“Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” John 13:8. 

It’s a humbling, maybe even humiliating, thing to have someone wash you. 
Nurses know the awkwardness as well as the importance of bathing patients who cannot bathe themselves. 

Sometimes a broken body prevents patients from getting themselves cleaned up.
This is also true in the life of faith. 

Most of us cherish our independence. 
We are doers. We are achievers. 
We resent needing to rely on others for things we think we can do ourselves. 

Yet the truth is that we are broken because of sin. 
The Bible teaches that in order to enter into the fullness of life that God intends for us, we need to be washed clean. 

But we are unable to do that for ourselves.

Peter’s refusal to be washed by Jesus was vehement. 
It could be translated this way: “You will never ever wash my feet—ever!” 

Peter thought he was saying the proper thing. It didn’t feel right for Jesus to be acting as a servant to him. 

How could it be fitting for his Master to descend to such lowliness?
Jesus’ reply to Peter was also vehement. In essence, Jesus said, “If I can’t wash you, you can’t have me.” 

Peter needed to humble himself. He needed to receive the forgiveness of sin that Jesus was offering.

So do we!

So, give in. 
Be washed. 
And receive fullness of life!

“God of grace, wash me clean of all my sins. Help me receive the fullness of life that you offer through Jesus. Amen.”

(PR)

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The problem with too many of us is that
– We have grown old without growing up! Aging is not growing! We still need to be weaned. The weaning process is important. God’s goal for your life is maturity! And His method for maturity is weaning!! He has to wean us away from things we think are important.

How do you convince a child that he doesn’t want to be attached to his mother for the rest of his life?

Love him? Yes! But he must grow up, step out and be a man.
And so it is with us. God has to wean us away from the things of the world, from the cheap toys that we hold on to. He wants to give us the best, and His desire in weaning is our submission.

The weaned child of Psalm 131 was not losing; but gaining. Read that Psalm. He was moving out into a larger life. Likewise, God has to take things away from our lives, not because they are bad, but because they are keeping us from the best.

The next time you whimper and cry because God takes something away from you, remember: He might be weaning you! He might be saying: “Get closer to me. Step out into a life of maturity and let’s go together.”

God wants His children to grow into mature believers and eventually to become like His Son. When He decides to wean you from something in your life, be an obedient child.

Let Him prepare you and develop you for what He has in store for you!

(PR)

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Spiritual growth is a lot like physical growth!

To stay healthy and grow physically-
We must eat the right foods, exercise, and enjoy plenty of rest.

According to Scripture, growing spiritually involves the same formula.Ephesians.4:14-15.

Eat!
Christians must eat the right ‘spiritual food’:
God’s Word.

Yet many Christians try to survive on spiritual ‘fast food.’

What is that fast food?
A pastor’s, preacher’s or a teacher’s message; not the Bible message!

Some watch Christian shows on TV, read Christian magazines, and listen to Christian music, read messages like this on the internet while cutting the Bible out of their diet.

Some believers do not read the Bible at all.
They are afraid of Biblical principles that should govern their lives.
They are simply looking for sooth sayings from the pulpit.

But nothing builds the body—the Body of Christ—like the Bible!
Everything else is supplementary!

Sometimes it is contradictory to the Word of God!

Exercise!!
– is another body builder!

Christians exercise through resisting temptation, enduring trials, serving others, and telling others about their faith.

Temptation and problems test our character.
Serving others stretches our faith.
Telling people about Christ strengthens our love for Him.

Enjoy!!!
Christians enjoy rest through worship!
Our world has a tendency to pull us in different directions like a rubber band stretched to the limit.

We need sleep, rest, and times of vacation to get our physical batteries recharged.
In the same way-

We need proper time of prayer and worship to keep us spiritually renewed.

Spiritual growth takes time!
-A lifetime!

This means growing in a glowing relationship with God!

Growing a strong Christian life means-
– learning how to love Jesus more each day,
– staying close to Him, and getting to know Him better.

Grow and glow for His glory!

(PR)

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“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9.

The Enemy’s mission is to draw our focus away from the Lord. 

Once the Devil has someone’s attention-
– he’ll keep presenting more tasty-looking “junk food” 
– to keep that individual occupied while leading him farther from the Lord and deeper into depravity.

There’s so much clamoring for our attention-
– entertainment, philosophies, teachings
– and whatever isn’t of the Lord has potential to taint our value system. 

Believers are wise to use discernment and feast only on the things of God.
(PA)

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“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed…” Luke 4:18.

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