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 Have you placed yourself in an environment of sustained
spiritual growth?

In the book of Nehemiah, from Ch 8 to the end, we see Nehemiah
and Ezra create an environment of sustained spiritual growth. At the beginning of
Ch 8 we see an event in some ways like our evangelism crusades, or at least
like a good “salvation message.” With the people responding to the preaching of
God’s Word with emotion and celebration, much like our evangelism services.

However, many people today who initially respond to God’s
Word with emotion and celebration, miss the critical next step seen in Nehemiah
8:13; The very next day after the big evangelism service, the family leaders
met with Ezra and began DIGGING IN to God’s Word. This is the critical 2nd step
to creating an environment of sustained spiritual growth.

The first step is the initial response to hearing God’s Word.
Then immediately, the 2nd step is digging in to God’s Word to begin feeding the
new spiritual life we’ve just been given. The 3rd step is equally important,
and without it the hope for sustained spiritual growth is nonexistent. The 3rd
step is seen from v.14 to v.18 of Neh Ch 8; In a word, the 3rd step is –
obedience.

(1) The people respond to God’s Word with emotion and
celebration (Neh 8:1-12).

(2) The family leaders dig in to God’s Word on behalf of
their families, to feed themselves and their families nourishment and truth from
God (Neh 8:13).

(3) The people actually obey God’s Word. They simply do what
God has commanded them to do (Neh 8:14-18).  And notice in v.17, they are filled with great
joy.

We see this 3 step process to sustained spiritual growth all
through the Bible. And as I like to say; It’s simple, but it’s not easy.

In order for us to create this environment in our lives, we
need to be very careful what choices we are (and aren’t) making in this world.
We need to surround ourselves with people who will strengthen and encourage us
in our spiritual growth, and who have a commitment to these same 3 steps in their
relationship with God.

Best of all, we need to look for a person or group who can
walk with us, as we dig in and respond in obedience to God’s Word.

That is truly my prayer for each of us.

Pastor Dave   

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