All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others

Miracle Grow

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Simple steps to build daily spiritual nourishment into your life for healthy, vibrant growth as Jesus' disciple.

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Latest Activity: 7 hours ago

"Miraculous" Growth in Three Easy Steps

How to Grow
Many Christians say they want to grow in their spiritual life or get closer to God, but they don't know how or lack a plan. Growth in Christ can be as simple as following through with what we call the 2-3-2 plan. You will be amazed at how your spiritual life develops; it will seem almost miraculous!

Developing a Daily Habit
One of the goals of the 2-3-2 plan is to develop some healthy habits or spiritual disciplines you’ll practice daily. Most of us don’t like the word discipline, but just as brushing one’s teeth, taking a bath, exercise, and eating healthy food on a daily basis promotes physical health and growth, good daily spiritual disciplines promote a healthy relationship with God. Over time, you’ll find yourself building spiritual vibrancy, health and “muscle” which will enable you to rely more on the Lord, help you cope with life challenges and relate better to others. Looking back, you’ll see how you've grown and how you are better able to cope with life challenges because you were following God’s “owners manual” for life (the Bible), regularly seeking God’s help, and making better, wiser choices.

Growth Takes Time
Keep in mind that even though you may have received Jesus Christ as your Savior and now have a relationship with God, changing your thought patterns and learning to live consistently in this new way often takes a long time. One doesn’t just wake up one morning after years of inactivity and decide to compete in an Olympic marathon race that afternoon. That is why good, consistent, daily training and habits are needed. It takes time to replace a long history of bad habits with good ones. So be patient with yourself and others on the same journey.

The Quiet Time
One of the most important spiritual habits is a daily “quiet time” or “devotional” time.

Have you ever noticed two people in love? They just can't get enough time alone with each other! In the same way, God wants a love relationship with you. A daily quiet time is time you will schedule to meet with Him. Notice that we said schedule, because it is not going to happen by accident. You need to be very deliberate about this. To start, plan on setting aside 30 minutes every day for your devotional time. The amount of time is only a suggestion; don’t get fixated. Remember it is not a formula, but a relationship.

Assignment:
Ask God when He would like you to meet with Him. Write down when you believe He would like you to have your appointment together. ___:___ to ____:____ AM/PM

2-3-2 What is That?
2: Means worship God by listening to TWO Christian worship music songs and/or singing praise to God. Check out some of the member's profiles here on TheNET. Many have uploaded lots of good worship music. Worship is important because God loves it! Worship sets our hearts and minds in tune with God. Remember it is all about a love relationship with Him! Don't skip this step!

3: Means read THREE chapters (or more) of the Bible. Tell God you love Him and ask Him to help you understand, learn from, and speak to you from His Word, the Bible.

If you wish, use this Daily Bible Reading Plan (this will be at least three chapters). The Daily Bible Reading Plan is a PDF file you read, save and print using Adobe Reader. If you don’t have Adobe Reader, you can download it free. You may print the reading plan for quick reference.

You can read the Bible online or use a printed copy. For English users, we recommend the New International Version or the New Living Translation because generally they are easier to read and understand.

Print out the Bible Reading Highlights Record (also a PDF file). Try to answer one or more of the eight questions listed at the top of the page. (You can print additional pages as necessary and keep all your devotional insights in a notebook or folder). You may also want to write what God is teaching you every day in your blog. That way other believers can benefit from what you are learning!

2: Means talk with God, thanking him; and asking him TWO questions about what you read, asking for help for others and yourself or about anything else as you would your closest friend.

OK, so have you scheduled your quiet time with God yet? God is waiting to meet with you!

Growing together with you!
Greg
TheNET Coordinator

NOTE: The 2-3-2 plan idea is from Pastor Steve Holt, Mountain Springs Church, Colorado Springs, CO, USA.

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Comment Wall

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Comment by j k on June 9, 2009 at 11:09am: How do I join Miracle Grow; Links; and Foot Steps Groups?

Comment by Greg, TheNET Coordinator on June 8, 2009 at 8:53am: Is God showing you some cool things as you spend time with Him in His Word? Start blogging about them and share them with others so they can enjoy the encouragement too!

Comment by Claver Gakwavu on May 29, 2009 at 3:19am: I hope this is aplace to grow spiritually, and the good thing is that most of the people on this site are serious about the word of GOD, which i think should be aprayer for whoever uses this site. I am also looking ahead to benefit much from the site, but also committed to share word with others, not only being on the receiving side. GOD bless every on all about God

Comment by Greg, TheNET Coordinator on May 28, 2009 at 8:17am: Hi Bertha,

Glad you are finding the 2-3-2 plan helpful and that you are learning lots already. No, there is nothing in the Bible that says we have to book an appointment with God, but I do find it helps because time alone with him is easy to neglect. God bless you as well!

Comment by Yaa Amoakoaa on May 28, 2009 at 5:28am: I have just joined this group but i know it will help me grow miraculously. I have learn a lot after reading the three steps. In fact i did not know i have to book an appointment with God. God bless you Mr. Greg.

Comment by Greg, TheNET Coordinator on May 26, 2009 at 8:55am: Thank you for making a public commitment L.L.Mc. Just checking in with you to see how it is going. So... how is it going? :-)

Comment by MERYOPARA on May 23, 2009 at 7:28am: I joined this group recently. I am a new Christian. I love reading your prayers. They help me to learn how to pray. I am so blessed to have found this web site and of course to have found Christ (I think he found me, and I’m now a new creature and I know that old things have passed away my sins, my weakness, my unbelief).

Oh Great, Amazing, Beautiful Abba, glorious in holiness fearful in praise.

You are my heart's desire. I come and bow reverently at Your mighty throne, singing praises of Your Glory. You are Beginning and the End; the Alpha and Omega. I understand and accept that I only come before Your mighty presence through Your Son, Jesus Christ. It is through His faithful sacrifice that my sins are defeated, and I am made righteous in Your beautiful eyes. Thank you, Father, for your gracious love that sustains me. I pray that this day be made into a day for Your glory. I pray for the wisdom to see the opportunities You give me, and the strength to carry out Your mighty Will. Abba, I pray for forgiveness for my trespasses, and that those I'm not aware of would be brought to my attention. That way, I may work with You in becoming even more Christ-like. Abba, pray for all those on here who, everyday, fight the spiritual battles that must be fought. I pray that we consistently turn towards You in our battle, and accept the Full Armor that You provide. For it is only in Your strength that we find our own. Abba, thank You for this day, and for the blessings You give. I pray for all of us, that we grow closer to You each and everyday. I pray that continue to abide in You, so that You may abide in us. Give us strength against the Deceiver, Abba. Let his lies fall on deaf ears. And let us continue to unite, and glorify Your name. Your will be done, Abba, not ours. In Jesus mighty name, which all names must bow. Amen.

Comment by L.L.Mc on May 23, 2009 at 5:40am: Assignment:
Ask God when He would like you to meet with Him. Write down when you believe He would like you to have your appointment together. _6__:__00_ to __7__:_00__ AM
I make my commitment here to ask for support in keeping it. Thanks for being here.

Comment by L.L.Mc on May 23, 2009 at 5:37am: It is so hard for me to set aside the time and energy to do this.
I am someone who needs structure built in to me day and I have not been successful in doing it as yet.

Comment by sandra v villamero on May 23, 2009 at 3:56am: Oooh hallelujah my Lord, it is Your words my Lord that keeps me awake, vigorous and so victorious in everything that I do, thru Your words i easily find answers to all my needs, my doubts and wisdom too I always had just by reading the verses and scriptures. Although it can't be helped there are times i felt low and down but my Lord always lend me His strengt. Glory and Honors be yours my LORD and my KING,JESUS. !