SPIRITUAL GROWTH TO MATURITY TAKES TIME!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY OCTOBER 19, 2020.

SUBJECT : SPIRITUAL GROWTH TO MATURITY TAKES TIME!

Memory verse: 

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

 (Second Corinthians 3 vs 18.)

READ: Mark 4 vs 26 - 29:

4:26: And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground;
4:27: and should sleep by night and rise day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.
4:28: For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.  

4:29: But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.

INTIMATION:

There are no shortcuts to maturity. It takes years for us to grow to adulthood, it takes a full season for fruit to mature and ripen. The same is true for the fruit of the Spirit. The development of Christlike character cannot be rushed. Spiritual growth, like physical growth, takes time. When ripening fruit quickly by any method other than the natural process on the plant, it loses its flavor. We often expect quick changes in our lives and quick victories over sin. Our journey with God is lifelong process, however, and the changes and victories may take time. 

God could miraculously and instantaneously change your life. Usually, however, He chooses to help you gradually, teaching you one lesson at a time, doing it in stages, “little by little.” Rather than expecting instant spiritual maturity and solutions to all your problems, slow down and work one step at a time, trusting God to make up the difference between where you should be and where you are now. You will soon look back and see that a miraculous transformation has occurred. While we worry about how fast we grow, God is concerned about how strong we grow. God views our lives from eternal perspective, so He is never in a hurry. 

Today we're obsessed with speed, but God is more interested in strength and stability than swiftness. We want the quick fix, the shortcut, the on-the-spot solution. We want a sermon, a seminar, or an experience that will instantly resolve all problems, remove all temptation, and release us from all growing pains. But real maturity is never the result of a single experience, no matter how powerful or moving. Growth is gradual. Be patient. We are changed from one level to another, until we are perfected by Jesus Christ at His coming. 

Christian growth is a lifelong process. Although we have a new nature, we don’t automatically think all good thoughts and have all pure attitudes when we become new people in Christ. But if we keep listening to God, we will be changing all the time. The God who began a good work in us continues it throughout our lifetime and will finish it when we meet him face to face. God’s work for us began when Christ died on the cross in our place. His work in us began when we first believed. Now the Holy Spirit lives in us, enabling us to be more like Christ every day. Change may be slow, but your life will change significantly if you trust God to change you.

Remember that life in Christ is never complete. Heaven promises completeness; until then, growth is the normal pattern. Growth often endures seasons of drought and drabness. That’s normal. The key to growth includes daily devotion to Christ through Bible study and prayer. Christian life takes hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation. As Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward. The essential disciplines of prayer, Bible study, and worship equip us to run with vigor and stamina. 

Do you sometimes feel as though you aren’t making progress in your spiritual life? When God starts a project He completes it! God will help you grow in grace until he has completed His work in your life. When you are discouraged, remember that God won’t give up on you. He promises to finish the work He had begun. When you feel incomplete, unfinished, or distressed by your shortcomings, remember God’s promise and provision. Don’t let your present condition rob you of the joy of knowing Christ or keep you from growing closer to Him.

Christian maturity means making Christ the beginning and end of our faith. To grow to maturity, we must center our life on Him, not depending on religious ritual, not falling back into sin, not trusting ourselves, and not letting anything come between us and Christ. Christ is sufficient and superior.

Prayer: Abba Father, I totally surrender to You. My eyes are upon You, transform me as it pleases You, until I am approved to receive Your crown of glory, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!