by Al Millergren (posted here by Lukman P)

We all have the desire to grow spiritually. I would like to share a few things that might encourage you in your endeavor.

 1. You can begin to grow spiritually or you can make excuses but you cannot do both.
It is so easy to think about how great it would be to grow spiritually and we understand how important it would be for ourselves and for others. On the other hand it is just as easy to make excuses for why we cannot grow spiritually. We can use our job, family, hobbies and just a lack of time as excuses. The truth is, we can do what we want to do if we want it badly enough.

2. Do not be afraid to think on a smaller scale.
We have all been guilty of looking at the big picture at the beginning of a process. We would like to have the wisdom of someone who has spent 50 years learning and growing. Try to live one day at a time or it may become overwhelming.

3. Spend a lot of time on the first step.
Make a decision that you want to grow and begin praying fervantly. Ask God to give you the strength, time and motivation put Him first in your life.

4. Do not get too busy to grow.
If you are like most people you will know where you are going to be next Sunday morning around 10am. You are right, you will be at church. You probably know where you will be around 8 or 9 on Monday, at work. If we are so disciplined to go to church and work why not be disciplined enough to set aside time to spend with God. Start out with around 15 minutes a day in Bible study and add to it as you progress. Set aside a couple hours to serve someone in need.

5. Surround yourself with strong spiritual people.
There are a lot of things that help us grow closer to God but being involved with spiritually strong people is close to the top of the list. Allow these people to hold you accountable and encourage you. Tell them your goals and seek their support.

6. Have a plan.
You might grow spiritually by not having a plan but it sure helps to have one. Example: This week I am going to study James, chapter one. I am going to write down all the practical ways James is teaching me to live for Him. Next week I will start a Wisdom Diary. I will concentrate on James 1:5-8. Wisdom in the Bible means knowing the right thing to do. Believe and not doubt means just that, when God tells us what to do we must do it.

 A wisdom diary is simply writing down hard decisions you have to make. Pray about it and then write down what you think God would have you do.  After a couple of months, look back over your diary and see how God has worked in your life. (My sweet wife taught me this step with her prayer journal).

7. Do not be limited by your plan.
Yep, you read it right. Do not limit yourself to your plan. You may have a plan to read through the Bible in a year. During the course of the year you may find that you really need to study humility or patience because of the way you are treated on your job or the way you have treated someone. It is great to have a plan but at times it can be beneficial to deviate from the plan.

8. Check out your mirror.
Whether you realize it or not your mirror is one of your best friends. Your mirror will be totally honest with you. If you need to brush your teeth, it will tell you. If you need to comb your hair, it will let you know. You can also look yourself right in the eye and tell yourself what type person you want to be. You can look yourself right in the eye and tell yourself what mistakes you have made. Talk to yourself in the mirror but do not get caught or they might take you away.

9. Tell someone you are trying to grow spiritually.
One of the best ways to stop a bad habit it to tell everyone you know that you are going to quit and one of the best ways to grow spiritually is to tell someone what you are trying to do. No, you are not bragging when you tell someone else. The one you tell may ask you how you are doing or they may put you on their prayer list.

 10. Just Do It!
If Nike can do it, so can we. Just make up your mind and go after it. “Just Do It” could just as easily have been step number one but it probably fits better after we have gone through a planning process.

 God wants us to grow closer to Him and he wants us to have a personal relationship with Him and the only way we can do that is to make it a priority in our lives.