The Lord Added

Have you noticed how things grow when God is involved?  Riley’s puppy has gained 5 pounds in the 3 weeks since we picked her up from the Humane Society.  Puppies are supposed to do that; that’s how God made them.  Children are the same way.  Riley started out at 5 pounds, six ounces (he was 5 weeks early) but now tips the scales at 44 pounds.  God made him so he would grow.  At some point a person has to manage their growth because steady weight gain can lead to serious health issues!

We grow physically and emotionally and intellectually.  We are supposed to grow (or mature) in each of these areas.  Some growth happens naturally but most growth must be coaxed or nurtured.

Churches are supposed to grow, too.  God made them that way just like he made a baby to grow.  Church growth can be measured in many ways: spiritual maturity, outreach, physical plant, number of members.

We’ll grow tomorrow numerically.  We will baptize a new believer and she will become part of our church membership; she’s already part of the church family.  That’s an exciting thing!

We approved an aggressive budget last month so we need to purposefully grow financially in order to carry out the ministry plans we have set.  Financial stewardship is part of a healthy spiritual life; I’m sure as you mature your giving will also mature.

We want to reach our community with the gospel and meet physical needs.  That requires volunteers who are serious about their relationship with Christ.  So we must grow.

The Bible says that the Lord added to the numbers in the early Church DAILY!  I believe he still wants to add to our number daily or regularly.  I believe God wants to add to our spiritual maturity daily.  I believe he wants to add to our ability to do ministry and outreach.  I believe he wants to add to our stewardship.  I believe he wants to add to the warmth of our fellowship.  I believe God was to add to Cross Road Baptist Church.

No growth occurs or is sustained without God doing the adding.  Let us pray that he will add to us daily.

Impacting Eternity at the Cross Road of Life