"..but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18 (always see whole context)
"and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you.." 1 Thessalonians 3:12 "..so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.." Colossians 1:10
Our world has changed so dramatically over the past year and it continues to change.
Many Lands have as the virus wanes and so called leaders are now in office (some of which act like a virus). Perhaps you have been impacted in different ways that have been challenging and you wonder, believer.. how can I practically speaking, advance in my spiritual life close with the One who created me and has a good purpose for me?
You continue to serve the Lord faithfully, or perhaps you want to start. I’d say get honest with God in prayer about all this.
I hunger for the truth of the Bible and want to wisely apply. Lord, where do you want me serving, and what do you want me doing here...and with whom? You care, are interested, love us, are so alive after your cross and physical reselection experience back in the day, and I pray that You would use be to help others see how alive You really are. Let the world see Jesus in me, Father God as I put your word first in everything.
Lord Jesus, Thanks for the cross. I love you and want to know you more, want to understand the Bible better. Want to walk with daily, knowing you intimately like you intend for me! Sure, want to obey you more and more too. Give wisdom and passion. Refill me with your Spirit ..for your world-changing purpose. Thanks for the kind fellowship both upwards with the Father and outwards with other growing Christians. Thanks for the healthy local churches (led by You and spiritually healthy born again pastors). Thanks for their sound teachings. Please keep and use me to edify other believers so they too can grow. Use us to win some people who don’t yet know you in a personal way. I pray for authentic biblical revival and another awakening. So many are feeling lonely, forgotten, hopeless, empty, insignificant, and afraid.
1. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 (NLT)
2. Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. Isaiah 54:2-3
3. Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3
4. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 1 Timothy 4:15
5. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11
6. being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
7. ...so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God... Colossians
8. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
9. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11
10. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Be encouraged rather than discouraged today -- God is on your side, believer. He’s empowering you to bless and make an impact.
No matter who you are, no matter your history, you can enjoy JOY, and HOPE, and perfect LOVE every day as you look to God to meet every need you have. As you pursue a meaningful relationship with Christ.
I say.. pray in the powerful name of Jesus today even. Prayerfully memorize the Scripture verses above that address growth, or other verses addressing your needs, your weaknesses, and current challenges. So many are talking about “growth” these days, but there is zero spiritual growth for anyone apart from the living word of God.
May the Lord bless you as you know, walk with, and grow in Him.
God, never do we want to be going through this life independent from You. We all need You cuz you know how life here works best for people.
