August 16, 2016

Growth: August 16, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY AUGUST 16, 2016.
GROWTH

DEFINITION:

The act or process of growing; the development from a simple to a more complex stage; development; advancement; improvement.
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 seeking Him in prayer, faithfully studying God’s Word, meditating on what you have read and then obeying God’s commands.

Here are several thoughts that we have learned through 59 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. Meditation 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.

God does not change His mind but we must be willing to change our minds so that our thoughts conform to His thoughts.

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 of us as 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 your time, your attention and your commitment. When you choose to walk down God’s pathway to growth, you can expect to become more like Christ every day.

No matter how far any of us has come in our spiritual walk with the Lord there is always room for growth. The more we grow in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and the truth of God’s Word the less likely we will be led astray by false doctrine.



LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 121:2.

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and the earth.


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.



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