Unveiling Spiritual Growth From Ezra, Nehemiah and Job

This is part of a series of books in which particular verses are picked from books of the bible, and the issues of Spiritual Growth are explored, in the light of the mind of God for us.
In this book, we explore six topics, from different verses in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Job. They are: Build; It’s complicated; Joy and strength; Provision and protection; Conditions for growth; and The trial of gold.
Excerpts: 
Build
“Our life is guided by our expectation which is based on the inner template we are working with. The bible says that to him that is joined to the living there is hope (Ecclesiastes 9:4), there is something better ahead; there is a possibility of greater things. You always need to have in you the conviction that there is something better ahead, that there is something to stretch towards, it gives pep to living. That is what will make life exciting. So always build up you hope, or allow God to build up hope in you. Fixate on the picture God has and is showing you, and don’t get distracted by the devil’s pictures of fear, hopelessness, aimlessness and futility. Let hope in God guide your interpretation of events, it will guide how you react to it, determining your outcome.”
It’s complicated
“Why not choose a simple life today, having simple desires and simple ambitions. Jeremiah told Baruch: don’t seek high things for yourself (Jeremiah 45:5). In order words, acquisitions will complicate your life (except the acquisition is for the purpose of the kingdom of God). It is vanity upon vanity (Ecclesiastes 2:11), emptiness multiplied by nothingness, futility hugging futility.”
Joy and strength
“When you are joyful, you will be strong, when you are strong, you will want to do something with that strength; e.g. dancing as David danced (2Samuel 6:14).

“And it is from the depth of joy that you will impact your generation with the heavenly strength. You need to be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10)? Get your joy on.”
Provision and protection
“We also protect our sprit when we operate by love. If we operate in bitterness and un-forgiveness, we sell ourselves to tormenting spirit (Matthew 18:21-35); and bitterness, according to the book of Hebrews, has a defiling influence (Hebrews 12:14-15).”
Conditions for growth
“Another condition for growth that all other conditions depend on is “hunger” (Matt 5:6, 1Pet 2:2). To lose appetite in spiritual things is a prerequisite for stunted growth. Just as losing your physical appetite is not a palatable condition for physical growth so also is spiritual appetite for spiritual growth. With hunger and thirst you will not complain about how pastors are these days since you are pursuing God yourself, through reading and studying the scriptures which you do not need anyone’s permission to do. People don’t worry about a child with vibrant appetite but they start to worry otherwise.”
The trial of gold
“Trial experiences burn off the works of the flesh. Jesus is called the one who baptises with Holy Spirit and with fire (Luke 3:16-17). And fire is a tool of purification. God is more interested in your purification process, the purification of your motivation, than your natural comfort, because he knows that on the long run, it is how much you are like him that will determine how much he can express himself through you, bringing others spiritual comfort; and that is your high value.”