Spiritual Growth / Sanctification and Growth

  • The Thief of Time

    Proverbs 10:5; 20:4; 24:30–34

    If you are guilty of procrastination, confess it to the Lord. Before the day begins, consider what you need to accomplish that day and commit to doing those things in an orderly time frame. This also applies to spiritual matters ...Read More

  • The Third Commandment

    Deuteronomy 5:11

    In a culture such as ours, we easily fall into the trap of speaking of God irreverently. Even preachers can sometimes fail to give the Lord due reverence in their preaching and teaching, which is why they must take care ...Read More

  • The Third Commandment

    Exodus 20:7

    The third commandment involves more than just using God’s name as if it were a swear word. It goes much deeper, to our very attitude in worship, to our worshiping sincerely and truthfully. Examine your life for the ways ...Read More

  • The Trap of Vain Glory

    Proverbs 17:19; 25:6, 7, 27

    Read Philippians 2:1–11 and Galatians 5:13–26. Have you pursued earthly success in order to fulfill your ambition? If so, consider giving up those positions or pursuits in obedience to God. In what other ways do you ...Read More

  • The Trust of a Man

    Genesis 22:1-9

    Good times make it simple to trust God, but do we believe in His goodness even when things are rough? In the midst of a severe economic crisis, do we grow anxious or do we trust the Lord to supply ...Read More

  • The Value of Godliness

    1 Timothy 4:7b-9

    Godliness and holiness, mature saints will tell you, are virtues that reinforce themselves. As we grow in holiness we become more aware of our own sin and, consequently, our own need for His empowering to defeat sin and become even ...Read More

  • The Wellspring of Love

    Romans 5:1-11

    Sin, ultimately is a failure to love ordinately. Either we fail to love enough, as when we mistreat others, or we love too much, as when we elevate love of God’s gifts above love of God. Seek always to ...Read More

  • The Whole Christ

    1 Corinthians 10:16–17

    Question and answer 168 of the Westminster Larger Catechism expand upon the benefits we receive by the Spirit in the Lord’s Supper. We are enabled to renew our thankfulness to God for all that He has done for us ...Read More

  • The Work of God Through Us

    Philippians 2:12–13

    Augustine says that “[we] are to work with fear and trembling so that [we] will not, by attributing the good working to [ourselves], be elated by the good works as if they were [our] own” (ACCNT 8, p. 245). Even ...Read More

  • The World

    Romans 12:2

    The ways of this fallen world influence us far more than we would ever want to imagine. Therefore, it is absolutely critical that we keep ourselves immersed in Scripture, seeking for God to transform our minds that we might see ...Read More

  • The World

    Romans 12:2

    Though we are hardly aware of it, the customs of the world affect us on every level. There is a constant temptation to conform to the world’s standards and not to the will of God. Take some time to ...Read More

  • Think This Way

    Philippians 3:15–16

    Because our Savior is the very truth of God (John 14:6), standing for the truth is an essential part of being a Christian. Yet that does not mean that we break fellowship over everything that we believe is the ...Read More

  • Training in Faith

    1 Timothy 4:6-7a

    What do you talk about when you are with other believers? Catching them up on the current events of your life is important, but you can be sure that you are being a good servant of Jesus when you discuss ...Read More

  • Transformation into Glory

    2 Corinthians 3:7–18

    The glory that surrounds God is seen as beautiful colors, a wash of amazing sounds, a perfume of wonderful smells. That God adorns Himself with beauty is a sign to us. Do not settle for paltry architecture, advertising-jingle music, or ...Read More

  • Transformation into Glory

    1 Corinthians 13

    Each aspect of the fruit of the Spirit—that is, each aspect of you as you are transformed—is nurtured through personal relationships. Because Christian character does not develop in a void, take the initiative to become involved regularly in ...Read More