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The Word of God, is the source of light, truth, and power, for those who seek its meaning and apply it to their life. Jesus Christ is the word made flesh, and we seek to follow him.
Each issue of "My Brother's Keeper" features a WORD study. This month's study was prepared by Dennis Luscher, an inmate and brother in Christ, who is incarcerated at Freemont Correctional, Cañon City, Colorado. Thank you Dennis for your contribution.
Brothers and sisters, as Christians, whether young or mature, we seek to increase our knowledge of Christ. Guided by the Holy Spirit we learn how Christ wants us to live. We learn of Christ's promises of love, salvation, forgiveness, and protection. These are just a few of the many blessings Christ has planned for us.
Jesus tells us (in John 14:14, NIV), "You may ask for anything in my name, and I will do it."
Often we make the mistake of looking at what Christ can do for us personally and neglect our duties to God, expecting to be granted anything we ask. We need to look within ourselves and ask, "Am I living and acting as Christ has commanded me to?"
We receive the knowledge of how we are to live every time we study God's Word. We have no excuse for not applying Christ's teachings in our own lives. We have been warned by Jesus Himself (in Matthew 7:21-27, NIV), "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
We are all sinners, all imperfect, not living up to the example Christ gave us in his own life here on earth. We all stumble and struggle in our spiritual lives. It is not an easy road we travel. We have all taken the first steps on our spiritual journey by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and spending time in God's Word. Our knowledge has been increased and we are accountable for how we use it.
John tells us how to know if we truly know Jesus (in I John 2:3-6, NIV), "We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."
What it comes to is very clearly stated in James 1:22 KJV, "be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
We need to APPLY the Word of God to our lives if we are to be true Christians. We need to actively seek to obey all of Christ's teachings and commandments in our daily lives. How can we expect Jesus to do everything we ask of Him, if we don't try our best to do everything He asks of us? Let us not just "talk the talk," but let us also "walk the walk." In other words, be the message that you bring.
Jesus tells us (in Matthew 28:19-20, NIV), "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
In order for us to effectively teach others about Christ's love and forgiveness, we should not only share God's love with words, but by letting God's love show through us and our actions. The way we carry ourselves as Christians influences the people around us.
Brother and sisters, stay strong in your studies. Let God's love show through you.
For further studies, I found the book of James tells us a lot about the way we should conduct ourselves. If you haven't studied it, check it out. I've compiled a few other scripture references pertaining to acting on the knowledge God. Enjoy His Word, and stay strong.
Your Brother in Christ,
Dennis Luscher
Additional Scripture References:
Deuteronomy 26:16
Matthew 5:19
Luke 6:46-48
John 8:31-32
Romans 2:13
Philippians 4:8-9
James 2:14-20
Luke 11:28
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV) - "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Life is about making choices. We can't just float through life running away from making decisions. Sooner or later we will come to a cross-roads. We can't avoid choosing. No one's life just stands still. We must go one way or the other.
Jesus makes it clear which way He desires for us to go when we are standing at the cross-roads.
There is a road that leads to destruction, and there is a road that leads to life. If we want to get on the road that leads to life, we must enter through the narrow way (through Jesus).
John 14:6 (NIV) - Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
If we choose not to follow Jesus into the narrow path, then it is inevitable, all other roads will lead us away from God. The greater distance we stray away from Jesus, the more lost we become. If we want to find God, the Father, we must first make an exit from the broad road of destruction we are traveling on.
For prison inmate, Dennis Luscher, the broad road had become the only road he knew. Until he had an encounter with Jesus, he didn't know there was a choice that led to freedom. By the time Dennis was 20 years old, he found himself caught up in a network of crime that landed him in prison. Separated from his family, facing a life sentence, many would have been tempted to give up, but not Dennis.
Today at age 28, Dennis has become a valuable witness for Jesus Christ right where he is, inside the confines of prison. I share his story with you, in the hope that other inmates who are faced with lengthy sentences, will find the strength, courage, and faith to follow Jesus into the narrow path, as Dennis has done.
For the first 5 years of his incarceration, Dennis seemed unaffected by his long imprisonment. Friends even commented, "He's taking this thing far too casually. It's like it hasn't fully sunk into the kid's head yet, the number of years he's down for." Inside Dennis' head, he was experiencing different thoughts. He later shared his feelings with me.
"It feels like I'm lost in a forest with no idea of where I'm supposed to be heading. But every time I feel completely helpless and lost, someone finds me to point me in the right direction, and I feel alive and whole for a time, but when they are gone I feel like I'm lost again."
Not desiring that anyone remain lost, God was faithful to send various "messengers of light" to help guide Dennis out of the forest (broad road), he was traveling on. Although he felt a degree of comfort and peace during those times, it was a brother in prison, Mr. Joseph Huff, who finally made him realize something was drastically missing in his life. Though he couldn't quite put his finger on it, Dennis began to notice a dramatic change taking place in Joe's life.
At the time, I had been writing and witnessing to Joe about Jesus Christ. The changes Joe was making in his life, came about as a direct result of finding Jesus and making Him the Lord of his life.
Joe was interested in the powerful testimonies of the people in the Bible. One time I'd sent Joe a series of Bible Stories from the Old Testament. Having been a biker when he was on the outside, Joe readily took to the earthy, rugged Bible characters (especially Jacob's son, Joseph). He was fascinated by their nomadic lifestyle of wandering from place to place in the desert. He could easily relate to them.
Joe kept his eyes open where Dennis was concerned. He watched for signs when Dennis was feeling a little blue. Not to fret, however, Brother Joe would just get Dennis off to the side and tell him some good old Bible stories and Dennis would go away feeling uplifted. Liking what he heard and saw in Joe, Dennis longed for the same changes to take place in his own life.
As time went by, Joe sensed that Dennis needed spiritual guidance on a personal level. He decided the time had come for Dennis to begin writing to me for Spiritual Growth Counseling. On July 31, 1995, Dennis wrote his first letter to me. Just coming out from that broad road, his self esteem was low, due to his previous years of rebellion and incarceration. Nevertheless, Dennis stated his purpose for writing to me,
"Sharon, Joe talks about you and Alan all the time. He tells me how you both helped him turn his life around and find God. I guess what I am hoping, Sharon, is that you will take the time to help me find the path that I need to be on, to find my peace. I do hope to hear from you. I don't wish to take from your time, unless it won't be a burden."
A burden, I thought? Dennis didn't know me very well, if he thought he would be a burden on me. Quite the contrary, I was elated! I couldn't wait to get to know him. I seized the opportunity to help him find the narrow path that would lead him to finding his peace with God.
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (NIV) -"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity."
From the beginning of our correspondence, Dennis and I have shared in an open and honest relationship. I made it clear to him that I am not here to condemn him for his past mistakes, but I am here to help him move forward into the narrow path. To do this, he had to be willing to let the light of Christ shine upon Him, exposing those things he needed to correct in his life.
John 3:20-21 (NIV) - Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.
There were no doubts in my mind, Dennis was ready to come into the light to have his life examined and then faithfully changed by Jesus. One thing he learned right away, the more time he spent studying his Bible and learning about Jesus, the less opportunity he had to get caught up in things he didn't need or want to be doing.
"When I am reading the Bible," Dennis said, "I find myself looking at ways I behave and my reaction to situations and I find a better way to handle them. It is like someone is telling me, 'don't do that, or handle it this way, and you will not lose your path.' If we don't study, we stumble. I've seen good changes in those around me and also in myself, and I finally realized I can't go on living and thinking like I used to.
You know, Sharon, it struck me funny when you mentioned "growing pains" in association with spiritual growth. That is exactly how I feel at times. Sometimes I have trouble letting go of my old life and taking a firm grasp on my new life in Christ."
II Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
"I'm sure you understand the struggles I'm having, Sharon. Now, I could blame it on my environment, but I won't do that. I know where the problem lies, it's with me. It is a matter of focus and paying attention. If I'm paying attention and focusing my thoughts on Christ, I don't have any problem doing what is right. It is when I let my mind wander that Satan jumps right in, trying to lure me astray. It is really easy for him, if I'm not paying close attention. Then I hear a soft voice asking me, 'What are you doing?' That is all it usually takes to get me to snap back and regain my focus on Christ."
What a blessing it was for me to hear Dennis admit that even in the prison environment, he was experiencing the presence of Christ's light cleansing him daily from unrighteous behavior.
"I want you to know, Sharon, I'm not the best role model, as anyone that sees me every day could tell you, but they could also tell you of the progress I've made. I'm not saying I did it by myself. I got a whole lot of help from God and from those people around me.
There is one of the fellas at work, for example, who is constantly reminding me when I don't carry myself with a Christian attitude. All I can do then is just shake my head and thank him for pointing it out to me. I must confess that the first time he brought it to my attention, I was extremely mad. He knew it, too! I just walked away and went outside to cool off and then realized he was right. I sat down, prayed, and went back in and apologized for my outburst and thanked him."
Growing pains? Yes! But as Dennis will tell you, the pain is well worth it, to taste the sweet victory of success. "I used to think that changes would do me no good, boy was I wrong! What I have found on my spiritual journey is love, hope, caring, understanding, guidance and forgiveness. I know that I'm just beginning to understand the knowledge and wisdom that comes from studying the Bible and following Jesus. I know that this journey is not to be taken lightly, and I have the assurance that Jesus is working within me."
Just as Joseph Huff had reached out to help Dennis in his time of need, now it was Dennis' turn. "I find myself, I don't know how to describe it, Sharon, but I'm compelled at times to help someone in need. It is a good thing that I have no doubt. One day I was outside walking laps when I saw a young kid sitting all alone at the top of the bleachers just staring past the fences. I wasn't sure why at the time, but I knew I had to talk to this kid. Well, we introduced ourselves. I found out he was doing a six-year sentence and had just gotten into the system within the last month. He didn't really say it, but he was scared and homesick. He reminded me of myself when I first got locked up. He told me I was the first one that he had really talked to, because he didn't know what to expect and who he could trust. I proceeded to tell him the things I had to learn the hard way (yes - it wasn't easy for me when I first fell). I shared some of my experiences with him. Then I told him that six years isn't that long and he should try to better himself."
The next night Dennis talked with his new friend on more of a spiritual level. He told him how Jesus had been looking out for him and keeping him from harm, both physically and emotionally. This young kid seemed taken back by what Dennis was telling him. The kid needed to know what Dennis had to say, "You can trust Jesus to help you through any situation or problems. No matter what we did in our past Jesus will forgive us. We just need to ask for His forgiveness and let Him into our lives. It is not easy at first, but if the sincerity is there, Jesus will guide us and mold us into new people. I know, because I feel like a new person."
As I continue working with Dennis in his spiritual growth development, I see him as a faithful ambassador for Christ. Prison bars have not prevented him from loving, reaching out, and helping other prisoners enter into the narrow path.
"Now that I have found Jesus," says Dennis, "all I need to do is keep moving forward with Him. I know there will be great temptations ahead, but if I stand strong in my faith, Jesus will see me through."
Having been asked to relay some insight into the Prison System, let me address two questions.
#1. Does the Lord Jesus work
in prisons and through prisoners? Let's look to the Word of God, beginning in the Book of Exodus, chapter 2:11-14. We find that Moses was a murderer who was banished by his own people, as well as his adoptive people. The account of Moses being found of God, as a leader and a prophet, is told in Exodus chapter 3:1-14.
Exodus 3:7, 9-10 - The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."
Through the Word of God we find that the first person to receive documented salvation through our Lord Jesus was a convict (convert) hanging on his own cross next our Lord.
Luke 23:32-33 - Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals -- one on his right, the other on his left.
Luke 23:39-43 - One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God" he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Next in the Book of Acts 8:1-2 and 9:1-2 we find good ole brother Paul (The Apostle to us Gentiles) casting believers into prison.
Acts 9:1-2 - Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
However, in the Book of Acts chapter 9, starting with verse 3, we can find Paul becoming a prisoner of the Lord Jesus. Hallelujah!
Acts 9:3-6 - As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
Let's look a little further into The Word and see what the Lord will reveal for us. Thank you Lord Jesus, to you be all praise, glory, and honor.
In the Book of Acts, chapter 7:48-60, we can find a prisoner, Stephen, being stoned to death for the Word of his testimony concerning Jesus and the Word of God. Stephen was used as a testimony in the conversion of Paul the persecutor.
Acts 7:57-60 - At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
In the Book of Acts, chapter 16:22-40, we find Paul and Silas beaten, thrown in prison and preaching salvation to the jailer and his household.
Acts 16:29-34 - The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved -- you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God -- he and his whole family.
Of a truth I would say, yes, the Lord Jesus works in prison and through prisoners. We are bound to our Lord Jesus through our faith and conversion unto his likeness.
Psalm 17:15 - "And I -- in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness."
We are prisoners here on earth, which separates us from our home with God. (See Hebrews 11:1-40)
Hebrew 11:13 - All these people were still living by faith when they died...and they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
Which brings the second question I would like to address.
#2. Do prisoners mislead and use Jesus as a stepping stone from prison? I'm sorry to say this, but yes, this does happen. As long as the Lord is doing a work, whether in prison or without, the Devil is going to try and enter in. He does so to cause disputes, or as our Lord Jesus, said in John, chapter 10:
John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
However I find comfort, that those who use Jesus and God's Word as a stepping stone from prison will reap as they sow. For God is not mocked. (See Galatians 6:7-8) Thank you Jesus, Hallelujah!
Galatians 6:8 - The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
In closing I would like to challenge you the reader with this scripture.
Hebrews 13:3 - Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
Many times I have spoken with ministers who have come into the prisons to offer a blessing to the brothers and sisters there, but who have gone home being blessed themselves instead. Funny how God works. Glory!
-- -- -- -- -- --
A note from Walt. This article was written prior to my parole from prison in May of 1998. It has been my personal privilege and honor to have known and been known of the Lord Jesus for better then 20 years. In the course of this ministry I have been across this country sharing the Good News of our Lord Jesus. I have seen the Lord do and doing many marvelous works and healings. Jesus the same yesterday, today, and forever ( Hebrews 13:8).
During the course of my incarceration of 2 years, 11 months, it has been a blessing to have pursued Jesus through His Word and Spirit. I have been privileged to be in fellowship with the true believers both within and without of these prison walls. It has been a blessing to witness the mighty outpouring of His Spirit upon those who are seeking Him.
Jeremiah 31:33 - "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."
Think it not strange that the Lord would work in and through prison and prisoners. Jesus told us Himself that He would come again as a thief in the night.
Matthew 24:42-44 - "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
To those who seek after our Lord Jesus, I pray this writing has been a blessing unto you. Your brother, Walter Snell,
Dear Alan and Miss Sharon and all my Brothers and Sisters at Christian Ambassadors, I'm so grateful to God for giving me so many wonderful blessings, like the presence of Christian Ambassadors in my life, and the love of Jesus Christ in my heart. I find myself saying, "Amen" out loud and not just in my prayers.
I am not ashamed to say that I'm a Christian, as I was when I first started my journey of living the truth. I want to practice what I learn everyday from the Book of Life that leads to everlasting life. The following scripture says plainly what I believe.
Galatians 5:16-24 - I say to you: Let the Holy Spirit lead you in each step. Then you will not please your sinful old selves. The things our old selves want to do are against what the Holy Spirit wants. The Holy Spirit does not agree with what our old selves want. These two are against each other. So you cannot do what you want to do. If you let the Holy Spirit lead you, the law no longer has power over you. The things your sinful old self wants to do are: Sexual sins, sinful desires, wild living, worshipping fake Gods, witchcraft. Hating, fighting, being jealous, being angry, arguing, dividing into groups and thinking other groups are wrong, wanting something someone else has, false teaching, killing other people, using strong drink, wild parties, and all things like these. I told you once and I am telling you again that those who do these things will have no place in the Holy Nation of God.
But the fruit that comes from having the Holy Spirit in our lives is: love, joy, having faith, not giving up, being kind, being good, having peace, being gentle, and being the boss over your own desires. The law is not against these things. Those of us belonging to Christ have nailed our old sinful selves on His cross. Our sinful desires are now dead.
Dear Alan and Sharon, You both have surely made a difference in my life, and I would like to continue being a part of your special ministry.
I'm doing great and business has really been good. I've settled into a good church now and I am keeping with God's direction for my life and future. With each passing day I realize more and more that following the Word of God is the only way one will survive.
I will do whatever I can, in addition to prayer, to help with Christian Ambassadors. Thank you for the Newsletters and Spiritual Growth Lessons.
Hi Sharon! I am a 37 year old born again Christian. I'm in jail, awaiting sentencing, and being used by God. I feel God can use me wherever I am. As Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV), "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Here at the jail souls are being saved and miracles done every day. Men are in the Word of God, and on their knees all the time. I can testify that the Holy Spirit is working!
Dear Alan and Sharon, Remember when we discussed the change I felt had occurred in me while I was still in prison? I felt that God had answered my prayer to help me change. I was concerned that after I got out the "Old John" might begin to reappear with the return to free society. In reality I believe that my release has really reinforced the changes; Giving up smoking, the exercise motivation, the overall feeling of being at peace with everything around me. The changes in my life are far reaching and I must continue to examine each and every facet of my life. My personal priorities are very clear and they become clearer every day as I feel like I really have been reborn. With God's help everything will fall into place. Yup - it is going to be a good life!! ( Thank you both for being there for me.
Dear Sister Sharon, In Nigeria the situation for prison inmates is not something easy to write about, because of the unpleasant condition and ugly experience they often face. In Nigerian Prisons, the inmates suffer congestion, poor food, clothing, medication and unhealthy environment. And including intimidation and other social viles not to mention now. As a matter of fact, the prison inmates in my state capital "Umuahia" needs your kind of ministries which could transform lives of prison inmates spiritually and physically.
We will Photostat copies of "My Brother's Keeper" and other materials you send and distribute it to the prison inmates in Umuahia. And that could form part of our work to bring salvation to people in prisons. I assure you that with your prayers, religious materials and offerings through your ministry, we can reach the hopeless lives of prison inmates in Nigeria. Extend my greetings to your husband and the rest.
How do we open the door to the Lord? That is a question I thought I've always had the answer to, but after sitting down and thinking about it, I found I didn't really have it. So, I started looking through some study notes I had tossed into my Bible about a year ago. This is what I came up with.
I've always been a loner. I could take care of anything myself, it didn't matter. Then I started thinking that it wouldn't be bad to run with a crowd. If we look at the animal kingdom we see that animals run together and upon further looking, so do humans. The biggest thing for myself and others to remember is that we're not alone, and we don't have to be.
Another big thing to remember is who ya hang with. This is a big choice. Choices in life are important. Choices give us direction. Choices play a big part in opening the door to the Lord.
To begin opening that door we have to overcome our fears. Don't fear the unknown or fear being rejected. Be courageous and know that the Lord does not reject people who are willing to let Him in - it is people who reject the idea of letting Him in.
Do you have a good relationship with the Lord? I've been asked that question many times in my life. I'd say "yes" to whoever asked me, but in my mind I'd say, "How do you have a relationship with God?"
In the last few days in looking at my study notes, I saw I had the right idea years ago when I thought I had a good relationship with the Lord. I just didn't follow through with what I'd written down.
There are three words I associate with having a relationship with the Lord - natural, courageous, and joyful.
Natural - A person needs to be honest, not phony in their relationship with the Lord.
Courageous - A person must not hide their belief in the Lord. They must be courageous and walk the talk.
Joyful - A person will feel the joy of knowing that if you do the first two, you'll get the free gift of eternal life with the Lord in heaven.
To get this you have to open the door. The key to this door is surrendering and giving complete control to the Lord. Oh yea, I know it is hard, but I have to say that it is worth the free gift of having eternal life with the Lord. Again, it is hard, I know. When I first heard this, I immediately asked, "What's the catch?" It goes back to being natural, courageous, and joyful.
It has taken a long time for this all to sink into my thick skull. To keep it all there you have to continue to grow spiritually. The primary requirement in growing spiritually, is to put the Lord first in your life. By doing this, the reward is finding the love and joy of the Lord.
Some other things you can do to continue to grow spiritually is: walk the talk, participate in daily prayer, Bible study, share experiences with others (both Christians and non-Christians), and seek advise from mature brothers and sisters.
Finally, we must not look at where and how we started in life, but we must look at our goal of where and how we will finish it.
Philippians 3:13-14 - Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.