2 Essential Spiritual Growth Mindsets…

This week I have been camping out in Romans 8 – an awesome passage of God’s word. There are so many layers to treasure in this chapter. I am sure that I could be gleaning gems for the rest of my life from these 39 verses. I challenge you to take time out this week and meditate on this awesome chapter.

I want to share, 2 essential spiritual growth mindsets that will bring a depth and closeness in your relationship with Abba Father.

2 Essential Spiritual Growth Mindsets

When we accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour and everything that entails, it was just the beginning of our faith journey, not the end. We now have to learn how to walk out this newness of life inside us. Our minds need to adopt new ways of thinking so that we live in the Spirit not in the flesh or of the world.

“For the mind set on the flesh is death but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” Romans 8:6 NASB

Our souls (mind, will and emotions) need to be renewed,  surrendered and restored. That takes daily work!

These 2 essential spiritual growth mindsets, I have discovered, are the starting point for solid spiritual growth. Growth that lasts and produces pure fruit.

1. Be Aware of His Presence in the Daily

Have you read “The Practice of the Presence of God”  a book which recorded the conversations and letters with Brother Lawrence? I highly recommend it. Here is a link to different free versions on Project Gutenberg.

Brother Lawrence was a cook in a 17th century French monastery. He spent hours and hours peeling potatoes and washing dishes. But he made an important discovery….he could turn his boring repetitive tasks into acts of worship and in turn grow his relationship with Abba Father.

Here is Brother Lawrence’s comment on being aware of God’s presence …“That we should establish ourselves in a sense of God’s presence, by continually conversing with Him. That it was a shameful thing to quit His conversation, to think of trifles and fooleries.”

and “That we should feed and nourish our souls with high notions of God; which would yield great joy in being devoted to Him.”

Check out Ephesians 2:22, we are the Dwelling of God! This is awesome news. We will always have God’s presence in us and with us. We can talk to him at anytime and anywhere. There are no special words or actions that we have to perform. Just talking and listening and abiding. That’s all. (check out my book Simple Prayer for more teaching and practical application of this prayerful lifestyle).

So many life issues are dissolved when we are aware of God within. 

There is no need to fear when we know that God is in us and for us. 

Action Steps: 

1. Spend time pondering the truth of the Spirit within.
2. Grab your Bible app on your phone and search for verses on the Spirit’s work or the presence of God.
3. Journal. Think. Journal again.
4. Then practice this week talking and listening to the Spirit through out your day. What is He trying to teach you?

2. Be Aware of God’s Unfailing Love for You

I believe if we completely grasp Romans 8:31-39 and the amazing truth of God’s unfailing love towards us, we would be people full of love, joy and peace. Every moment of the day.

When a child knows her parents love her no matter what, she would not want to veer away from their parental guidance. She would desire to please and bring joy to her parents. She would also live in peace without fear of what tomorrow might bring because she knows her father and mother have it all sorted. Its the same with us and God.

So many of our concerns, doubts, discouragement and negative thinking can be linked back to an unawareness of God’s personal love for us.

We may think that God is too big and far too busy to be concerned about little ole’ me. But our God is a personable God. He loves individuals especially.

He took the time to create you uniquely to anyone else. He knows the number of hairs on your head (think about that, God took the time to count each tiny hair on your head!).

There is always more to His love that we don’t know or haven’t experienced yet. That is the exciting part. There is always more to God’s love.

Every person needs to know that they are intensely loved by a patient, kind God who never ever gives up on His children.

Action Step: 

1. Read the Prodigal Son story in Luke 15: 11-32. Ponder it. Imagine yourself as the different people in the story. Place yourself as the son that left but came back expecting nothing but receiving everything. Picture the Father continually looking down the road for his son. No condemning. No yelling. No “I told you so”. No lectures. Just loving arms open wide, a big smile and a welcome home.
2. Type the word “love” into the search bar of your Bible App and discover a treasure trove of scripture. Feast on this truth this week.

Father God, I thank you for theses 2 truths, that you dwell within and nothing can separate us from your unfailing love. Father, I pray that my reader will experience your presence and love this week. That you will open up their eyes to see you in the daily. That your transforming love and presence will bring peace and joy, even in trying times. Thank you for your love and presence. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Feedback – You are invited to comment below and share your takeaway. I love to receive your feedback!

Keep leaning into Him..