Spiritual Growth / Godliness

  • May He Equip You

    Hebrews 13:21

    John Calvin commented that “our works, performed by the odour of Christ’s grace, emit a sweet fragrance in God’s presence, while otherwise they would have a fetid smell.” Our works do not justify us; yet, they do sanctify ...Read More

  • Mind and Heart

    Matthew 22:37

    If you read the theological writings of the saints throughout church history, you will find that their tremendous intellectual content also contains doxology. These men and women loved Christ with their minds and hearts. Ask the Lord to help you ...Read More

  • Not Like Esau

    Hebrews 12:16

    Sanctification is a process. We do not become holy all at once, but we manifest righteousness slowly and imperfectly. When the Spirit is at work in us, we begin to become more and more sorrowful over our sin and more ...Read More

  • Obedience Not Sacrifice

    Psalm 40

    Read again the final two verses of Psalm 40. Do you seek the Lord with gladness? Are you compelled to declare before men “The Lord be glorified”? Whether poor or rich, remember today that He who thinks of you is ...Read More

  • Ordering Your Time

    Proverbs 24:27; 27:23–27

    Proverbs 24:27 deals with setting priorities. Take care of important things first, and order your days according to set priorities. Today make a list of your responsibilities and activities. Prioritize all you have to do and want to do ...Read More

  • Patience and Kindness

    1 Corinthians 13

    Consider today’s lesson as a test. As you review it, evaluate yourself in terms of patience and kindness. Are you patient with those who are inferior to you, like your children? Are you as kind and sensitive to other ...Read More

  • Peace and Holiness

    Hebrews 12:14

    Are you doing things that might disrupt the peace or holiness of the church? Go to the Lord in prayer, and ask whether you might be exhibiting divisiveness or whether you are unconcerned with the church’s purity. Whatever the ...Read More

  • Persevering Diligence

    Proverbs 10:4, 26; 21:5

    During the day today, consciously fill every moment with productive activity (including eating and necessary rest). Refrain from wasting time. If you find your day filled already, are you doing too much? Are you often rushed? If so, think about ...Read More

  • Practicing Righteousness

    1 John 3:9–10

    The distinction John makes between children of God and children of the Devil denies any naive assertion that all people have God as their Father. Only those who are in Christ by faith and therefore submit to Him as Lord ...Read More

  • Putting Sin to Death

    Colossians 3:5-6

    Understanding that we are already holy in Christ should not be confused with the perfectionism that we often see in other theological traditions. We will not be free from the struggle with sin before we are glorified, but knowing that ...Read More

  • Recalling Our Purpose

    Genesis 1:1–2:3

    When Adam and Eve fell, the image of God was marred in them and in all of their descendants. However, God was gracious and provided redemption for this image in the person of Jesus — the supreme image of God. Take ...Read More

  • Receiving Onesimus

    Philemon 17-18

    John Calvin takes Paul’s willingness to help Onesimus be reconciled to Philemon as an example for us. The apostle, he writes, “warns us how affectionately we ought to aid a sinner who has given us proof of his repentance ...Read More

  • Resist the Devil

    James 4:7–8

    All Christians can find at least one area in their lives in which they have sought to follow their own understanding instead of the standards of the Lord. God has promised to forgive us for this behavior if we would ...Read More

  • Ruth’s Righteous Husband

    Ruth 4

    Boaz was ultimately rewarded for his selfless deed when he was included in the line of David and thus the line of Christ (Matt. 1:1–17). He did not know that this would be his reward when he cared ...Read More

  • Sacrifice from the Heart

    Psalm 50

    Read Matthew 12:1–13. What was the major concern of the Pharisees? What was Jesus’ concern? What does Jesus mean by “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (see Hosea 6:6)? Examine your life and your practice of worship ...Read More