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Tag: spiritual growth

Wait Upon the LORD

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

The phrase “wait upon” means to eagerly look for or linger in expectation. Waiting on the Lord renews our strength by compelling us to rely on God’s power. In the haste of life, we can often neglect time with God. We fill our schedules, rushing from one task to the next, yet we wonder why we feel drained, weary, and disconnected from God.

What we need is to slow down, wait on the Lord, and spend time with Him in prayer. When we wait on God, we open our hearts to receive His strength and peace. As we meditate on His Word, we are refreshed and renewed. Our minds are no longer cluttered with the cares of this world. We experience the presence of God as we surrender our agendas to Him.

Waiting on God through prayer deepens our relationship with Him. It realigns our priorities to what matters most – connecting with our Creator. When we regularly devote time to seek God’s face, we are transformed and our spiritual strength is renewed.

Let’s determine to build our prayer life through daily quiet times with God. Whether it’s 20 minutes in the morning, an hour walk with Him in the evening, or breath prayers throughout the day, time with God nourishes our soul. As we wait on Him, God renews us to walk faithfully with Him.

Lord, we desire to know You more. Teach us to regularly wait on You, to be still before You in prayer. Renew our strength as we seek Your face. Help us prioritize time with You, for apart from You we can do nothing. Fill us with Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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The Envy of Angels

Guest Post by Mindi Foster

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
(1 Timothy 1:15)

One of the most beautiful things about the Gospel, and Jesus in general, is not just that it saves us from Hell. It’s not just beautiful because of eternal life with God. It’s beautiful because I’m constantly being saved from the issue of me.

If you take note of any of the Apostle Paul’s writing, he frequently spoke against selfish ambitions. Additionally, the book of James even notes that selfishness, along with envy, create chaos and every evil practice (James 3:16). Granted, it’s understandable that there are spiritual forces at work, but still, these are serious factors to consider.

The default of humanity is selfishness. Every child knows how to be selfish because it’s their natural disposition. It’s the same for us spiritually too. Growth and maturity mean that we learn to walk in the Spirit thinking less of ourselves and more of Christ and others.

This stance goes against the grain of the world and the very popular Christian-psychology movement that’s occurring in many churches today. And don’t get me wrong, I love psychology, but psychology is me-focused, or self-centered which is the opposite of Gospel-entered theology. There is need of proper balance.

It’s fine to understand why you behave or think a certain way, understanding is beneficial and is actually encouraged in Scripture. However, God must still be glorified first and foremost. Otherwise, we are a hopeless mess.

If everything is about me, then it all falls on me and is up to me. I’m not that powerful. Nor can I handle that much responsibility (or want to for that matter).

So let’s get back to the beauty of the Gospel. God didn’t have to save us, but He did. The message of the Cross isn’t about us, but it is for us. To put it in the words of Trevin Wax, “Our Salvation is the envy of angels.” And that is certainly a beautiful thing to behold.

Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. (1 Chronicles 29:11)

Mindi is an encourager, brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, as well as an author and blogger. You can find her blog and books at www.buildingyourmomentum.com.

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Benefits of Reading the Bible Consistently

 

What are the benefits of reading the Bible consistently?

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  (Psalms 119:105 KJV)

Consistently reading the Bible can have a profound impact on our lives, leading to spiritual growth and an abundance of benefits.

Firstly, the Bible is a wellspring of wisdom. Its timeless teachings provide guidance for navigating life’s challenges and making wise decisions. By immersing ourselves in its pages, we gain valuable insights that can shape our perspectives and actions.

Moreover, reading the Bible consistently brings comfort and peace to our hearts. In times of uncertainty or distress, its words offer solace and reassurance. It reminds us of God’s unfailing love and promises, bringing calmness to our souls.

Furthermore, the Bible serves as a source of inspiration for personal growth. Its stories of faith, perseverance, and redemption encourage us to overcome obstacles and strive for greatness in our own lives.

Engaging in regular Bible study deepens our understanding of God’s character and strengthens our relationship with Him. It allows us to connect with His truth on a deeper level, fostering spiritual intimacy.

Lastly, incorporating daily devotionals into our routine helps us stay connected with God throughout the day. It provides an opportunity for reflection, prayer, and meditation on His word. A popular devotional guide is New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional by Dr. Paul David Tripp. (affiliate link)

In summary, consistent reading of the Bible yields numerous benefits including spiritual growth, wisdom, guidance in decision-making processes, comfort during challenging times, inner peace amidst chaos or uncertainty; it also provides inspiration for personal development while nurturing an intimate relationship with God through regular devotional practice.

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