Good morning,
As long as you and I stay on the narrow road we will continue to grow in Him. " But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to His promise, in which righteousness (uprightness, freedom from sin, and right standing with God) is to abide. So, beloved, since you are expecting these things, be eager to be found by Him [at His coming] without spot or blemish and at peace [in serene confidence, free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts]. And consider that the long-suffering of our Lord His slowness in avenging wrongs and judging the world] is salvation (that which is conducive to the soul's safety), even as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the spiritual insight given him, Speaking of this as he does in all of his letters. There are some things in those [epistles of Paul] that are difficult to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist and misconstrue to their own utter destruction, just as [they distort and misinterpret] the rest of the Scriptures. Let me warn you therefore, beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard, lest you be carried away by the error of lawless and wicked [persons and] fall from your own [present] firm condition [your own steadfastness of mind]. But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)! " Grow is to increase and to become better; to become greater and to expand. We will always be in progression all the while because there are some things that we are not ready for until we reach a certain level of maturation. Staying in your present firm condition requires that you are steady in the application of the Word. "Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation, Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord." So if you have been experiencing some growing pains, that is normal. Each and everyone of us as believer's will grow to a place where we have to exert more spiritual energy to go beyond where we are, in order to become better, greater, increase, and expand. Sometimes we grow by leaps and bounds, other times it may seem like we are at a snail's pace, but we must keep inching along.
The purpose is for us to increase in the knowledge of God, the Kingdom, and every thing that He has placed under our domain of calling and gifting. "That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]. [We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy…" We are to increase and grow in grace. Grace is that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: good will, loving-kindness, favour. In every experience of life,when we keep our hands in God as we go through any test, trial, good and trying times, we begin to grow in our knowledge of God in our midst. The Word of God comes off of the pages, logos, and becomes revealed in our lives, rhema. Let's go for more growth in the new year of change!
Love,
Pastor D.
Daughters of Z 