TOPIC: God Helps Us Grow
SCRIPTURE: Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
GALATIANS 5:26 (AMPC)
Every person’s relationship with God and ability to hear His voice is different, so feel free to pursue communication with Him in the way He leads you. A relationship with God is not about laboring or striving or trying to perform; it’s simply about talking to Him and listening to His voice. We do not need to try to be where someone else is or hear God with the clarity and accuracy someone else has because that person may be enjoying a relationship with God that has taken years of practice and we may not be as far along in our walk with God as that person is. It’s all right for us to be “younger” than others spiritually; God still hears and answers us, no matter the extent of our experience. Comparing ourselves with others only makes us miserable. God is happy simply because we are learning and growing.
Comparing yourself with others will hinder your spiritual growth. God knows you intimately and He has a personalized plan for your advancement. He knows your background, what you have experienced, your disappointments, and your pain. He also knows just what it will take to make you completely whole and you can be assured that He is working in you as long as you are seeking Him.
I have four children who are all very different and I don’t expect them to be anything other than what they are. I have learned that God is the same way with us. Be yourself, enjoy yourself, and enjoy the level of spiritual growth you have attained so far.
Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus, help me to seek Your presence and listen for Your voice above everything else. I want to know you more. In Jesus’ name, amen.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
HOW CAN I GET BETTER AT ENCOURAGING OTHERS?
Encouraging people has not always come easy to me, but years ago I made a commitment to God to start doing it on purpose. Every day I ask the Holy Spirit to show me who I can encourage.
Encouragement is powerful. It can actually make a person feel better. I remember one time when I got a text message from my youngest son. All it said was, “I love you, Mom!” At that moment, I literally felt refreshed by his words. They gave me the extra dose of courage I needed that day.
First Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to encourage one another and build each other up. Think about the people you already know you’re going to be around and ask God to put something in your heart that you can say to them that will be uplifting.
Remember, your words are powerful, and a word of encouragement at the right time can literally transform their entire day.
Joyce Meyer Devotional 2nd April 2021 Today’s Message – Joyce Meyer is an American Charismatic Christian author and speaker and president of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Joyce and her husband Dave have four grown children