Growth: January 21, 2014

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 21, 2014.

GROWTH

DEFINITION:

The act or process of growing; the development from a simple to a more complex stage.

SCRIPTURE:

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory now and forever. II Peter 3:18.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Very few people are counseled when they accept Jesus as their Savior as to how they are to grow spiritually in their Christian faith. God wants us to conform to the image of Christ but He cannot make us conform. We must desire to be like Him. Unless we know what Christ is like how can we conform to His image? We must do as Peter teaches us in II Peter 3:18, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior.” True knowledge of Jesus comes through talking to Him in prayer, faithfully studying God’s Word, and obeying God’s commands. Here are several thoughts that we have learned through 56 years of marriage and in the challenges of raising of six children which helped us grow spiritually.

First, we are responsible for renewing our mind as we are told in Romans 12:2. God saves us and gives us a new spirit but He does not give us a new brain. Our minds, prior to knowing the Lord as our Savior, have many trenches that have been dug or worn by rebellion, self-focus, or habit. To overcome these trenches one must learn to meditate on the Bible because the Bible expresses the thoughts of God. Meditation is more than reading, it involves thinking about what the words mean and then applying the truths of God’s Word to our life. There is no way to grow spiritually without absorbing Scripture into our minds and hearts.

Secondly, in order to grow spiritually we must be willing to admit and assume responsibility for failure. When we deny our sins, we delay spiritual growth. As we learn to confess our wrongdoings, we will acknowledge our spiritual failure.

Thirdly, after confession comes repentance. This is more than an acknowledgement of wrongdoing or a promise to try harder. Repentance means that we commit to make an about-face and head in the opposite direction from our sin. When we are truly repentant we will not repeat doing the same sinful things.

God’s goal is for all believers to continually make progress toward Christ-likeness and to draw near to Him and deepen our relationship with Him. God seeks us and is waiting for us to come to Him. .

We will grow spiritually stronger when we learn to serve God by serving others. Getting involved in another person’s life can help us learn patience, acceptance and love. Jesus came to serve others. He set the example for us. When we follow His example we are conforming to His image and growing in Christ-likeness.

If you really want to move ahead in your Christian walk, it will require time, attention and commitment. When you choose to walk down God’s pathway to growth, you can expect to become more like Christ every day.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:12:

The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.

PRAYER:

Help me to renew my mind by reading and meditating daily on Your Word. Teach me to admit and assume responsibility for my wrongdoings. By Your Holy Spirit convict me of my sins and give me a repentant heart so that I may be more like You every day.