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spiritual maturity

Pastor Ogechukwu Shares 2 Aspect of Spiritual Maturity

by Christel Berns May 7, 2024

written by Christel Berns

Pastor Ogechukwu Chijioke Ogwe of Circle Church Global shared insights about spiritual maturity, focusing on “acknowledgment and manifestation.”

Spiritual Maturity

In his message, Pastor Oge shared profound thoughts on spiritual growth. He emphasized that acknowledging the presence of God’s gift, the Holy Spirit, in one’s life is essential for experiencing a tangible manifestation of God’s Word. He highlighted that spiritual maturity involves more than just being familiar with the content of the Bible; it requires allowing God’s Word to deeply impact one’s life, leading to transformation and breakthrough.

Ogechukwu Chijioke Ogwe [@pst_oge]. Pastor Oge. Instagram, 20 Mar. 2024, https://www.instagram.com/pst_oge/reel/C4ur-z1MhIL/

For instance, the pastor reflected, “Why is it that every time I get angry and when I get angry I lose my mind? The Bible said ‘sin shall no longer have dominion over me.’ Why does sin have dominion over me? Why is it this lust issue it has refused to let me go?”

“The reason is because spiritual maturity does not just come by knowing what is in the Bible,” he explained.

Acknowledgement & Manifestation

Pastor Oge emphasized that spiritual growth starts with heightened self-awareness. Individuals must understand the factors influencing their daily lives, recognizing their true emotional state, whether “anxious,” “overwhelmed,” or other unexpected feelings.

“It is easy to get overwhelmed,” he added. “Then, you remember the Bible says ‘Be anxious for nothing but in all things through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your request known unto God.’ And it says, ‘and the peace of the Lord that passeth all understanding will flood your hearts and your mind.’”

Moreover, he gave examples of believers experiencing peace in challenging situations through the Holy Spirit.

“And they will say ‘it’s God or it’s really the Holy Ghost,’” he said. “And you’re wondering to yourself ‘is it not the same Holy Ghost that I have?’ You see, you acknowledged what you have. But you have not tried to bring to manifestation what you really have.”

Towards the end, Pastor Oge advised never to cease praying until peace prevails.

“If the peace has not come, then my prayer is not over,” he remarked.

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A post shared by Ogechukwu Chijioke Ogwe (@pst_oge)

Reference | Instagram – Ogechukwu Chijioke Ogwe

Header Image: Ogechukwu Chijioke Ogwe [@pst_oge]. Pastor Oge. Instagram, 20 Mar. 2024, https://www.instagram.com/pst_oge/reel/C4ur-z1MhIL/

May 7, 2024 0 comments

Articles Featured News

Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. Shares One Of The Great Marks Of Maturity

by Kriza Jo Tanduyan April 5, 2024

written by Kriza Jo Tanduyan

Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. shared a profound insight about one of the significant hallmarks of maturity.

Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr.

The lead pastor of VOUS Church, Rich Wilkerson Jr., discussed maturity in one of his podcasts with Mike Todd. He emphasized that one of the significant signs of maturity was an individual’s capacity to swiftly regain confidence after setbacks, disappointments, or storms. He further pointed out that during injuries, one’s health was gauged by how rapidly they could recover.

Then, he quoted what Peter Scazzero said, “You cannot be spiritually mature if you remain emotionally immature.” He explained that they knew individuals who were emotionally immature yet gifted or anointed. Unfortunately, these individuals struggled to navigate internal storms, and their emotions often overwhelmed them.

Rich Wilkerson Jr.. (Screenshot). (2024). A Raw Conversation About The Spotlight, Retrieved March 8, 2024 from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud0sFd39hSg

Strongholds

Furthermore, he mentioned, “There’s no pain like people pain – rejection, failure, betrayal, disappointment. And you have to make a decision in those moments. Are you going to give the enemy a foothold?” He shared that when a person allows the enemy to take control, a root of bitterness can develop. If the enemy gains a foothold, it can lead to the establishment of a stronghold.

Moreover, he clarified, “Once you have a stronghold in motion, His truth, God’s truth, the word of God, the medicine that we need can’t actually get to us. It can’t actually bring the healing that we need.” People couldn’t experience full transformation due to the strongholds that kept them distant from God. Additionally, he mentioned that there is a tendency for a broken person to mirror the behavior of the one who hurt them, inadvertently treating themselves as a lesser individual.

Lastly, he remarked, “It’s amazing how, as your world gets bigger, how you’re so tempted to get so much smaller.”

Watch the full video here.

Reference | Rich Wilkerson Jr.

Header Image: Rich Wilkerson Jr.. (Screenshot). (2024). A Raw Conversation About The Spotlight, Retrieved March 8, 2024 from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud0sFd39hSg

April 5, 2024 0 comments

Articles Featured News

Jada Edwards: Maturity Is Being Able To Say, ‘Yes God!’ Even When Everything In You Wants To Say No

by Kriza Jo Tanduyan March 18, 2024

written by Kriza Jo Tanduyan

Jada Edwards reminds every Christian that maturity is about saying “yes” to God even when their flesh wants to say “no.”

Jada Edwards

Bible teacher and author Jada Edwards talked about spiritual maturity in one of her Instagram videos. She explained that the mission God called His followers to would require a certain level of maturity. Then, she highlighted that the church would typically equate spiritual maturity with spiritual knowledge.

She discussed that maturity is not about how long people have been Christian. It is not about how obedient they were to religious rules or how many times they studied the Bible. Instead, she said, “Maturity is being able to respond immediately to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, especially when it goes against the craving of the flesh.” She continued, “Maturity is being able to say, ‘Yes God,’ even when everything in you wants to say ‘no.’”

Jada A Edwards
[@jada_edwards]. Maturity. Instagram, January 15, 2023, https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2F5VZkOEHG/

Maturity

Furthermore, she emphasized to the congregation that maturity is all about their response to God’s instruction. If the followers of God were on a mission and obeyed what God asked of them, it would require a maturity that Christians often overlook. For her, that kind of spiritual maturity would not receive applause.

Moreover, she shared, “No one’s going to look and say, ‘Look at you, serving.’ That’s not the maturity that they are going to see. They’re not going to know that you said yes to a conversation that you didn’t want to have.” Then, she mentioned that people wouldn’t have any idea about the things that followers of God chose to give up just to honor the Lord. Christians would often experience private growth wherein God would cultivate something in secret. So that when He is ready to display His children, they will bring Him glory.

Watch the video here.

Reference | Jada A Edwards

Header Image: Jada A Edwards [@jada_edwards]. Maturity. Instagram, January 15, 2023, https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2F5VZkOEHG/

March 18, 2024 0 comments

Faith God's Word for the Day

God’s Word For Today: Growing in Grace

by Lily Benson June 23, 2023

written by Lily Benson

In our walk with Christ, we are called not only to receive God’s amazing grace but also to grow in it.

What Does the Bible Say?

As Peter encourages us in 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” This verse is a reminder that your journey as a believer is marked by continual growth, a deepening of your understanding of God’s grace, and allowing it to transform every aspect of your life.

Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes the foundational truth that your salvation is by grace through faith, not by your own works. It is a gift freely given by God. Your journey of growth in grace begins with recognizing and embracing the unmerited favor and love that God has bestowed upon you. It is through His grace that you are saved, and it is through His grace that you are empowered to grow in your relationship with Him.

To grow in grace, adopt an attitude of humility and surrender. James 4:6 reminds us, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” As you humbly acknowledge your need for His grace and submit your life to His leading, God will pour out His favor upon you, enabling you to experience His transformative power. It is in surrendering your will to His that you find true growth and transformation.

Growing in grace requires cultivating an intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father through prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 assures us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Through prayer, you can commune with God, align your heart with His, and seek His guidance and empowerment to live a life that honors Him.

Friend, as you strive to grow in grace, remember that it is a lifelong process. It requires intentionality, humility, and a steadfast commitment to your relationship with Christ. Daily surrender yourself to His transforming work, feasting on His Word, seeking Him in prayer, and walking in the company of fellow believers. In doing so, you will experience the abundant life that comes from growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.