"See, the LORD's hand is not too short to save." (Isaiah 59:1)

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Powerful and life-changing! 

There is nothing more powerful and life-changing than to take God’s word, personalize it,  and make it from Him to you. For instance. Today's promise above, say it this way:

I will not fear because the God of the universe loves me and has declared to me: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

And, I believe it! Amen!

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

 God has promised it and He will deliver!

God has promised that all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully. It may be difficult for us to see and understand how this is accomplished at times, but God has promised it and He will deliver!

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6)

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  (Jer. 29:11)

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Tim. 4:8)

This verse points out that physical training is of “some value.” It's great to take care of your body, it's the temple of the Holy Spirit. But, as hard as we try, we will not be able to keep our earthly bodies forever. We are all temporary here. But, “godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

So, what exactly is godliness?

According to Strong's Concordance, the word "godliness" is translated from the Greek word for "piety," and is used in the New Testament fourteen times in the letters of Peter and Paul. While the expression also refers to the divinity of God, godliness in the Bible is mainly used to describe a positive way of life influenced by God.

We should aspire to live godly lives!

“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment.” (1 Tim. 6:6)

The word “godly” is defined as conforming to the laws and wishes of God

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ..”(2 Peter 1:5-8)

"As he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17b)

“And Jesus increased… in favor with man…” (Luke 2:52d)

Favor with man - Socially

Over the last three days I pointed out that according to Luke 2:52, as Jesus grew from a child into an adult, He increased in four distinct areas of His life: 1. Wisdom (mentally), 2. stature (physically), 3. favor with God (Spiritually) and 4. favor with man (socially).

Jesus was a perfect example of living a perfect balanced life. And, we should also increase in all four of these areas.

Yesterday I discussed the thirdarea, favor with God which is spiritually, today will be the fourth one, “favor with man” which is the social area.

We are social creatures. We need others and they need us. God made us that way. He said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Gen. 2:18). He created Eve for that reason.

In life, there are people we must be around in the course of daily life and there are close friends we choose to be around.

Bad friends can drag you down

You can't always choose who you must associate with on a day to day basis, but you can choose your close friends. Choose wisely!

“The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” (Prov. 12:26)

“Take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.” (2 Peter 3:17)

Good and faithful friends speak truth into your life

“Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” (Prov. 27;5-6)

 "As he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17b)

“And Jesus increased… in favor with God…” (Luke 2:52c)

Spiritually

Over the last couple of days I pointed out that according to Luke 2:52, as Jesus grew from a child into an adult, He increased in four distinct areas of His life: 1. Wisdom (mentally), 2. stature (physically), 3. favor with God (Spiritually) and 4. favor with man (socially).

Jesus, without a doubt, was a perfect example of living a perfect balanced life. We also should work toincrease in all four of these important areas.

Yesterday I discussed the second area, stature, which is physically (the body).

Today will be the third one, “favor with God” which is the spiritual area.

How to begin

You can do a lot to grow spiritually, but it all begins with becoming a child of God by receiving Jesus Christ as your personal savior. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)

When you receive Christ His Holy Spirit comes inside of you and will help you grow spiritually. (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:14; John 14:17).

How theHoly Spirit helps you

• He teaches you(1 Cor. 2:13; John 14:26).

• He guides you into all truth (John 16:13).

• He reveals the deep things of God to you (1 Cor. 2:10).

• He transforms you into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18).

• He strengthens your spirit(Eph. 3:16).

Practical thingsyou can do to grow spiritually

1) Pray. Talk to God about everything. He hears you. He cares for you. He will help you grow closer to Him.

2) Read the Bible every day. It is God's Word to us. The Bible is literally "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16).

3) Memorize scripture. The Bible is a book of tremendous wisdom that can have an impact on every area of your life. By memorizing the Scripture you are able to have that wisdom with you at all times.

4) Attend a Bible believing, Bible preaching church each week where you will continue to grow in His knowledge and grace.

5) Read good Christian books. Visit a Christian bookstore and there you will find shelves of great books for encouragement and spiritual growth.

6) Listen to Christian music. You can find it on Christian radio stations and you can find it in every style at your Christian book store.

7) Join a small Bible study group. Most churches have them. They usually meet in private homes, coffee shops and restaurants. You usually grow spiritually at a faster rate in community because you are able to share your experiences with one another and hold each other accountable.

8) Listen to Christian speakers. There are lots of them.

9) Volunteer for Christian service. Helping others is a great pathway towards spiritual growth. As you help others, God helps you!

“Be no longer children, but grow up in Christ.” ( Eph. 4:14-15)

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)

"As he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17b)

“And Jesus increased… in stature…” (uke 2:52b)

Stature (Physically - Body)

Yesterday I pointed out that according to Luke 2:52, as Jesus grew from a child into an adult, He increased in four distinct areas of His life: 1. Wisdom (mentally), 2. stature (physically), 3. favor with God (Spiritually), and 4. favor with man (socially).

Jesus was a perfect example of living a perfect balanced life. And, we should increase in all four of these areas as well.

Yesterday I discussed the first area (wisdom), today will be the second one, “stature” which is the physical area, or simply put, your body.

We each have a body and we should take care of it for important reasons.

• It is the temple of the Holy Spirit

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” (1 Cor. 6:19)

• Honor God with your bodies

“You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor. 6:20)

• A healthy body enables you to do what God has created you to do

A healthy body helps you serve God and others better, so take care of it! Use common sense. Get plenty of exercise and eat healthy foods that include fruit and vegetables, avoid junk food, watch your weight, and get enough sleep at night. These are all things that you can control, and will help you be healthy and physically usable so you will be able to do whatever God has prepared for you to do.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:10).

 "As he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17b)

“And Jesus increased in wisdom.” (uke 2:52a)

Jesus had to grow up from a newborn baby to an adult, increasing gradually to maturity, just like all other human beings do. Luke 2:52, says, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

Notice that This verse says that Jesus increased in four distinct areas:

1. Wisdom (mentally)

2. stature (physically)

3. favor with God (spiritually)

4. and man (socially)

It was a wonderful balanced life!

In order to live a balanced life you too must increase in all four of these areas just like Jesus did. Over the next four days, I will discuss each of these areas.

Today I will discuss the first one, which is wisdom. “And Jesus increased in wisdom…” (Luke 2:52a)

Wisdom

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (Prov. 3:17)

Wisdom blesses you with its many benefits

"Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place." (Prov. 3:13-19)

Ask God for it

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Prov. 2:6)

God Bless America!

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31 )

This “do all to the glory of God” also includes when you are celebrating!

Today is July 4th, and we celebrate our Independence Day with much fanfare and fireworks

And setting aside time for celebration is good! The Bible is filled with lots of celebrations and much praise to God.

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!”(Psalms 150:1-6)

Here is what our country's founders had to say when they were drafting, signing, and defending the Declaration of Independence:

 Samuel Adams, during his signing of the Declaration

"We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come." 

 John Quincy Adams

"The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity." 

 Noah Webster

"The moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all of our civil constitutions and laws...All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible." 

 William Penn

"If thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him... Those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." 

"The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind. Where, some say, is the king of America? I'll tell you, friend, He reigns above." (Thomas Paine)

 George Washington

"It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe, without the agency of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to govern the universe without the aid of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to reason without arriving at a Supreme Being."

 Daniel Webster

 "If truth be not diffused, error will be; If God and His Word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendancy, If the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet, the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will; If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end." 

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Rom. 12:2b)

The mind can stop an elephant!

Your mind has the power to control you in exactly the same way that an elephant can be constrained by a very weak leg shackle. A 6-ton elephant could very easily tear loose from it and escape but he won't even try because he "believes" he can't escape! The elephant thinks like this because when he was very young and small a heavy shackle was placed on his leg. He fought it violently with all the strength he had at the time but eventually he gave up trying, and he never tried again no matter how big he eventually grew. Now as a full grown elephant he can easily be controlled by even the smallest chain, even a string tied around his ankle will do. 

The Bible says, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." (Prov. 23:7).  And all kinds of studies, both Christian and secular, prove this to be correct. If you want to change your life you MUST change how you think.

The devil always attacks your mind!

He is “the deceiver" and robs by deceiving God's people into believing that they are bound when they are not, "whom the Son sets free is free indeed," (John 8:36). And there are thousands of promises in God's Word that you can use to counteract all the devil's attacks and change your life dramatically!

You can change your mind!

It boils down to simplicity as usual. "As a man thinks in his heart so is he." If a man sees himself poor, and unsuccessful, he will become so. It will be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Even if God brings blessings and opportunity his way, he will scuttle it. He will "snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory!" He will always find excuses for failure. On the other hand, if a man sees himself successful and victorious, he will behave that way. He will not see things negatively, but will see only opportunity to succeed no matter what comes his way. This is the beautiful thing about filling your mind and heart with God’s Word. It changes the way you think. And, THAT turns everything around.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Rom. 12:2a)