How to Plateau - Stop Increasing
By Stovall's Blog
2 Peter 1:8
“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
One thing I never want to be as a leader is ineffective and unproductive. The verse above was taken from a passage of scripture that I consider to be somewhat of a personal check list: 2 Peter 1:3-11.
In that passage, Peter lists some characteristics that mature believers (leaders) should possess. They are:
- Faith (the starting point)
- Goodness (moral lifestyle)
- Knowledge (a lifestyle of learning)
- Self-control (a lifestyle of discipline)
- Perseverance (a lifestyle of faithfulness)
- Godliness (taking on the character of Christ)
- Brotherly kindness (compassion)
- Christian love (an unconditional, Christ-like agape love)
Not only do we have to possess these characteristics, but they have to increase in our lives for us to continue to be effective and productive. When we stop increasing in these characteristics, we are not growing – we are leveling off. Very soon after that point, we will find that we begin to lose our passion and zeal for leadership. We will loose the “leadership edge” we once had.
If you don’t want to be ineffective and unproductive as a leader, adopt the mentality that forward spiritual momentum (increase) is a must, not an option.
To sustain spiritual increase you must:
- Have regular, consistent encounters with God both privately and corporately (in church)
- Grow in your understanding of the word of God – become a self-feeder!
- Be farsighted (2 Peter 1:9). Don’t get tunnel vision. Look at the big picture.
- Keep your mind and heart focused on Kingdom work.
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6 Responses to “How to Plateau - Stop Increasing”
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Stovall Weems: “Faith comes from hearing the word of God. Life-change comes from obeying the word of God.” (Miracles, emphasis mine)
Weems adds: “Thanksgiving is the breeding-ground for faith.” (Joy to the World)
I agree with everything whether it’s from you or St. peter thank God for making his predistined choice a especially as a pastor yal like shepered to the sheeps of the church concerning about the souls and welfare of people i my respect and submissive is toward you because you are a divine vessel. Love 4 life!
I wanted to thank you for your sermon on Sunday. Not only was it what I needed to hear, but strangely I felt comfort in that it is, obviously, what other people need to hear as well. I heard Joyce Meyer on TV last night saying how the devil works on us by turning a key in our back to make us walk around with the attitude “what about me?” “what about me?” And you pointed out how our lives are just a speck in the scheme of what our job is here on earth.
All you said in this blog is so crucial, although not easy, and our heads can play games on us. I often say life is about mind over matter…..and while that’s a basic concept, it’s hard to get our mind’s to focus on what matters.
Pastor
Thank you for this post. As Galatians 5:22 says that some of the charecteristics mentioned above are the fruit of the Spirit. It comes as a reminder to me how important it is to have secret meetings with God and do them consistently to be on the way to spiritual increase.
Francis.
Dear Pastor;
Thanks for reminding me how to be fruitful and effective in the works of righteousness instead of “just doing good stuff “ for others.
A matured Peter looks back on a life layered and tempered by His LORD and Saviour to give me a step by step process of focusing Father’s business and humbling myself so that regardless of the agenda of my flesh, the thoughts and intents of my heart can be reigned in and Jesus can be presented by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Climbin’ on whichaz to the next “peek” or gliimpse of His glory (2 Corinthians 3:18)
love,
Craig
Pastor,
What I find amazing about kingdom work is the fact that when we are obedient, we intuitively know and understand what kindom work consists of. This is taking me back to your message about an open heaven, and what it takes to hear from God. Obedience is almost always followed by an encounter with God for me, and I receive such joy because of those encounters. I can say that in my life, I am always reminded that kingdom work always requires sacrifice, because this is how Christ loved us (through sacrifice).
On a recent trip to Connecticut, I was driving from Newark airport to Monroe Connecticut and was in constant prayer with a heart of grattitude about what the Lord is doing with me in my life. I must have spent an hour and a half just praising the Lordand thanking him for his grace in my life as I drove over the George Washington Bridge into Connecticut. Have you ever had those times when you are just thankful, and your heart is overflowing with the joy of the Lord? I stopped to get some coffee at the CT welcome center and on the way back to my rental car, there was a man standing at the foot of the steps. “How are you doing tonight?” I asked.
“Not so good” he stated sounding very depressed and down.
I just continued walking to the car, until the Lord smacked me in the face. It was like Jason, what are you doing? this guy is all depressed and is obviously in need, go show him how much God loves him.
It turned out that the man’s credit card was maxed and he was stuck with no gas. I gave him the $30 I had in my wallet, and the look on his face was priceless. He asked for my adress so he could mail me the money back. I told him that I am sold out for Jesus Christ, and what I have in this world I cant take with me. I said count it as a blessing from God, and to remember that Jesus loves him and so do I. “Those of us that are chasing after Jesus with everything we have realize that love is shown by sacrifice” I told him and quoted 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
I cant describe the joy that comes from being there and open to be used by God. Five years ago, before i knew Jesus, I would have been on some side street in the Bronx, looking for cocaine and a drink. Instead I was used as a vessel by The Lorg God Almighty and was an answer to someone’s prayer. Thank you Jesus………Thank you Jesus………Thank you Jesus………………….
I found Jesus through Celebration Church, and my life will never be the same.
With Love
Jason