I GROW AS I ENCOUNTER. . .
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
Ephesians 4:13 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
God’s desire is for us to live forever with Him in heaven. Our time on earth is preparation for eternity with God in heaven. While we are on earth, we are in training to become like Christ.
God is more interested in our character than in our comfort! Pause and think about that. Contrary to what some preach, God’s primary work in our life is to make us like Jesus. God loves us and wants us to measure up to the standard of Jesus.
Some seem to think that being a follower of Jesus means we have our earthly needs met and get to live a life of peace and tranquility. But the truth is that God did not send Jesus to earth just so we could have a better life on earth. He sent Jesus to forgive our sins and free us to live in harmony with His design for our lives.
The character of Jesus involves love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, meekness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. These are the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:19-20. This is the evidence of the Spirit living and growing in our lives.
Am I loving? Am I full of joy and peace? Am I kind, good, meek, and gentle? Am I faithful and self-controlled?
God will allow me to walk through circumstances in life to force me to develop these character traits. They are not developed simply by taking a class, reading my Bible, or spending time in prayer. As long as live in this earth, we are to grow.
I am thankful that I am better today than I was last month. But I am not yet the person I will be in six months. I am constantly growing because the Spirit of God is constantly serving as my teacher to develop the character of Christ in me through everything I encounter each day.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me today to learn and grow. Help me to see every opportunity You put in front of me.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”