The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Colossians 1:9–11, 28B–29; 4:2–4; Ephesians 4:11–16; James 1:2–4 (day four)

When we first become a Christian, we realize that there are certain “basics” to living the Christian life. Praying, reading our Bible, being kind to others. It’s easy to think that Christian maturity means we eventually move beyond these “basics,” and on to heavy-hitters like doctrine, theology, and apologetics, like a mathematician moves on from addition and subtraction to algebra and calculus.

But that’s not the picture that Scripture paints. These things aren’t “basics,” they’re pillars of living the Jesus way. We don’t grow beyond them, we deepen our roots in these very things. Christian maturity means deepening our prayer life – confessing sins more readily and praying for others more fervently. It means reading Scripture with more attention to what the Spirit is saying. It means interacting with others in such a way that the fruit of the Spirit in our lives is more obvious to them.

Christian maturity doesn’t mean graduating to high mindedness, it means growing deeper roots.

Re:Verse passage – Colossians 1:9–11, 28B–29; 4:2–4; Ephesians 4:11–16; James 1:2–4 (day three)

And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:4)

When you read these verses together, you can pick up on how discipleship is constant or steadfast “work.” Look at it this way:

• We have not ceased to pray… (Col. 1:9)
• {We have not ceased to} ask... (Col. 1:9)
• For this purpose also I labor… (Col. 1:29)
• Devote yourselves to pray, keeping alert in it… (Col 4:2)
• We are to grow up into all aspects of Him… (Eph. 4:15)

Growing in Christ and discipling others to grow in Christ is a continual, never-ending work. Paul encourages us to take this seriously. Following Jesus should permeate every aspect of our lives. If you took an honest look at your efforts to follow the Lord (and to lead all others to a joyful life with Him), would you say that you could describe it the way Paul describes his own efforts in following the Lord? I know I struggle with it at times.

There is a cost to following the Lord. It is not easy. But we can rest assured that it is worth it. James reminds us of this in his letter. The trials we go through, the work we put in, the difficulties we face, the time spent in prayer and petition, and anything else we do for the Lord is all worth it and is used to grow us more into being “little Christs,” perfect and complete. May you be steadfast this week as you grow in Jesus and disciple others. I will be praying for you!

Re:Verse passage – Colossians 1:9–11, 28B–29; 4:2–4; Ephesians 4:11–16; James 1:2–4 (day two)

 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you …9a

For the past several weeks we have had several small passages of scripture to help illustrate the topic of the week. May I encourage you to zoom out on these texts and put them in a broader context? Our first passage this week comes from Paul’s letter to the church at Colosse. He is giving a spiritual report card to the believers there and wants his check-up to be one of encouragement and renewal. He was aware of their faithfulness to the work of the gospel, and was affirming their commitment to it.

As we study discipleship this summer, we must remember that we are both discipling and being discipled. Regarding the former, take time to affirm new believers. Encourage their walk, find ways where God is truly using their new found faith, and give them that blessed “well done.” Can you imagine what a letter from Paul meant to these people and the church? Your words of encouragement could carry the same impact in the life of someone young in the faith.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Thess. 1:3; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18 (day seven)

like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 1 Peter 2:2

It is 9:30pm on Saturday night. I just paused the show that I was watching with my wife to write this blog because she was called to the other room to nurse our three month old son. This is our norm. Albeit true that my son needs the milk for survival and that his cry signifies that he believes this is a dire situation, it has only been a few hours since his last feeding. This particular feeding is not for survival but for satisfying a longing deep inside him that grows more and more desperate with each cry.

That is exactly the type of longing that we should have for the Word of God. Our soul is crying out desperately to meet a longing deep inside of us. If only we would hit pause more often on the world around us so we could take the time needed to meet that need. Imagine the growth we could see if this became our norm!

Re:Verse passage – 2 Thess. 1:3; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18 (day six)

And so, dear friends…2 Peter 3:14

One of God’s greatest gifts is the friend who refuses to let us forget. Peter writes his final letter not simply as an apostle but as a friend, someone who knows these believers, loves them, and takes the initiative to remind them of what matters most. Good friends do that. They remind us of who Jesus is, what God is doing, and where history is headed.

Peter’s vision reaches beyond “going to heaven someday.” He points us toward God’s promise of a new heaven and earth where righteousness dwells. That future reshapes the present. We are not waiting to escape the world; we are learning to live as citizens of God’s coming Kingdom today.

Who in your life reminds you to keep your eyes on Jesus? And to whom are you that kind of friend? Good friends help one another live today in light of God’s tomorrow.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Thess. 1:3; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18 (day five)

“because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;”

As we think about “growing” in our faith this week, Paul gives a specific indicator of spiritual growth and maturity. It is a litmus test for the progress and authenticity of discipleship. Here’s how Websters defines litmus test: “a decisive indicator that evaluates the true nature, quality, or authenticity of someone or something based on a single factor.”
Not only Paul, but John also echos that love for other believers is a clear sign of the presence and activity of God in the life of believers. “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren” (1 John 3:14).  This is not only a New Testament concept. David also writes in Psalms, “As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.” 16:3
Our actions and attitudes toward other believers indicate and testify to spiritual growth as well as the presence of Christ in our lives and hearts. Is it clearly evident (to ourselves and others) that we love other believers?  And is it clearly evident that our love for one another is dynamic in that it is growing (deepening)?  Do we “pass this litmus test”?

Delighting in Christ’s people is normal, healthy Christianity.”- Donald Whitney

Re:Verse passage – 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18 (day four)

Take a moment to think back on your walk with Christ so far. What has caused the most growth in your spiritual life? Was there a particularly moving sermon? A helpful Bible study? A retreat?

All of those things can be helpful in my spiritual growth. But I have found that the conversations and prayers I have shared with my brothers and sisters in Christ have propelled some of the most profound growth in my life. Second only to daily time in prayer and Scripture reading, relationships with other believers is essential to becoming more like Christ. When we are willing to be vulnerable and move beyond Sunday morning pleasantries and invite others into our questions, hopes, and fears, we will find that Christ meets us there. When we open ourselves to the encouragement, exhortation, and correction of other believers, we will be challenged to grow in ways we never would on our own.

Who in your life encourages and challenges you? How might you take a step to deepen your relationship with someone so that they can encourage and challenge you? Who has allowed you into their life to do the same? Spiritual growth requires deep relationships. Deep relationships require vulnerability. Vulnerability requires trust. Fortunately, when Christ is at the center of a relationship, we can move in confident trust that he will use that relationship to form us into his likeness.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18 (day three)

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

I have had the privilege to be at this church long enough to watch several grades of children grow from preschoolers and graduate from high school. It has been a joy to watch! I am always a little shocked when I see the senior grade come through, and I am reminded of how quickly the kids grow up. But growth is expected! It is what God made us to do. My hope and prayer for all the kids that come through or “graduate” out of our Kids’ Ministry is that they grow in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man, just as Jesus did (Luke 2:52).

Peter closes out his letter with this perfectly summed up line. Through his whole letter, he tells readers to be on guard and to be ready for Jesus’ return. Then he sums it all up with verse 18 where he implored everyone to keep growing in their faith. We are not meant to become followers of Christ and then plateau in our knowledge and understanding of the love of God. Growth in Christ is expected. It is what God commands us to do. Discipleship helps us in this. We are reminded of the importance of good, sound discipleship throughout the Bible. As I teach kids, I try to help them understand that we can be disciples of anyone or anything, and that not all things help us grow up in our relationship with the Lord. We either grow in the Lord or grow in something else. May they grow in Christ and not follow another!

Is your relationship with Him today different than it was last year? Have you “grown up” in your relationship with Him? Is there someone else that you are helping “grow up” in their relationship with the Lord?

Re:Verse passage – 2 Thess. 1:3; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18
(day two)

but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Peter’s words in the third chapter of his second letter offer us a picture of discipleship that is purposeful and practical. We are talking about growing in our faith this week, and every disciple should be constantly growing. Our hearts should yearn to be more Christ-like in every aspect of our lives. Part of Peter’s words tell us that very thing. We are to grow in the knowledge of the Lord, to become more like him. This is part of the process of sanctification. We should resemble Jesus in thought, word, and deed more each day.

There is also a note of practicality to this passage. To grow in our knowledge of the Lord also arms us against the influences of the world. The more we are aware of the work of the Spirit in our lives, we are more able to recognize what is not of the Spirit. This strong defense will also guard us to be able to continue to…grow.