Growth: How Will We Respond?

God has been speaking to me lately about growing in Him. I know He is taking many of us, if not all of us, to a higher level of commitment to Him. He's challenging us and doing things in us, some of which we can't explain. If you are going to take anything out of what I say, let it be this: if we resist what He is doing in us, it will only make things harder for us. When we are stubborn, we lose out. He knows us better than we even know ourselves, and His plan is perfect.

In the men's Bible study on Saturday we went over 1 John 2:12-14. Let me give you the main gist. In verse 14 it says, "I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one." This passage really enforces that we need to overcome things when we are still young. Why do you ask? First, because the longer we wait to overcome things the more chance they have of becoming habitual, which makes them harder to overcome later in life. Second, if we overcome things now it enables God to shape us into the tool that He wants us to be for His kingdom. However, if we wait to overcome, we may get to the point in life that by the time we overcome we do not have enough time left on this earth to become what He wants us to be.

Rev. 3:19-20 "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

Just Like You by Jason Upton

I tried to walk on the water and found myself under the sea
So with water up my nose I felt your hand come close to save me
I’ve tried to cast out the demons I’ve gone to the darkest of regions
When fear has me shaking you suddenly break in to save me

I desire
To be like you
Like any son or daughter
I want to be like my Father
I desire to be like you
You promised to never forsake me
So I’ll risk it all if you’ll make me like You

You stand beside me just waiting while I try to go it alone
Smiling You say son come here won’t you let me just help you
But frustrated I try to make it cause I’ve just got something to prove
Not knowing it is my weakness that perfects your power