Sunday, December 9, 2012

GROWING OUT OF THE MANGER


Luke 2: 12
“…you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

The first Christmas present to the world was the baby Jesus in a small cradle in a manger. As the weeks and months went by the baby Jesus grew and no longer was in a cradle. As He grew into a youngster and then teenager and finally an adult every moment of His life and death was planned for our salvation.

Just as baby Jesus grew day-by-day and year-by-year, God requires us to also grow and mature out of the baby stage.
Luke 2:52
“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.”

How are you and God doing? How is your faith growing and maturing?
We read in Ephesians 4:15 
“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”

As a new believer you begin your relationship with Jesus Christ as a baby Christian. Over the next few months and years you learn to pray and read your Bible and begin to grow and change for Christ. It is the Lord’s desire that we grow in our walk with Him. We are not supposed to be 5 or 10 years living our life as Christ followers and never have grown in our faith.

Growing in Christ comes from prayer, reading your Bible, worship and fellowship with other believers. When you spend time with your Savior you will not be able to keep silent. If you know what you have been saved from and you are full of assurance in Christ, you are not ashamed or reluctant to share the good news and witness to family, friends and others.

Be encouraged. Today is a new day as you recognize the need in your life to grow in your walk with Jesus Christ. Here is a list of Scriptures to read each day this week to ignite the fire in your life to grow in Lord as He has planned.

Reading list:
Jeremiah 29:11-15                       
Psalm 40:5
Proverbs 16:3
Amos 3:7
Psalm 20:4
Psalm 138:8

Begin your time with God in prayer:

Dear God,
I know You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords and I need Your salvation. Forgive me for not growing in my faith. I am praying and asking You to come into my life and change my heart forever. Help me have a deep desire in my heart to love and know You more.  In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

                   Away in a manger no crib for a bed,
                   The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.
                   The stars in the sky look down where he lay
                   The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

                   Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
                   Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
                   Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
                   And take us to heaven to live with Thee there.

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