I remember when I first became a follower of Jesus Christ, I was built up so much in love, encouragement, and support. I felt so much loved by Jesus. Jesus was helping me to grow in Him. After awhile, the testing began but by then I already felt so loved by Jesus and felt His continued presence in my life. Even if we do not feel His presence He still is there, for when He comes in, He will never leave us or forsake us. I am so thankful that right after I became a Christian I was not plunged into temptation but protected from it. But being protected all our life from temptation does not really help us grow as a Christian.

It is in adversity that our true colors and character shines forth. I was built up enough that the Lord allowed temptation to occur in my life. I wish that it could be like it was in the beginning but that would not help in my growth. I am so thankful how the Lord Jesus handled me as His new follower. I am so thankful for how the Spirit has worked in my life and will continue to work in my life.

I ask you now dear friend, what determines your growth in the Lord?
Dear friend, your growth in the Lord is determined by where the Spirit leads you and how you react to that leading. But remember that the Spirit will never lead you anywhere that is contrary to His Word. So when you say 'I feel the Spirit's leading in doing this or that' you better test it with God's Word to make sure it is not your own desires or temptations that are creeping up but it is the Spirit of the Lord leading you. When the Spirit leads you, if you react positively and have a 'The Lord will not give me more than I can handle' attitude and seek the Lord through the leading, then you will know that you are growing in the Lord. But, if the Spirit leads you and you react negatively to the Spirit's leading by fighting for your own way then that will determine your growth too. But, this time there will be a negative effect on your growth.

This morning, I felt the Lord wanted me to get up and spend time with Him in prayer and His Word even though it was 4:40 am. I wish I had done that but fell asleep. I lost 3 precious hours I would have had if I had just followed the Spirit.

Friend, I used to think a lot that 'if this person were not acting this way, then of course my attitude will be good', 'if this were not happening in my life, then of course I can be joyful', 'if I had all the things they had, then of course I won't have to complain', etc. You see the point. When we focus on ourselves, the result will be deadness and selfishness for a selfish heart cannot produce selflessness. It will hinder our growth in the Lord when we react negatively to our situations no matter what they are.

When the Spirit leads us as He led Jesus, there will always be preparation and we need to remember that preparation for that preparation will help us pass the test we are put in. God will never test us without equipping, enabling, and empowering us.  You have to prepare for tests to pass them; the more you prepare you will even be able to ace them with the Lord on your side. It is the same when it comes to our growth in the Lord. Thank you Jesus. But this is only one dimension on how our growth in the Lord is determined.

Growth in the Lord Jesus can never happen without putting into practice what you learn by spending daily time in prayer with the Lord, spending time in His Word revealed in the Bible during your personal Quiet Times, spending time in small group Bible study, and being part of a local church for community. When you have Deeper Faith, Stronger Community, and Greater Impact it is a fruit of your growth in the Lord. To be able to have that, you need to be able to find the right church that will help you in your growth. When we have growth in the Lord, it is because of our time with Him and in community. Growth in the Lord is also revealed through the ministries we listen to and watch that are biblical.