DCLM Higher Everyday 1 March 2023 — Exceedingly growing faith
DCLM Higher Everyday 1 March 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Exceedingly growing faith
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TOPIC: EXCEEDINGLY GROWING FAITH
TEXT: 2 THESSALONIANS 1:3-6
4So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
MEMORY VERSE:
“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other abounded” (2 Thessalonians1:3-6).
MESSAGE:
Apostle Paul was full of thanks to God to know that the faith of the believers in Thessalonica was growing exceedingly. This was in spite of the persecution and tribulations they were going through. The believers in the Church were not only growing in faith but also in their love towards one another. The expression, ‘Faith that works by love,’ as used in our text is therefore instructive. A growing faith is inevitable as a Christian, because without it we die spiritually.
Youth, examine yourself to see if you are growing in faith. Evidence of a growing faith includes: overcoming trials and temptations, ability to face daunting challenges, and serving God in tough times and places. The text exhorts Christians to be patient, enduring trials of faith. Men who grew in faith include Peter and the rest of the apostles. Peter, who denied Jesus before a little maid, was later able to defend Jesus before Jewish religious leaders (Acts 4:1-13). A believer who wants to live for God must continue to grow by feeding on God’s Word.
PRAYER:
O Lord, keep me growing every day.
CHALLENGE:
Don’t give up your faith!
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
