September 3, 2023
To be truly biblical, as well as truly effective, growth spurts must include the Body of Christ.
You must have supportive relationships to grow spiritually.
Those connected to other people thrive and grow, and those not connected wither and die.
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20
How to Find a Wise Friend and to Be One!
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THE PAUSE: 10 MINUTES WITH GOD
MONDAY | THE DAILY DRIFT
PASSAGE: Hebrews 3:13
PAUSE: From whom do you get that daily exhortation or encouragement? Every day our heart is prone to wander and drift away from following Christ. Growth spurts require a good friend to help us stay on course.
PRAYER: Father, protect my heart. Grant me a supportive relationship that will exhort me and encourage me when I start to drift away from You.
TUESDAY | THE STRAW THAT STIRS THE DRINK
PASSAGE: Hebrews 10:25
PAUSE: We need each other! Growth spurts will only happen with accountability partners, who challenge us and motivate us to love and do good deeds. This is the purpose of Life Groups, Celebrate Recovery, and one-on-ones.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to grow spiritually. Grant me friends that will hold me accountable and inspire me to live for You.
WEDNESDAY | WISE UP
PASSAGE: Proverbs 13:20
PAUSE: Spiritual growth spurts happen exponentially when we hang with wise people. Take an inventory of your friends, are they wise or are they foolish? If we flip the script, do your friends consider you wise or foolish? Either way, we must wise up and walk in the path of righteousness for everyone’s sake!
PRAYER: Father, help me to be wise. Grant me wise friends and the courage to walk away from friends who are harmful to my spiritual growth.
THURSDAY | REJOICING AND WEEPING WITH FRIENDS
PASSAGE: Romans 12:15
PAUSE: Are there friends you can laugh with or are there shoulders for you to cry on? We all need friends, brothers, and sisters. Life is messy but supportive relationships bring calm to the storm and laughter to the soul.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the people that You have placed in my life. Please help me to trust them enough to share my joys and my sorrows.
FRIDAY | GENTLE RESTORATION
PASSAGE: Galatians 6:1
PAUSE: Have you ever been caught in a sin? Sometimes the only path to restoration is a fellow disciple of Christ, who loves you enough to stay the course with you. Confession of sin to a trusted friend might be the best decision you make today; it might release a serious growth spurt in your life.
PRAYER: Father, restore my soul. Grant me some supportive relationships that love me enough to confront my sin and restore my relationship with You.