Weekday Devotionals
Thrive Devotional - written by Tony Tolvo
Verse:
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Matt. 11:22
Thought:
Jesus spoke these words after he had taught his followers about how important was the ministry of John the Baptist, the Kingdom of Heaven and the lack of repentance in those cities in which he did many of his miracles. He thanks the Father for hiding “these things”…these lessons…these truths from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Babes, in this context, would be the unlearned, the uneducated, the simple.
This seems to go against our natural inclinations. We interact with people everyday that are intelligent, educated and well spoken and think they surely have a greater understanding than I do. While they may know a great deal more about some of the sciences, philosophy or the arts, they are no better equipped to understand the things of God than any Spirit filled believer. You don’t have to have a degree in Theology to hear God’s voice through personal study. If you’re born again, you have the “mind of Christ”. 1Cor. 2:16
Over the past several Sundays, we’ve been able to take a deep dive into the Spiritual Growth ingredient of Personal Study. The foundation for our growth has been laid by our pastors. We understand the credibility and inerrancy of the scriptures. How we must come to our daily reading with an open heart and open mind…expecting to be blessed with greater understanding every day.
“…for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Heb. 11:6 KJV
Everything that we need to know about this life and the next is contained in this wonderful book that God has supernaturally written and protected for several thousand years:
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” 2Pe. 1:3
This passage in 2 Peter goes on to reveal exceedingly great and precious promises for the believer to follow to grow in his faith. Personal study is second only to virtue to partake of the Divine Nature: 1 Pe. 1:4.
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Pe. 5-8
Application/Challenge:
A fruitful life is available for all those that have put their faith in Christ. Consistent Personal Study is essential to experience this promise. Follow the steps laid out for us in 1Peter.
We come to faith in Christ and, for the first time in our lives, we have the resources to add virtue… to lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, Heb. 12:1 As we continue in this pursuit of virtue, we are able to add knowledge through Personal Study which opens the door to a fruitful life that will not leave us disappointed.
-Tony
Verse:
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Matt. 11:22
Thought:
Jesus spoke these words after he had taught his followers about how important was the ministry of John the Baptist, the Kingdom of Heaven and the lack of repentance in those cities in which he did many of his miracles. He thanks the Father for hiding “these things”…these lessons…these truths from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Babes, in this context, would be the unlearned, the uneducated, the simple.
This seems to go against our natural inclinations. We interact with people everyday that are intelligent, educated and well spoken and think they surely have a greater understanding than I do. While they may know a great deal more about some of the sciences, philosophy or the arts, they are no better equipped to understand the things of God than any Spirit filled believer. You don’t have to have a degree in Theology to hear God’s voice through personal study. If you’re born again, you have the “mind of Christ”. 1Cor. 2:16
Over the past several Sundays, we’ve been able to take a deep dive into the Spiritual Growth ingredient of Personal Study. The foundation for our growth has been laid by our pastors. We understand the credibility and inerrancy of the scriptures. How we must come to our daily reading with an open heart and open mind…expecting to be blessed with greater understanding every day.
“…for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Heb. 11:6 KJV
Everything that we need to know about this life and the next is contained in this wonderful book that God has supernaturally written and protected for several thousand years:
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” 2Pe. 1:3
This passage in 2 Peter goes on to reveal exceedingly great and precious promises for the believer to follow to grow in his faith. Personal study is second only to virtue to partake of the Divine Nature: 1 Pe. 1:4.
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Pe. 5-8
Application/Challenge:
A fruitful life is available for all those that have put their faith in Christ. Consistent Personal Study is essential to experience this promise. Follow the steps laid out for us in 1Peter.
We come to faith in Christ and, for the first time in our lives, we have the resources to add virtue… to lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, Heb. 12:1 As we continue in this pursuit of virtue, we are able to add knowledge through Personal Study which opens the door to a fruitful life that will not leave us disappointed.
-Tony
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