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by Toni Star
What is spiritual growth? Can it be measured or observed? What is prayer and what does it have to do with spiritual growth?
From the online Encarta Dictionary come these words on spiritual: “1. of the soul: relating to the soul or spirit, usually in contrast to material things, 2. religion of religion: relating to religious or sacred things rather than worldly things. 3. Temperamentally or intellectually akin: connected by an affinity of the mind, spirit, or temperament”
Most of us pray but do we ever really ponder the meaning of the word? Just what is this thing called prayer and why do we use it so often?
From the online dictionary comes: “prayer---1. communication with God or other being: a spoken or unspoken communication with God, a deity, or a saint. It may express praise, thanksgiving, confession or a request for something such as help or somebody’s well-being. 2. communicating with God or other being: the act or practice of making spoken or unspoken communication with God, a deity, or a saint. 4. earnest request: an earnest request for something.”
Why do many of us pray, and on a regular basis? I propose that we pray because we need help and know that, as believers in God and His Son, we will be heard and given the help we need. For Christ said, “Whatever you ask in my name, I will request it.”
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary comes words on prayer: “Prayer - is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14).
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary comes words on :Spirit - (Heb. ruah; Gr. pneuma), properly wind or breath. In 2 Thess. 2:8 it means "breath," and in Eccl. 8:8 the vital principle in man. It also denotes the rational, immortal soul by which man is distinguished (Acts 7:59; 1 Cor. 5:5; 6:20; 7:34), and the soul in its separate state (Heb. 12:23), and hence also an apparition (Job 4:15; Luke 24:37, 39), an angel (Heb. 1:14), and a demon (Luke 4:36; 10:20). This word is used also metaphorically as denoting a tendency (Zech. 12:10; Luke 13:11).
Spiritual growth can be seen and unseen. When we grow spiritually it can be seen on the outside of us in the expression on our faces and body movements and behavior—we show that we’re happy, confident, healthy and enjoying our lives. Spiritual growth can be seen in how we treat others and how we deal with success and failure. When we grow positively in spiritual growth it is reflected in how we help others, how we behave at work and at home and how we respond to strangers and new situations. Spiritual growth can be especially seen when we give to others, expecting nothing in return.
Spiritual growth can also be unseen---it’s that happiness and the desire to give and help-and love that grows inside of us. One could say that it’s our conscience that grows and aids us in our daily lives. Spiritual growth can also protect us, keep us from harm. This can’t be seen—but sometimes it can—when it wells up inside of us and gives us a kind of glow—a knowing that we’ll be alright no matter the situation, because we’re with our Savior.
Why and how is prayer a large part of spiritual growth? I have concluded that prayer is a vital part of spiritual growth because it is the “communication tool” that guides, informs and protects the soul. It is also a part of spiritual growth because we grow, the closer we get to God. Without prayer, the spirit would have no moral compass. It is the “vital” communication tool we can use with Christ. Prayer and Bible reading are musts for spiritual growth and must be performed daily.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary comes:Crucifixion - a common mode of punishment among heathen nations in early times. It is not certain whether it was known among the ancient Jews; probably it was not. The modes of capital punishment according to the Mosaic law were, by the sword (Ex. 21), strangling, fire (Lev. 20), and stoning (Deut. 21).
This was regarded as the most horrible form of death, and to a Jew it would acquire greater horror from the curse in Deut. 21:23.
This punishment began by subjecting the sufferer to scourging. In the case of our Lord, however, his scourging was rather before the sentence was passed upon him, and was inflicted by Pilate for the purpose, probably
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary comes: Jesus - (1.) Joshua, the son of Nun (Acts 7:45; Heb. 4:8; R.V., "Joshua").
(2.) A Jewish Christian surnamed Justus (Col. 4:11).
Je'sus, the proper, as Christ is the official, name of our Lord. To distinguish him from others so called, he is spoken of as "Jesus of Nazareth" (John 18:7), and "Jesus the son of Joseph" (John 6:42).
This is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which was originally Hoshea (Num. 13:8, 16), but changed by Moses into Jehoshua (Num. 13:16; 1 Chr. 7:27), or Joshua. After the Exile it assumed the form Jeshua, whence the Greek form Jesus. It was given to our Lord to denote the object of his mission, to save (Matt. 1:21).
The life of Jesus on earth may be divided into two great periods, (1) that of his private life, till he was about thirty years of age; and (2) that of his public life, which lasted about three years.
In the "fulness of time" he was born at Bethlehem, in the reign of the emperor Augustus, of Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter (Matt. 1:1; Luke 3:23; comp. John 7:42). His birth was announced to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20). Wise men from the east came to Bethlehem to see him who was born "King of the Jews," bringing gifts with them (Matt. 2:1-12). Herod's cruel jealousy led to Joseph's flight into Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus, where they tarried till the death of this king (Matt. 2:13-23), when they returned and settled in Nazareth, in Lower Galilee (2:23; comp. Luke 4:16; John 1:46, etc.). At the age of twelve years he went up to Jerusalem to the Passover with his parents. There, in the temple, "in the midst of the doctors," all that heard him were "astonished at his understanding and answers" (Luke 2:41, etc.).
Eighteen years pass, of which we have no record beyond this
These Dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. The illustrated portion of the Dictionary have not been included.
All of the above definitions Retrieved December 19, 2003.
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