How We Grow

Day Twenty-three
Thinking about My Purpose

Points to Ponder: It is never too late to start growing.

Verse to Remember: "Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect." Romans 12:2b (TEV)

Question to Consider: What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God's way?
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• Spiritual growth is not automatic.
  • You must want to grow.
  • You must decide to grow.
  • You must make an effort to grow.
  • You must persist in growing.
• God's part and your part.
• Changing your autopilot.
  • Stop thinking immature thoughts, which are self-centred and self-seeking.
  • Start thinking maturely, which focuses on others, not yourself.

Created to Become Like Christ

Day Twenty-two
Thinking about My Purpose

Points to Ponder: I was created to become like Christ.

Verse to Remember: "As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more." 2 Corinthians 3:18b (NLT)

Question to Consider: In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit's power to be like Christ today?
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God's Spirit Working in You

• We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit's work.
  • Choose to let go of old ways of acting.
  • Change the way we think
  • "Put on" the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits.
• God uses his Word, people, and circumstances to mold us.
  • God's Word provides the truth we need to grow.
  • God's people provide the support we need to grow.
  • Circumstances provide the environment we need to practice Christlikeness.
• Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth.

What Do You Believe?

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Isaiah 50:4-10 (NIV)
4 The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
5 The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears,
and I have not been rebellious;
I have not drawn back.
6 I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.
7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.
8 He who vindicates me is near.
Who then will bring charges against me?
Let us face each other!
Who is my accuser?
Let him confront me!
9 It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.
Who is he that will condemn me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
the moths will eat them up.

10 Who among you fears the Lord
and obeys the word of his servant?
Let him who walks in the dark,
who has no light,
trust in the name of the Lord
and rely on his God.

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Instruct me by Your will Father. Bless my ears so that whatever that I listen in I can sympathise with them in their situation, Bless my tongue so that it encourages and affirms others during their time of confusion or fear.

Lord You have placed many around me, and I hope to become the beacon of hope and strength that reflects Your great love, so that I may reach out to others and bring them comfort when they need a listening ear or wise advice.

Squirrel Feeder

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Psalm 65 (NIV)
For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.

1 Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple.

5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
8 Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades
you call forth songs of joy.

9 You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.
10 You drench its furrows
and level its ridges;
you soften it with showers
and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the desert overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks
and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.

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Lord I want to thank You for blessing my life. You've provided more than I can ever ask for, even more than I can think of. All praises be upon You Father, for You're the most deserving.

Once I dint know You and kept running away from You. With Your patience and guidance, Your love touched my heart. Now I want to know You more and more, and I pray daily that You'll bless me with deeper understanding in Your Word.

The more I know You, the more I know about Your love for me.

Radical Generosity

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1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

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Your Word carries precious truth O Father. I remembered that I read from somewhere, that earthly gold is good to be used to invest in relationships. Seeded relationships will naturally, over time, germinate and grow; good deeds will manifest and in turn, treasures will be laid up in heaven for us.

Naked we came, naked we go. We brought no riches when we were born, and will bring nothing from earth to heaven when we die. Why cling on to the thought of amassing more wealth when we have a brother/sister in need?

Thank You for showing me this truth, Lord. Giving to others is never easy for we are so naturally self-centered. Thank You for changing my perspective Father, from a stingy person who's so tight with his purse, to someone who knows how to use earthly gold more effectively.

Wall-Bangers Anonymous

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James 1:1-8 (NIV)
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

Trials and Temptations

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

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Father, I was very pressed for time for the project that I was helping my friend with yesterday. I'm glad that even though I was feeling stressed, and tired, I knew the fact that You are in control. Though I worked till five in the morning, I wasn’t even feeling sleepy!

But Lord, I know too well that there will be times when I will not remember that You are with me, or You are in control. In times like these Father, I pray for Your wisdom to help me understand the situation better, guidance to lead me, and strength to carry me forward. Take me back to the fact of Your ultimate power over all things.

Nothing is too difficult for You O Lord. Nothing is not within Your control.

Protecting Your Church

Day Twenty-one
Thinking about My Purpose

Points to Ponder: It is my responsibility to protect the unity of my church.

Verse to Remember: "Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and the growth of our fellowship together" Romans 14:19 (Ph)

Question to Consider: What am I personally doing to protect unity in my church family right now?
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How to keep the unity in your Church family and among all believers?

• Focus on what we have in common, not our differences.
• Be realistic in your expectations.
• Choose to encourage rather than criticize.
• Refuse to listen to gossip.
• Practice God's method for conflict resolution.
  • Private confrontation as soon as possible.
  • Take one or two witnesses to help confirm the problem and reconcile the relationship.
  • Take it to the church.
• Support your pastor and leaders.