Day 23 - How We Grow Grow

God wants us to grow up ...like Christ in everything.

EPHESIANS 4:15a(Msg)

We are not meant to remain as children.

Ephesians 4:14a (Ph)

"Your Heavenly Father's goal is for you to mature and develop the characteristics of Jesus Christ.  Sadly, millions of Christians grow older but never grow up....  Spiritual growth is not automatic.  It takes an intentional commitment.  You must want to grow, decide to grow, make and effort to grow, and persist in growing." p179

"Every choice has eternal consequences, so you had better choose wisely...  Christlikeness is the result of making christlike choices and depending on his Spirit to help you fulfil those choices.  Once you decide to get serious about becoming like Christ, you must begin to act in new ways.  You will need to let go of some old routines, develop some new habits, and intentionally change the way you think.  You can be certain that the Holy Spirit will help you with these changes." p180

"To change your life, you must change the way you think.  Behind everything you do is a thought.  Every behaviour is motivated by a belief, and every action is prompted by an attitude.  God revealed this thousands of years before psychologists understood it: 'Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.'" p181

"Babies by nature are completely selfish...  They are incapable of giving; they can only receive.  That is immature thinking.  Unfortunately, many people never grow beyond that kind of thinking.  The Bible says that selfish thinking is the source of sinful behaviour: 'Those who live following their sinful selves think only about things that their sinful selves want.'" p182

"Today many assume that spiritual maturity is measured by the amount of Biblical information and doctrine you know.  While knowledge is one measure of maturity, it isn't the whole story.  The Christian life is more than creeds and convictions; it includes conduct and character.  Our beliefs must be backed up with Christlike behaviour." p183

"Thinking of others is the heart of Christlikeness and the best evidence of spiritual growth.  This kind of thinking is unnatural, counter-cultural, rare, and difficult.  Fortunately we have help: 'God has given us His spirit.  That's why we don't think the same way that people of this world think.'" p183

Point to Ponder:

It is never too late to start growing.

Verse to Remember:

"Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.  Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and pleasing to Him and is perfect." ROMANS 12:2b (TEV)

Question to Consider:

What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God's way?