Love That Grows Deeper - Your Nightly Prayer - May 26th

Love That Grows Deeper
Your Nightly Prayer
by Greg Grandchamp

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE 

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more.” - Philippians 1:9

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Maturity. Sometimes we seem to take it for granted, as if it just happened automatically. We watch our children grow and see them mature with age right before our eyes. We even watch our parents as they grow older and witness the changes in their wisdom and maturity. When we give our lives to Christ, our maturity in Him is not about age or the amount of time spent as a believer – but rather about developing a growing relationship with the Lord, knowledge of His word, and living a life that reflects those teachings. All are building toward a deeper love that “abounds more and more.”

When we first give our lives to Christ, we are spiritual infants. As we know, babies are not ready for solid food – they live on a mother’s milk. Paul understood this when, in his letter to the Corinthians, he wrote: “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it.”  Like the Corinthians, as spiritual babies, new believers still need spiritual milk – in other words, the very elementary principles of our faith. We need to build the foundational doctrines within us before we are ready for solid food. Even Peter encouraged this when he said, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation…”

Just as babies eventually transition from milk to solid food for their growth and maturity, so must we progress from basic doctrines to a greater understanding of God’s Word, deeper trust, and discernment that help us grow in our righteousness and our maturity in Christ. That spiritual maturity is then evidenced by the fruit in our lives – the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) These qualities are all brought about and developed through transformation in our spiritual maturity. This spiritual growth does not happen on its own. It is not a product of Sunday church attendance and simply listening to sermons – although both are important. Mature believers are also deeply rooted in God’s word, moving far beyond the basic teachings to wisdom and discernment – and learning to distinguish between right and wrong. The writer of Hebrews confirms this for us, “

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”  - Hebrews 5:14

Spiritually mature believers rely on prayer to strengthen their relationship with God. This is so much more than turning to God only when we need something; it's turning to Him at all times in our lives – even if it’s just to sit quietly and listen. Prayer is an open, honest, and quite sincere conversation with God. A strong prayer life provides a believer peace and guidance, discernment and trust - and a deepening love for the Lord that grows beyond words. A personal connection to God. The wonderful thing is, spiritual growth is a lifelong journey. An adventure unlike any other. As we grow in Him, our love grows deeper. Our love flourishes and thrives, becoming evident to all. Our trust grows stronger as our reliance on Him increases. And He never lets us down.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Father,
Thank you for always being there for me to listen, to guide me, and to grant me wisdom beyond my ability to understand. Help me, Father, to continually grow in my spiritual maturity in Christ. Help me to live my life as you would have me live it. And thank you, Father, for always reminding me, in my quiet moments and those that are not so quiet, to turn to you, especially when I need to feel your presence. In Jesus’ holy name I pray this.
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. Spiritual maturity may well mean enduring trials and struggles with faith and patience – trusting in the Lord to see us through to the end and letting His will be done. (James 1:4)
2. In today’s cultural times, it is important for a mature believer to know God’s truth and to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)
3. It is important that, as spiritually mature believers, we engage with other believers, encourage growth, hold one another accountable, provide mutual support, and lead by example. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

 Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash Daniel Leone

Grandchamp is an author and speaker. His book, “In Pursuit of Truth, A Journey Begins,” is an easy-to-read narrative that offers answers to the most common questions new believers and non-believers have about Jesus Christ (Amazon.) Greg speaks on living out our faith in our daily lives – and on creating true disciples of Christ.
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email  or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.

For the one who is weary without answers. If you’re still showing up and still praying — but starting to wonder if it’s working — this 90-day devotional will meet you right there, with honesty and Scripture in place of easy answers.

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