“Growth Rests On
Wonderful Truth's Help!” (G.R.O.W.T.H)
Ramesh C. Reddy
Published
SCRIPTURE:
"At once the Spirit sent him out into the
desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He
was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” (Mark 1:12-13, NIV)
Observations:
I asked myself in whose
COMPANY Jesus was according to v.12?
-
The Spirit
-
Satan
-
Wild Animals
-
Angels
Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what role
each played and the significance?
Point 1:
The Spirit
I found it very interesting that right after the
voice told Jesus, ‘You are my Son, whom I love;
with you I am well pleased’, 'At once the Spirit sent him out into the
desert.'
This is very significant for me because what
came to my mind is before the Spirit sent Jesus into the desert; He was
built up with love and support, after being acknowledged as His Son, by
the Voice. Right after being baptized, Jesus could have been sent to the
desert but He was not. Instead, He was built up first with love and
support.
Implications:
I asked myself what is the
implication for my life?
What I have learned is that Father God will never send us into a
situation without equipping, enabling, and empowering us. This is what
Father God did for Jesus when Jesus was built up with love and support
before being led into the desert by the Spirit. Only after that did the
temptation begin for Jesus.
I remember when I first became a follower of Jesus Christ, I was built
up so much in love, encouragement, and support. I felt so much loved by
Jesus. Jesus was helping me to grow in Him. After awhile, the testing
began but by then I already felt so loved by Jesus and felt His
continued presence in my life. Even if we do not feel His presence He
still is there, for when He comes in, He will never leave us or forsake
us. I am so thankful that right after I became a Christian I was not
plunged into temptation but protected from it. But being protected all
our life from temptation does not really help us grow as a Christian.
It
is in adversity that our true colors and character shines forth. I was
built up enough that the Lord allowed temptation to occur in my
life. I wish that it could be like it was in the beginning but that would not
help in my growth. I am so thankful how the Lord Jesus handled me as His
new follower. I am so thankful for how the Spirit has worked in my life
and will continue to work in my life.
I ask you now dear friend, what
determines your growth in the Lord?
Dear friend, your growth in the Lord is
determined by where the Spirit leads you and how you react to that
leading. But
remember that the Spirit will never lead you anywhere that is
contrary to His Word. So when you say 'I feel the Spirit's leading
in doing this or that' you better test it with God's Word to make
sure it is not your own desires or temptations that are creeping up
but it is the Spirit of the Lord leading you. When the Spirit leads
you, if you react positively and have a 'The Lord will not give
me more than I can handle' attitude and seek the Lord through the
leading, then you will know that you are growing in the Lord. But,
if the Spirit leads you and you react negatively to the Spirit's
leading by fighting for your own way then that will determine your
growth too. But, this time there will be a negative effect on your
growth.
Friend, I used to think a lot that 'if this
person were not acting this way, then of course my attitude will be
good', 'if this were not happening in my life, then of course I can
be joyful', 'if I had all the things they had, then of course I
won't have to complain', etc. You see the point. When we focus on
ourselves, the result will be deadness and selfishness for a selfish
heart cannot produce selflessness. It will hinder our growth in the
Lord when we react negatively to our situations no matter what they
are.
When the Spirit leads us as He led Jesus,
there will always be preparation and we need to remember that
preparation for that preparation will help us pass the test we are
put in. God will never test us without equipping, enabling, and
empowering us. Thank you Jesus. But this is only one dimension on
how our growth in the Lord is determined.
Growth in the Lord Jesus can never happen without spending daily
time in prayer with the Lord, spending time in His Word revealed in
the Bible during your personal Quiet Times, spending time in small
group Bible study, and being part of a local church for community.
When you have Deeper Faith, Stronger Community, and Greater Impact
it is a fruit of your growth in the Lord. This is the vision of our
church. When we have growth in the Lord, it is because of our time
with Him and in community. Growth in the Lord is also revealed
through the ministries we listen to and watch that are biblical.
"Growth rests on Wonderful Truth's help! (G.R.O.W.T.H)/"What
determines your G.R.O.W.T.H in the Lord?"
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you thank you so much I learned how you were led by the
Spirit into the desert after you were built up in love and support
by Father God. That really excites me Lord because it tells me that
the Spirit will not lead us anywhere without us first being prepared
for it. You provide us the preparation for our growth no matter what
situation you lead us into. Thank you for being there for us. We
need your help to see things positively remembering 'All things work
together for good to them that love you God and are fitting into
your plans!'. Also, thank you so much that our growth in you is
determined by the situations we are in and how we face and cope with
them. Help Oh Lord. Take our fears and guide us by your love for You
are our Wonderful Truth. You know where you want to lead us and we
need your help. Thank you Lord that your Word says, "You will not
give us more than we can handle!" Thank you Jesus. I pray that you
help us grow in you Oh Lord. We need your help. Thank you so much
Jesus. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I
Pray Jesus! Amen!
Lord Jesus, You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace,
Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a
life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I
need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround
me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your
presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you
love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek
your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for
your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case.
Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN!
(Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)
If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a
daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be
alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them
come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to
wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as
you pray the prayer below, meaning it in your heart.
Prayer:
God I am a sinner. I am invaded by this deadliest virus. Many times I
feel so guilty and yucky inside. I need forgiveness. I am so sorry for
my sins. I have not obeyed you with my whole heart! I have gone my own
way and done my own things. I struggle with sin. I need you Jesus
in my life so I can receive forgiveness and a new beginning. In the
process, I can forgive others as you help me to. Thank you so much
Jesus. I accept the antidote you have sent me. I believe Jesus you died
for me and your cleansing blood will cleanse me from all my sins. You
came back to life to save me. Thank you God I am set free, free from the
bondage of sin. Hear my cry Oh Lord. I accept you Jesus into my heart. I
make you my Lord and Personal Savior of my life. Thank you Father God
for giving me Salvation. Thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and
making my heart your home. Thank you for living in me Jesus and I will
live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. Thank you
for being my Lord and personal Savior! I can live a life of peace with
you on my side. Thank you that you have heard my prayer and answered me!
In your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN!
No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in
and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with
the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend.
You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word
reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you
and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before
moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to
which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be
part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible
believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to
Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who
brings us hope, healing, and help!
No matter who you are, it is not ever too late
to join a Bible-believing church or a college fellowship. I highly
encourage each of you to come to Transformers Small Group on Friday
nights at 7:00 p.m. and Oakland International Fellowship on Sunday
mornings at 9:30 a.m. for prayer, 11:30 a.m. for worship, 10:30 a.m. for
Sunday School, and 12:30 p.m. for fellowship lunch.
May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His love now and
forever! Amen!
Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you
are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and
everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t
base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of
our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!
Feel free to email
me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com
if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with,
talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is
412-641-9426
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
Express Your
View
|
Previous Devotionals:
Mark 1:9-11:
"Who will you P.R.A.I.S.E publicly today in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 04,
2016, 09:03 a.m)
Mark 1:9:
"What will you take a S.T.A.N.D for in
life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 03,
2016, 09:25 a.m)
Mark 1:4-8:
"Who do you P.O.I.N.T to in life?" By
Ramesh C. Reddy (Oct
12, 14, 09:52 a.m.)
Mark 1:1-4:
"How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about
prophecy?" By
Ramesh C. Reddy (Oct
11, 14, 07:27 a.m.)
Mark 1:1:
"Why bother yourself with the G.O.S.P.E.L
when you see yourself as a good person anyway?" By
Ramesh C. Reddy (Oct
04, 14, 09:34 a.m.) |