Hebraic
Musing – How does a Christian grow?
Peter
challenged us to grow, and he told us why!
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 NIV How are we to grow? A – “in grace and
knowledge”. Why and how should
we grow? A – To give God the glory
now and forever! And as we enter
the New Year with fresh resolutions, maybe this challenge from Peter is worth accepting?
We
live in a culture today that is isolating groups into divisiveness and name-calling! More than ever we need to learn to yield to
Jesus’ leadership in our lives? We have His
Word to guide us, but are we yielding to His Word? Or instead, have we let the words of the
world and news media guide us in our thinking and actions?
Is it about time
that we get out of ourselves and go with His plan? Are you satisfied or are you dissatisfied
with your current walk with Him and the progress you’ve made so far? Are we getting too comfortable doing the same
thing over and over, year after year?
It’s not unusual
for fear and panic to creep into our lives and keep us from stretching and
doing something that is “outside the box”!
However, if we are going to step out, let’s do it with wisdom, prayer
and a plan (like a New Year’s resolution).
Sometimes it feels
a little lonely stepping out of our own comfort zone. Therefore we need the support of one another. Suggestion – should we share our New Year resolutions
with one another? Might we then receive
encouragement from our Brothers? How
important is it to be plugged into one another?
Men like
challenges, so let’s listen to Paul’s words.
“… I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold
of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is
behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the
goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:12-14 Why are we called to be “straining
toward what is ahead”? What is
our “Higher Calling”? I believe God can
use all of us if we are willing to press on.
Do you have goals
for this year? Is there something new
you would like to accomplish? Or is
there something you would like to do much better? Phillipians.3:13 is calling us to be “straining
toward what is ahead”. Straining
takes work; but on the other hand, let’s consider what Jesus has done and will
be doing for us!
Don’t look back, let’s
go forward and be a new tool for the Lord.
We are in a race and as the Apostle Paul reminded us – “Run in such a
way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes
into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but
we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Corinthians
9:24-25 We are called to be in training,
strict training?!?! Let’s look to the
finish line as our daily motivation to serve Him in new and better ways this
year. And as we work as a team, we can
and will celebrate each other’s victories!
Does Matthew 16:15
tell us to “Go into all the world…” and simply go to church? Or, are we told to “preach the good news to all creation.”
In kindergarten we
learned to Share. What should we
be sharing as Christians?
Points
to Ponder
If
we share our goal with our Brothers, might they be hold us accountable?
Do
you really want God’s Kingdom to grow? What
are you called to do to help?
Do
you want your New Year to be more connected and accountable?
Do
you want to grow?
Is
this message a kick in the pants? If so,
mission accomplished!
♫ Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His
righteousness; And all these things shall be added unto you. ♫
Yosef a.k.a. Joe
Brusherd January
6, 2026
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our
faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)” Weekly “Hebraic
Musings”
Note – Inspired by Pastor Tom Hatley’s January 4th message.
