2021-01-25
Proverbs 2:6 NIV
If we want to experience personal growth, there are four things we’ll need:
1) The right environment. We need to place ourselves in settings that encourage growth. Certain fish grow according to the size of their surroundings. If they’re kept in a small tank, they stay small, but if they’re released into the ocean, they can grow to their intended size. The same idea can apply to us. We need to spend time in an environment that allows us the space, the resources and the desire to stretch ourselves and grow.
2) Understanding of our strengths. If we try to be good at everything, we’ll end up being good at nothing. God gave each of us specific strengths. We need to first of all identify them, then focus on them and use them.
3) A willingness to change. We can be resistant to change. Most of us want things to get better without having to change anything. The Bible says, ‘Let us…be taken forward to maturity’ (Hebrews 6:1 NIV). To grow, we must accept change, and also commit ourselves to actively pursuing it.
4) Enjoyment. Personal growth is something that takes our whole lives. If we’re really committed to it, we’ll always find ways to grow and things to improve. So if we’re going to spend that much time doing something, it’s best that we enjoy what we’re doing. ‘God wants all people to eat and drink and be happy in their work, which are gifts from God’ (Ecclesiastes 3:13 NCV). If we’re not enjoying it, it’s a good idea to talk to God about it to make sure we’re on the right path. Personal growth can be an exciting journey, so let’s start embracing it.
Isa 22-25; Matt 10:1-10; Ps 100; Prov 3:7-8
2021-01-24
Proverbs 3:13 NIV
Our personal growth is something we shouldn’t neglect. If we don’t put time and effort into it, we can’t develop the skills God’s given us and be fully effective in His kingdom, or grow our relationship with Him. Here are three misconceptions about personal growth:
1) Growth only comes through experience. Imagine a footballer who spends hours kicking the ball at the goal every day, but never manages to get it in the net. They might have plenty of experience in kicking the ball, but in all that time they’ve never actually improved their game. Experience is only valuable if we learn from it. In order to grow, we need to constantly assess how we’re doing and readjust to get a better result next time.
2) Growth only comes through knowledge. Ever known someone who was very intelligent, but never seemed to accomplish anything of benefit for God, themselves, or others? They’re like an encyclopaedia filled with knowledge that has no value because it’s never used. A huge obstacle to personal growth isn’t ignorance, but having knowledge without the wisdom or desire to apply it. The Bible says, ‘Don’t just listen to God’s word…do what it says’ (James 1:22 NLT).
3) Growth is automatic. When we’re children, there are parents, teachers and trainers challenging us to develop on a daily basis, so without realising, we get used to being encouraged to grow. The problem comes when we get older and nobody is pushing us to grow or go any further. The truth is, we need to take responsibility for our own personal growth; otherwise it won’t happen. We need to make that choice.
Dan 6:1-24; Acts 12:1-19
2021-01-23
1 Corinthians 12:14 NIV
A couple of days ago, we read that ‘the Spirit decides what to give each person’ (v.11 NCV). As well as recognising our own gifts, we should try to recognise gifts in others too. Here are three things we need to remember:
1) We are different from each other. ‘A body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body’ (v.12 NIV). There are different gifts because there are different needs. If we all had all the spiritual gifts, we’d soon lose focus and be overwhelmed by everything we felt we should be doing. Having different gifts means we can know where we fit in and stay focused on our God-given assignment.
2) We are dependent on each other. It takes every part working together to have a healthy body that will function properly. Paul writes: ‘The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”‘ (v.21 NIV). Every part of the body is equally needed and equally important. It’s the same in the body of Christ. Some of us are verbal and some of us are quiet. Some are laid back and some are dynamic. Some prefer to lead and some prefer to follow. Some are introverts and some are extroverts. But all of us are equally needed and equally important.
3) We are to be devoted to each other. ‘God has put the body together…so that there should be no division…but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it’ (v.24-27 NIVUK).
Isa 17-21; Matt 9:27-38; Ps 96; Prov 3:5-6
2021-01-22
Romans 12:6 NIV
We shouldn’t say, ‘I’m no use to God,’ or ‘I’m not needed in the church,’ or ‘There’s no way God could use me.’ We’re all gifted by God, and we’re called to use our gifts to bless others, build up the church, and display His kingdom to a watching world. ‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised’ (1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV).
Every Christian is a minister, and has a ministry. We might think that ministry is reserved for pastors and leaders, or people who’ve been to theological college. But we can all use our gifts to minister to other people, every day. It could even be something as simple as praying for someone who’s having a tough day, encouraging someone who’s lacking confidence, or helping someone who’s struggling.
Since the Holy Spirit decides which particular gift each of us receives, we don’t need to let jealousy and competitiveness weigh us down. Paul wrote: ‘For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?’ (1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV). Each of us is gifted differently, and each of us is gifted perfectly. The Holy Spirit in His divine wisdom has given to each of us the precise gift, or gifts that will enable us to function most effectively in the body of Christ. So let’s start using our gifts today.
Isa 12-16; Matt 9:14-26; Ps 91; Prov 3:3-4
2021-01-21
1 Corinthians 12:11 NCV
The Bible says, ‘There are different kinds of gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit’ (v.4 NCV). The word ‘gifts’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘charis’, which literally means grace. That means we can’t earn, qualify for, work for, or deserve a spiritual gift. The Holy Spirit ‘decides what to give each person.’ We don’t receive our spiritual gifts through study, practice, or inheritance. They’re not even highly developed natural talents. They are characteristics and attributes given by grace, which enable us to carry out God’s will in God’s way.
We’re not designed to serve God by just drawing on our own strength and abilities, but by depending on the power of the Holy Spirit within us. It can help to picture a gloved hand. A glove on its own can’t really do anything useful. It’s only when there’s a hand inside the glove that it can really fulfil its purpose. We’re like the glove – we can’t accomplish much by ourselves. But when we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, He can move us and enable us to accomplish what God wants us to do.
When we think about the plans God has for us, we might worry that we won’t meet His standards. But the truth is that He doesn’t expect us to be perfect. If we were, He wouldn’t have needed to send Jesus to secure our salvation. Jesus told His disciples, ‘If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5 NIV). We need to allow the Spirit to work within us, lean on God’s power, and keep our hearts completely open to Him.
Isa 8-11; Matt 9:1-13; Ps 89:38-52; Prov 3:1-2
2021-01-20
1 Corinthians 10:13 NCV
God’s plan for turning temptation into triumph isn’t for us to endure temptation, but to escape it. That calls for us to do two things:
1) Don’t get into a tempting situation. If we know we struggle with a particular temptation, we should avoid going where it’ll be right in front of us. Temptation is all around us, so we need to ask God for the discernment and wisdom to recognise when we’re heading towards a tempting situation, and for the strength to turn away before we get there. In The Message, we read, ‘I refuse to take a second look at corrupting people and degrading things’ (Psalm 101:3 MSG). We need to set ourselves boundaries and then stick to them to avoid getting caught up in temptation.
2) If we do get into a tempting situation, we need to get out of it quickly. The Bible doesn’t say we are to fight temptation, it says we are to flee from it. Paul tells Timothy, ‘Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts’ (2 Timothy 2:22 NLT). He warns the Corinthians, ‘Flee from sexual immorality’ (1 Corinthians 6:18 NIV). Potiphar’s wife repeatedly tried to seduce Joseph. ‘Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice…and said, “Come to bed with me!”‘ (Genesis 39:6-7 NIV). But Joseph fled, leaving his coat behind.
There’s absolutely no shame in running away from temptation in order to protect our moral and spiritual health. Whenever we find ourselves in a tempting situation, we need to pray for the strength to run away from it. ‘The Lord knows how to save those who serve him when troubles come’ (2 Peter 2:9 NCV).
Isa 4-7; Matt 8:28-34; Ps 89:15-37; Prov 2:21-22
