Wednesday, July 25, 2012

GROWING UP GOD’S WAY (07-25-12)


Matthew 13:33
“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”

My mother bought some bread for breakfast.  I took it and slice it so I can put some butter.  But I noticed that there are a lot of air spaces inside.  It looks big but really all-air.  My mother just remarked that they must have put a lot of yeast in the dough.  I didn’t understand at first until she explained that the yeast is the one that makes the bread “rise”.  When yeast is used for making bread, it is mixed with flour, salt, and warm water.  A longer rising time gives a better flavor by allowing more fermentation products and by encouraging bacterial fermentation.

The yeast reacts with moisture, heat, acidity, or other triggers to produce gas that becomes trapped as bubbles within the dough.  So, more yeast – more gas bubbles are formed.

Jesus likened the Kingdom of God to the yeast.  Even before, God is looking for people in that are willing to be consumed with Him.  People who are willing to do whatever the Holy Spirit leads them to do in order to mature in the things of God.  However, we should not just let God put yeast in us.  We must also act and follow Him.  Someone who just accepted Jesus Christ should be mature in Christ and grow in Him.  But we should not just be “rising-up” due to bubbles and trapped air.  We should not just be sitting under the Word of God and just “getting fat”.  We should cease walking in the flesh and start walking in the Spirit and be a change to other people.

It is time to grow up.  God is warning us but God is also depending on us.  Now more than ever, God is calling the body of Christ to a level of maturity.  It is time to grow up in the things of God.  It is time to grow up in the spirit.

Almighty Father, You have inspired Your Church to set aside special times when this growth can develop more intensely - the special seasons of the Church Year.  If I fail to move toward You during these times, I waste precious opportunities and endanger my spiritual life.  Help me to take them seriously and make a real attempt to use them well, so that I may grow into the person You want me to be.  Amen +

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

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