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Personal Growth Plan

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I’ve noticed something very important for my own spiritual growth; I need goals and I need a plan to reach those goals.  I don’t know who said it, but I know they were right.  If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.  This is true spiritually as well.  Through a tweet from a friend, I came across this Personal Growth Plan for spiritual development.  This seems to be an incredible tool to assist in setting goals for essential spiritual disciplines.

I’ll include the entire document below, but if you want to download the PDF for yourself, you can click here – Personal Growth Plan.

Personal Growth Plan for: __________________________________________

The number one command in the canon of the Bible is: “To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and all your mind.” That sounds like a lot of effort. The purpose of this plan is to help you accomplish God’s heart and your desire; to obey the first commandment.

Jude 20-21: “But you beloved, building yourself up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”

Quantify the spiritual disciplines below so you can measure them. They can be measured by differing amounts of time or pages.

BIBLE READING: ________________ (pages or chapters – daily or annually)

Psalm 19:7-8: “The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

My recommendation is to read the entire Bible annually. Options: App____________, read straight through, Bible reading record, Chronological Bible, 1 Year Bible. (Straight-through reading is not recommended for the novice, as it is easy to get bogged down in some of the Older Testament.)

FAITH

BIBLE STUDY: _______________ (amount of time, topics, books to be studied, studies)

2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of truth … All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

You may choose topics of interest, character studies, book studies, word studies, Small Group Bible studies, prepared studies, e.g., Beth Moore, Precepts, etc.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY: _______________ (# of verses annually) Psalm 119:11: “Your Word have I treasured in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Use areas of growth you need: evangelism verses, prayer promises, faith (I would suggest the “Roman Road” to salvation – Romans 3:10; 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-10; 13)

MEDITATION: ___________________ (amount of time)

Psalm 104:34, 119:97-99: “Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; as for me I shall be glad in the Lord.” … “O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.”

Daily in the Scriptures, names of God, doctrines, attributes of God, memory verses, etc.

SILENCE: _______________ (amount of time)

Psalm 46:10, 62:5: “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in all the earth.”… “My soul waits in silence for God only, for my only hope is in Him.”

Structured listening to God, listening to the Holy Spirit, discerning the Will of God, reflecting on issues, reflecting on events, reflecting on your day, problems, or the future.

SOLITUDE: _______________ (amount of time)

Psalm 27:5; 31:2: “For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent he will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.” … “You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.”

When, where, rest, bask in His presence and His glory, receive His power. PRAYER: ______________ (specific amount of time)

I Samuel 12:23; I Thessalonians 5:17: “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing the pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.” “Pray without ceasing.”

Create a list of family, friends, co-workers, spiritual leaders, political leaders, church Family, harvest of souls, revival, ministries, missionaries, etc.

FASTING: _______________ (# of meals, days, seasons)

Matthew 6:16: “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting, Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.”

I would recommend starting with one meal and working your way up to one full day, three days, seven days, and longer. Plan for prayer times during the fast. Study Isaiah 58 in preparation.

EVANGELISM: _______________ (# of people you will share the Gospel with this year)

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Create a list of people to pray for and share with:

FAMILY

_______________ _______________ ______________

FRIENDS

_______________ _______________ _______________

CO-WORKERS

_______________ _______________ _______________

BOOKS READ: _______________ (# of books for the year) Consider topics, areas of interest or growth, areas of strengths or weaknesses. (I recommend one out of

every ten books be a positive attitude book, areas of professional proficiency, areas to stretch you) CDs, DVDs, PODCASTS, BLOGS: _______________ (# listened to)

Proverbs 4:23 “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” Leadership, sermons, worship. (Enroll in U. of A. – University of Automobile by making the best use of

time in the car and travel!) SERVING: _______________ (Amount of Time)

John 13:14-15; I Peter 4:10: “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you”… “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Inside the church, out in the community, with the poor, visiting jail or prison, areas to which you feel called.

MISSION TRIPS: _______________ (Annual trips? When do you plan to go?)

Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

LIST AREAS IN YOUR SPIRITUAL WALK THAT NEED IMPROVEMENT:

_____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Your personal plan should reflect all of the disciplines and the areas in which you want to grow. “Your life is like a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow.” ~GOD

Thank You

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In honor of my favorite holiday, I thought I would take a moment to say “thank you.”  This is a simple thanks to so many who have meant so much to us.

  • Thanks to the people of Crosspointe.  You have loved, encouraged and followed us faithfully during our time with you. “I thank the Lord in all my remembrance of you.”
  • Thanks to the staff of Crosspointe. God has an incredible future in store for Crosspointe and you all are a big reason why.  Continue to allow Christ to build His church the right way.
  • Thanks to the deacons of Crosspointe. You guys are amazing and I love each of you dearly.  It has been a joy to lead you and a pleasure to serve alongside of you.
  • Thanks to the Lord. God has done amazing things at Crosspointe over the past four years and it’s been an honor to lead as I sought to follow the Lord.
  • Thanks to Second Baptist Church.  While we are certainly in the midst of a transition and won’t begin our ministry until 1/1/12, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as your pastor.  Although I have extensive experience with SBC in the past, I believe that the best days of our church are ahead and I am thankful to the Lord for the opportunity to lead us to that future.
  • Thanks to my family. Glory to God for a wife who loves me and follows the Lord’s leadership in my life. Thank the Lord for four healthy (although very active and energetic) children who have a heart for the things of God.

It would be very easy for this to be a very long post as I consider all of the things I’m grateful for and all of the people I’m grateful to.  But, for today, I’ll leave it at that.  Again, thank you.

A Time of Transition

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Below is a copy of the letter I recently sent out to my church family regarding this time of ministry transition.

Dear Crosspointe Family,

My family and I love this church! Crosspointe is an amazing fellowship filled with incredible people.  We have never felt so loved, appreciated, encouraged and accepted.  It has been so incredible to see how God has moved in our church over the last several years.  Honestly, it is nothing short of a miracle.

That’s why this letter is so difficult for me to write.  My home church, Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins, GA, has asked me to be their new pastor.  As of Sunday, November 13th, I have accepted their invitation.  It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation from the position of pastor at Crosspointe Baptist Church. My tenure will conclude on the last day of November.

Please believe me when I say that we are not hurt, angry, mad, frustrated or disappointed.  On the contrary, we love Crosspointe more than ever and we are eternally grateful to the Lord for the privilege of serving as your pastor.  But, we must follow the Lord’s will and direction.  If you know me, I hope you know that my deepest desire is to be faithful and obedient to the Lord’s call.  Only God could bring me to Crosspointe and only God could move me away.

The future of Crosspointe Baptist Church is incredibly bright. I firmly believe the best days of Crosspointe are ahead.  I will pray for you all and humbly ask that you pray for my family and me during this transition. I love each of you dearly and am grateful for the privilege of knowing you and serving with you.

Love in Christ,

Jim Perdue

My Great Need for Grace

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I am deeply indebted to and in need of grace.  Grace is not a one-time need and it is not a one-time provision. I need grace today just as much as I needed grace on the day of my salvation. This is saving grace and this is sustaining grace.

In Titus 3:3-7, Paul paints a beautiful picture of grace. “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

The law simply points out my weakness and utter helplessness in meeting God’s standards, but God’s grace makes it possible to be accepted by Him.  God will only accept those who are righteous in His sight.  We are made righteous and made acceptable through the power of Jesus Christ and the grace that He brought to mankind.

God’s grace has done something that no one and nothing could ever do for us.  Through His death, He offers life. Through His suffering, He offers salvation. Through His wounds, He offers healing.

I have a great need for grace.  But thankfully, my need for grace is matched by God’s great supply.  If you ever get over grace you’ve gone too far.

The Entertainment Culture Within The Church

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We face a great danger when we show up at church wanted to be entertained. I’m sure you’ve heard it before; from a spouse, a friend, a fellow church member, or maybe you’ve said it.  “I didn’t get anything out of it today” or “it wasn’t enough to keep my attention” or “it wasn’t really fun.”  What you are really saying is this: “God’s Word isn’t enough for me.” The only time you shouldn’t “get anything out of the sermon” is if the Word of God is not preached. And if it’s not preached then you’ve got a major problem with the preacher.  The Bible clearly places the responsibility of preaching the Word of God squarely upon the shoulders of the pastor.  Do we show up to church in order to be entertained, or do we hope to see lives changed? Entertainment has never saved one soul from hell. Only the Word of God empowered by the Spirit of God has that power.