TOPIC: YOU MUST GROW
MEMORISE:
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
READ: 2 Peter 1:5-7
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
MESSAGE
In Acts 12:25, Paul and Barnabas took John Mark along with them on a missionary journey, but when things got difficult, he abandoned them. Paul was so disappointed that in Acts 15:36-41, he insisted that he and Barnabas should not take John Mark with them when they wanted to go on another missionary journey. However, in 2 Timothy 4:9-11, the same Paul who didn't want John Mark to accompany him on another missionary journey said, "Bring him to me for he is profitable." It is that same John Mark who ended up writing the gospel of Mark in the New Testament. When a fellow keeps growing and developing himself or herself, those who rejected such a fellow before will turn to embrace him or her.
Paul said that when he was a child, he spoke, understood, and thought as a child, but when he became a man, he put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11). Everyone starts as a child, but it is not okay to remain as one. Anyone who is not growing is dying.
As a child of God, one important aspect you must grow in is your character. If you were an impatient person before you gave your life to Christ, you must not remain that way. A Christian should not deal with anger issues for the rest of his or her life. If you dealt with anger issues in your twenties, you should have overcome them with the help of the Holy Spirit in your forties.
You must also grow in faith. Jesus talked about people with no faith in Mark 4:40 and people with faith like a mustard seed in Luke 17:6. This means that faith can grow. If you started with a mustard seed faith, as powerful as it is, you should not remain on that level; instead, you should move on to having great faith (Matthew 15:28). You should not still be afraid of sicknesses and demons if you are truly growing in Christ.
Beloved, you were not saved to live in fear and weakness. You are not meant to be just a spectator of the wonderful things that God does through His children. You must grow in faith to the point where you can heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. Immerse yourself in the word of God regularly (Romans 10:17), pray in the Holy Ghost continually (Jude 1:20), and covet the best gifts from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:31). This way, you will never stop growing.
REFLECTION
Are you growing in faith and in your character?
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Timothy 1-6
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 24: I WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS
1. I want to be like Jesus,
So lowly and so meek;
For no one marked an angry word,
That ever heard Him speak.
2. I want to be like Jesus,
So frequently in prayer;
Alone upon the mountain top,
He met his Father there.
3. I want to be like Jesus,
I never, never find
That He, though persecuted was
To any one unkind.
4. I want to be like Jesus,
Engaged in doing good;
So that of me it may be said
"He hath done what he could."
5. I want to be like Jesus,
Who sweetly said to all,
"Let little children come to Me;"
I would obey the call.
6. But oh I'm not like Jesus,
As any one may see;
O gentle Saviour, send Thy grace,
And make me like to Thee.
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