New Mercies

Embracing the Journey: Cultivating Spiritual Habits for Growth Life is a journey, and for those of us walking with Christ, it’s about understanding that our destination isn’t a physical place like heaven, but rather becoming more like Christ. This series has been all about embracing that journey, recognizing that it’s filled with twists, turns, obstacles, and moments of doubt. But just like a long drive to the ocean can be worth the hours spent on the road when you finally breathe in that salty air, our spiritual journey is more than worth the effort. The Big Idea: Spiritual Habits Fuel Change and Growth Cultivating spiritual habits fuels change and growth. It’s not about simply changing our behaviour on the surface; it’s about allowing God to transform our hearts from the inside out. True transformation leads to a natural change in behaviour because when your heart changes, your actions follow suit. Why Behavior Modification Doesn’t Work Behaviour modification relies on external rewards or consequences to make us act a certain way. But this often fails because it doesn’t address the heart of the matter—our hearts. God is interested in transforming our hearts, which in turn transforms our lives. The Role of Spiritual Habits Just like learning a sport requires practice and coaching, our spiritual life also needs training and guidance. We need to develop spiritual habits that will help us grow and become more like Christ. These habits are not about earning God’s love; they’re about responding to His love and living out our faith in practical ways. Examples of Spiritual Habits: Prayer: More than asking for things, prayer is a two-way conversation with God. Word: Engaging with the Bible helps us hear from God and aligns our prayers with His will. Praise and Gratitude: Choosing to focus on the good and being thankful, even when it’s hard. Community: Being part of a church family where we can grow together. Service: Serving others is a key part of growing in our faith. Generosity: Living a life marked by giving freely of our time, talents, and resources. The Impact of Our Habits Our daily habits reveal more about us than what we say we believe. They shape who we are and how we live. If we want to see real change in our lives, it starts with the small choices we make every day. What Habit Do You Need to Cultivate? As we wrap up, think about the spiritual habits you need to cultivate. Maybe it’s committing to regular prayer, diving deeper into scripture, or finding ways to serve in your community. Whatever it is, take that step today. Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress. And as we develop these habits, we’ll find that they not only change us but also have a positive impact on every area of our lives. So let’s ask ourselves: What spiritual habit do I need to cultivate to fuel change and growth in my life? Let’s embrace the journey with Christ, one habit at a time.

Introduction: In our journey with God, we often face unexpected twists, turns, and obstacles. These challenges are opportunities for growth and for Christ to be formed in us. However, one common hindrance to our progress is procrastination. Procrastination is not simply a time management issue, but rather an emotional regulation problem. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind procrastination and how we can overcome it by embracing change and taking responsibility. Understanding Procrastination: Procrastination is the act of delaying tasks or responsibilities for another time. It is often driven by negative emotions such as fear of failure or success, perfectionism, negativity, self-doubt, and misaligned goals. These emotions create a barrier that prevents us from taking action and completing the tasks at hand. Procrastination as Emotional Regulation: Procrastination is not a result of laziness but rather a way of regulating negative emotions associated with the task. We delay because we do not want to experience the discomfort or fear that comes with facing the task. It is crucial to recognize that procrastination is an emotional response rather than a lack of time management skills. Embracing Change: Change is an inevitable part of our journey with God. As we mature spiritually, God calls us to take on new responsibilities. Just as children need to grow and take on adult responsibilities, we too must embrace the responsibilities that come with spiritual growth. Avoiding responsibilities leads to dysfunction and hinders our ability to fulfill our purpose. Taking Responsibility: Taking responsibility means acknowledging that every task, no matter how small, is an opportunity for growth and development. It is about recognizing that our calling is to do the task at hand with excellence, trusting in God’s empowerment and anointing. By taking responsibility, we tap into the power of God and overcome the negative emotions that hinder our progress. Facing Battles and Overcoming Fear: Battles and challenges are part of our journey. They reveal our true character and provide opportunities for growth. Just as David faced Goliath, we must face our own battles with courage and trust in God’s presence and empowerment. Avoiding battles or procrastinating only prolongs our growth and limits our potential. Conclusion: Procrastination is a common struggle that can hinder our spiritual growth and progress. By understanding the emotional regulation aspect of procrastination, we can overcome it by embracing change and taking responsibility. Let us face our battles with courage, trusting in God’s empowerment and anointing. As we do so, we will experience personal growth, fulfill our purpose, and see Christ formed in us.

The Process of Sanctification in Christian Life Sanctification, is the act or process of acquiring sanctity or being made or becoming holy. It’s a journey that every believer embarks on post their salvation, and it’s a lifelong process. This article explores the concept of sanctification, its significance, and how it impacts the Christian life based on a recent sermon. The Christian life is not about instant transformation. It’s not about quick fixes or shortcuts. It’s a process that involves change at the core of who we are – our beliefs, desires, and motivations. Understanding Sanctification Sanctification is not about behavior management or modifying one’s actions. It’s about a change of heart, a transformation at the core of who we are. It’s not about acting a certain way or adhering to a set of rules. It’s about being transformed from the inside out by the Holy Spirit. This process is not instant. It takes time, effort, and intentionality. It’s not about trying to become something overnight. It’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to gradually mold us into the image of Christ. The Role of the Believer in Sanctification While God plays a significant role in sanctification, the believer also has a part to play. The Bible encourages us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. This means dedicating ourselves to God, expressing a desire to please Him and to worship Him. Believers are encouraged to participate in this process by renewing their minds, embracing new ideas and attitudes that align with God’s will. This transformation happens when we immerse ourselves in God’s word and let it shape our thoughts and actions. Facing Challenges in the Process of Sanctification The process of sanctification is not without its challenges. Life as a Christian is filled with twists and turns. It’s not always easy to follow Christ, especially when things don’t go as planned. However, every challenge we face is an opportunity for growth. God uses these experiences to shape us, to draw us closer to Him, and to mold us into the image of Christ. Instead of viewing these challenges as obstacles, we can see them as opportunities to grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with God. In conclusion, sanctification is a life-long process that involves both God and the believer. It’s about being transformed from the inside out, allowing the Holy Spirit to change us at our core. As we face the challenges that come with this journey, we can take comfort in knowing that God is using these experiences to shape us into the image of Christ. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,c and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him Matthew 3:13-16 ESV

A new series titled “New Mercies” will guide us over the next four weeks, delving into the timeless truths that Ecclesiastes holds for our lives. In part one, our focus took us on a reflective journey through the theme of “New Mercies.” Pastor Bojan eloquently conveyed the idea that our life in Christ is indeed a journey—complete with twists, turns, challenges, and rewards. Every follower of Christ is on a unique journey, marked by its own set of challenges and joys. Essentially, change is a part of life; it will either bring us closer to God or take us further away from Him. Delving into Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, King Solomon’s introspective view of life is revealed. Despite his favored position, Solomon experienced moments of depression and contemplation of life’s various seasons. Life comprises different seasons, each with its unique challenges and joys. Though there are good things in life, the bad things can’t be escaped. This list also shows us the need to take full advantage of the time God gives us. Just as each season in life has its own set of experiences, growth occurs through these diverse phases. Solomon’s reflections highlighted the inevitability of both positive and negative experiences, dispelling the misconception that faith guarantees a life free from difficulties. Read: Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 Change is an inevitable part of life and our walk with God. Whether positive or painful, change can either draw us closer to God or pull us further away. We must embrace the journey, recognizing that our destination is with God, and the challenges along the way are opportunities for growth and spiritual closeness. The misconception that there’s a perfect time to follow God or pursue one’s calling is challenged. Waiting for ideal circumstances may lead to missed opportunities, as perfect moments do not exist. Instead, trust God’s timing and recognize that faith often requires stepping out in imperfect conditions. God has made everything beautiful in its time, even in difficult moments. The importance of maintaining an eternal perspective is emphasized, as completeness found in God brings peace amidst constant change. Read: Romans 8:18, Ecclesiastes 3:14-15, Lamentations 3:22-23 As we reflect on this insightful message, navigating life’s changes with a perspective grounded in faith, viewing each challenge as an opportunity to draw nearer to God, we are reminded that, much like a journey with unexpected stops and turns, our spiritual journey is continually evolving. In these moments of change, we have the chance to deepen our relationship with the Divine. This new series, “New Mercies,” has set the tone for a season of introspection, growth, and a renewed commitment to trust God in every twist and turn. As we embark on this journey together, may we find peace in the midst of change, embrace each season of life, and trust in the beauty of God’s timing. May the upcoming weeks be a time of new mercies, deepened faith, and an unwavering commitment to follow Christ on this incredible journey of life. Will you take responsibility to follow God in every season of life? Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,c and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him Matthew 3:13-16 ESV