Daily Digest #209

I will speak in the anguish of my spirit. —Job 7:11

I believe that prayer is a form of communication between us and God. For me, it's never about the long chants and repetitive lines, but the intention behind it. I, on the other hand, prefer conversing with Him, like talking to my best friend face-to-face. I know He is listening, and He answers my questions in many indescribable ways. He taught me how to ask, and assured me that whatever it was, it was okay.

God encourages us to open up to him, to share our sentiments with Him. He is the greatest listener we can ever have. Most of us who are longing for a trusted and loyal friend can completely rely on Him. He understand all our griefs, and also makes us realize about our shortcomings. He promises a fruitful relationship, where both win. Well, that's not so odd after all. :D

For this, let us pray. May we be honest to God each time we pray. May we not hesitate about anything, and remember that He knows our thoughts even before we speak. May we trust that He listens to every thought and word. May we also open our ears and heart to what He has to say. May we humble ourselves and submit to His will. Pray always.

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Spiritual Growth Is Not a Private Matter

2009/01/12

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

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Some of us hesitate to commit ourselves to developing an intentional plan of growth that requires accountability or relationship with others because we believe spiritual growth is a personal and private matter. We choose to believe each person develops in his or her own way at his or her own rate.

This is an aberration from the truth.The idolatry of individualism has influenced even the way we think about spiritual growth.So much of the teaching on spiritual formation is self-centered and self-focused without any reference to our relationship to other Christians.

This is completely unbiblical and ignores much of the New Testament. The truth is that Christians need relationships to grow. We don't grow in isolation from others. We develop in the context of fellowship.

Over and over again in the New Testament we find this basic truth: Believers need relationships with each other to grow! Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another …" (NIV).

God intends for us to grow up in a family.