Daily Devotional
How Are You Growing to Godliness?
“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.”
2 Peter 1:5-6
August 26, 2023
Ponder This
When you observe babies, you can see they are often out of control. They often struggle with tantrums. If you have young children, you know that is true. Paul taught the importance of self-control. Are you under control? How about your sexual desires? How about your appetite for food? How about your sleep? How about your recreation? How about your quiet time?
Paul also mentioned patience or perseverance. That means steadfastness. Are you a patient person? Traffic jams, losing your keys, long lines, late airplanes, flat tires, interruptions, why do these things happen? I spilled something the other day. It went all over my stuff on my desk, ran all over into my papers that I had stacked up neatly and everything. I asked “Why God? What is the purpose of all of that? Why would that happen?” Then I thought, “Thank you Lord for that—if for no other reason than just to help develop my patience.” Things happen to us that we can’t explain. If we can just praise God for the unexplainable, we know and understand what real patience is.
- What is more difficult for you: self-control or patience? Why?
- How can small frustrating moments become opportunities to practice patience and self-control?
Practice This
The next time you feel tested in your patience or self-control, turn to the Lord in prayer and use the moment as an opportunity to grow in your faith in Him.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
