Philippians 3:12-13 (TLB-The Living Bible)
Paul knew the importance of humbly growing and learning. When Paul wrote this, he was an older man in prison in Rome. He was at the end of his life. He was an incredibly mature person. Yet he said he hadn’t arrived. If anybody had the right to say, “I’ve arrived spiritually,” it would be the guy who wrote so much of the New Testament. But Paul said, “No, I haven’t arrived. I’m still growing, learning, and becoming more like Christ.”
Paul knew the importance of humbly growing and learning. When Paul wrote this, he was an older man in prison in Rome. He was at the end of his life. He was an incredibly mature person. Yet he said he hadn’t arrived. If anybody had the right to say, “I’ve arrived spiritually,” it would be the guy who wrote so much of the New Testament. But Paul said, “No, I haven’t arrived. I’m still growing, learning, and becoming more like Christ.”
The Bible says in The Message paraphrase, “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith . . . Give yourselves regular checkups” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Do you give yourself regular checkups? Try this: Wake up every day and ask God, “What do I need to work on today?” This takes humility, but it’s a habit that will lead to happiness. Humble people are happy people. Why? Because they never stop growing and learning.
Pride is the trap that so often keeps Christians from following Paul’s example and continuing to grow in Christ. Why? Because when you think you’ve got it all together, it’s harder to make an effort to grow in spiritual maturity. Humility, on the other hand, leads to happiness because it makes you teachable.
Happiness and humility go together because you’re compelled to ask, “How can I be a better follower of Jesus? How can I be a better spouse? How can I be a better friend? How can I be a better boss? ” When you aren’t asking these questions, you’re missing out because you’ve stopped growing—and God made you to grow.
Do you give yourself regular checkups? Try this: Wake up every day and ask God, “What do I need to work on today?” This takes humility, but it’s a habit that will lead to happiness. Humble people are happy people. Why? Because they never stop growing and learning.
Pride is the trap that so often keeps Christians from following Paul’s example and continuing to grow in Christ. Why? Because when you think you’ve got it all together, it’s harder to make an effort to grow in spiritual maturity. Humility, on the other hand, leads to happiness because it makes you teachable.
Happiness and humility go together because you’re compelled to ask, “How can I be a better follower of Jesus? How can I be a better spouse? How can I be a better friend? How can I be a better boss? ” When you aren’t asking these questions, you’re missing out because you’ve stopped growing—and God made you to grow.
Take a step toward happiness today by humbly praying Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Talk It Over
Who in your life do you consider a happy person? How do they also model humility?
How have you grown spiritually in the last year? What evidence of growth can others see in you?
Why is it important to have the support of a small group as you strive to grow spiritually?
Who in your life do you consider a happy person? How do they also model humility?
How have you grown spiritually in the last year? What evidence of growth can others see in you?
Why is it important to have the support of a small group as you strive to grow spiritually?
- by Pastor Rick
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Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to guide and lead us into all truth and show us things to come, according to Your Word (John 16:13). Help us to grow in You by taking Your Word into our hearts. We pray for spiritual growth according to the promises in Your written Word.
Ephesians 3:16, Strengthen us in our inner man.
Ephesians 3:17, That we may be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.
Ephesians 3:18, Let us grasp God’s love – the breadth and length and height and depth of it.
Ephesians 3:19, That we might be filled through all our being with the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:19, That we might become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself.
Philippians 3:10, That we may know You and the power of Your resurrection.
Ephesians 1:17, That You might grant us a spirit of wisdom and revelation.
Ephesians 1:18, That the eyes of our hearts be flooded with light.
Ephesians 1:19, That we might know the greatness of Your power in us.
Philippians 1:10, That we may learn to sense what is vital and of real value.
Philippians 1:11, That we may abound and be filled with the fruits of righteousness.
John 17:12, That You will keep and protect us from the evil one.
Colossians 1:9, That we may know Your will.
Colossians 1:11-12, That we may be strengthened with all power, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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