Tag: knowledge

  • Freedom in the Lord

    I am a work in progress. It’s good to know that this body with all its inferiority, sin, and weaknesses is not a finished product. I’ve still got a long ways to go. A work in progress. Plus, I can be encouraged with the fact that I’ve got God on my side helping, molding, weaving all the good and bad experiences into a pleasing tapestry. Whew! Good to know.

    With the knowledge does not mean that I should feel free to sin all the more or continue to repeat the same dumb mistakes. On the contrary. With the Holy Spirit’s help, I need to strive to do good — to be and do what my Heavenly Father desires of me.

    How does that look in real life? If I see a brother or sister in need, I should go to him and offer my help if I can. When my tongue tends gets away from me or I’m inclined to say unkind things about someone, maybe I should listen more and speak less.

    “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” —          2 Corinthians 3:17, 18.

    “And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (NLT).

    Are you becoming more and more like God or more and more like someone God wouldn’t recognize?

    More and more like the Savior I would be. More like him every day.

    ***

  • Green beans & Growing up

    Green Bean Seeds

    “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

    Sometimes I wonder if I ever will grow up. When I repeat the same mistakes over and over again, I begin to doubt my spiritual growth. I realize that maturity is a process, not a one-time event. It takes 52 days to see the harvest from green bean seeds. In the meantime, I need to water and fertilize with proper nutrients and pay attention to the environment. Just like growing green bean seedlings, my faith takes perseverance and patience.

    As I read my Bible and learn more of God’s will and way, he speaks contentment and peace to my aching heart.

    Dear God, thank you for extending mercy to me when I falter or doubt what’s happening in my life. As your child, I want to please you. I will pray and tell you my heartaches, lay them at the foot of the cross, and not take them up again.

    Do you feel defeated as if everyone is against you? I, too, have felt that way. Can you trust God with your whole being? When you do, joy and peace will return to your starved soul.