Your Grow! book has opportunities at the end of each chapter to "write your story" in relation to that chapter's content. Each chapter runs along two tracks - a "New" track, and a "Re-new" track. The "New" track is designed for anybody; the "Re-new" track is designed for believers who have at least some history with the Lord. Of course, in writing your story, you can feel free to do either, or both writing projects.
The first opportunity to write your story asks you to write a letter. It could be to
- someone you haven't seen in a long time,
- someone you care about who is no longer living,
- the devil, or
- the Lord.
Would you be willing to share your letter with other readers? This will encourage them to celebrate your growth with you, and to share their own stories. Some of you leader-types - you go first!
To share your letter, simply fill in the information below, and type or paste your letter.
There were two people in my Grow Group meeting last night at Turning Point. I let The Lord lead, and tried to be sensitive to his spirit. At the end of the meeting we were all in tears. I shared a small bit of what The Lord had been doing in my life as I believed it would be beneficial to them, and tears were rolling down their cheeks at the end. So I guess The Spirit did his work. They didn’t want to leave, but said they had kids to take home, so they had to go. We had a closing prayer. The meeting concluded, everybody said there goodbyes and we went to our homes. Elise was going to sleep on the couch, and I was just in time to give her night-night kisses and hugs. Teresa was watching the news and doing a crossword puzzle, so I decided to take a shower.
John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
1 Peter 5 (New International Version)
To Elders and Young Men
1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."[a] 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
James 4
Submit Yourselves to God
4You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?[a] 6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."[b]
7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Revelation 13:8
8All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.
Matthew 10:29
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.
Matthew 10:30
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
I was really feeling good about the work done that night while I showered. Suddenly, “You really think you’re something, don’t you,” said a voice dripping with hatred and venom.
“Lord?”
“Oh, so you’re going to run crying to da da now?”
“It’s alright Matt. I’m here. Go ahead and talk with him.”
“Sure I’m going to run to him; as a matter of fact, no. I don’t think I’m anything.”
“What would you say if I told you I’d been given permission to peel the skin from your body and laugh while you scream?”
“I’d say you were lying. God’s word says you’re a liar. I think you’re lying now. If it were so, I believe he would have told me, and not left it up to you.”
“Do you think you can stop me?”
“No, I’m absolutely powerless to stop you. I’m completely defenseless. You can do anything you want to and I am completely defenseless against you. However, there is one exception. I am covered with the blood of The Son of God. I am filled with his Holy Spirit. I have been bought, and paid for with a heavy price by The Lord God Almighty. My Lord loves me enough to reach across space and time, span two thousand years with his blood and spirit to save me, talk to me, give me a purpose, bless me, and teach me to fight. I don’t believe all that is for such a purpose as you say.”
“I hate you. I want to kill you.”
“I don’t doubt it. God’s word says you come to steal, kill, and destroy. You wouldn’t try to do that to folks you cared about. I am under the covenant of blood planned from the foundation of the world. The Lord says he holds me in the palm of his hand, and those The Father has given to him he will never let slip through his fingers. He says that all power in Heaven and Earth has been given to Him by the Father. Without Him, nothing is made that has been made. He decides who comes, who goes, who lives, and who dies. He knows how many hairs are on my head, and if a single sparrow falls in a field. If he cares that much about his creation, I would suspect he’s quite irritated with you right now. Leave now in Jesus name.”
“I’m very proud of you Matt. Well done.”
Needless to say, that was a sleepless night. I woke at 4:00 a.m. with that conversation still ringing in my ears. The Lord said, “Across space and time. I like that.” Then in a big voice, with an echo, “Across…cross…cross…space…ace…ace…and…and…and…time…time…time.” Then he chuckled, “ I like that.”
I like it too.
To Satan: In the past, I probably would have been very flippant about this letter to you. I was convinced that I had it all under control and there was nothing you could throw at me that I couldn’t handle. Now I know that there is nothing you can throw at me that I “can” handle; on my own anyway. Through recent events I have learned that I am absolutely powerless against you by myself. However, I have also learned that you are absolutely powerless against my Lord. I have stared the face of the kingdom of darkness down; not in my own power, but completely reliant upon The Lords strength, sovereignty, and power. I have recently seen your absolute hatred of me and Jesus’ absolute love for me. Because of The Master’s touch on my heart and life, I have two-way communication with Him that I never had before. Maybe I had it, but just couldn’t hear. Not only is The Lord showing me his love and mercy, but he is giving me a real function and purpose. This makes me feel very valuable, and like I have a contribution to make. I am able to care about those around me better based on how much Jesus loves them and desires a relationship with them too.
Matt