If you wanted to plant and grow corn, you would need to prepare the soil.

Good soil, rain water, and sunshine would enable the corn you planted to grow, thrive, and eventually become mature and fruitful. For children, teens, and adults to grow, mature, and become fruitful disciples of Jesus, we need hearts that are prepared to receive the seeds of truth about the Kingdom of God and the king of creation, Jesus. We need to “get rid of all evil behavior” much like we would remove stones within the soil to prepare it for planting (1 Peter 2:1 NLT). We need to grow in the “knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NIV). We need to long for the Lord and remain in him and his love, because we cannot “bear fruit unless” we remain in Jesus (1 Peter 2:2 & John 15:4 NIV). We need to follow Jesus’ example and continue the work he did (John 14:12). We’ll know we are growing as our knowledge of our Savior deepens, our longing for the Lord increases, and our lives are becoming more and more like Jesus’ through our thoughts, words, and deeds.

 

The apostle Paul teaches us that we are to grow “in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church” (Ephesians 4:15 NLT). Together, we grow “as each part” of the church “does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Ephesians 4:16b NLT). Imagine if ALL the people of Avon UMC were each doing their special work as the Holy Spirit enables us, as well as each believer was seeking to grow in their knowledge of Christ, there was an increasing longing for the Lord within us all, and the entire congregation was full of the love of God. It may seem impossible, but Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works” (John 14:12 NLT). The “works” of Christ, and the “even greater works,” are the fruit of a people remaining in Jesus and together growing more like him in every way.

 

Read Psalm 47.

 

Read 1 Peter 2:1-3.

 

Pray in response to God and the Bible verses.

 

 

Read Psalm 47.

 

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 a NIV).

 

Pray in response to God and the Bible verse.

 

 

Read Psalm 47.

 

Read Matthew 13:1-23.

 

Pray in response to Jesus’ parable.

 

 

Read Psalm 47.

 

Read Jesus’ message in John 15:1-8.

 

Pray in response to Jesus’ message.

 

 

Read Psalm 47.

 

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works” (John 14:12 NLT).

 

Pray in response to Jesus’ message.

 

 

Read Psalm 47.

 

Read Ephesians 4:1-16.

 

Pray in response to God and the Bible verses you read.

 

Consider observing the sabbath either today or tomorrow as a time to rest, reflect, and enjoy recreation. The questions below can be used to help with reflecting:

 

How did I see, hear, or encounter God during this past week?

 

Who needs to hear about my experience sometime in the coming days?

 

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online on a computer.