Grow of Wither

Yellow Honeysuckle Vine

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Grow or Wither

Martha Meister Kiely

"We are bound to give thanks to God always for you . . . because your faith is growing abundantly." 2 Thess. 1:3

Years ago as a student at Ohio University I began the habit of carrying a copy of a book of daily devotionals in my notebook. After a mad dash to my early class I would flip open my notebook and quickly scan the meditation for the day while the professor called the roll. It was a crude sample of morning devotion, but I was an infant Christian and I know that God acknowledged even that fleeting glance that I cast upward. Those hectic moments were used by him to nurture my soul and help me to grow. God blesses those who exercise the faith that they have through it is no larger than a mustard seed. But he demands growth. A plant grows or withers. If it fails to absorb and assimilate, it dies. A Christian who stops learning starts forgetting.

Today increase you faith by using it.

READ AS A PERSONAL PRAYER EPHESIANS 3:14-21

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

PRAY Lord, thou has begun a good work in us, and we pray that thou wilt perfect it. Because growth is sometimes painful and costly, we are tempted to drift into old habits and old thoughts. Draw us up short and hold us close, for thou are our source of strength. Amen.

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DEVOTIONS FOR WOMEN AT HOME BY Martha Meister Kiely, Abingdon Press ISBN 0-687-10679-7, page 96