Monday
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. - 2 Peter 1:2 (ESV)
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR GROWTH
Jeff Jernigan writes in “The Power of a Loving Man”: I was poor in math until I hit eighth grade. For some now unfathomable reason, I found it easier to cheat and get failing grades than to study and get passing grades. My math teacher caught me cheating but never told my parents. He had the grace to help me see the difference between what I was becoming and what I could be. He came alongside with help that appropriately addressed self-esteem, learning skills, and socialization. I was pretty much an introvert in those days. What he did was always exude optimism about my potential and the inevitability of becoming an A student. He created a space into which dropped hope. I became as hopeful as he was.
He sheltered me from the ridicule of other students and the rejection of my parents and had nothing but confident expectations in my ability to succeed. I did succeed. To this day, I'm the math whiz in the family. I never cheated again.
The Apostle Peter also had a heart for God’s people to understand God’s math. He wanted them to multiply in God’s grace and God’s peace. He wanted to see God’s people grow and so he gently began to teach them about spiritual growth in 2 Peter 1. Peter was convinced the more Christians understood about Jesus the more they would be able to grow.
Reflection
How would more grace in your life change the way you view yourself and the way you view others? How would more peace in your life change the way you view your challenges?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the grace and peace He has already placed in your heart. Ask God to grow your understanding of Jesus and grow you spiritually.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR GROWTH
Jeff Jernigan writes in “The Power of a Loving Man”: I was poor in math until I hit eighth grade. For some now unfathomable reason, I found it easier to cheat and get failing grades than to study and get passing grades. My math teacher caught me cheating but never told my parents. He had the grace to help me see the difference between what I was becoming and what I could be. He came alongside with help that appropriately addressed self-esteem, learning skills, and socialization. I was pretty much an introvert in those days. What he did was always exude optimism about my potential and the inevitability of becoming an A student. He created a space into which dropped hope. I became as hopeful as he was.
He sheltered me from the ridicule of other students and the rejection of my parents and had nothing but confident expectations in my ability to succeed. I did succeed. To this day, I'm the math whiz in the family. I never cheated again.
The Apostle Peter also had a heart for God’s people to understand God’s math. He wanted them to multiply in God’s grace and God’s peace. He wanted to see God’s people grow and so he gently began to teach them about spiritual growth in 2 Peter 1. Peter was convinced the more Christians understood about Jesus the more they would be able to grow.
Reflection
How would more grace in your life change the way you view yourself and the way you view others? How would more peace in your life change the way you view your challenges?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the grace and peace He has already placed in your heart. Ask God to grow your understanding of Jesus and grow you spiritually.
Tuesday
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. - 2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV)
THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH
A young boy traveling by airplane to visit his grandparents sat beside a man who happened to be a seminary professor. The boy was reading a Sunday school take-home paper, and the professor thought he would have some fun with the lad. “Young man,” said the professor, “if you can tell me something God can do, I will give you a big, shiny apple.” The boy thought for a moment and then replied, “Mister, if you can tell me something God can’t do, I’ll give you a whole barrel of apples!” (Source: Unknown)
The source of all spiritual growth is God’s power. God can do things and produce things in you that you never could produce on your own. The Apostle Peter reminded his readers that God had given them everything they needed for life and godliness. God has the power to grow you to “become a partaker in divine nature”, which is Christ-likeness. God also has the power to help you escape the “corruption that is in the world.”
Reflection
A.W. Tozer said, “God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.” What impossible thing have you asked God to do through you lately?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for His diving power and thank Him for giving you everything you need for life and godliness. Ask God to show His strength through you to accomplish something you can’t do on your own.
THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH
A young boy traveling by airplane to visit his grandparents sat beside a man who happened to be a seminary professor. The boy was reading a Sunday school take-home paper, and the professor thought he would have some fun with the lad. “Young man,” said the professor, “if you can tell me something God can do, I will give you a big, shiny apple.” The boy thought for a moment and then replied, “Mister, if you can tell me something God can’t do, I’ll give you a whole barrel of apples!” (Source: Unknown)
The source of all spiritual growth is God’s power. God can do things and produce things in you that you never could produce on your own. The Apostle Peter reminded his readers that God had given them everything they needed for life and godliness. God has the power to grow you to “become a partaker in divine nature”, which is Christ-likeness. God also has the power to help you escape the “corruption that is in the world.”
Reflection
A.W. Tozer said, “God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.” What impossible thing have you asked God to do through you lately?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for His diving power and thank Him for giving you everything you need for life and godliness. Ask God to show His strength through you to accomplish something you can’t do on your own.
Wednesday
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. - 2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV)
THE STEPS TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Francis Chan introduced his message on 2 Peter 1:5-11 with this probing question (one that applies to every follower of Christ)... “At what do you work hardest?” If we are seeking God and spending time with Him, we will see progress in godliness one step at a time.
Peter writes in his letter that we should make every effort to cultivate Christ-like character qualities. Amy Carmichael once penned these thoughts: Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories by faithfulness in very little things.
They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph no spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment. (Holy Sweat, Tim Hansel)
Reflection
Which of the seven virtues listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7 do you work the hardest at growing? Which of the seven do you need the most growth in? ( virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love).
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the gift of faith and the gift of growth. Thank God for being patient with you one step at a time. Ask God to help grow the virtue you listed above that you need the most help with.
THE STEPS TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Francis Chan introduced his message on 2 Peter 1:5-11 with this probing question (one that applies to every follower of Christ)... “At what do you work hardest?” If we are seeking God and spending time with Him, we will see progress in godliness one step at a time.
Peter writes in his letter that we should make every effort to cultivate Christ-like character qualities. Amy Carmichael once penned these thoughts: Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories by faithfulness in very little things.
They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph no spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment. (Holy Sweat, Tim Hansel)
Reflection
Which of the seven virtues listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7 do you work the hardest at growing? Which of the seven do you need the most growth in? ( virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love).
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the gift of faith and the gift of growth. Thank God for being patient with you one step at a time. Ask God to help grow the virtue you listed above that you need the most help with.
Thursday
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 2 Peter 1:8 (ESV)
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Stephen Kingsley wrote, “As the pastor of two churches I've always wanted to have a garden, but somehow most springs I do not find the time to till the soil and get one planted, so out in back of the parsonage is a plot of ground of wonderfully fertile soil, which is growing nothing but a nice crop of weeds.
I used this garden to teach my son an important lesson. The conversation went something like this. "Son, is my garden growing a crop?" "No Dad, nothing got planted in the garden again this year." "You're right, but look again. Is the garden growing anything?" "Well, yes," came the reply, "It is growing weeds." "Exactly!" I said, "And, if good things are not intentionally planted in your life, by nature, you too will only grow a nice crop of weeds."
Every Christian should want to produce spiritual fruit. Peter assures the Christians who are maturing that they will continue to produce spiritual fruit. Fruitfulness is the overflow of a life that is connected to Jesus and growing.
Reflection
Are you growing more weeds or fruit in your life? Would you consider yourself spiritually mature? What is some of the evidence in your life of spiritual maturity?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the fruitfulness that He has produced in and through your life. Ask God to help you remove any weeds in your spiritual life
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Stephen Kingsley wrote, “As the pastor of two churches I've always wanted to have a garden, but somehow most springs I do not find the time to till the soil and get one planted, so out in back of the parsonage is a plot of ground of wonderfully fertile soil, which is growing nothing but a nice crop of weeds.
I used this garden to teach my son an important lesson. The conversation went something like this. "Son, is my garden growing a crop?" "No Dad, nothing got planted in the garden again this year." "You're right, but look again. Is the garden growing anything?" "Well, yes," came the reply, "It is growing weeds." "Exactly!" I said, "And, if good things are not intentionally planted in your life, by nature, you too will only grow a nice crop of weeds."
Every Christian should want to produce spiritual fruit. Peter assures the Christians who are maturing that they will continue to produce spiritual fruit. Fruitfulness is the overflow of a life that is connected to Jesus and growing.
Reflection
Are you growing more weeds or fruit in your life? Would you consider yourself spiritually mature? What is some of the evidence in your life of spiritual maturity?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the fruitfulness that He has produced in and through your life. Ask God to help you remove any weeds in your spiritual life
Friday
For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. - 2 Peter 1:9 (ESV)
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I LACK SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Most of us regularly lose things: keys, wallets, TV remotes, glasses, and phones. Some of us are more prone to misplacing things than others. It’s not surprising that men are twice as likely to lose their phones than women. One study concluded that the average person misplaces nine things a day and spends an average of fifteen minutes looking for lost items.
Why does this happen? When we misplace our belongings, "we fail to activate the part of our brain responsible for encoding what we're doing." The hippocampus part of our brain is responsible for taking a snapshot and preserving the memory in a set of neurons that can be activated later. (preachingtoday.com)
A lack of spiritual maturity results in spiritual forgetfulness and a lack of spiritual fruit. The person who does not grow with Christ is subject to forget how great a gift salvation and the mercy of God is in their life. They are also prone to lose sight of the purpose God saved them for. An immature Christian is only focused on material things of this world and has lost sight of the eternal riches of heaven.
Reflection
How have you changed since you first became a Christian? Has your passion grown for God or has it waned? Have you forgotten what it was like when you were first saved?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for the gift of spiritual sight and the ability to see things that matter to God. Confess any spiritual immaturity or apathy in your life.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I LACK SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Most of us regularly lose things: keys, wallets, TV remotes, glasses, and phones. Some of us are more prone to misplacing things than others. It’s not surprising that men are twice as likely to lose their phones than women. One study concluded that the average person misplaces nine things a day and spends an average of fifteen minutes looking for lost items.
Why does this happen? When we misplace our belongings, "we fail to activate the part of our brain responsible for encoding what we're doing." The hippocampus part of our brain is responsible for taking a snapshot and preserving the memory in a set of neurons that can be activated later. (preachingtoday.com)
A lack of spiritual maturity results in spiritual forgetfulness and a lack of spiritual fruit. The person who does not grow with Christ is subject to forget how great a gift salvation and the mercy of God is in their life. They are also prone to lose sight of the purpose God saved them for. An immature Christian is only focused on material things of this world and has lost sight of the eternal riches of heaven.
Reflection
How have you changed since you first became a Christian? Has your passion grown for God or has it waned? Have you forgotten what it was like when you were first saved?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for the gift of spiritual sight and the ability to see things that matter to God. Confess any spiritual immaturity or apathy in your life.
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