Growing in Maturity
By: the late Joyce Hasty, CK Intercessor and Prayer Warrior
Recently, I drove down one of our major streets to the pharmacy. I saw a spectacular sight. A huge wrecking ball was destroying a 50 year old bridge which spanned two streets and connects the interstate with other cities. The stone crumbled easily against the weight of that mighty ball. I stopped and watched and I heard in my spirit, “That is an old, eroded, disintegrated piece of concrete that needed to be replaced for protection of the travelers. It is inventory time for believers to tear down and rebuild the bridges in their lives which connect them to me and to others.” As I sat there, prayed and listened for guidance, He gave me a message for all of us: “If you will humble yourselves and check your bridges in every area of your existence, you will survive and thrive in all obstacles.”
The first scripture the Lord gave me was, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) The second scripture He led me to was, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11)
If we get a breakthrough from God we must not forget to give Him the glory for it. Miracles are always flying in our direction; watch for them. Don’t act as a child and forget to praise Him. All good things come from God. Our aim should be for spiritual maturity and not remain as children with only self-gratification as our aim.
Ask yourself, “Am I doing what God has asked me to do?” Have you put anything on the shelf and thought, “I’ll do this later”? Are you hearing His voice clearly? Make a check list and see what paths need to be changed, cleared, or forgotten. Once you have the list, follow it, repent, forgive or do whatever it takes to clear that path.
Has God helped you get out of a situation lately? Did something in your house break down, did you have overdue bills, or did a relationship fall apart, as the bridge did – not just your marriage, but other relationships? If you are going through adversity, He has the strategy to help you overcome the problem.
Reading God’s word daily keeps us aware of the right paths. As you seek God’s wisdom, He will give you revelation, knowledge and understanding beyond your natural ability. If you are in stormy seas, whether it is financial, emotional, physical, social or spiritual, He will see you through it. You will come out on the other side just like Jesus did on the Sea of Galilee. As you seek Him and trust in His grace, you will experience a change in your trial. Expect Him to show His divine power. Your faith will connect you to Him! He upholds all things by His word; your part is only to believe. (Luke 1:37)
Humility before Him is also essential for growing into maturity. The definition of humility means that you are able to forgive others and ask others to forgive you. Mercy receives mercy. We receive the victory through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. (Revelation 12:11) God should be in every decision, every thought, every action we do. We can do nothing without the direction of God. (Isaiah 64:6)
Tithing and giving is also a part of being humble before God. Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you”. Put Him first in your finances and He will guide you in managing the rest so your needs can be met. (Proverbs 3:9) The ministry of Covenant Keepers has given much to all of us. Are you giving regularly? Sowing and reaping brings the harvest. 2 Corinthians 1:4 states, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble…”
Be encouraged. You were put on this earth for such a time as this and God sees your heart and acts on your faith. He will never leave nor forsake you. Press in for changes in your life. You are an overcomer and you win. Growing in maturity will also probably result in your marriage being healed.
Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on, “whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report.” Therefore, repeat daily the following:
1. Jesus is with me.
2. I am not alone.
3. I will not fear.
4. Hope and faith fill my heart.
5. I have the spirit of power, love and a sound mind.
6. I trust Jesus to change me.
7. He will lead me in the right paths.
Remember, obedience is better than sacrifice, thus you are becoming spiritually mature in every way.
The first scripture the Lord gave me was, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) The second scripture He led me to was, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11)
If we get a breakthrough from God we must not forget to give Him the glory for it. Miracles are always flying in our direction; watch for them. Don’t act as a child and forget to praise Him. All good things come from God. Our aim should be for spiritual maturity and not remain as children with only self-gratification as our aim.
Ask yourself, “Am I doing what God has asked me to do?” Have you put anything on the shelf and thought, “I’ll do this later”? Are you hearing His voice clearly? Make a check list and see what paths need to be changed, cleared, or forgotten. Once you have the list, follow it, repent, forgive or do whatever it takes to clear that path.
Has God helped you get out of a situation lately? Did something in your house break down, did you have overdue bills, or did a relationship fall apart, as the bridge did – not just your marriage, but other relationships? If you are going through adversity, He has the strategy to help you overcome the problem.
Reading God’s word daily keeps us aware of the right paths. As you seek God’s wisdom, He will give you revelation, knowledge and understanding beyond your natural ability. If you are in stormy seas, whether it is financial, emotional, physical, social or spiritual, He will see you through it. You will come out on the other side just like Jesus did on the Sea of Galilee. As you seek Him and trust in His grace, you will experience a change in your trial. Expect Him to show His divine power. Your faith will connect you to Him! He upholds all things by His word; your part is only to believe. (Luke 1:37)
Humility before Him is also essential for growing into maturity. The definition of humility means that you are able to forgive others and ask others to forgive you. Mercy receives mercy. We receive the victory through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. (Revelation 12:11) God should be in every decision, every thought, every action we do. We can do nothing without the direction of God. (Isaiah 64:6)
Tithing and giving is also a part of being humble before God. Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you”. Put Him first in your finances and He will guide you in managing the rest so your needs can be met. (Proverbs 3:9) The ministry of Covenant Keepers has given much to all of us. Are you giving regularly? Sowing and reaping brings the harvest. 2 Corinthians 1:4 states, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble…”
Be encouraged. You were put on this earth for such a time as this and God sees your heart and acts on your faith. He will never leave nor forsake you. Press in for changes in your life. You are an overcomer and you win. Growing in maturity will also probably result in your marriage being healed.
Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on, “whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report.” Therefore, repeat daily the following:
1. Jesus is with me.
2. I am not alone.
3. I will not fear.
4. Hope and faith fill my heart.
5. I have the spirit of power, love and a sound mind.
6. I trust Jesus to change me.
7. He will lead me in the right paths.
Remember, obedience is better than sacrifice, thus you are becoming spiritually mature in every way.
Would you consider partnering with CK this holiday season? We are growing as a ministry and we need your help. We would like to reach more people in 2020. We have a vision for reaching more people through video lessons, testimonies, and encouraging live events. We need your help to do this. Please consider giving HERE, so that you can partner with our vision for 2020. We love you and are praying for your marriage.
Deana and Koji Bell, CK Directors, Restored Marriage
Deana and Koji Bell, CK Directors, Restored Marriage
JOYCE HASTY: (by Carolyn Johnson)
Joyce Hasty has graduated to heaven. Joyce joined my CK group early in the 80's and remained a friend until she died in December 2018. I was privileged to be the one who prayed with her the day she received her prayer language after a CK meeting. She was a faithful CK meeting attendee and was often quite a character at the meetings. She always had something funny to tell us about her situation while being a quick learner of things to do or not to do while keeping covenant. Prayer was her calling and she walked in that calling like a warrior. She knew the Word and used the Word in her prayers. If you have been with CK for more than five years, you probably have had Joyce pray Scripture prayers over your prayer needs. When Joyce was ready to pass the baton on to another intercessor for CK, I appreciated that she stayed in the position until we were able to get other prayer warriors in place. It was important to Joyce that this position was filled with people who believed they were specifically called to the position of Intercessor for CK. She promised that she would be there until her replacement was found.
She will be greatly missed. But for those of us who knew her, there are enough memories to last each of us until we are in the loving arms of the Father. See you soon Joyce! We loved having you as a friend!
Joyce Hasty has graduated to heaven. Joyce joined my CK group early in the 80's and remained a friend until she died in December 2018. I was privileged to be the one who prayed with her the day she received her prayer language after a CK meeting. She was a faithful CK meeting attendee and was often quite a character at the meetings. She always had something funny to tell us about her situation while being a quick learner of things to do or not to do while keeping covenant. Prayer was her calling and she walked in that calling like a warrior. She knew the Word and used the Word in her prayers. If you have been with CK for more than five years, you probably have had Joyce pray Scripture prayers over your prayer needs. When Joyce was ready to pass the baton on to another intercessor for CK, I appreciated that she stayed in the position until we were able to get other prayer warriors in place. It was important to Joyce that this position was filled with people who believed they were specifically called to the position of Intercessor for CK. She promised that she would be there until her replacement was found.
She will be greatly missed. But for those of us who knew her, there are enough memories to last each of us until we are in the loving arms of the Father. See you soon Joyce! We loved having you as a friend!
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