God Helps Me Grow

In Romans 8:29 it say, “From the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—and all along he knew who would—should become like his Son.” (TLB)

God’s goal has always been to make me like himself. He wants me to become like his Son. In other words, he wants me to grow up spiritually.

The Bible says, “From the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—and all along he knew who would—should become like his Son” (Romans 8:29 TLB).

We often ask: “Why is this happening to me?” It’s to help us grow.

In fact, everything in life can help me grow up spiritually, the good, the bad, the ugly, the things I bring on myself, and the things that other people do to me. God is not the author of evil. But God can bring good out of bad things.

Every situation in life will either make me bitter or make me better. It’s my choice how I choose to respond. Instead of asking, “God, why is this happening to me?” ask, “God, what do you want me to learn from this?”

Every problem has a purpose: to help me grow up spiritually and be more like Jesus Christ.

So, if one of the purposes of my life is to grow up spiritually and to become like Jesus, what is Jesus like? Just look at the fruit of the Spirit. The Bible says, “He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 TLB). These are the qualities God wants to develop in me.

How does God produce those qualities and help me grow up spiritually? He teaches me these qualities by putting me in the exact opposite situations.

He teaches me love by putting me around unlovely people. He teaches me joy in the middle of grief. God teaches me peace when you’re surrounded by chaos. He teaches me patience when it seems like the line I’m standing in goes on forever.

God will teach me these qualities throughout my life, and the process will take the rest of my life. But I can trust that, whatever I face today, he will use it to help me develop spiritual depth and become more like Christ.

In summary, from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him, and all along he knew who would, should become like his Son.” God’s goal has always been to make me like himself. He wants me to become like his Son and to grow up spiritually. We often ask: “Why is this happening to me?” It’s to help us grow. Everything in life can help me grow up spiritually. But God can bring good out of bad things. Every situation in life will either make me bitter or make me better. It’s my choice how I choose to respond. Instead of asking, “God, why is this happening?” ask, “God, what do you want me to learn from this?” Every problem has a purpose: to help me grow up spiritually and be more like Jesus Christ. What is Jesus like? Just look at the fruit of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are the qualities God wants to develop in me. How does God produce those qualities? By putting me in the exact opposite situations. He teaches me love by putting me around unlovely people, joy in the middle of grief, peace when I’m surrounded by chaos, patience when it seems like the line I’m standing in goes on forever. I can trust that, whatever I face today, he will use it to help me develop spiritual depth and become more like Christ.

God's ultimate goal for me is to make me like Christ. As I become more and more like him, I discover my true self, the person I was created to be. I become like Christ, by reading and heeding the Word, by studying his life on earth through the gospels, by spending time in prayer, by being filled with his Spirit, and by doing his work in the world. God's purpose for me was not an afterthought; it was settled before the foundation of the world. I am to serve and honor God. If I believe in Christ, I can rejoice in the fact that Go has always known me. God's love is eternal. His Wisdom and power are supreme. He will guide and protect me until I stand one day in his presence. 

Choosing Faith over Fear

In Hebrews 11:27 I read, “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.” (NIV)

Moses made some intentional resolutions about how to live his life, and it’s important that I do too. One of Moses’s resolutions was this: He chose to live by faith rather than by fear.

I’ll face the same choice over and over. When it comes, will I choose to live by faith or by fear?

The Bible says in Hebrews 11:27, “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible” (NIV).

Moses went to the most powerful man in the world and said, “You know those slaves that are building all your pyramids? I’m taking them, and we’re all leaving. You’re not going to have slave labor anymore. Let my people go.”

Moses had every reason to be afraid. He was standing against the most powerful man on the planet. In those days, Pharaoh was considered a god, and whatever Pharaoh said was the law.

And here comes Moses, saying, “We aren’t going to do what you say anymore. I’m not afraid of you because I report to a higher authority.” It took some guts to do that!

I would like this same kind of faith in my life, so that I can overcome my fear. I’m learning that the closer I get to God, the more I’m going to be filled with faith. The further away I get from God, the more I’ll be filled with fear.

Faith cannot be overemphasized enough for it’s importance for the rest of my life. The Bible says, “Whatever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23 TLV).

How many times did I sin this week? Anything I did that wasn’t done in faith, that I did in doubt, was a sin.

The Bible also says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV). How many times did I please God this week?

If I want something to change in my life, then stop complaining and start believing. God is not moved by complaints. God is moved by faith: “According to your faith let it be done to you” (Matthew 9:29 NIV). My faith has a big impact on what God does in my life.

Here’s the key: What matters is not the size of my faith but the size of our God. A little faith in a big God gets big results!

In summary, by faith I need to persevere by focusing on God. Moses made some intentional resolutions about how to live his life, and it’s important that I do too. One of Moses’s resolutions was this: He chose to live by faith rather than by fear. In life, I’ll face the same. When it comes, will I choose to live by faith or by fear? Moses went to the most powerful man in the world and said, let my people go. Moses had every reason to be afraid. However here comes Moses, saying, “We aren’t going to do what you say anymore. I’m not afraid because I report to a higher authority.” I would like this same kind of faith in my life, so that I can overcome my fear. The closer I get to God, the more I’m going to be filled with faith. The further away I get from God, the more I’ll be filled with fear. Faith cannot be overemphasized enough for it’s importance for the rest of my life. “Whatever is not of faith is sin.”  “Without faith it is impossible to please God”. How many times did I please God this week? If I want something to change in my life, then stop complaining and start believing. God is not moved by complaints. God is moved by faith: “According to your faith let it be done to you”. My faith has a big impact on what God does in my life. What matters is not the size of my faith but the size of my God. A little faith in a big God gets big results!

It took faith for Moses to give up his place in the palace, but he could do it because he saw the fleeting nature of great wealth and prestige. It is easy to be deceived by the temporary benefits of wealth, popularity, status, and achievement, and to blind to the long-range benefits of God's Kingdom. Faith helps me to look beyond the world's value system and to see the eternal values of God's Kingdom.  

Naming and Living By What I Value

In Hebrews 11:26 I read, “[Moses] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” (NIV)

What matters most to me? What are the top values in my life?

My decision needs to include and choose God’s values, not the world’s. Moses made this life-shaping resolution. And God used him!

Hebrews 11:26 says, “He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (NIV).

Moses made a value judgment. He clarified what mattered most to him. He knew what his top values were.

My top values are: integrity, humility, and generosity. I decided a few years ago that I wanted to build my life on those three things. They are all antidotes to the three traps of leadership.

If I don’t focus on what’s important in my life, others will decide for me. They’ll push you into their mold, and you’ll live your life by their values, not my own.

When I know what’s most important to me and live by my values, God can use me and bless my life as well.

In summary, value and follow the things of Christ, as they are of a greater value than all the treasures this world has to offer. I need to clarify what matters most to me. What will be the top values in my life? My decision needs to include and choose God’s values, not the world’s. Moses made this life-shaping resolution. God used him! Moses made a value judgment. He clarified what mattered most to him. He knew what his top values were. My top values are: integrity, humility, and generosity. I have decided to build my life on those three things. If I don’t focus on what’s important in my life, others will decide for me. When I know what’s most important to me and live by those values, God can use me as well.

Moses thought that it was better to suffer for the promised Christ than to own all the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking forward to the great reward that God would give him. True wealth is eternal. Consider today's world, how many got where they are by being humble, self-effacing, and gentle? In the life to come, the last will be first only if they got in last place by choosing to follow Jesus. So don't forfeit eternal rewards for temporary benefits. Like Moses, be willing to make sacrifices now for greater rewards later. It's better to suffer for the promised Christ than to own all of the treasures of this world. There is a greater reward in eternity than what is offered in this life. I need to be willing to make sacrifices now for something much greater later. From today forward I will choose to be who God wants me to be, choose short-term pain for long-term gain and choose God's values, not the worlds. My top values to live by are: integrity, humility, and generosity.

Father, once again I thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You have made it clear that you want me. I recognize my need for you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others. I want to do well in your eyes and make a difference in the lives of others. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Focus on Pleasing God, Not People

In 1 Thessalonians 2:4 I read, “Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” (NLT)

God made me to be me, not what my parents wanted me to be or even a spouse, boss, or friend would want me to be.

God wants me to be exactly who he created me to be. That means I have to refuse to be defined by others.

Hebrews 11:24 says, “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter” (NIV).

Moses had an identity crisis. He was born a Hebrew slave but raised as Egyptian royalty, the grandson of Pharaoh. When he grew up, he had two choices: He could pretend to be Pharaoh’s grandson for the rest of his life and live with luxury, fame, and power. Or he could admit who he really was: a Jew. If he did, his family would kick him out to live with slaves the rest of his life. He would be disgraced and humiliated and live a life of pain and drudgery.

Which choice would I make?

Most people today are living lies. They’re trying to be people they’re not. But Moses refused to live a lie because he was a man of integrity. Against all kinds of peer pressure, he insisted on being who God made him to be.

I should consider who am I allowing to determine my identity?

Some have parents who died years ago, but they're still trying to live up to their expectations. Some are hanging on to what an ex-husband or ex-wife said to them, and trying to prove that person wrong. Some are trying to keep up with what the culture says they should be.

But the Bible says this: “Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT).

Choose to be who God made me to be. Simply say, “I resolve to no longer let other people press me into their mold. I’m going to do what God wants me to do and fulfill the plan he has for my life, not somebody else’s plan for my life.”

That is real success in life. God wants me to be exactly who he created me to be and nothing more.

In summary, my purpose is to please God, not people. For He alone examines the motives of my heart. God made me to be me, not what others would want me to be. He wants me to be exactly who he created me to be. Therefore I have to refuse to be defined by others. Don’t live a lie trying to be someone I’m not. Moses refused to live a lie because he was a man of integrity. Against all kinds of peer pressure, he insisted on being who God made him to be. So I should consider who am I allowing to determine and influence my identity? Who’s expectations am I trying to live my life for? My purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of my heart. Choose to be who God made me to be. Resolve to no longer let other people press me into their mold. Do what God wants me to do and fulfill the plan he has for my life, not somebody else’s. Success is being who God wants and created me to be. Nothing more.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.