How does that happen? By choosing to returnto my old ways. For example, when I insist on being in control, even afterI’ve tasted the freedom of the Lord, I am in danger of becoming enslavedagain. When I revert to self-centeredness, demanding my own way, I amin danger of building walls around my heart that keep God out. Eventhough I have the power to lay aside these encumbrances, I may choose
Growing In Freedom And Healing71not to. Because of Christ, I no longer have to be a slave to sin, to self,or to others. But I must stand firm in God’s mandate to love. ConsiderGalatians 5:13-14. “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters;only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, butthrough love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summedup in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”God’s freedom is not a release from all restraint. It is not a license toindulge our sinful nature. Rather, freedom is the believer’s opportunityto choose to serve one another in love. God’s love flowing freely throughus will cause us to willingly serve one another. Amazing!Jesus understands our temptations. As long as we live in this world, wewill sometimes fail. God does not accuse us when we fail. The voice ofaccusation belongs to the enemy. The Lord cherishes and accepts us.Because of his unconditional love for you and me, the Lord is constantlyat work to help us live in victory and freedom. Consider Hebrews 2:18.“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to helpthose who are being tempted.” Jesus makes it possible for us to lay asideour old nature. The Lord wants to empower us to live righteously. One keyto overcoming temptation is to “hide God’s Word in our hearts.” (Psalm119:11) This stores the truth away so that the Lord can remind us of hispromises when we need them the most. When we meditate on God’sWord and allow the truth to saturate our mind we are strengthened inour faith. Then when the enemy sits on your shoulder and screams inyour ear you’ll be ready with the sword of the Spirit to defeat him. ConsiderEphesians 6:17. “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,which is the word of God.” God has instructed us in his Word to put on thewhole armor of God. The battle in our thought life is real. But the enemyis a defeated foe. Learn to enforce that victory from God’s Word. It is akey to standing firm in the Lord.
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FROM HOPSCOTCHTO HOLINESSGROWING UP
Page 5 and 6:
Aldersgate Renewal MinistriesThe UN
Page 7 and 8:
Introduction5rather than perfection
Page 9 and 10:
Chapter 1Growing In Grace
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HINDRANCESGrowing In Grace9Many com
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Growing In Grace11their vocabulary.
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Growing In Grace13Whoever claims to
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Growing In Grace15And ultimately, I
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ACTIVITIES FOR SMALL GROUPSGrowing
Page 21 and 22: Chapter 2Growing InWisdom
Page 23 and 24: Growing In Wisdom21parents, our edu
Page 25 and 26: Growing In WisdomEXAMPLES OF WISDOM
Page 27 and 28: Growing In Wisdom25Isaiah 33: 5-6
Page 29 and 30: Growing In Wisdom27choose for the m
Page 31 and 32: Growing In Wisdom29of his day, Paul
Page 33 and 34: Growing In WisdomPERSONAL REFLECTIO
Page 35 and 36: Chapter 3Growing In Favor With GodA
Page 37 and 38: FAVOR VS. FAVORITISMGrowing In Favo
Page 39 and 40: Growing In Favor With God And Man37
Page 41 and 42: Growing In Favor With God And ManLE
Page 43 and 44: Chapter 4GrowingIn LoveAnd Compassi
Page 45 and 46: Growing In Love And Compassion43The
Page 47 and 48: GOD IS PERFECT LOVEGrowing In Love
Page 49 and 50: RECEIVING GOD’S LOVEGrowing In Lo
Page 51 and 52: Growing In Love And Compassion49mea
Page 53 and 54: Growing In Love And CompassionPERSO
Page 55 and 56: Chapter 5Growing In Holiness
Page 57 and 58: Growing In Holiness55Take note of t
Page 59 and 60: Growing In Holiness57up. I saw so c
Page 61 and 62: Growing In Holiness59The Holy Spiri
Page 63 and 64: Growing In HolinessLESSONS FROM HOP
Page 65 and 66: ACTIVITIES FOR SMALL GROUPSGrowing
Page 67 and 68: Chapter 6Growing In FreedomAnd Heal
Page 69 and 70: WHERE DO WE FIND FREEDOM?Growing In
Page 71: Growing In Freedom And Healing69emp
Page 75 and 76: Growing In Freedom And Healing73can
Page 77 and 78: Growing In Freedom And Healing75com
Page 79 and 80: Growing In Freedom And HealingPERSO
Page 81 and 82: Chapter 7Growing InSupernaturalMini
Page 83 and 84: Growing In Supernatural Ministry81t
Page 85 and 86: Growing In Supernatural Ministry83u
Page 87 and 88: Growing In Supernatural Ministry85E
Page 89 and 90: Growing In Supernatural MinistryObe
Page 91 and 92: Growing In Supernatural Ministrysta
Page 93 and 94: Growing In Supernatural MinistryPER
Page 95 and 96: Chapter 8Growing The Church
Page 97 and 98: Growing The ChurchHUNGERING AND THI
Page 99 and 100: Growing The Church97of his robe. It
Page 101 and 102: Growing The Church99The kingdom is
Page 103 and 104: Growing The Church101prayer grow. C
Page 105 and 106: Cry out for the ChurchStation 1: Re
Page 107 and 108: Station 4: PowerGrowing The Church1
Page 109 and 110: Growing The Church1073. Reestablish
Page 111 and 112: Growing The Church109secure in him,
Page 114: 112 From Hopscotch To HolinessOther
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