Wednesday, February 7, 2024

This week, we finished the series, The Power to Change. This series was based on the idea that small steps can lead to big transformation, and only God gives us the power to change. Today, we’ll explore the idea of tending to our needs in order to grow, just as the gardener did with the fig tree in Luke 13:6-9.

Several years ago, I was really out of shape and felt terrible, so I started to exercise. It was hard at first, but I stuck with it, and now, I feel better. I have become one of those strange people who loves to exercise. I hate running, but I love Combat, Pump, Spinning, and yoga. I have found it’s easier to stick to a program when you do things you enjoy.

As much as I like physical training, there is a training that is better.

1 Timothy 4:8
“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and the life to come.”

Training for godliness means taking steps to know God better. Small steps can make a huge difference in our relationship with God. Some of us have a preconceived idea that the only way to grow closer to God is to sit and read the Bible. Bible study is wonderful and important, as it’s the key way God speaks to us, but if you don’t like reading it, follow-through will be hard.

Thankfully, long periods of Scripture reading aren’t the only way to deepen our relationship with God. He wired each of us uniquely. And when we discover what we love, and do that for the glory of Jesus, we will be amazed at our growth.

If you love to read the Bible, then read the Bible. Or try a different approach to Scripture and listen to the Bible or a sermon with ear buds as you clean. But realize you can also connect with God through other means. If you connect to him in nature, take a walk and thank him for all his beauty. If you love music, listen to your favorite worship songs and praise our heavenly Father. Read the LIO during your lunch break, or take a 5-minute walk and pray. The possibilities are endless.

When we incorporate God into the things we love, we grow closer to him. And as we grow closer to him, he changes us and fills us with his peace, love, and joy. It is so amazing to see how God can use even our smallest steps to make such huge differences in our lives and, through us, in the lives of those around us.

Questions:
What do you love to do? How can you do that for the glory of God? What small steps can you start today to make an eternal difference?

Next Steps:
Write out a few small steps you can do daily to grow closer to God, and then make a plan and do it. Listen to Steven Curtis Chapman’s song “Do Everything.”

Prayer:
Jesus, I need you. You are the only one who can change me. Guide me each day and help me take the small steps that will pull me closer to you. I know I can’t change myself, but I know you can change me. I trust you. I praise and worship you! Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

2 Peter 1:3
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

Today’s post was written by Marsha Raymond, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut.