Growing in Christ...

Father, your creation declares your greatness and lovingkindness, encouraging statements of pure truth in our daily walk... We all have metaphors for growing in this life, times when we've been beaten, battered, and scarred for doing what we thought was the right thing to do. But when we're resilient and come out on the other side of these trials and tribulations, fighting and scrapping for all we're worth in the name of Jesus, we find ourselves growing in Him, better versions of ourselves in every possible way! Why is this? It's really not that difficult to answer for when we know that Jesus is speaking to us, we know that in Him, we are everything, but outside of HIs presence in our lives, we find that we're nothing in and of ourselves. Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5), we know this, but we also need to know that He also said, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) When we grow in Christ, we join Him in overcoming the world, and what a beautiful thing this is and forever will be… Thank you, Jesus, for showing us that you are the way, the truth, and the life; THE answer for those committed to seeking the truth in all things!