HAVE YOU SUFFERED WITH ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT?

I read something recently that had these 2 words in the article ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, the words stuck in my mind, I thought it had a medical connotation (which it has), But I googled it and discovered it is also the title of an American sitcom series (5 series in total) that was very popular. I had never heard of the series but these words really challenged me.

In my blog this morning I wrote about recognising Ministry,, and asked the question should we seriously begin thinking about Building God’s House “according to the Pattern (of the Word of God)”.

Google told me that ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT was used for the first time about 200 hundred years ago in the context of a sometime after a baby was born it physically stopped developing, a very unusual and sad situation I am sure. Then about 100 years ago it began to be used also in the context of mental ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT.

I am sure Jesus was aware of this as a potential spiritual condition 2000 years ago when he said in Matt. 28:18_20 NKJV All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Jesus knew that when a person repents someone must come alongside and DISCIPLE otherwise there is every chance there will be ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT.

We know that when we are born again we still have our sinful nature, and have developed many bad attitudes and habits prior to coming to Christ. PLUS we have an enemy the evil one who wants to try and snatch that “incorruptible seed) out of our heart 1 Peter 1:23 AMP. N.T. You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God.

We need to be obedient and follow the Lord through the waters of Baptism and be baptised in the Holy Spirit Acts 2:38 NKJV “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Was it plain sailing after you became a Christian, sadly, I assume that was not the case, because too many Christians do not have someone come along side and walk with them into holiness and victory and purity.

It is interesting that in the medical use of the term ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT  is used both in relation to the physical and mental.

Probably it is the mental (mind) area that is the biggest  challenge for the New Christian, it is interesting there are probably 50 refences to the mind if the Epistles in the N.T. as  we all know THE MIND IS THE BATTLEFIELD OF THE SOUL, EVERY BATTLE IS WON OR LOST IN THE MIND. Discipleship teaches the New Christian to protect his mind.

there is not one new word in this blog, but my “Shepherd’s Heart” aches for the millions of people who have come to Christ, and a work of Grace had taken place in their hearts, but there has been  to some degree ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT.

Not only has the evil one blinded the eyes of most of the Church so that spiritual growth and standards have been so watered down, and he has convinced so called “Leaders” that Biblical Discipleship is too hard and try and replace it with a 4-6 week class and suggest that fulfils Matt. 28:18-20!!!!!!!, then suggesting that what is not normal lifestyle in churches is THE NORMAL CHRISTIAN LIFE is just so far away from what the Bible teaches and challenges and encourages us to do and to be.

Let’s get BACK TO THE BIBLE and BUILD GOD’S HOUSE GOD’S WAY  ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN AND GET GOD RESULTS AMEN.