Organizing the Inside – Day 124 Progress Takes Time

January 5, 2012 at 5:00 pm · Filed under Encouragement, Faith, Simplicity, Wisdom, Women's Ministry and tagged: C, Christianity, Understanding, Wisdom, Word of God

3For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. James 1:3-5

Growth is progressive.
Consider the flowers in a garden. First the seed must be planted and then watered. Soon if all goes well you will start to see the first little sprout of what’s to come. In life we often want God to fix it now. Half the time, we may not even know what we want Him to fix. We only know we wanted it yesterday, so we can feel better today. We want Him to pull out a miracle just for us and make it happen now.  Rarely does God intervene in this way.  There are times when we may need a supernatural manifestation of His great power to work in our lives, but most growth happens a little at a time.

Embracing God’s Word is the beginning of change.
When you spend time reading the Word of God and the Holy Spirit speaks to you about something you need to change in your life, change usually occurs gradually, it doesn’t often happen overnight. However, when you hear the Word you have a choice to make, and if you receive it, that’s when the growth begins. Saying yes to God is the first step, but most likely there is more work in progress. So then you keep revisiting that scripture, keep considering what He said, continue to meditate on it and it will soon take root in you; changing your poor attitude or your broken heart or whatever you need and making you whole. (Also read James 1:23-25)

Instant gratification is an unrealistic expectation.
When you first gave your life to God change happened immediately. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 God gave us a new spirit; one that is alive in Christ. We still however, because we live in a sinful world need to have our minds renewed daily. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Make the investment and growth will happen.
The biggest part of living a life that is not hindered by the complexities of the world is to make sure you allow God to renew your mind daily. No matter the cost, increase your knowledge of Him. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.  Proverbs 4:7 Dig in and look deep inside your heart. What are you really lacking, what is really missing or causing you so much frustration? I guarantee you that whatever you are in need of, whatever area of your life has stopped growing; the answer is in the Word of God. “But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are His. Job 12:13 The inerrant Word of God can meet you at your point of need, then go exceedingly, abundantly above all you could ever ask, or even think to ask for and bless you beyond measure.  Make it first place in your life and nothing can keep you from growing.

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