Growing up can be so difficult at times. Now that I am an adult, I look back on those days and realize how we each truly strive to find ourselves – who we are to be, who we want to be, the purpose of our lives and how to get there. Each stage of life presents it own set of challenges and questions, some quickly answered and overcome, some linger unanswered.
And then as an adult, I am still left wondering – how do I grow up in my faith? With “Faith” as my #OneWord365, which I am focusing on this year, I read a portion of Scripture with great interest this week. In fact, it gives wonderful instruction and insight. The author of Hebrews, who is unknown, starts off Chapter 6 (I am using The Message) stating …
“Grow up in Christ.”
With foundational truth in place, it is time to move on, realizing there is more to be had. The writer goes on to share the very means available to us by which we grow in our faith and find purposeΓΒ …
“When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee – God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.”
The way to growth, the means of surviving anything and everything life throws our way, is through God’s Word. Every word written there is absolute, truth, unchanging, unbreakable. A rock-solid guarantee. A guarantee assures us of a particular outcome or condition. He gave us Scripture to guide us through life, giving us knowledge and wisdom to make right choices along the way.
We read His Word so as to know His Word because it will grow us to develop a faith which will last …
“Be like those who stay the course with committed faith, and then get everything promised to them.”
Interesting use of words … “stay the course”. The author used a phrase which is “used in the context of a war or battle meaning to pursue a goal regardless of any obstacles or criticism”, (from Wikipedia.com). It originally was a nautical term which was yelled out in the midst of a storm to encourage sailors to maintain a constant, unaltered course while they navigated through the stormy waters.
Life can often be a battle with obstacles that seem to loom bigger than life itself. Stormy waters can rage all around causing us to feel we will sink or go down. Yet it is in “staying the course” that we get through, reaching the other side and safe shores. The writer goes on …
“We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go.”
It is in and through reading Scripture, God-breathed words, by which we will grow, becoming committed in our faith and faithful to Him.
I am so grateful he then gives us the very reason we can do this, telling us this truth about ScriptureΓΒ ….
“It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline.”
I am joining with … Hear It, Use It and Sharing His Beauty and Motivation Mon. and Inspire Me Mon. and Making Your Home Sing and Living Proverbs 31 and Mon. Musings and The Modest Mom .
God-breathed words – a spiritual lifeline! Yes yes yes! Great post, my friend. Hope your week is off to a great start!
My week started off great with our church service yesterday!
From Michelle’s Hear it on Sunday post to this. Wow. God is so good to give me strength this morning through the words of others and the WORD. Thank you for this spiritual lifeline reminder. God is so faithful and I know the Word brings faith and worship brings strength. I will do both today! Blessings, Joanne. Γ’β’Β₯
Nanette, it is true. Between His Word & the connections He brings us each day, we gain so much encouragement. May you be strengthened all week!
Joanne,
Giving thanks with you that God’s Word is a “spiritual lifeline”…where would we be? Thanks for a wonderful reminder today π
I know I would have sunk a long time ago, Dolly, without my spiritual lifeline. Actually, I cannot swim without a life preserver either spiritually or in real life π Yeah, I would have gone down for the count a long time ago!
What good thoughts here. I’m glad to have this perspective on faith. So thankful God rescues me over and over again.
Kristen, like you, I am thankful He has repeatedly rescued me!
βItβs an unbreakable spiritual lifeline.βΒ Yes, and even more: a spiritual lifegiver! May the Lord continue to strengthen your faith as you place your hope in Him.
So glad you shared! Yes! He is surely a lifegiver. He has given me mine!
I am thanking God for your faithfulness to shout about His Word and the power He brings to our lives! Your words about God’s Word brings me strength and hope. I am also thanking God that His lifeline is always there, just as you said. He has never let go of it.
Love you,
Marilyn
Mare – I am grateful that you find strength & hope here. Praying I will always share in a way that brings Him glory. Thank you for always being an encouragement!
I love the idea of growing up in our faith and standing firm. So much will come to rock our boats. His Word is an anchor…a lifesaver! Thanks for joining us at Circles of Faith!
If it were not for His Word, I would get rocked every day. So grateful He keeps me secured!