Daily Devotional: Thursday, Jan 14
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Spiritual Growth
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Salvation is Here by Hillsong United; Break my Heart by Mike Flathers; Cannons by Phil Wickham; Healer by Kari Jobe.
Read: Galatians 6:7-10; Philippians 3:20-21
Think: We're nearly professional people watchers... For us it's a blast to simply observe how people do life! Whether we're hanging out at the Market downtown, at a Seahawks game or just doing stuff in our neighborhood we love to see how others navigate life. We spent some time in a retirement community a while back and it was interesting to watch how some folks grow old gracefully, while others were grouchy and mean. I suppose there can be all kinds of reasons why one grows either "direction" but really, if we're truthful, we know people don't get irritable and short-tempered simply because they're getting older. It's more likely that they (or should I say "we") become what they've been becoming all along.
I can't help but think the same is true of our growth spiritually. We're all growing one direction or the other - and we need to decide which way! The Apostle Paul wrote: "He who sows to his flesh will . . . reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will . . . reap everlasting life" (Gal. 6:8). People who love God and care for others are sowing seeds that will produce a harvest of joy. If we think only of ourselves we're sowing seeds that will result in discontentment and bitterness.
Pastor Ben gave us some great ways to sow seeds that energize our spiritual growth and get us growing in the right direction. If you recall he encouraged us to grow intellectually, relationally, in our service to others, in worship, to take action, to be contemplative and seek God in His creation... We can choose to grow and submit to God each day and as He works in us we'll grow in grace and in kindness. And as the people watchers of the world observe us, they'll hopefully catch a glimpse of Jesus.
Do: Ask yourself: Which way am I growing? As people see me am I reflecting the Lord?
Pray: Lord, show me how to reenergize my growth in the right direction. I want my life to be marked by You - your kindness, your grace, your compassion... and to have who I am reflect well on You. Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
