Longing for Growth
1 Peter 2:1-3 (TLB) So get rid of your feelings of hatred. Don’t just pretend to be good! Be done with dishonesty and jealousy and talking about others behind their backs. Now that you realize how kind the Lord has been to you, put away all evil, deception, envy, and fraud. Long to grow up into the fullness of your salvation; cry for this as a baby cries for his milk.
Cry out for growth in Christ, as a baby cries for his milk. What a perspective! When a baby cries for milk, he does not stop crying until he is fed and satisfied. How much more mature would we be if we longed for spiritual growth as a baby longs for milk? Seeking Jesus every day until we are satisfied and we hear from Heaven. We must first get rid of our feelings of hatred. Anger and bitterness leads to destruction and prevents growth. We have to stop pretending! How many pretenders do you know out there? Be done with dishonestly and jealousy - this has gone rampant in our time. A man's word is no longer trustworthy, people do not follow through with their commitments. Talking about others behind their backs - and now people will even badmouth our leaders and pastors on their social media pages! I'm blown away at the amount of disrespect - people would not be so bold to say half of the things they do if the person were in front of them - but behind their backs or behind the comfort of their phone they feel freedom and say every thought that comes to mind. How dangerous that is - what a terrible way to live!
We need to rise above mediocrity and the ways of the world. We were created by a God that breathed the stars! We have a design like no other. The way we live is a testimony to those around us. People are always watching. When we are going through a storm, we have the option to choose complaining and defeat or joy and expectancy that God really is who He says He is and will come through on every promise He has given. Being angry is a choice. Complaining about your circumstances is a choice. Today, let's rise up in our faith and choose to believe the best, that God is working it all out for our good and that death has been defeated - so if God is for us who can be against us?
Romans 8:28 (TLB) And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.
Romans 8:31 (AMP) What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us?
1 Corinthians 13:7 (TPT) Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.
