Tools to Help You Grow

Last week we talked about the importance of spiritual growth here on the blog. So many people over the years have discipled me in the faith, but I really began to grow when I also took responsibility for my spiritual growth.

My passion is to encourage other women to pursue spiritual disciplines and grow their faith.

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

Colossians 1:9-12, ESV

We bear fruit because we are grounded, rooted, abiding in Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, words, and actions. So, how do we get grounded in Christ in a way that produces fruit and pleases God?

First, we need faith.

Just as we came to Christ by faith, we must walk by faith.

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel…”

Colossians 1:3-5, ESV

The Colossians had put their hope in the truth of the gospel: Jesus gave His life as the perfect sacrifice to pay the price for their sins and present them before God as holy and blameless (Col. 1:21-22). Because of that hope, their faith in God and love for others was growing.

They had turned from sin and self toward the Savior, and their eyes were on Him.

One reason that many of us aren’t growing spiritually is because we allow the enemy to keep us focused on emotional pain or worldly pursuits.

Second, we need knowledge of God through the Word of truth.

Today I want to share with you a book I have written about women in the Bible. Just Like Us: Wisdom from the Women of the Bible was written to help women understand that the answers we need to help us grow are all in the Word.

When our hearts are hurting over comparison, rejection, and disappointments we struggle to prioritize our spiritual growth.

And when our hearts are captivated with worldly pursuits of comfort, convenience, and seeking contentment in anything other than God, we will fail to grow spiritually.

The women of the Bible were real women just like us who lived and learned and made mistakes. We can learn so much from their stories, such as the following women who teach us about the challenges listed above:

• Women who followed Jesus: learning how to grow
• Mary and Martha: making time for God
• The women of Berea: learning how to study the Bible
• Priscilla: motivation
• The persistent widow: prayer
• Rebekah: selfishness
• Sarah: trust
• Mrs. Noah: pleasing God
• Deborah: guiding others
• Mary, mother of Jesus: obedience
• Euodia and Syntyche: being offended
• Anna: lack of intentionality
• Huldah: learning to listen to God

The goal of this book is to point you to the Word. If you struggle with any of these areas, God’s Word has examples and instructions to encourage your faith and spiritual growth.

One of the best ways to grow in the Word is to have a good study Bible. My favorite one right now is the ESV Women’s Study Bible. It contains the historical and cultural background that is essential for sound interpretation.

So, if you want to get rooted and grounded in Jesus, believe by faith that God is working in you and then get grounded in the Word so you can know what pleases Him.

“…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Philippians 2:13, ESV

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