Dave’s Monday Blast – May 18, 2020
“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…” (Colossians 1:9-10).
We tend to think that spiritual growth is like other kinds of growth: the harder we work, the more progress we make. We build our physical strength through regular exercise and a healthy diet. We build our intellectual capacities through disciplined study and mental exertion. We build our financial resources through hard work and wise investing.
Pastor Jim Denison of the Denison Forum comments: However, fallen humans cannot know the perfect God of the universe unless He enables us to do so. It’s not a matter of trying harder to do better. The psalmist prayed, “Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.” (Psalm 119:27) Note the order: God must act before we can act. However, less we think that we are merely passive until God is active, note this testimony: ‘I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me’ (v. 30). The psalmist took the initiative in setting God’s words before him, then he prayed for God to empower him to keep them.”
Steps to meeting God – The Divine-human relationship in spiritual growth.
1. Commit yourself to the practice of Bible study, prayer, worship, and other spiritual disciplines. This requires INTENTIONAL times during the day (whatever works best for you) to be alone with the Lord and a regular systematic approach to reading His word and praying.
2. Pray for God to speak as you listen. Ask Him to move in your mind and heart as you yield to His Spirit. Seek from Him what you could never achieve without Him.
3. Act upon what He reveals. Put into practice in your life the truth and wisdom His Spirit gives through your time with Him.
Here’s the deal…I do not believe we have truly met God in His word and worship unless our lives are changed as a result. How could we encounter the Holy King of the universe and remain unchanged? OH MAN…that is convicting!
The great theologian, John Calvin would pray: “O Lord, heavenly Father, in whom is the fullness of light and wisdom, enlighten our minds by your Holy Spirit, and give us grace to receive your word with reverence and humility, without which no one can understand your truth. For Christ’s sake, Amen.” Let us make his words ours today!
To this end, stay tuned for information about Phil’s Summer Series and our annual six-week Summer Life Group Home Study on Spiritual Disciplines – A Personal Growth Plan.
