Spiritual Growth

July 14th – Proverbs 29:1

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Proverbs 29:1

“He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.”

We serve a God of second, third, and fourth chances. But although His patience, is immense, it’s not infinite. While God’s mercy and grace abound, there comes a point where persistent disobedience and unrepentant hearts can exhaust His patience. Eventually He’ll wash His hands and give us over to our sin. (Rom. 1:26-28) That’s why it’s so important to understand that God desires our genuine repentance, obedience, and a humble willingness to live lives according to His will. Procrastinating in our spiritual growth, ignoring His instructions, or taking His grace for granted can lead to severe consequences. A stiff-necked attitude towards God rejects the opportunity for growth and humility. It hinders our ability to learn from our mistakes, seek forgiveness, and make necessary changes in our lives. And most sad of all, unrepentant sin distances us from the One we should be closest to. The only true source of wisdom and grace, our Heavenly Father.

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June 12th – Mark 11:25

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Mark 11:25

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses”

Forgiveness isn’t just about letting go of hard feelings or seeking reconciliation with others. It goes deeper, reflecting a fundamental aspect of God’s character. When we forgive others, we demonstrate to the world the mercy and grace that we ourselves receive daily from God. Jesus teaches that our forgiveness from God is intertwined with our willingness to forgive others. By holding onto grudges, resentment, or refusing to forgive, we create a barrier between ourselves and God’s forgiveness. When we harbor unforgiveness in our hearts, it hinders our own spiritual growth and prevents us from experiencing the fullness of God’s love and mercy. That’s why Jesus encourages us to cultivate a forgiving heart. A heart of Christ that lets go of bitterness, and releases others from the debts they owe us. Because in doing so we open ourselves up to receive the abundant forgiveness and grace that God offers. And receive healing, reconciliation, and a deeper connection with God and others.

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April 2nd – 2 Corinthians 4:16

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2 Corinthians 4:16

Being personally chosen by Jesus to live and work with Him in His ministry was truly an honor. But it also came with it’s own dangers. Paul experienced beatings, imprisonment, scorn, and hate. Yet despite it all, Paul never gave in to despair. And he encourages us all to do the same. Even though Paul suffered physically for sharing the gospel, spiritually, he grew stronger everyday. How? Because of the renewing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, as they seek to follow God’s will and live according to his commandments. From the moment we are born, our physical bodies begin to decay. But even though those bodies may age and deteriorate over time, our spiritual selves can continue to grow and develop as we deepen our relationship with God. We can be like Paul who encourages us to persevere in our faith despite the challenges and hardships we may face in life.

 

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April 1st – Romans 12:2

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Romans 12:2

As we mature in Christ, our attitudes, opinions, and values are influenced less by the world and more by the Holy Spirit working within us. The outcome is spiritual discernment and the ability to judge what is good and pleasing to God. A transformed, renewed mind resulting in a new way of thinking. Which then leads to a change in behavior and a lifestyle that glorifies the Lord. But to get such a mind we need to dig into God’s Word daily, meditating on it day and night. And we need to have a strong prayer life, constantly communicating with the Lord. Being transformed in this way allows us to know God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will for our lives. But such a transformation isn’t easy. It requires a commitment to seeking God and being open to change. It involves surrendering our thoughts, desires, and will to God. And most of all, allowing Him to work in and through us for His kingdom and glory.

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March 27th – Deuteronomy 28:3

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Deuteronomy 28:3

God doesn’t give us commands to feed His ego or to make us suffer. He loves us beyond measure and wants us to have the very best life. An abundant life that His Son sacrificed His life to give us. But the Lord will only bless us if we walk in faithful obedience to Him. And when we do, God promises those blessings will follow us no matter where we roam, or where we settle. Because God isn’t limited to specific areas or situations. His goodness and provision are available to us whenever and wherever we are, as long as we remain faithful to Him. In our obedience, we show our trust God’s wisdom and sovereignty over our lives. A trust which in turn leads to God’s very best blessings. Blessings including material prosperity, physical health, and spiritual growth.

 

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March 9th – Matthew 5:8

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Matthew 5:8

My grandmother had a little needlepoint plaque on her bathroom wall quoting Matthew 5:8. And even though I didn’t really understand what it meant to be pure of heart, I can remember wanting to be good enough to get God’s blessing. To be pure of heart means to have a genuine, sincere, and honest attitude towards ourselves and others. An attitude that not only pleases the Lord, but brings with it many blessings. Blessings including a heart free of shame and guilt, strong relationships with others, a greater sense of purpose in life, and growth in our spiritual walk with the Lord. But what being pure of heart doesn’t mean is being perfect or flawless. Instead it involves practicing humility and kindness, and being able to see the good in others, even when they have wronged us. The same way our Lord and Savior so generously and lovingly sees us.

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March 8th – Psalm 27:14

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Psalm 27:14

We’ve all heard it said that patience is a virtue. It’s also listed by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 as among the fruit of the Spirit. But when it comes to times of hurting and despair, the last thing we want to do is practice patience. Instead what we want is immediate relief. That’s where faith comes in. God knows what we’re going through. And we need to trust Him enough to have patience to allow Him to work in our lives. To have faith in His perfect plan and timing. I love how John Piper says. “The folly of not waiting for God is that we forfeit the blessing of having God work for us. The evil of not waiting on God is that we oppose God’s will to exalt Himself in mercy.” Waiting on the Lord is an act of faith that requires patience and trust.  And it’s one that allows us to follow God’s plan for our lives, avoid mistakes, and experience spiritual growth and renewal.

 

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March 4th – Job 5:17

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Job 5:17

Theologian John Owen is quoted as saying, “Love precedes discipline.” No one likes correction. But rather than being a punishment, God’s discipline is an act of love and grace from a loving Father to His wayward child. The Lord only wants the very best for us. And so He disciplines, leading us to repentance and complete dependency on Him. This in turn results in great blessings. Blessings including strengthening our faith, and spiritual growth. For as Hebrews 12:11 reminds us, “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Although sometimes painful, we can find joy in God’s discipline. Because not only does that mean we are His, we can become better versions of ourselves and deepen our relationship with God.

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August 30th – 1 Thessalonians 2:12

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1 Thessalonians 2 :12

We’ve all heard the expression, “the journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step.” A perfect description of the Christian life. Because receiving Jesus as our Savior is a single step of faith, that turns into a lifelong journey. It’s a trek of constantly moving forward and growing in maturity as we walk with the Lord. And as we travel, along the way we develop Christlike characteristics that deepen our relationship with God. Characteristics that both allow the fruit of Spirit, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”, to shine through us for the world to see, and to lead lives that glorify God. And characteristics that mirror our Lord, providing wonderful testimonies to a desperate world. These include righteousness, walking on a path not led by the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Rom. 8:4). And of course obedience, walking in a manner worthy of God, because it’s the way we show the world, and God Himself, the love we have for Him. (John 14:15)

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February 19th – 1 Peter 2:2

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1 Peter 2:2

Like babies who feed on the goodness of their mother’s milk, Christians likewise need to feed on the goodness of God’s pure, spiritual milk. For it is the milk of God’s Word which draws us close to the Lord. And through it, we grow and mature in our walk of faith. And that is God’s desire for our lives. To be continually feasting on the wisdom of the Bible. To yearn for His life giving nutrients that allow us to progress in grace, wisdom, and knowledge of the Lord. That’s why it’s so vital to spend time in God’s Word daily. For just like food fuels the body, the Scriptures fuel the soul. Equipping us daily to face whatever comes our way. How is your appetite? Are you starting each day empty and hungry? Or are you filling your mind body, and soul, with the perfect nutritional spiritual milk of the Gospel?

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