BACK TO SCHOOL

PRAY WITH ME FOR AFRICA: For the next few weeks I want to focus on the Republic of Mali. This is the country where a number of our Canadian peace keepers will be serving. Mali is in West Africa, a former French colony and where you can find Timbuktu. Mali is 95% Muslim, 2.5% Christian (mostly Catholic) and 2% Animist with freedom of religion. Muslims are in the North and Central region and the Christians in the South. Pray for a movement of God to enlarge His Church in Mali.

West Africa - Republic of Mali

Today most students return to structured learning. We educate our children so that they may might learn to think and make decisions for themselves, in order for them to have the knowledge needed for future work in order to sustain themselves and their families, and for them to learn social skills.
As God's people we are born-again in order that we might grow both in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Knowledge is a basic component of spiritual maturity. When we add to this knowledge Christ-like attitudes, wisdom and love, which become part of our nature as we learn to walk in the Spirit, we are equipped for service and a full entry into the eternal kingdom. (Read and meditate on 2 Peter 1.3-15 and 3.18 this week)
I want to encourage you in this new season of learning to grow in your knowledge of God's truth by:
1) Determining to consciously and carefully read a portion of God's Word every day and perhaps even to make some notes to yourself of what you learned.

2) Join a formal Bible Study group and make sure to do your reading and study during the week to prepare for the next class.

3) Take time to pray every day. Begin with worship and communion with God and then pray for others. Make a prayer list

4) Be aware of how you can serve others in the name of Jesus Christ and do 

 

  
Many students would choose not to go to school if that choice was available. The future would bring profound regret over that decision. Many Christians choose not to participate in the struggle to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and therefore show little spiritual maturity. A Christian does not coast to spiritual maturity nor is spiritual maturity absorbed by osmosis. You need to choose and then fight against those circumstances that hinder true knowledge and spiritual maturity, but remember God and His resources are there to help you even  when you show the smallest desire to grow. So make some choices this week - not too many - and then pursue those choices in the power of God.

Good Articles This Week: 
How to Choose Good Books 
Let me add to the list above "Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur" by Frank L. Houghton 
Church Growth God's Way 
Will you become a Crossroads Mentor?