Spiritual Growth Test

1. When we become more aware of sin and weaknesses.

2. When we respond more quickly to sin with genuine repentance.

3. When our spiritual battles are becoming more intense, yet we still rejoice.

4. When we begin to see trials and temptations for opportunities for growth.

5. When we see opportunities for service as a honor and not as a burden.

6. When we view everything as coming from or through God.

7. When we sense our faith growing stronger.

8. When we desire to spend more time in praise and worship.

9. When our desire to obey God becomes more intense.

10. When we eagerly want what Christ is doing in our lives.

11. When we are experiencing an increasing awareness of God's presence.

12. When we jealously guard our private time of prayer and Bible reading.

13. When we prefer to spend more time with God than with all others.

(Charles Stanley)

Steps to Obeying Christ

1. Obedience to Christ begins with a fear of the consequences of disobeying Him.

2. Next, make a commitment to obey Him no matter what. 

Always ask "what does He want?" 

Above all else obey Him. 

3. Then, increase your knowledge of Him, His purposes, and goals for your life through your study of God's Word.

4. Develop a hunger for God's best in your life.

5. Grow your faith in His promise of blessings. (Every act of obedience is rewarded otherwise God would be indebted to us).

6. Recognize pattern of God's blessings following acts of obedience. 

7. Realize that obeying God is always wise.

How can you improve upon His infinite wisdom?

8. Take advantage of the wise encouragement of Godly people. 

9. Obey out of concern for your testimony.

How will this behavior impact my family? friends? 

10. Finally, obey out of devotion to Christ. 

What begins out of fear ends with our passionate love for Him.

(Charles Stanley)

Steps to Knowing Christ

1. Must be a student of the Scriptures.

2. Must spend time alone with Him in prayer, worship, and meditation.

3. Must trust Him.

4. Must obey Him.

5. Must observe and record how He works in your life and the lives of other people.

6. Must look for evidence of Christ in every circumstance.

7. Must be willing to lay aside everything that competes with your love for Christ.  

(Charles Stanley)