Growing in Christ

Looking over at the trees beside our house, I was surprised and delighted to see beautiful white and pink blossoms. Spring has finally arrived here in Michigan. Sweet smells waft on the breeze. Both the grass and trees are bright green. Bird songs ring through the trees. Often, the sunshine beams down with warm rays, while other days, rain falls from the sky. Everything is fresh and growing and new. 

As I delight in the beautiful gift of Spring, God reminds me how important it is to grow. The Lord desires each of us to develop in our faith and to grow and thrive in Him. He calls us to bear fruit (John 15:2), sing His praises (Ephesians 5:19), spread His fragrance (2 Corinthians 2:14), and grow up in Him (Ephesians 4:13). 

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord 

and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now 

and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, 

but only God who gives the growth." 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every 

way into Him who is the head, into Christ." Ephesians 4:15

We are to grow in Christ and He receives all the glory for our growth. But, how do we grow? Growing in God comes by abiding in Christ (John 15:4) and drinking from His living water (John 4:14). We can only grow through Him and His grace working in our lives. As we depend on God, He is the One who builds us up in Him. Alone, we're helpless, but in Christ, we can thrive! Let's walk with Him each day, growing through Him, for His glory. 

Spring has sprung all around us. May new growth also spring up in our hearts, by God's grace. 

                                      

Blessings,

Christina

Soli Deo Gloria ~ To God Alone Be the Glory

Announcing….The 1st Matters of Her Heart Photo Contest!

This Summer we will be looking at what God's Word says about walking in His ways. So, we are looking for pictures of feet, people walking, footprints, and pathways. Whichever picture wins the contest will be featured in the July email. Other entries may also be used on the emails and blog throughout the Summer. Send your photo entries to mattersofherheart@gmail.com. The contest ends on June 30th, so I look forward to seeing all your photos before that date! 

Soli Deo Gloria ~ To God Alone Be the Glory

Worth the Wait

So many of the good things in life include waiting. We wait for our delicious-smelling dinner to be ready. We await sleep to come at night. We look forward to activities and events. We anticipate reading a book or watching a movie. We look forward to receiving a gift or package in the mail. We await the warm hug of a sibling, friend, or little one who is running to greet us. And we wait on God to reveal His plans for us.

Waiting for something makes it so much more wonderful and enjoyable because we are able to anticipate. I remember receiving a letter from a friend one day and choosing to wait to read it until I finished cleaning the kitchen. (I don’t know how I waited!) Once the task was completed, I stepped outside and sat on the front porch to enjoy the letter. Because I waited, it was even more sweet. In a similar way, when we wait for God to guide us and show us His will, His ways and direction for us become especially precious.

There are many things in our lives that we have no control over. When we are waiting for God to show us His will and open doors for us, it can be really difficult to be patient. “We want it and we want it now!” is often the cry of our hearts. I know that I have felt it countless times. When we are in seasons of waiting on the Lord for His direction and a clear path, it’s easy to be worried and impatient. But time and time again in Scripture we are told to wait on the Lord.

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:25-26

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Psalm 37:7a

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14

“But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.” Psalm 38:15

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope.” Psalm 130:5

“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.”
Micah 7:7

As we wait on God to show us His purpose, He will answer. While we trust and wait on His direction, we will learn where He is leading us. It is so sweet to wait on God and then to see His perfect will. When we see what God has in store for us, it will have been worth the wait.
                                                                                         
Love in Christ,
Christina
Psalm 16:11 

Soli Deo Gloria ~ To God Alone Be the Glory