Christian Living / Spiritual Growth

  • Patterns of Growth

    Hebrews 6:11–12

    Some in the original audience of the book of Hebrews wanted to return to the old covenant. In order to avert this, the author exhorts them to imitate the faith of the old covenant saints. This faith was not in ...Read More

  • Going on to Maturity

    Hebrews 6:1

    Oftentimes, those who possess advanced knowledge of the Christian faith look down upon those who are still babes in Christ. However, this was neither the attitude of Christ nor the attitude of the New Testament writers. Ask the Lord to ...Read More

  • Solid Food

    Hebrews 5:14

    The Bible is simple enough for a child to wade in yet deep enough for an elephant to drown. Unfortunately, too often many people think it is virtuous to keep the intellectual content of their faith at the child’s ...Read More

  • Unskilled in the Word

    Hebrews 5:13

    As we study and understand the Bible more rightly, the basic truths of the Gospel become more rich and full to us. This can only happen however, if we are firmly grounded in the essential truths of the Christian faith ...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

  • Exhort One Another

    Hebrews 3:13

    It is very easy to go to church and yet never receive the encouragement we need from other believers. In order to effectively encourage one another, we must be willing to confess our sins to one another and hear the ...Read More

  • Spiritual Transformations

    1 Samuel 16:14-23

    What a strange assignment God gave David, to minister to the man he had been anointed to replace. Surely there were awkward moments. And yet, we never find David complaining about God’s purposes or timetable. In like manner, we ...Read More

  • David’s Great Sin

    2 Samuel 11:1-12:14

    A man after God’s heart loves the things God loves and the ways He prescribes. Though he may deviate from those ways at times, he will return—for God will not let him rest in his sin. All true ...Read More

  • When the Mighty Fall

    2 Samuel 1

    God declares in Scripture that He takes no joy in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 33:11), and neither should we. Like David in his mourning for Saul, we must see the deaths of unbelievers for what they are ...Read More

  • David’s Restraint

    1 Samuel 25

    When times are difficult, the temptation can be strong to rely on our own wisdom. That may lead us to take actions contrary to God’s revealed will. The faithful Christian will not “cut corners” but will do things God ...Read More

  • David Hood

    1 Samuel 22

    When stress comes in major doses, it is not unusual for us to forget truths that may be quite precious to us—truths such as God’s unfailing love for us, His goodness, and His unvarying purpose to sanctify us ...Read More

  • David the Great

    2 Samuel 5:1-10

    Who are your heroes? What characteristics make them great in your eyes? Are these characteristics of true greatness? Pray today that God will raise up men and women who are truly great in their reliance upon and submission to Him ...Read More

  • A False Repentance

    1 Samuel 15:24-29

    What a pathetic figure Saul presents—his heart is far from God, but he is more concerned with saving face before his people. The condition of our souls must always be our highest personal concern, and true grief over sin ...Read More

  • The Good and the Better

    1 Samuel 15:17-23

    “It is much easier to bring a bullock or lamb to be burnt upon the altar than to bring every high thought into obedience to God,” Henry writes. Take care lest the good but more-ritualistic aspects of the Christian life ...Read More

  • The Grief of God

    1 Samuel 15:10-16

    Many today believe, as Saul seems to have thought, that what one does is not as important as the sincerity behind the action. But God wants us to have right motives and right actions. True good deeds are motivated by ...Read More