April 25th
April 25th
There is nothing wrong with contentment, but we do have to guard against complacency. One thing we have to remember: Growth doesn’t happen by accident. In any respect. Not even physical growth; one must have proper nutrition, sleep and exercise to grow properly. It is even more true with respect to spiritual growth and growth of relationships. If you ignore a relationship for any extended period of time, you can expect it to fizzle, and most definitely it will not grow stronger. The same is true for spiritual growth.
Spiritual growth occurs when small faithful steps are taken consistently over time. It is the little choices we make that shape us in a big way down the road. We have to be intentional. If we just go about our lives for the week and never take the time to intentionally grow in Christ, we will be no different the next week when we get back to church. We can’t just coast on autopilot and expect to end up where we want to be in Christ.
The good thing is that He gave us plenty of tools for growth and He wants to be an active part of our learning and growing. He does not expect us to do it on our own, in fact, we CAN’T do it ourselves.
He gave us the Holy Spirit.
John 14:27 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
He gave us His Word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
He gave us prayer and worship.
Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
James 5:13-16 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
If we make it a point to include these in our day, we will see growth. Progress, not perfection, right? We will not become Bible Scholars overnight. But if we read His Word everyday and pray and worship Him, then He will lead us a little at a time, as much as we can handle, closer and closer to Him and to who He created us to be.
1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Colossians 1:9-14 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
This week, let’s be intentional, one small choice at a time, let’s choose to grow in Jesus!
Jesus, thank you that you didn’t leave us alone and without resources. Thank you that you come near to us when we come near to you. Thank you for your Word and for the Holy Spirit and for prayer and worship. Help me to remember to include those in my day. Holy Spirit lead me in my walk with you to be who you created me to be each day. Help me to hear your voice calling me closer. Help me to be intentional in growing instead of letting the days slip by me. Thank you for your perfect love and perfect plan!