RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DESIRE SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Thursday, March 1st , 2018
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:14-15).
Some people have been Christians for many years, but they haven’t grown spiritually. Some aren’t even aware of the reality and necessity of spiritual growth. The Bible says, “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:1-2). This is God’s desire for you; He wants you to grow in fellowship with Him and in the things of the Spirit.
The latter part of our opening text says, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”*_ This is God’s purpose for you; He doesn’t want you tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. He wants you stable, mature, and established in the faith.
Spiritual growth is like the growth of a newborn baby that has to go through several stages before coming to adulthood. It’s exciting to see the baby take its first feeble steps, make expressions, and attempt to hold things. It’s even more thrilling when the baby is eventually able to walk and run around, even though at first, with wobbling steps. In all of these phases, growth is progressive, and that’s the reason for the excitement.
It’s the same thing spiritually. When you’re growing spiritually, you’d notice you’re able to take charge of your life; you don’t need somebody to deal with the devil for you; you’re able to put him where he belongs by exercising your dominion in Christ! You’ve learnt the Word; you’re in charge and in control of your life. You can tame circumstances. That’s how it should be.Desire more of God; desire more of His Word, for the Word of God is God. Feeding on the Word is the only means you can grow spiritually, and live the transcendent life in Christ. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for the working of your Word in my life. My growth in life is evident and consistent, because I’m connected to my source—the Word—in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: 1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1 Peter 2:1-2 AMPC So be done with every trace of wickedness (depravity, malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy, jealousy) and slander and evil speaking of every kind. 2 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,
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Mark 9:14-32,
Numbers 7-8
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Acts 23:1-10,
Psalm 50-51