DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT: Strategies for Growing in God #5

Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you, never excuse yourself. -- Henry Ward Beecher
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2 Pet 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever! Amen.

All of this week we have sought to remind ourselves that growing is essential to our lives! The fact is we should be constantly looking to advance ourselves. We have realised that what is fundamental in our physical is also fundamental in our spiritual lives... we should never indicate that we are “not growing" or "not wanting to grow." Here is the final Strategy that I believe, will assist us, in our growing in God;

STRATEGY FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
Looking to others for Godly Support… Let us delegate ourselves to select relationships characterised by weakness and genuine love. Let us not risk trying to live the Christian life alone! Prov 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. We need to select people who will help us to sharpen our walk with Christ, someone who can improve our conversations, training, intellect, spirituality, and make our zeal for God stronger.

I had walked life's path with an easy tread,
Had followed where comfort and pleasure led;
And then by chance in a quiet place --
I met my Master face to face.

With station and rank and wealth for goal,
Much thought for body but none for soul,
I had entered to win this life's mad race --
When I met my Master face to face.

I had built my castles, reared then high,
Till their towers had pierced the blue of the sky;
I had sworn to rule with an iron mace --
When I met my Master face to face.

I met Him and knew Him, and blushed to see
That His eyes full of sorrow were fixed on me;
And I faltered, and fell at His feet that day
While my castles vanished and melted away.

Melted and vanished; and in their place
I saw naught else but my Master's face;
And I cried aloud: "Oh, make me meet
To follow the marks of Thy wounded feet."

My thought is now for the souls of men;
I have lost my life to find it again
Ever since alone in that holy place
My Master and I stood face to face. -- Author Unknown

The exhortation is to grow. Let us endeavour to grow in these strategies knowing God gives us the grace and knowledge of Jesus to do so. Grow!

Loving Father, bring someone alongside me so that we can sharpen each other and improve our conversation, training, intellect, spirituality, and make our zeal for God stronger. Help me to put all these strategies into practice that I may grow and meet the ultimate command of my Saviour, to go into all the world and preach the gospel and win souls for Him. In Jesus wonderful name! Amen.