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Today's Scripture: "The LORD had said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you.' " (Genesis 12:1, NIV). Today's Word: In the Scripture, Abraham is listed as one of the heroes of faith. God made one of the first covenants with him. But what’s interesting is that before Abraham, God spoke to Abraham’s father and told him to go where he told Abraham. It says in Genesis 11 that Abraham’s father “left Ur and headed out toward Canaan.” He was going to the Promised Land just like God told Abraham. But it says, “He stopped along the way and settled in Haran.” Why did he stop? There were too many difficulties. It was hard traveling with all of his flocks and herds. He had his family, his possessions. It wasn’t comfortable. He finally decided, “I can’t go any further. I know this isn’t the Promised Land, but it’s good enough.” How many times do we do the same thing? We start off right. We’ve got a big dream. We’re going to fulfill our destiny. But along the way, we face opposition. Adversity arises. Too many times, we say like Abraham’s father, “What’s the use? I’m just going to settle here. It’s good enough.” No, I want to light a new fire in you. Decide today: “I’m not going to settle halfway, three-fourths of the way, or nine-tenths of the way. I’m going to make it all the way in to my promised land.” Prayer for Today: Father, today I declare that I won’t settle for good enough. I won’t settle halfway to Your promises. I choose to stand strong, dig my heels in, and press forward into the Promised Land you have prepared for me in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Real Spiritual Maturity Is Gradual
Discipleship is the process of conforming to Christ; your journey will last a lifetime. Every day God wants you to become a little more like him: “You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you” (Colossians 3:10a NCV).
Today we’re obsessed with speed, but God is more interested in strength and stability than swiftness. We want the quick fix, the shortcut, the on-the-spot solution. We want a sermon, a seminar, or an experience that will instantly resolve all problems, remove all temptation, and release us from all growing pains.
But real maturity is never the result of a single experience, no matter how powerful or moving. Growth is gradual. The Bible says, “Our lives gradually [become] brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18b MSG).
People often build their identity around their defects. We say, “It’s just like me to be …” and “It’s just the way I am.” The unconscious worry is that if I let go of my habit, my hurt, or my hang-up, who will I be? This fear can definitely slow down your growth.
Habits take time to develop. Remember that your character is the sum total of your habits. You can’t claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind — meaning you show kindness without even thinking about it. You can’t claim to have integrity unless it is your habit to always be honest. A husband who is faithful to his wife most of the time is not faithful at all! Your habits define your character.
There is only one way to develop the habits of Christ-like character: You must practice them — and that takes time! There are no instant habits. Paul urged Timothy, “Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:15 GW).
Talk It Over
by Rick Warren
“We shall become mature people, reaching to the very
height of Christ's full stature.” (Ephesians 4:13b TEV)
height of Christ's full stature.” (Ephesians 4:13b TEV)
Today we’re obsessed with speed, but God is more interested in strength and stability than swiftness. We want the quick fix, the shortcut, the on-the-spot solution. We want a sermon, a seminar, or an experience that will instantly resolve all problems, remove all temptation, and release us from all growing pains.
But real maturity is never the result of a single experience, no matter how powerful or moving. Growth is gradual. The Bible says, “Our lives gradually [become] brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18b MSG).
People often build their identity around their defects. We say, “It’s just like me to be …” and “It’s just the way I am.” The unconscious worry is that if I let go of my habit, my hurt, or my hang-up, who will I be? This fear can definitely slow down your growth.
Habits take time to develop. Remember that your character is the sum total of your habits. You can’t claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind — meaning you show kindness without even thinking about it. You can’t claim to have integrity unless it is your habit to always be honest. A husband who is faithful to his wife most of the time is not faithful at all! Your habits define your character.
There is only one way to develop the habits of Christ-like character: You must practice them — and that takes time! There are no instant habits. Paul urged Timothy, “Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:15 GW).
Talk It Over
- What are you doing to gradually but consistently grow as a disciple of Christ?
- Who in your life can help and encourage you as you work to develop a habit of Christ-like character?
- What are the character traits that you want to be known for? How can you develop those traits in your life?
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