How do we as Christians grow?
Growth for a Christian takes time. It also takes effort.
The word of God teaches that we are to be transformed by renewing our minds (Romans 12:2). This renewal is a reprogramming of how we think. Not only does it take a redirection of your time, but it also takes effort on your part. The effort you must make is to draw near to God or to seek after him daily. If you exert effort in the search for God, your mind will be transformed, and you will experience growth in your Christain walk. Below are a few simple tips to help you on your growth plan.
- Select a time each day that you can consistently spend time with God. For those who work in rotating shifts, this can be difficult. So choose a “time” that fits into your routine. For example, spend the first 30 minutes after you wake up whether morning, noon or at night with God. However, you decide to accomplish this goal be consistent.
- Don’t expect to understand everything the first time you read it. The word of God is full of knowledge about the person and nature of God. Don’t expect to understand everything from the text immediately. Understanding of the full nature, expectations, and knowledge of God takes time. I have read some passages of scripture hundreds of times and am still amazed at the new things those passages continue to teach me.
- Find a reading plan but don’t rush through it. Reading plans are excellent because they are designed to give you a full understanding of scripture within a specific period. However, you may find that you want to re-read passages from the day or week before. Use the reading plan as a guide but follow the direction of Holy Spirit. He will guide you through scripture that will help you in your personal walk with him. You can obtain reading plans from Bible apps or websites. Here are some examples from www.biblegateway.com. https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/
- The amount of time you spend is up to you. Don’t be hard on yourself. Allow the time you spend with God be a great spiritual journey. Don’t overthink it. Spend whatever time feels natural at first. If you are consistent, you will begin to see a difference. So, whether it’s five minutes or sixty minutes the time should not feel forced, and you leave your time with God feeling renewed.
- Have fun. The time you spend with God is your time with the creator of the universe. Enjoy it! Find joy in his presence. God is love and love is kind, patient, and give us joy!
I hope these little tips help. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at [email protected].
God Bless!