Barometer: February 25, 2013

TODAY”S WORD FOR MONDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2013.

BAROMETER

DEFINITION:

Anything that indicates or measures change.

SCRIPTURE:

When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. I Corinthians 13: 11-12.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

We all need a barometer to measure our spiritual maturity. Physical growth is quite easy to evaluate. We can check our weight with a scale and our height with all with a tape measure. When someone becomes a child of God he or she comes as a new born babe and like a child must grow to maturity. As a child we think and reason like a child. As we mature as Christians we will change in the way we think and the way we live. We must put away the childish things of immature faith.

In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, Paul says to aim for perfection in the spiritual maturing of our faith.

In measuring spiritual growth we need to look at three things in our lives. First, what are our desires? Do we look at the pleasures of this world as we did before we accepted Jesus as our Savior? What about our hunger for God and His Word?

Secondly, what is our understanding concerning the spiritual things in our life? Do we see life from God’s perspective as written in the Bible? Do trials and temptations that come our way become opportunities for growth and service for the Lord?

Finally, what is the status of our selflessness? Are we submissive to the Lord when He speaks to us or our conscience talks to us? Is it more important to us to go our own way rather than do what it seems God wants from us? Are we more concerned about others rather than ourselves?

Christian maturity requires a barometer in our lives to measure the disciplines of our daily godly habits. Is it time to check your spiritual growth barometer and take the measure of the growth of godliness and spiritual depth of your daily disciplines? These disciplines should include a time for devotions, a time for prayer and obedience to what God says to you. Spending time with God will be a barometer to help you recognize your inadequacy and be less independent and more dependent on God.

We need mature faith to endure the trials and temptations that come our way. We need to look for divine help in order to resist Satan’s evil influences that would hinder our growth and discourage us from pursuing the goal set for us, perfection in Jesus Christ. Endurance requires patience.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Ephesians 6:1.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

PRAYER:

Help me to continually grow in my spiritual maturity each day. Make it evident to me the things I must change in my life that hinder my spiritual growth. Thank You for Your Word and Your Holy Spirit working in me that will enable me to grow toward perfection.