God Grows Me

Today my message is “God Grows Me!”

For many years the answer I gave when people questioned my actions, in light of my professing to be a Christian was, “I am a work in progress, God is not finished with me yet.” In their eyes, I was not walking true to their understanding of God’s Word. Now I can use the title of the sign outside – it says, “God Makes Me the Person My Dog Already Thinks I Am!” as my reply.

Idea: Man asks what is on other side of death. Doctor goes to the door, opens it and a dog rushes in to him. Doctor says that he does not know what is on the other side but God, his master is there and he intends to rush in to see him. (From a picture on facebook Sep.24,2015)

We need to consider how we plan to meet God. Will we stand in awe, try to explain it away with science, run away or will we rush to God in total commitment and adoration?

Once we have figured that out, then we can go through this life preparing for the day that we meet God face to face. This is why I call myself “a work in progress”.

The Billy Graham Christian Worker’s Handbook states:

“In order to know the will of God for our lives, we must first know God Himself. We can never know who we are without first knowing whose we are. We learn to know God as we submit more and more to God’s authority (Lordship), are obedient to God’s Word, and are led by the Holy Spirit. In direct proportion to our knowledge of God and our submission to God, we experience the joy of walking in God’s will.” ¹

I am quoting from The Billy Graham Christian Worker’s Handbook lots today because when I think of growing and living as a godly man, Billy comes to mind as an example of truly walking daily with God. I hope to reach the level of faithful walking that Billy did. This book is an incredible resource for any Christian trying to walk with God daily.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Daniel Ryan Day (speaker, author and seminary student) said, “Life is not about having all the answers but about walking faithfully with God.” ²

And again, “By simply soaking ourselves in Scripture and seeing what God wants from us, we can follow His calling for our lives.” ³

James 1:5 NIV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Billy Graham says: “Only by a life of obedience to the voice of the Spirit, by a daily denying of self, by full dedication to Christ, and by constant fellowship with God, are we enabled to live a godly life and an influential life in this present ungodly world.” ⁴

James 3:13 & 17 NIV

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Each Christian is responsible to determine the will of God for his life and then to do it. It is often easier for us to do anything other than what we know to be the will of God, thus deviating from essentials and substituting frenetic activity. ⁵

Proverbs 16:9 NIV

9 In his heart a man plans his course,
but the Lord determines his steps. 

Billy Graham’s handbook puts it this way:

The Christian who does not nurture his life in the Word of God, prayer, fellowship, and witness will dry up, opening the way for uncertainty and doubts. The Biblical admonition to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18, KJV), is not just an idle phrase. We grow or we die! ⁶

2 Peter 3:11-14 NIV

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives

12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

13 But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

Billy Graham’s Handbook states:

Our eternal relationship to God cannot be based only on emotion. We must rest on facts based on the Word of God. We are to commit ourselves to the finished work of Christ on the cross. Having trusted Him, we continue this relationship confident that ⁷

Phil. 1:6 NIV

6 He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Billy Graham writes: “to know the will of God is the highest of all wisdom. Living in the center of God’s will puts the stamp of true sincerity upon our service to God. You can be miserable with much if you are out of His will; but you can have peace in your heart with little if you are in the will of God. You can be happy in the midst of suffering if you are in God’s will. You can be calm and at peace in the midst of persecution as long as you are in the will of God. The Bible reveals that God has a plan for every life and that if we live in constant fellowship with God, He will lead us in the fulfillment of this plan.” ⁸