Growth or increase that will last is usually preceded by change. Changes have to take place if you will be all that God wants you to be. The scripture in Luke 5:1-11 tells us of the experience that Peter had with Jesus. Read the passage to refresh your mind with its contents. Peter said 'Never the Less to thy Word'... and went on to do what Jesus said and had a miracle that he had toiled for without results. Sometimes it is not a lack of knowledge about what to do that produces a lack of results. Though sometimes that is the case. Always doing what Jesus says produces. It is the demand that doing what He says places on us that causes us to do otherwise. This is because doing what he says demand change in us that is sometimes contrary to our preconceptions or ideas. It demands our faith and dependence on Him. That kills our pride and independence. The flesh doesn't like that. Remember the man who built his house on the rock had to dig deep through the flesh to remove pride to build on the rock. This is especially serious when we think we know what to do and when what we know is not what He would want us to do at the time. We are too busy to fellowship with Him in His Word and Spirit so we just do what seems right to us and wonder why we don't get the results we expect to get.

In John 5:1-9, we read about the guy who was paralyzed for 40years. Now that is a long time to get your mind established in your experience. When he had this encounter with Jesus, once again the demand was placed on him in a question form, "would you be made whole?" He had 40 years of experience to militate against whatever Jesus says. He was quick to give his version or opinion about his state and frankly it was exactly what was happening - he did not lie. As you read you realize that He was given instruction to take up his bed and walk as he obeyed he gained strength to walk. He went through a change of mentality to experience a change of circumstances. Is there any area of your life that you have been unfruitful, lame, or handicapped, God's Word has the solution. It is either we are too lazy to find it out or too careless to work it out.

What I have discovered is that if you don't give yourself to the right changes you leave yourself to experiences to force changes on you. Joseph went through changes that brought him into the state of preparedness for his destiny. Some of what you are going through have the potential of preparing you if you embrace change and allow the process to fulfill its purpose. If there is any naughty area of your life then settle with God to get the solution from his Word and change your mentality accordingly.

Hindrances to Growth/Change

Since we are not just talking about change for change sake, we need to realize that the change is to give God a chance to do his Miracles in and through us. Let us list out why the Word works for some and does not seem to work for some. The Word does not work for some for the following reasons:

1. No reverence for the Word. John1:1-4
2. The measure they measure to the Word is very low. Mark 4:24-25
3. No instant obedience to the Word. Luke 5.
4. They don't want to come under authority especially that of the Word.
5. Unwillingness to discard opposing thoughts in their minds.
6. Not being confident of God's love for them.
7. All these are possible because there is no revelation of the Word. Mat 16:17

We must understand that change is inevitable in life. We need to handle it right so that it will take place in the right direction. We also must be willing to pay the price for change. It is the price for growth. Growth is costly and change can be painful. Be motivated by a picture of your possible tomorrow when you change. LOVE THE NEW YOU AS YOU KEEP THE IMAGE OF THE CHANGED YOU. This will motivate you to go through the process. Nurture it, trust God and go for Gold in God. This is true personally and corporately too. The cost for personal growth or even cooperate is never instant nor cheap. It will take a search and research, study and exercise, experiment and effort. Books and tapes can help.

God bless you all. Share these with millions of your friends and let us see this world change for the better.