GOD'S CREATION SHOWS OUR NEED FOR NEW GROWTH

Do you ever wake up sometimes and feel there is something in your life that needs to be removed?  This is something we all go through.  There are things we allow into our lives that drag us down.  The question is, "Are you going to allow it to stay or will you get rid of it?"

 

Have you ever noticed a praying mantis.  The instinct in these little critters are amazing.  Their instinct tells them that in order to grow there is something they will have to do.  They will have to put off the old in order for new things to take place in their lives.

 

Did you know the praying mantis is the only insect that can turn his head?  He isn't like the rest of the insects.  We need to realize that we are not like the rest of the world.  We have the ability to turn our heads and make sure our eyes are set on the things of the Lord.

 

Mankind was not created with instinct but with intelligence.  It would do us good to learn from God's creation and his word, the things we need to do in our own lives.  Paul tells us in Ephesians that we need to put off the former things in our lives.  The only way to put on the new and move forward in our Christian lives is to put off the old.

 

Putting off the old is something the praying mantis does this repeatedly during his lifetime.  His instinct lets him know when it's time to grow.  If the old skin didn't come off, he would be locked into the same stage of life forever.  The top skin must die in order for new growth to manifest itself. 

The Lord has given us his Holy Spirit for the same reason. He gently will speak to your heart and let you know when it's time to grow. He will urge you to get rid of the old things that are keeping you from that growth. Are you willing to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit?   If not, you will not experience the growth you are needing in your Christian walk.
 

Have you ever noticed that the praying mantis folds his hands close to his head almost looking as if he is praying.  How often does your friends and family members see you in this posture?  Spiritual growth comes with time spent with the Lord..  It comes by us allowing the Holy Spirit to manifest to our hearts the things we need to put off. 

 

 

EPHESIANS 4:21-32

 

If so be that ye have heard him,

and have been taught by him,

 as the truth is in Jesus:
That ye put off concerning the former

conversation the old man,

which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man,

which after God is created in

righteousness and true holiness.
Wherefore putting away lying,

speak every man truth with his neighbour:

for we are members one of another.
Be ye angry, and sin not:

let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Neiher give place to the devil.
Let him that stole steal no more:

but rather let him labour,

working with his hands the thing which is good,

 that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour,

 and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another,

 tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

 even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.