Life Changing Matrix

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<p id="viewer-1ibq">We are called to be like Jesus (Rom 8:29) – that is what delights God. In Eph 4: 11-16 we see that the five-fold ministries – apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, prophets and evangelists were raised by God specifically to perfect/mature the saints (that is you and I if we have given our lives to Jesus) and each person thus gifted is to edify the body of Christ.</p>

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<p id="viewer-74gkh">The word “edify” is from the root word “to build a house” meaning if your gift is not building up another, then you are not being like Jesus. That says volume about the heart of God. Our God is a builder – of men, of the planet, of His creation. God is always out to add to you, not take away from you but this is not the view of God that the average man has. Why? Because God has been misrepresented by what we preach as an angry God who is out to “kill your joy” or send you to hell at the slightest mistake forgetting that it is the goodness of the Lord that leads to repentance (Rom 2:4). This kind of preaching does not build trust in God.</p>

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<p id="viewer-50dhf">In 1 Cor 14:3, we see the function of prophecy for example. Prophecy is not foretelling future events but prophecy is to issue words that edify, exhort and comfort the body of Christ so if a prophecy comes to you that instill fear in you, you can be rest assured that it is not from God.</p>

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<p id="viewer-atkgv">In Col 2:7, Apostle Paul now expounded on the initial verse that focussed on walking with the Lord by faith. He said, we need to be rooted and built up in Jesus and then be established in the faith. This establishment only comes by sound teaching that will make us continually thankful to God. Hence unless I walk with God by faith – without departing from the reality in my heart that I am God-possessed and that I am no less than who God has declared me to be - I will be deceived. That is the foundation. After this, I should continue to walk with God by faith with a view to GROW. I see a 4 step approach here which are:</p>

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<ul><li>Continue to walk with God in faith – don’t trust in dead works</li><li>Walking by faith then produced my being rooted in Jesus</li><li>This means I will then be built up in Him</li><li>The result is I then overflow with thankfulness</li></ul>

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<p id="viewer-c65qq">A good analogy to use to explain this 4-steps growth plan is to liken this to what happens to a seed of corn planted in the ground – it will first go down in the earth (rooted) before growing up (built up) then it becomes a full-fledged plant (established) which then produced fruits for the owner (God). This seed can only grow to its full potential as it gets the right nourishment from the soil (Jesus) and this nourishment comes via sound teaching based on the word of God, the Holy Spirit and the Grace of God.</p>

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<p id="viewer-ddjo2"><strong>Action Plan:</strong></p>

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<ul><li>Set a spiritual goal for yourself this week. It might be spending an extra 5 minutes with God or taking a walk in the park to have some quiet moment etc. Whatever you choose, ensure it allows you have a quiet time of devotion with God.</li><li>Commit your goal into God’s hand to provide guidance and help you need to commit</li><li>Start immediately to work the action/goal but trust God’s empowerment all the way</li></ul>

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<p id="viewer-dpa7n"><strong>Prayer:</strong></p>

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<p id="viewer-avhd3">Father, I commit my life into your hands. I thank you that your desire is for me to grow just as any loving father would. I am grateful that you have provided all that I need in this life. Lord, I hereby commit my growth plan into your hands and I ask that you empower me to commit to the plan till the end. I receive supernatural strength every day to be able to walk in the light of what your Spirit shows me daily.</p>

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