GROWTH

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are. Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” ― John C. Maxwell

…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. - 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)

How do you intend to “GROW” today?

Got time carved out for growth?

Peter makes it clear as to what we need to “grow in”.

First we need to GROW IN GRACE.

Got a plan for that?

Ryles offered some solid direction when he said:

One thing essential to growth in grace is diligence in the use of private means of grace. By these I understand such means as a man must use by himself alone, and no one can use for him. I include under this head private prayer, private reading of the Scriptures, and private meditation and self-examination. The man who does not take pains about these three things must never expect to grow.

That includes you ladies too!

Have you set aside some private time?  Private prayer? Private reading/learning? Private reflection?  Or is today’s agenda TOO packed, too demanding, too pressure-filled to carve out the needed “private” time?

Those are important questions that need some answers, amen?

And as you spend that “private” time, the inevitable by-product is you WILL GROW in knowledge.

Knowledge of GOD through His Word.

Knowledge of yourself as you spend some time in prayer and reflection asking GOD to open your eyes to your blind spots, asking GOD to refine and shape you by His hands, words, and encouragements and to remove the “things that don’t look like Him”.

When God prunes us, the result will be greater GROWTH and sweeter fruit… Pruning usually takes place when God uses situations, people, and circumstances to help mature us in our Christian disposition, attitude, and temperament… The way we respond when we are pruned reveals our true level of spiritual maturity. – Wilson

Before we wrap up today, go back to Maxwell’s little thought.

Change in inevitable and growth optional and NO we can’t become what GOD has planned for us by ever remaining stagnant.

So, start with a little self-reflection. 

Ask yourself, “What is my plan for private time with GOD to open my heart and mind for growth?”

Don’t have that set?

Then CHANGE that first!

Remember:

What you do when you spend time with God is not nearly so important as that you spend time with God. Spiritual growth is not the result of a dramatic experience, but a lot of small steps. You cannot be changed by one experience into spiritual maturity any more than you can become a full-grown adult by eating one meal…

Think of spending time with God as one meal in the whole plan of your spiritual nutrition. If you are doing something that isn't satisfying your spiritual hunger, then change your diet. But whatever you do – don't give up eating. - Rasnake

I love you all…

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE