16. Grow in Grace

Please remember to pray before reading!

Yesterday we learned that nature give us object lessons to help us learn spiritual lessons. When we accept Christ as our Savior, we become newborn baby Christians. We are to grow up to become mature Christians, just as babies grow and learn. We also learn from the way plants grow, how we are to grow. God is the source of all life, and we need His constant power to grow spiritually. We must eat spiritual food found in His Word and breathe the spiritual air of prayer to grow spiritually strong and healthy.

1 Peter 2:2 — We are like newborn babes in Christ.

Ephesians 4:15 — We are to grow continually.

John 3:3 — We must be born from above by the Spirit.

Mark 4:18 — Just as plants, we are to grow.

John 6:33 — Jesus is our spiritual food.

John 15:4, 5 — We are dependent on Christ.

Psalm 16:8 — We need Jesus constantly.

Colossians 2:6 — Walking as you first trusted in Christ.

Hebrews 10:38 — We are to live by faith.

Psalm 37:7 — Rest in Jesus and trust Him.

Isaiah 30:15 — We can have total confidence.

John 10:28, 29 — We are safe in His hand.

2 Corinthians 3:18 — The Spirit changes us as we behold Him.

Matthew 28:20 — Jesus is always with us.

Romans 8:35 — Nothing separates us from the love of God.

John 14:17 — The Holy Spirit dwells in us.

John 17:20 — Jesus prayed for you!

Philippians 2:13 — God works in us to do His will.

Ephesians 4:15 — We are to remain connected to Him.

Here are some questions to ponder:

1. Do I realize how dependent I am on Jesus, just like a branch connected to a vine?
2. Am I truly connected to the source of spiritual power, so I can produce spiritual fruit?
3. Is my happiness drawn from my relationship with Jesus, and my dependence on Him, or do I tend to depend on external circumstances to find my happiness?
4. Am I willing to trust in Jesus every day, for all my needs, just the same way I trusted Him for salvation?
5. Am I willing to give myself to God the first thing every morning, asking Him for guidance and wisdom in every decision and plan during the day?
6. Am I willing to turn away from myself and meditate on His goodness and love?
7. Am I eager to share His love with others?
8. Will I keep my focus on Jesus, and not allow Satan to distract me with worldly pleasures, problems or the faults of others?
9. Am I willing to truly place Jesus as the top priority in my life, making sure I spend adequate time communing with Him daily?
10. Do I desire to have the presence of Jesus with me continually, so that I may become like Him?
11. Do I give Jesus permission to put His thoughts and feelings inside me, and will I cooperate with Him by choosing good spiritual input rather than worldly material?