WALKING WITH JESUS: THE PATH TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY

NOW THAT YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN

If you have truly decided to commit your life to Jesus, congratulations! You are now a 'Born again' Christian, a child of God and a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ and Saviour (2Cor. 5:17). Welcome to the family of God and the glorious kingdom of God, our Lord Jesus.

Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with our Saviour, Lord Jesus through whom we have communication and access to God, our heavenly father. Our heavenly father's ultimate purpose of saving you and adopting you into his glorious family is to make you become like His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. You become Co-heir; of salvation with Jesus and his glorious inheritance (Rom 8:17). This is a revelation of God's love to us and the whole world in granting free salvation and eternal life in his kingdom to all mankind who will simply believe in Jesus. To believe in Jesus is to accept Him as your Lord and Saviour and resolve to follow him and walk in his footsteps. It is for you to make Him your new Master, becoming fully obedient to Him, instead of following your old Master, Satan and your carnal inclinations. This is what Christianity is all about.

Becoming a Christian is not just about being religious and going to church regularly, although this is important for your spiritual growth. It is much more than that. It is about carrying your cross daily and following Jesus, walking in his ways and obeying his commandments (John 14:23). That is, loving God and Jesus with all your heart above all others and loving fellow human beings. The way of Jesus is the way of love, and the kingdom of God is the kingdom of love.

To do the will of God is to walk in love and to walk in love is to obey God in all things (John 14:21-26). Those who listens to Jesus and do what he commands or says as they understand it through the Holy Bible are those Jesus sees and knows as true Christians or true disciples. Those who practices religion, goes to church and profess faith in Jesus without walking in love and practising to obey His commandments are not true Christians or true Disciples. Those who pay mere lip service to Jesus, calling him Lord without desiring to do what pleases him and carry out his commandments are not 'true' or 'genuine' Christians. Become a true Christian!

It is impossible to love Jesus, accept him as your Lord and walk in His ways without first becoming spiritually born again. This is because every human being is born sinful and carnal, unable to accept the things of God and obey God. Without the new life, which Jesus gives through forgiving all our sins and giving us a new spirit, we cannot of our own self efforts walk in God's ways.        

SPIRITUAL GROWTH STRUGGLES

In saving you, you become a new creation in Christ Jesus (2Cor 5:17). God began a new work in you, which he intends to perfect or bring to completion before the day of the glorious appearance of Jesus again in this world (Phil 1:6).  Jesus is returning to rule the whole world with his saints - redeemed Christians (Jude 1:14; Rev 1:7). However, before that day arrives, He wants His saints; his Church, His people to become spiritually matured and share His image. Jesus wants us to grow in our salvation to full maturity; having a similar mindset, attitude, character and holiness like Him so that we can partake of His holiness and reign with Him in his Kingdom as Kings and Lords (Rev. 20: 4 - 6). 

Therefore, development of and perfecting our character in other to experience spiritual transformation is more important to Jesus and God our father than any temporary happiness we may enjoy now or crave later (James 1: 2-4). Holiness and spiritual maturity (Our Perfection) is important to God to reign with Christ Jesus. God will therefore allow us to go through whatever situation or circumstances are needed to bring us in alignment with his ultimate purpose for our lives. That is, spiritual maturity and fulfilling our glorious destinies in Christ Jesus. This is the purpose for which he saved us from the kingdom of Satan (Darkness) and brought us into the kingdom of (Light), his Son, Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:13-18). 

Your spiritual transformation and maturity are therefore a journey of a lifetime that commences the moment you genuinely repented of your sins and surrender your life to Jesus Christ. Jesus our Lord and God our heavenly father is so loving, kind, patient and merciful that they are willing to walk with us through 'tick' and 'thin' to ensure that we safely arrive at our final destinations. There will be upheavals, storms and many challenges on the way but God will see us through every adversity if we remain faithful and keep walking with Him. If we slip, and fall along the way, Jesus simply picks us up and enable us through his Holy Spirit to rise on our feet again. Ask Jesus to give you his Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Counsellor to help you fight against sin. Satan will try to persuade you to return to your sinful ways, using the appeal of your carnal nature (flesh), material world and temporal adversity.  Satan our adversary seeks opportunities to re-enslave us, but Jesus is the sure path, and we must keep walking with him to overcome this enemy of our souls.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH PROGRESS: A PERSONAL INSIGHT

Whether we are prepared for it or not, storms and fiery trials are bound to buffet our lives at one point or the other in our Christian journey (John 16:33; Jas 1:2-4). We are not immune from challenges and difficulties, simply because we have become 'born again' children of God. To expect a smooth ride into God's kingdom and a life free of challenges in all its dimensions is to fall into deception of the enemy. Christians who have this sort of mind set easily stumble in their Christian Walk, doubt the goodness of our loving saviour and may become backsliding. They do not have the knowledge and understanding that the very trial(s), which Satan - the adversary wants to use to destroy them, is the very one(s), which God - our all-seeing and all-knowing father wants to use to give them victories and progress their spiritual growth. There is no trials, tribulations or hardships that has come or will ever find their ways into our lives that God has not first known about (1Cor 10:13).  In truth, He has pre-set their duration, limit and intensity to ensure that we become triumphant and move up the spiritual ladder through them. However, we can only find peace and joy in adversity and life difficulties if we keep trusting Jesus, depending upon him and seeking him through prayer and meditating on his Word (Prov. 3:16; Phil 4:6-7).

As a newly born-again child of God, needing to grow in your salvation to full spiritual maturity, I will like to encourage and prepare you for the spiritual journey ahead at this point with my own personal testimony.

At the time I was found and saved by Jesus Christ over 30 years ago, I did not have a knowledge or understanding of many of the things I am sharing here with you. This ignorance of God's Word and His ways, contributed to my backsliding and returning to my old sinful ways. Thank God for His tender loving care and mercies, who sought for me His lost sheep and again brought me back into fellowship with Him. Brethren, I pray that you will learn wisdom here and be at alert so that you will not fall into similar traps of the enemy. We are living in perilous time and the certain return of our Lord Jesus Christ to judge the world is near.

At the time I first surrendered my life to Jesus, I had the impression or the wrong idea that I can attain spiritual maturity straight away. I did not know that God intends the entire process to be a lifelong journey. With hindsight, the concept of salvation or gospel was not properly explained to me at the time I first decided to follow Jesus. I had wrongly assumed that once I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, sin will be banished forever in my life. I reckoned that I should no longer be able to commit any sin again, since I am a new creature in Christ; born of the Spirit of God (1John 5:18).

I was very wrong, having misunderstood this scriptural passage. If correctly interpreted, it says anybody truly born of God cannot continue to make a habit of sinning or sinning habitually just as they used to, before they surrendered their lives to God. This is simply because with the Spirit of God dwelling in them, they have a new desire to obey God and do what pleases Him. This, however, still doesn't rule out the fact that we are still prone to sin, and we do sin due to our carnal and sinful old nature (Rom 7:19-25). Yet, when we do sin consciously or unconsciously because of our ignorance or spiritual immaturity, God our father forgives us whenever we confess and repent of our sins (1 John 2:1).  Jesus our High Priest and advocate cleanses our sins, with His blood and enable us to stand righteous and guiltless without condemnation before God’s throne of mercy (Rom 8:1). This is because He obtained pardon for us, once and for all; by dying for us and taking upon his body the punishment for all our sins (Rom 3:25-26). I didn't have a clear revealed knowledge or understanding of this truth at the time I began my Christian journey. This is why God say in the scriptures: "my people perish for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6).

Shortly after I gave my life to Jesus, the euphoria and excitements that surrounded my newly found faith in Jesus disappeared. I realised not long that I am still vulnerable to sinning and tempted to indulge in my old habits. As a young teenager at the time, I was presented with all manners of temptations of unimaginable proportions. Before I realised it, the experience of my spiritual journey with Jesus has become what I can describe, a "roller coaster"; being always up and down. One moment, I was desiring Jesus, the next moment I was indulging my sinful nature in all kinds of sins involving sexual immoralities of all sorts and other iniquities. I started compromising my Christian Walk and rebelling against God. I didn't desire to do certain things, which I knew were immoral or ungodly, yet I ended up doing them. I will go to God and asked Him for forgiveness, but I will do the same wrong things again if and whenever similar opportunity presented itself to me.

While I was doing all these things that I knew were sinful, I felt miserable and didn't have any peace within me. Much worse, I was so fearful of the reality that if I died in my sinful state, my soul will be damned in hell. I seem hopeless and powerless over sin and Satan. The accusation of Satan, the accuser of the saints often speak to me, loudly and louder than the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit within me. I couldn't hear the Spirit's voice within me, which tries to assure me of God's love for me.

The devil will taunt me and suggest to me: "you can't be a true Christian with all these sins in your life and you are unworthy". I tried to overcome my sinfulness by applying myself to 'good works' but it was all hopeless. I became more bound by religious legalism with a very critical, judgemental and philosophical spirit; culminating to my becoming backsliding as I went on to university. For many years, I fought a lost battle against Satan because I was fighting in ignorance, devoid of good understanding of God's Word.

 I did not have the understanding that salvation is a continuous process (Phil 2:12; Phil 1:6). Repentance and conversion are just the beginning of a lifelong process in the spiritual journey of every believer, which is not complete until the glorification of our fallen and sinful flesh. I did not realise that there is a 'Baby or toddler Stage' in our Christian Walk with Jesus, when we will surely 'trip', 'fall', 'play with dirt; yet God always picks us up, cleanse us and restore us to himself.  

I did not realise that spiritual transformation and our being changed from glory to glory never end, until the day we die and go to be with the Lord or He returns into the world to reign. Although I was born into a religious Christian family, nobody counselled me or prepared me for the challenging spiritual journey to maturity that lies ahead. I was unaware of the battlefield of the mind, the ceaseless spiritual warfare against my soul being waged by the wicked forces of darkness. I was in the dark to the destructive complimentary roles, my own carnal nature and the fallen world can play against my soul in consonance with Satan's temptations. Yet, I did not know the truth that without Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I cannot by my own efforts and strivings overcome my three foes: 'Satan', 'my sinful flesh' and 'this fallen world'.

I was unaware that God is merciful, patient and indeed pleased with my desires and struggles to be free from sin. He always forgives us for the same sin repeatedly, if we confess it to Him, showing compassionate understanding for our weaknesses and frailties (Heb 4:15). The scriptures declare: " If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and there is no truth in us, but if we confess our sins before Him, He will forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness" (1 John 1: 8 -10).

I did not know that as a child of God, I have an advocate in the person of Jesus Christ who continues to make intercession for me before the Almighty father (1 John 2:1).  I did not know that there is a learning curve or a 'unique path'; tailored made for each child of his, often involving trials and sufferings that God has prepared us to pass through before attaining to spiritual maturity in Christ. God is a God of plan, purpose and objectivity. He knows each of his children very well and has unique 'game plan', method, timings and purposes for each of us. Our spiritual journey experiences are all designed to culminate in the spiritual transformations that eventually bring us to full maturity in Christ Jesus.

God fully understands and appreciates the fact that not all will progress at the same rate because of our unique personalities. Yet, he accepts and loves us just the way we are now regardless of our weaknesses and imperfections. God chose to focus solely on the end product. That is our perfection, which He already sees before He called us out of this world.  God himself He is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2). Nevertheless, God, our father is never in a hurry to finish what he started. Yet, He always finishes and perfect whatever he starts in us (Phil 1:6).  As mentioned earlier, God has his unique programme, times and seasons of visitation to execute his divine pleasure in the lives of all his children (Eccl 3:11). Others or even ourselves may feel guilt, worry and fret over the imperfections obvious in our lives. What God sees and delights in, is our glorious end, the final unblemished product. While I behold my own failures and weaknesses; writing myself off as a wretched sinner, God the master Porter specialises in redeeming and restoring the damned (Jer 18: 1-6).

In my backslidden state, I did not realise that although God through His Spirit works tirelessly to ensure our spiritual growth, as His child I also have a role to play in this process (Phil 2:12). I did not appreciate the importance of studying my Bible and regularly spending time with God in prayer; a discipline which could have contributed immensely to my spiritual growth. I remember my Bible only on Sundays and hardly consult it for Godly counsel. I thirst after righteousness but did not live my life based on sound scriptural guidance. So, I was like a lost sheep without a shepherd. I shuttled from one Church to another in quest for solution to my spiritual stagnation and dilemmas.

My heart soon became a dumping ground for all sorts of confusing and conflicting human theology and doctrines until I eventually suffered a mental breakdown. It was only God's love and mercy that restores me back to full health.

Not being aware of the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the third member of the Trinity, our Teacher, Counsellor and Comforter whom God the father sent to the Church on the day of Pentecost through our Lord Jesus, in fulfilment of his promise to the Church was a major disadvantage. It is the Holy Spirit who can help us triumph over all our weaknesses and enable us to have a revealed knowledge of God's ways (John 16:13).

I had some spiritual breakthroughs after recovering from a nervous breakdown several years ago. Unknowing to me at the time, God was using this trying experience to draw me closer to himself and lift me up spiritually. It became a revealed knowledge to me and not just a head knowledge that God is our loving heavenly father who loves us just as much as he loves Jesus Christ (Rom 8:32-39).

It is good for you to realise and for your mind to be illuminated with the truth of who you have become in Christ Jesus; having been redeemed from the hands of the foe. You need to realise, accept and rejoice in the knowledge and truth that you are now an heir of salvation; a co-heir with Jesus Christ (Rom 8:17).

Christians have been redeemed and called out of this dark world to reign with Jesus in His heavenly kingdom for all eternity. This is what Satan, our enemy, who comes to steal, to kill and to destroy (John 10:10) does not want many children of God to discover. Unbelievers in Christ Jesus are already in his clutches. They are forever doomed and can never realise their glorious destinies unless they are snatched by Jesus from the fire of Hell. I am one of those the merciful and loving hands of God rescued from the fire of hell.  

BEWARE OF SATAN: YOUR ADVERSARY 

Satan wanted to destroy my soul. He wanted to keep me in captivity and bound in chains perpetually. That is what his agenda is for every child of God or anyone who may want to profess faith in Christ Jesus. Satan will raise up storms against believers and nonbelievers who may be tempted to heed the gospel message (Mat 13:18-22). He and his vast host of Demons are very furious and labour tirelessly to get as many souls as possible to hell because they know that their time is short (Rev 12:12). Satan is the opposite of everything excellent that Jesus represents. Satan is a thief, a liar, a destroyer and a murderer (John 8:44). These are his stock in trade. He tempts people to sin, to rebel against God and then stand as their accuser before the throne of God, to condemn and seek permission from God to execute judgement against them (Zech 3:1).

Why is Satan so murderous, destructive and hateful of all God's creation? It is because he is envious of mankind. Man is destined to attain to the very position and better than that which Satan forfeited in heaven due to pride (Isa 14:12 -14). After his rebellion in heaven, Satan and all his Angels, now called demons (one - third) were driven out of their residence in heaven (Rev 12:7). God's redeemed children are promised by Jesus to be granted rights to sit with him and share his throne. Jesus, our Lord in the same way, overcome Satan and sat with God, the father in His throne (Rev 3:21). We are God's sons and daughters, destined to sit in high heavenly realms; even on Christ throne, which Satan can no longer approach.

Satan will therefore try to discourage us from persevering and patiently running the race set before us. He will try to get us to worry, to doubt God, mistrust God and blame Him for all our miseries. In extreme cases, Satan will even bid us to curse God and damn the consequences (John 8: 43-45). Being very wicked, Satan is an extremely intelligent, formidable and highly organise enemy who also seeks to work through carnal human faculties (Gal 5:19-21).

We must not be ignorant of Satan's tactics and devices (2Cor 2:11). Satan is a brilliant Bible scholar with a deceiving voice (voice of evil spirits). He can ruthlessly and cunningly misapply the Holy Scriptures if he wants to lure or trap his unsuspecting target (1 Pet 5:8). Satan can lure the unwary and vulnerable with many destructive temptations using sex, money, worldly fame, greed and many lusts of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21).

Satan and his demons will often lie in wait seeking the right opportunity to launch a spiritual attack on those who belong to the household of God. Because he is a murderer and a destroyer, he seeks opportunity to launch his wicked schemes against the vulnerable or complacent. He at times, doesn't mind bidding his time to ensure that his victim is completely snared and captured.

Satan and his demons always seek legal ground(s) to unleash terror on those following Jesus. This legal grounds amongst many others can be sins, iniquities, and rebellion against the known ways and commandment of God. Once he finds these grounds, he sends his demons into operation to unleash havoc in the lives of his prey, possessing and tormenting them.

Therefore, brethren it is good for us to seek to live a holy life; pleasing and acceptable to God (Eph 5:10). This we do by detesting the material world and running away from carnal sins (1 John 2: 15; 1 John 5:18). The only way we can triumph over wilful sin is to continue walking with Jesus and growing in our relationship with him. He is the only one who can ensure our victory over Satan, our adversary (Rev 12:11).

Jesus and our heavenly father are very merciful and loving (1 John 4:8). If you are like me, who was once backslidden and trapped in rebellion against God and your situation seems hopeless, there is hope for you. This is because Jesus is at the right-hand side of God the father, interceding for you, even at this moment (Rom 8:34). He too was tempted with all kinds of temptation when he walked this earth. yet, He never sinned (Heb 4: 15). Instead, He shed his own blood for our sins, dying a shameful death on the cross. As the author of our salvation and a mediator of a new covenant, sealed with his blood, He is well qualified to represent us before the father (Heb 4: 14 - 16). Jesus can identify with us and empathise with our struggles against sin; also having experienced diverse temptations (Heb 4:15).

God knows all things. While he wants us to be conformed to the image of his son- Jesus Christ and share in His holiness, He is not expecting us or requiring us to attain to sinless perfection, becoming like Jesus overnight.  The Holy Spirit is here on earth, helping us to pray when we don't know what to pray for (Rom 8:26). The Holy Spirit is working with us without us realising it, to help us overcome our sinful flesh and master the weaknesses, that often affect our spiritual progress (Rom 8:2). The Holy Spirit brings to our attention areas of weaknesses in our lives; through which Satan launches his fiery attacks against us. Therefore, walking with Jesus and walking with the Holy Spirit ensures or guarantees that we are more than conquerors thorough Jesus who died for us (Rom 8:37).

If there are sin or weaknesses you are struggling to overcome in your life today, God is ready to walk with you all the way to overcome them (Isaiah 1:18). All God demands or requires of you is absolute sincerity, honesty and willingness to turn your back on these sins. Privately take every situation and difficulties to Him in prayer. Don't be afraid to empty your mind to Jesus. Remember, you cannot deceive God because He knows everything already before you open your mouth. If you confess a particular sin to God and find yourself repeating the same sin again, go back to God again and again. His mercies are new every day and the blood of Jesus purifies all God's children from all unrighteousness (1John 1:7). You are his precious child bought with a priceless blood (1 Cor 6:19 -20).  God will not kick you or drive you out of His presence (Mat 12: 20). Jesus our intercessor before God, our father had already ensured that (Rom 8:34).  

Our heavenly father is not like our earthly parents whose genuine love for us may be doubtful and conditional. There is a limit to our human parents' endurance and longsuffering. In the worst-case scenarios, they can even abandon and forsake us. God, our heavenly father is however, LOVE, and He suffers long. God never condemn us but through his Holy Spirit, He does convicts us of sin; helping us to repent and turn a new leaf (John 15: 8 - 11).

If you frequently or at any time feel condemnation in your hearts, there is a need for you to watch out! This feeling(s) is neither from God nor the Holy Spirit because the Scriptures assures believers that there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8: 1-4). The feeling of guilt and condemnation comes from the accusing voice of Satan, your adversary (Rev 12:10). It took me many years to understand this. Your existing weaknesses or problems may be anger; it may be greed; dishonesty, lies, fornication, adultery, etc. This is not a problem for God or the Holy Spirit at all. Your deliverance may not always be spontaneous. It might be a gradual one; and take longer than you envisaged. God in His wisdom and mercies may give you the grace to triumph over certain weaknesses quickly, others slowly and other weaknesses may even persist (3 Cor. 12:8-10). Nevertheless, whatever the pattern, method or the time span God chooses to work, He will eventually ensure the perfection of your faith (Heb 12:2).

Don't fall into the trap of comparing yourself with 'strangers in the faith', familiar older Christians or more 'spiritually matured Christians'. Very few people and even sincere Christians will openly admit their own struggles or failings to you. Continue to trust God to give you eventual victory over the sins you have confessed to Him and willing to forsake.

Never compare yourself with or seek to emulate anybody claiming or pretending to be sinless or self righteous; not even your religious ministers (Matt 23: 27-28). The Bible says we deceive ourselves and there is no truth in us if we claim we have no sin at all (1 John 1: 8). Judging by my own experience, certain areas of weaknesses in my life sometimes cause me to stumble and sin. Nevertheless, as I honestly table this matter before God in prayer, He has enabled me through his Holy Spirit to overcome many of these shortcomings.

Some of my weaknesses takes a considerable length of time to master, but God did it and gave me victory in the end. Without the Holy Spirit working in yielded children of God, we will all struggle in vain to overcome our weaknesses (Rom 7: 24-25).  It is important for us to remember that the Holy Spirit works with us in our sanctification and perfecting process. This process will be over only when Jesus returns to the earth in glory to rule over the whole world.

So, brethren, don't be easily discouraged and don't be in a hurry to attain spiritual maturity.  If you remain walking with Jesus, he will be with you through every storm and trial of live till your faith is perfected (Heb 13:5).

David was a man after God's own heart despite the murder and adultery he committed (2 Sam 11: 1-17). Why should David enjoy such favour from God? It is because David feared and loved God (1Sam 13:14; PS 111:10). When his sins were uncovered, he did not try to justify himself in any way, but he cried unto God for forgiveness and mercy and God forgave him (See Psalm 51). God is a merciful and loving father. Once a sin is confessed and forsaken, God remembers it no more (Heb 8:12). We can also follow the footsteps of David by being honest with God concerning our spiritual state. God will usually focus our attention on areas of weaknesses in our lives, one at a time. He never saddles us with more than we can bear at any point in our spiritual journey. Jesus even assured us that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Mat. 11:30).

Once we have victory over an area of shortcoming or weakness in our lives, God through the Holy Spirit may draw our attention to another area that needs working on. So that overtime and with hindsight, we come to experience more peace and joy; while recognising clearly God's handiwork in enabling our spiritual progress; moving us from one level of glory to a higher.

The more we overcome our natural human weaknesses, which lures us into sin, the more our lives become more spirit controlled and less prone to sin. Our lives therefore become sanctified, cleansed and consecrated unto the Lord; ready to be used by God for every good works (2 Tim 2: 20 -22).   

This brings us to the concluding section of this booklet. In the next section, you have some powerful keys that will enable you to overcome all challenges to your spiritual walk with Jesus. Armed with these keys, you will go on to have victories upon victories over Satan, your adversary.   

YOUR KEYS TO STEADY SPIRITUAL GROWTH & MATURITY                 

So, the followings, which are not in any order of importance, or an exhaustive list will guarantee your steady spiritual growth and maturity:

ü Cultivate the habit of regularly reading and studying your Bible (Josh 1:8).

ü Meditate upon the WORD continuously (Joshua 1:8). Do this with prayer regular fellowship with God the father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Doing this daily is guaranteed to produce and bring amazing blessings into your life.

ü Don't just study your Bible. Be a wise builder, do what it says (Mat 7:24 -27). Start walking in love, showing mercies and compassion; forgiving those who have wronged or treated you badly (Eph 4:32). An unforgiving mindset or attitude can hinder your spiritual growth. By choosing not to forgive someone who have hurt or did you evil, you will be giving Satan another chance to enslave you and lead you into captivity (Mat 6:15; Eph 4: 26-27).  

ü  Associate with more matured and spirit filled children of God that you can observe by their way of life are living a lifestyle like that of our Lord Jesus. Fellowship and explore the scriptures together; being accountable to one another. By so doing, you will be able to encourage and support one another from time to time (Heb. 10:25). You will prosper spiritually and in other ways, if you do this consistently.

ü  Attend and become an active member of a Church where the true and unadulterated WORD of God is regularly preached and taught. How will you know that? Watch closely if their emphasis is on material prosperity instead of spiritual growth and Christian discipleship. If a lot of emphasis is placed on payment of tithes and offering including worldly prosperity, then you must watch out!! You will need to guide yourself against financial and psychological abuse. You should watch out for Churches who place too much emphasis on doctrines and claim that their congregation is the perfect and chosen one by God. There is the danger of falling into doctrinal errors, grieving the Holy Spirit and stifling your spiritual growth.

ü Pray regularly without ceasing because when the word of God is propelled or shot out like arrows with prayer, the effect against the kingdom of darkness is very devastating (1Thess. 5: 17). The fervent prayer of a righteous child of God carries a lot of power with it and always move mountains (Jas. 5:16). In your prayers, cultivate the practice of four simple steps in approach to our Lord Jesus Christ and your heavenly father which are namely: 1. Adoration of God the father, 2. Confession of your sins, 3. Thanksgiving and 4. Supplication or presenting your requests before God.  These four steps is easily remembered using the acronym (ACTS).

ü You can from time to time fast as the Holy Spirit enables you. This discipline adds effectiveness to your prayers and supplication before God. Fasting helps to subdue the carnal flesh and humble oneself before God (Daniel 10:12). This booklet is not intended to discuss the act of fasting in-depth. There are many good articles on the internet on this subject matter or topical books you can buy from any Christian bookshop.

ü Draw inspiration, strength and encouragement from time to time from Christian books and magazines. This is because there are times when God do speak to us through the writings of others. All the same, you still need to be careful not to take these writers as the final authority or as 'Holy Spirit Juniors'. You must be quick to dissociate or distance yourself completely from any teaching or preaching that the Holy Spirit has enabled you to perceive contradicts God's Word (1Cor. 11:19; 2 Pet. 2: 1; Mat. 7: 15 - 20).

ü Finally, do not be discouraged and be quick to give up; should at first you do not observe immediate visible progress or improvement in your spiritual health. Remember that Satan, the enemy of your soul is also restless and seeks for openings to get you worried and discouraged (1Pet 5:8).  Retaining fellowship and walking with our Lord Jesus Christ regardless of our personal physical circumstances is one of many Christian conducts worthy of praise and good report (Phil. 4:8). God teaches us in His Word not to be weary in well doing, because will reap in due season if we do not give up (Gal. 6:9). I can assure you that your breakthrough will surely come in the end.

ü Above all, always remember who you are in Christ Jesus. You are a child of God, Heir of salvation and Co-heir with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17). You have been redeemed from the kingdom of Satan (Darkness), blessed and called by God to shine in the darkness of this world (Phillp.2:15). So, as you have been blessed, become a blessing to your family, community, nation and everywhere you go, using whatever resources God has placed in your hands. Freely you received from the Lord, freely and generously give of yourself and resources to others, without holding back unduly.  By doing this, you will be shinning forth as light in the darkness of this world. The kingdom of God on earth will expand, bringing God much pleasure and glory through your obedient life.