To Him Be Glory Both Now and Forever! Amen.
Date: March 28, 2024
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse (NIV): 2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."
L - Listen for God's Voice and Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts open to Your Word. Guide us in understanding and applying this verse to our lives. Help us to grow in Your grace and knowledge, and may all glory be given to You both now and forever. Amen.
E - Explore the History and Meaning: Written by the apostle Peter, 2 Peter is a letter addressed to believers, urging them to remember the teachings of the apostles and to beware of false teachers. In the closing remarks of his letter, Peter encourages believers to continue growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The command to "grow" implies constant progress and maturity in our faith. Peter emphasizes the importance of both grace and knowledge, indicating that spiritual growth involves not only understanding God's grace but also deepening one's knowledge of Christ.
This verse underscores the ongoing journey of discipleship, where believers are called to continually seek a deeper understanding of Christ and His teachings. It's a reminder that spiritual growth is a lifelong process fueled by God's grace and sustained by the pursuit of knowledge rooted in His Word.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases: Key words/phrases:
Grow - Signifies continual progress and maturity in one's faith.
Grace - Represents God's unmerited favor and empowerment for living a godly life.
Knowledge - Refers to understanding and insight into the person and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - Emphasizes the centrality of Christ in the believer's life and growth.
S - Summarize and Share:
What a perfectly gentle reminder of the beautiful journey of growth and transformation that we embark on as followers of Christ. It's a verse that speaks volumes to me personally, echoing the heartbeat of my own spiritual walk.
For me, this verse isn't just a command to grow; it's an invitation—a beckoning from my Heavenly Father to dive deeper into the depths of His grace and the richness of His knowledge. It's an invitation to lean into His embrace, to trust in His guidance, and to allow His Spirit to mold me into the image of His Son.
As I think about my own journey of faith, I'm humbled by the countless ways in which God's grace has sustained me and His Word has illuminated my path. It's in those moments of seeking Him, of thirsting for more of His presence, that I've experienced the most profound growth and transformation in my life.
But this journey of growth isn't without its challenges. There are seasons of doubt, of uncertainty, where I'm tempted to rely on my own understanding rather than leaning on the wisdom of my Savior. Yet, it's in those very moments that God's grace shines brightest, reminding me of His faithfulness and empowering me to press on.
2 Peter 3:18 reminds me that growth isn't a destination but a continual process—a journey of becoming more like Christ with each passing day. It's a journey marked by grace upon grace, where every stumble is met with unending mercy and every step forward is guided by His unfailing love.
May this verse inspire us all to embrace the beautiful journey of growth in Christ—to lean into His grace, to seek His knowledge, and to allow His Spirit to lead us ever closer to the heart of our Lord and Savior. And may all glory be given to Him both now and forevermore.
4 Bible Cross References:
Philippians 3:10-14
Colossians 1:9-10
Ephesians 4:14-15
Hebrews 5:12-14