Flexing Our Faith
Some things in life come easy, and some are always a struggle. I’m sure you can think of a few things right off the top of your head. Maybe you’re on a health journey or you’re trying to strengthen a skill. Maybe you’re in school training for your future occupation. All of these are things that require daily hard work. We must choose each day to study, eat good foods, exercise, or practice. At times, we may even have to sacrifice things we’d rather be doing. It’s not always fun, but we know that it is worth it.
His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence. For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with excellence, and excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you. - 2 Peter 1:3, 5-8, 10-11 NRSV
Our Christian life is another example. We must work at growing our faith each and every day. It’s not a decision we make once and never have to think about again, much like we can’t just exercise once and expect to maintain a healthy heart and lungs. We must make a conscious choice every morning, when our feet hit the ground, to follow Jesus. We must pick up God’s Word, read it, memorize it, and meditate on its truth. At times, we will have to sacrifice the things we would rather do and instead do what we know to be right. Lines may be drawn and friends may be lost. It’s not always easy, but we know that it is worth it.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me. - John 10:27-28 NLT
JOURNAL: What is something you have to work hard at doing primarily because you know it’s good for you?
ACTIVATION: Choose something to begin doing each day that will help grow your faith.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me wake up each morning and choose to follow You. Help me set aside time to talk with You, read Your Word, and worship You. Protect me from distractions and strengthen my faith. I love You. Amen
His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence. For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with excellence, and excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you. - 2 Peter 1:3, 5-8, 10-11 NRSV
Our Christian life is another example. We must work at growing our faith each and every day. It’s not a decision we make once and never have to think about again, much like we can’t just exercise once and expect to maintain a healthy heart and lungs. We must make a conscious choice every morning, when our feet hit the ground, to follow Jesus. We must pick up God’s Word, read it, memorize it, and meditate on its truth. At times, we will have to sacrifice the things we would rather do and instead do what we know to be right. Lines may be drawn and friends may be lost. It’s not always easy, but we know that it is worth it.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me. - John 10:27-28 NLT
JOURNAL: What is something you have to work hard at doing primarily because you know it’s good for you?
ACTIVATION: Choose something to begin doing each day that will help grow your faith.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me wake up each morning and choose to follow You. Help me set aside time to talk with You, read Your Word, and worship You. Protect me from distractions and strengthen my faith. I love You. Amen
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