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Listen while you read: "Jesus Loves Even Me"1 (Lyrics) |
Recently while driving into town, I noticed that the corn on the edge of a farm field was only half the height of the stalks in the centre part. I'm sure that this difference in growth was because the plants on the edge were in the shade of nearby trees, while those in the middle were receiving more sunlight.
I began to equate this with the differences in the rate of spiritual growth that I've noticed in some people over the years. I thought to myself, What could the reason be for the difference in spiritual development? Many Christians, when giving their testimony, will share only about the day they were saved, not indicating any further growth in God. If they are asked what the Lord is doing in their life lately, they seem lost for words.
Hebrews 5:12-13 – For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. (NKJV)
Could it be that those who appear to have a somewhat stale testimony are the ones who have failed to stay in the light of the Lord? In order to receive the light of God's revelation for us, we need to be exposed to Him, just like the corn needs God's light to grow to its full height.
Psalm 119:130 – The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. (NKJV)
What's blocking the light of God in our life? Is it the shadow of the spirit of the world — through television, wrong associations, idols, and neglecting God's Word? If we are stymied in our growth in the Lord, then we need to read His Word daily. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17 NKJV). God's Word is alive, and we receive more light in the reading and studying of it.
The apostle Paul encouraged us to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12b NKJV). It takes effort on our part to grow in the Lord.
Prayer: O God, help us to push aside those things which challenge our growing in You. May we be examples to others to seek You in Bible reading and fellowship with the believers. In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.
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Thanks for the good challenge Allan.
Good reminder! Now all I have to do is do it!
Lovely devotional Alan. Thanks for taking the time to share. Blessings on your day!
Hi Alan:
You are so right in today’s devotions.
Thank you, Allan Smith, for your comprehensive and nourishing gospel devotion. The corn fields of your illustration sound just like those in southern Manitoba.
Yes, we must stay in the Light of Jesus Christ to grow.
Keep writing.
Thank you Allan. I was just thinking this morning as I woke that I spend all my free time (and that is not much), watching TV. Your devotional today is a gentle but firm nudge to seek the Lord’s Word in those free moments and grow in love and strength of Him instead of sitting idly in front of someone else’s words.
God bless you this day.
Hi Allan,
Your analogy is well taken and absolutely true for this age. But it begs the question: What can we do about it?
To be sure there are many answers but we have to accept the fact that with modern world as it is we, of ourselves really do not know what to do.
I have been slowly working through all that Andrew Murray has to say about prayer. Our only solution it to pray and make sure our prayer meetings are regular and well attended and God will solve out problem in ways we can never imagine. The only solution for the problem is prayer and He who knows all the answers will solve the problem. God will answer prayers for it is His Spirit alone can speak to the hearts of men and women. Lack of prayer is our problem.
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Blessings.
Many of our people have difficulty learning to pray. Probably most learned to ride a bike and knew that persistence and practice brought results. So it is with prayer. And the more we pray, the more we see God’s hand in the results. If we don’t talk to God, why should God talk to us?