Guidelines for Growth
<h3><strong>God’s Ways…a Way of Life!</strong></h3>
<p>For many families, summertime signals the end of ‘routine.’ Children may be out of school for weeks at a time, and many families may have several weeks of vacation. When you add in summer camps, ball games, warm weather and backyard barbecues, the regular ‘routine’ can disappear!</p>
<p>While summertime can provide a refreshing break in the pace of life, a wise Christian will honor God always--not just as ‘routine’ but as a way of life. Psalm 119:111 says, “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.”</p>
<h3><strong>Maintain Christian Fellowship</strong></h3>
<p>In church, with other believers, we worship and honor God. King David knew the importance of public worship when he said:</p>
<p>“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life…”—Psalm27:4</p>
<p>Everyone needs encouragement, and church attendance is an integral part of our walk with the Lord. If you want to grow spiritually this summer, it is vital that you stay connected with good Christian friends who will encourage and provoke you in the right direction. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another…”</p>
<h3><strong>Walk with the Lord Daily</strong></h3>
<p>What we think about and meditate upon is what drives our desires and plans. It is important that a Christian maintain a spiritual perspective in life and that can only happen as he walks with the Lord daily. Read God’s Word, talk with Him, read good books, and listen to godly music on a daily basis. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”</p>
<h3><strong>Honor God with Your Substance</strong></h3>
<p>We invest in those things that we are interested in whether it is our time in a hobby, our talents in a career, or our finances in the ministry. God commands the Christian to do the following:</p>
<p>“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase."—Proverbs 3:9</p>
<p>“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”—Matthew 6:21</p>
<p>God knows that our hearts will be drawn to Him and His work if we invest our finances in it. If we want our hearts to stay soft, then we must honor the Lord regularly in our giving, and remember that God also promises to bless us as a result.</p>
<p>“So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”—Proverbs 3:10</p>
<p>God’s blessings for our faithfulness may or may not be financial, but they will be just what we need and better than we can comprehend!</p>
<p>“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”—Malachi 3:10</p>