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  VICTORIOUS VINEDRESSER
  by Miles J. Stanford
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Summary: Spiritual growth is a process that involves suffering, which is
meant to increase our spiritual capacity, leading to added
responsibility and trust.

Topics: "Spiritual Growth", "Christian Maturity"
Scripture References: Psalm 119:71, Proverbs 3:11, John 15:2, Romans 8:18, 1 Corinthians 15:49, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Hebrews 12:11, James 1:2

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DESCRIPTION
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Miles J. Stanford delves into the spiritual growth of believers,
emphasizing the mystery and process of maturity. He highlights the
importance of discerning between a foretaste of a deeper life and the
fullness that the Lord leads us into. Stanford discusses the eagerness
of spiritual youth and the need to count the cost, surrendering self-
confidence to rely on God's strength. He also explains that suffering,
though perceived as loss by Satan, is intended by God to increase our
spiritual capacity, leading to greater responsibility, trust, and
fruitful sharing.

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CONTENT
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"No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous;
nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness
unto them who are exercised by it" (Hebrews 12:11).

Vision: The Word gives us the true picture of growth. Verification: The
Spirit gives us a taste thereof. Vindication: The Lord Jesus, later,
gives us maturity.

"A great mystery surrounds the spiritual growth of the hungry-hearted
believer. The Spirit gives a foretaste of a deeper life before the
believer is led into the fulness of it. Many believers mistake their
foretaste for the fulness, not realizing that the Lord is just beginning
to lead them

"The forwardness of nature is the failure of our youth--our spiritual
youth, as well as our natural youth; eagerness to run in God's path, but
not apprehending what the path is, or what it requires to walk in it. On
the other hand, when the cost is counted, and our weakness known, the
energy begotten of self-confidence being gone, we need a stimulating
call on God's part, to get out of the persistent occupation with our
weakness now, as with our strength before." -F.W.G.

"Suffering is not meant by God to be loss and deprivation. Satan says
that it is. God means suffering to result in increased spiritual
capacity, which is the basis of added responsibility, trust, and
fruitful sharing. The branch of the vine may bleed from the drastic
pruning and feel stripped of much glory; but more and better fruit is
the vinedresser's vindication."

"As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image
of the heavenly" (1 Corinthians 15:49).

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/miles-j-stanford/victorious-vinedresser/
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