In
the
Word
Grow with God ~ Stay on Track
We Grow Together with One Focus
Our primary purpose
NKJV Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’"
And we ought to have an idea of who God is, God's principles and ways, so that we can do God's will in our daily lives. It's difficult to love anything we do not understand.
The Bible defines God as Love, Peace, Patience, Mercy, Forgiveness, Justice, Truth, and Compassion. There are some other descriptions, but these seem to be central to God's Righteousness and Grace which can help us as we grow in them in our minds, hearts, attitudes, and lives/souls.
We choose our focus, effort, and direction.
Read Deuteronomy 30:11-20, Ezekiel 18, and John 15 (note vs. 6-7)
See how these relate to each other
We are to abide in God.
Each day we can choose to grow with God, by setting our hearts and minds to be with God. We think how we can have compassion for others, speak more truthfully, practice patience, forgive, have mercy, and grow in peace. To be just is to be impartial and fair while not letting our own personal preferences make decisions for us against God's goodness.
We understand this is our choice throughout the day. We will not be perfect, but we can be a little better with the right attitude and focus. We can choose to: pray, meditate, collaborate, study, reflect, examine, purify our hearts, and cleanse our consciences.
Choosing God is to arrange within our minds our list of priorities and bring God & God's will all the way to the top. This ought to be done daily. If we do not prioritize and plan to do God's will then we probably won't.
"Those who fail to plan, plan to fail."
Winston Churchill
Progress towards perfection
NKJV Matthew 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
We CAN make progress!
If we are willing to obey God more and more.
How's our progress? What are we progressing toward? Are we growing in understanding and doing God's will?
These are questions we ought to continue to answer regularly to ensure we are continuing to grow in the spirit and word with God.
Do we know where we are going? Are we moving toward God's goals?
NKJV James 1:4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
The word "its" above is italicized stressing importance. Practicing patience within our minds and hearts develops us spiritually.
NKJV Ephesians 3:19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Love of God "Passes knowledge"
NKJV Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Peace of God "surpasses all understanding"
NKJV 2 Corinthians 3:6 not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
NIV James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.