Let It Grow
1. My Prayer - Let My Garden Grow
Last weekend I walked down to my garden and looked at all the little seedlings popping out of the ground and it started raining gently. Just before I turned to walk back up the hill I said a little prayer. I thanked God for the rain, and then I asked the Lord to "Let it grow." For the past two weeks we have looked at some of the things that we need to "Let It Go." Things very rarely stay the same. If we don't let go of bitterness, our pride, our anger and other things that bring us down, they will grow and be harder to overcome as time goes on. Let's change our course and look at things in our lives that we can happily say, "Let it grow!"
2. Let God's Word Grow And Accomplish His Will
I was reading in the book of Isaiah and God tells us that He gives us rain to water the earth and let our gardens grow. Then He explains that He also gives us His Word, and it prospers where He sends it. "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11) God can use us to give out His Word. Keep sharing the gospel message. For a few years some of our church members had a booth at the Bush Hill Festival in Archdale and handed out free bottles of water and tracts with the gospel message. We don't know how many people read them, and how many just tossed them in the trash, but we did what we could and trust that God's Word did not return void, just as He promised. In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul did not say that we are required to be successful, but "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." (I Corinthians 4:2) Let us be faithful to give out the Word of God and He will let it grow. It is my constant prayer that God will use these devotionals for His honor and glory.
3. Break Up The Fallow Ground
I search online and read all I can about gardening and sometimes I find new ideas worth trying. One thing that I have read about recently is "no-till" gardens. I guess if you have the small raised beds you can get by without turning up the soil in the spring, but how can you get a jump-start on the weeds if you don't till the garden spot before planting? Michael helped me and we tilled our plot in both directions before planting and the ground is still so soft and easy to hoe out the weeds as they pop up through the ground. I can even pull weeds up by hand as I walk down the rows. It would be so hard to keep the weeds out if the ground had not been tilled before planting. God even gives us instructions in His Word to break up our fallow ground. "For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns." (Jeremiah 4:3) "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." (Hosea 10:12) Fallow ground is ground that was once plowed, but it has been left for a season or so and it has gotten hard, and the weeds and thorns have overgrown the ground. How can we apply this to our own lives? In these verses we see that God is speaking to His people. When we get saved we turn to God, and turn away from our sin. Over time we may stray away from God's Word and sin may creep back into our lives. The news media and social sites dull our senses to sin, as we see and hear more and more unrighteousness. The world expects us to accept these sinful ways of life. Our hearts are hardened to the wickedness that is increasing around us. We need to break the hardness of our hearts, and weed out the sinfulness, so that God's Word can take root and grow in our lives. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to "Harden not your hearts,..." (Hebrews 3:8) And James tells us his readers to "Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ..." with this promise, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." (James 4:8) Let God's Word grow in your heart.
4. We Reap What We Sow
Early in the spring I was keeping Jedidiah and Elsa and I decided to let them help plant seeds in little cups. We planted a few tomatoes, okra, and squash, and I told them that when it was warm enough to plant the garden, I would put their little plants out where they could grow and then we could eat the fresh vegetables. Jedidiah said, "But I don't like any of these things." I asked him what he liked and he told me he likes watermelon. So, I got the watermelon seed and let him plant several of those. When it was finally dry enough to till and plant the garden I remembered their little plants. I had a small problem because after several weeks the plants were no longer on the same little boards that the kids had written the names of the seeds. I planted the first row in okra and on the end of the row I set out their little okra seedlings. As I planted the rest of the garden I put the squash, tomatoes, and watermelons in the right rows, or so I thought. That was a few weeks ago, and now it looks like there are three watermelon plants in my row of okra. I am going to leave them and let them run under the okra and out into the yard. I did not recognize all of the little seedlings, but as they have grown more leaves I can tell which plants are really okra and which ones are not. The okra plants will bear okra, and the watermelon plants will have watermelons. We reap what we sow. This principle is taught in the Bible. Be careful what you sow... because that is what you will reap.
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:7-9)
"Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same." (Job 4:8)
"Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men." (Hosea 10:13)
5. "They That Sow In Tears Shall Reap In Joy"
I was saved at a young age when my heart was tender. I can remember times when I laid across my bed, and I prayed, and I cried for my neighborhood friends to be saved. After my family moved and I changed school districts I lost touch with my childhood friends. At times God will bring something from the past to my mind and I will try to pray for those old friends, because I know that He sees them, right where they are. I can remember a few years ago that I was burdened to tears over someone and even though I tried to witness to her, she shut me out and did not want to hear the truth from God's Word. After so many tears kept falling, I finally had to leave the burden with the Lord, and trust Him to speak to her heart. Are there friends and loved ones that you once shed tears over? Don't give up on your love for them, and your prayers to the Lord. God's Word tells us, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psalm 126:5-6) I close with these comforting words from the book of Jude.
"20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."
6. It Takes Time To Reap What We Sow
Trying to raise a garden really teaches me patience. I keep looking for blooms and baby vegetables and I keep waiting, and waiting, and waiting. I finally saw a tiny squash and the next day I looked and ants were eating that very blossom. We have used Galatians 6:9 in a spiritual sense, but we can also look at it from the natural sense. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." It takes time to reap. Let's turn back to the Biblical principle that we reap what we sow. Under the Old Testament law, punishment for sin was more immediate and that probably impelled many to follow the law. We are now living under grace and we serve a merciful God and we don't always suffer the consequences of our sin immediately. "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:21-23) I want to close with some verses from Psalm 73. The writer is dismayed over the prosperity of the wicked, until verse 17, "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end." God's Word is always true, and although it may seem like people are getting by with their sin, we can be sure that we all will reap what we sow.
"1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works."
7. We Reap More Than We Sow
When I get my tools and seeds ready for planting, I can fit all my seeds in a shoebox. It would be sad, if after all my hard work, and after all the long waiting, I only reaped a shoebox full of vegetables. I have remarked several times that last year was a terrible year for my garden. But when I look back I have to admit that I did reap more than I planted. We enjoyed a few squash before the weather got so dry and hot and the plants died. We ate a few good ears of corn before the squirrels found them all. I did have a few beans to cook and a few tomatoes to eat in our salads. And towards the end of summer the okra started bearing and we picked quite a bit on the end away from the ant hills. So, we really did reap more that we had sown. In the parable that Jesus told of the sower, the seed that fell on good ground brought forth more fruit, some a hundred times more. "And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred." (Mark 4:20) Keep sowing the seed, the Word of God. The more you sow, the more you will reap.
This also applies to those who are sowing a lifetime of wickedness. "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:..." (Hosea 8:7)
"2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies." (Nahum 1:2-8)
8. "A Time To Pluck Up That Which Is Planted"
I enjoy walking down to my garden several times a day to look for bugs, and look at the growing plants. There is a large hedge that grows near the corner of the garden and it had been in full bloom for several days. One day I walked over to see the honey bees, bumble bees, and different kinds of butterflies on the flowers. The fragrance is so strong that I have to take a shower every time I come back to the house to get the smell out of my hair. I noticed that my asthma had been much worse for several days and Michael asked me if I had eaten anything different. I told him the only difference I noticed was the strong smell of the hedge. I searched online and I am pretty sure it is a privet hedge. Several different sites posted warnings that people with allergies or asthma should avoid these plants. Last Saturday morning I told my Mom about my findings while I was talking with her on the phone. She has always hated the smell of those flowers, but even so, she showed up at my door with Joe and they had most of it cut down before Michael got home. I like to plant things and watch them grow, but there are times when we have to "pluck up that which is planted." The plant was so big it was hiding poison oak underneath, so that is another plant that we will have to get rid of. A few of the tomatoes, squash, and dill are starting to blossom. I have zinnias, marigolds, nasturtiums, geraniums, and cosmos growing with the vegetables, and I can't wait until it all comes to full bloom! I love to sit on my bench and watch the bees and butterflies go from flower to flower. Our verses today are from Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;" In our last devotionals we looked at things that we need to just "Let It Go". Sometimes it is hard work to pluck up those things that are like poison plants in our lives, but it is worth it to get rid of the things that are harmful if they are left to grow.
9. Grow In Wisdom
To see how we should grow, I want us to look at Jesus for our example. When He was still an infant, He was carried to the temple at Jerusalem for the "custom of the law." As they returned home, we read in Luke 2:40, "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." The next time we read of Jesus He was twelve years old and Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. They started home, thinking He was with their group, and had to go back and finally found Him in the temple. "And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:51-52) In both of these instances Jesus grew in wisdom, and both times our story began at the house of God. That is a great place to grow in wisdom. Today is the Lord's day, and I hope that if you are able, you will go to the house of the Lord. The Lord established the "church" for our benefit and if we neglect it, then we aren't getting all the blessings He has prepared for us. David said, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." (Psalm 122:1) It should be a joy to worship the Lord and grow, in the fellowship of other Christian believers. We can also grow in wisdom through God's Word. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16) Another way to grow in wisdom is through prayer. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5) When the Lord asked King Solomon what he would like to receive of Him, the King showed that he had enough wisdom to ask God for wisdom. Let's grow in wisdom: through worship at the house of God, through God's Word, and through prayer.
10. The Older Generation Can Help Us Grow In Wisdom
After King Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became king, and the people went to him and asked him to make their burdens lighter and they would serve him.
"6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.
8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:" (I Kings 12:6-8)
His peers told King Rehoboam to add to their service and make their work harder, and he listened to them, instead of the wise counsel of the older men. That is when the nation was split and became Israel and Judah. Reheboam was king over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and the other tribes made Jereboam king over them. The older generation has lived through hardships and know a lot more about life than the younger people give them credit for. Many younger people are proud and feel like they know more about things and they don't want to hear any advice from their elders. This is so sad, but I don't think it is just common to this day and age, because our Bible example was thousands of years ago. We can look ahead in time, to the New Testament and see that Paul told Titus that the aged men and aged women were to teach the younger ones. I feel blessed that there are still things that my Mom can teach me. I still ask her advice about cooking, canning, gardening, sewing, and so many things. When I became a mother for the first time I started praying for wisdom to be the mother I should be and bring my children up as God would lead me. Now I pray that God will give them wisdom, to serve Him, and train up their children in His Word. I want to encourage you today to sit and talk with your parents, grandparents, or another older person in your life. Listen to what they can tell you, and learn from them while you can. One day it will be too late.
"1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." (Titus 2:1-8)
11. Two Sams Grew
Once when I was reading through the Old Testament I noticed the similiarities between Samson and Samuel. The births of both were to barren women and were foretold.
Samson - "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son." (Judges 13:3)
Samuel - "Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him." (I Samuel 1:17)
Both were born during the time of the Judges of Israel and were set apart for God's use.
Samson - "Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines." (Judges 13:4-5)
Samuel - "And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head." (I Samuel 1:11)
We also read that both of the boys grew before the Lord.
Samson - "And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him." (Judges 13:24)
Samuel - "And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD." (I Samuel 2:21)
Two Sams. And their lives started out much the same. Their parents loved them and wanted them to grow up to serve the Lord. As Samson grew older he broke his Nazarite vows and his life took a different path. He delivered the Israelites from the Philistines more than once, but he paid the price with his life. Samuel was brought up in the temple where he served the Lord all his life, from a child under Eli, later to become the prophet that anointed Saul and David to be the first two kings of Israel. Growing in the Lord is a continual process. Don't stray off the path God has planned for you.
"1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (Psalm 1:1-3)
12. In A Valley Of Weeping, Make It A Well
I began this series on "Let It Grow" talking about my garden. Well, after the dust from tilling, the pollen in the air, and the high temperatures, I had allergy caused sneezing and coughing for a few days. I woke up Monday and it felt like big shards of glass in my throat when I coughed and my asthma was also starting to flare up. We made phone calls to my doctor, and several urgent care places and they were all closed for Memorial Day. Michael finally found one that was open and it was a really nice place, and the staff was professional and friendly. While the doctor was asking questions about my medical history, one came up and I said that it was about 20 years ago. Her assistant asked if I would share something about going through that. I told her that I had explained to my doctor that my Dad had just died and asked if the physical problem could be caused by the stress. He said, "Definitely" and told me that our mental stress can cause problems in our physical health. I talked to the young lady about some things I learned going through it, and told her that after a while, the problem was over. She told me that she really appreciated me sharing that with her because her husband died two months ago. She thanked me again as we were leaving. There is no doubt in my mind that God allowed me to go through this on Memorial Day, when all the other medical facilities were closed, to let me encourage this young woman going through the sadness and stress of losing her husband. I don't even know her name, but God led me to her office, and I am praying that He will help her through this difficult time in her life. Psalm 84 talks about passing through the valley of Baca, and I have read that "Baca" means "weeping". We all go through valleys of weeping and trials of tears. The Psalmist encourages us to "make it a well" and God will fill it with refreshing water to give strength to those that follow us. If you are going through the valley of weeping I pray that God will bless you and give you strength. And when you come out on the other side ask God to use you to give encouragement and strength to others in their time of tears.
"Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God." (Psalm 84:5-7)
13. A Garden Paradise
Let's go back to the very first garden...
"And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." (Genesis 2:15-18)
God created a beautiful, bountiful garden, and He put Adam in the garden "to dress it and to keep it." And Adam could eat all he wanted from the garden except for the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil". Then God even gave Adam "an help meet for him" to share his life in the garden. There were rivers that flowed and a mist that rose up to water the garden. It was a perfect paradise where God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. Until Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit and brought a curse to them and the ground. I really enjoy working in my garden. I don't even mind hoeing and pulling weeds. But, although there is a shortage of honey bees, I am already fighting against squash bugs, vine borers, cucumber beetles, ants, caterpillars and cut worms. Plus the turtle, opossum, and rabbits that I have already seen this year. I keep working and praying... because I really like my garden. It would be so good to have a garden free from the curse. Revelation 2:7 tells us that the tree of life is now in heaven, "the paradise of God." "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." And it bares twelve kinds of fruits, a fruit for every month. (Revelation 22:2) We also read in Revelation 19:9, "And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb..." If you have a supper, you have to have food. God tells us about the street of gold and the gates of pearl, but I wish I knew more about what grows over there. I know that we will give a lot of our time in worship and praise to our holy God, but I hope that sometime in our sweet eternity, He will let me work in His garden paradise. Until then, if anybody has some helpful garden advice, I would love to hear it!
14. Sow The Seed
A series on sowing and growing would not be complete if we did not include the parable Jesus told in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8. A sower went out to sow his seed, and that seed was the Word of God. Not all of the seed grew on good ground and was fruitful, but the sower still sowed the seed. We may get discouraged when we try to tell others about our wonderful Lord and Savior and they don't seem to want to hear, but we can't let that keep us from sowing the seed. We have more means of communication than any other generation before us. Let's use it to share the good news, "Jesus saves!"
"5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." (Luke 8:5-15)
15. Grow In Grace
I have enjoyed talking about my garden and how much joy I have in watching it grow. I believe that the Lord takes pleasure in watching His children grow. So, to close this devotional theme I want us to look at II Peter 3:18. "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." Grow in grace. When I think of the word, "Grace", I think of unmerited favor. We were all lost in sin, separated from God, yet in His great love God gave His only begotten Son to die so that we might live. There is nothing we can do to buy our salvation, and there are no works that we can to do earn it. We must accept that we are lost, and confess our sin as we believe through faith, that Jesus is the Son of God and the only way of salvation. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (Ephesians 2:8) We are saved by grace, and God's Word tells us to grow in grace. Here are a few more verses about the amazing grace of our loving God and Savior, and encouraging words to help us grow in grace.
"4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:4-10)
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)
"That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:7)
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16)
"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6)
"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" (Ephesians 1:6-7)
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." (II Corinthians 13:14)
