SEARCHLIGHT
What are you doing to build yourself up?
SCRIPTURE
But you dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 1:20,21 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Building yourself up means you are focusing on personal growth. This involves physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual development. Unfortunately, the spiritual part is often overlooked or considered not to be as important as the others. How unwise, because what makes you unique from all living creatures is the fact that you are a spiritual being. God made only man in His image. [Genesis 1:26,27] Only human beings have God likeness.
What are you focusing on to personally grow? Studies will tell you that there are 3 bad habits which will deter the development of your personal health. Too much sitting, too much screen time, and too much staying up late are not good for you. On the other hand, there are 4 good habits which will greatly benefit your personal growth. Do you:
#1 Eat healthy- Do you have a balanced diet which provides plenty of nutrition?
#2 Exercise regularly-Do you have a consistent routine?
#3 Enjoy sleeping and relaxing- Do you get at least 7 hours of sleep? Do you participate in activities which are calming such as reading and hobbies?
#4 Engage with people- Do you socialize with family and friends? Are you involved with people in meaningful activities which benefit others?
But what about your spiritual development? The Bible says it is of utmost importance. Jesus declared that spiritual sustenance is so critically important to your well-being. He said: “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” [Matthew 4:4 NIV] What habits do you follow to encourage your spiritual growth?
In today’s Scripture focus, Jude was convinced that personal spiritual growth was absolutely necessary. Deceiving, pretending Christians were wrongly influencing believers, Jude used the first part of his letter to describe them. Then in verses 20 and 21, he instructed believers to spiritually grow by building themselves up in the faith. Here is what we learn. Ask yourself how you are implementing these instructions into your life:
#1 Dedicate yourself to being a growing Christian. Just as you have to make a commitment to building yourself up physically, mentally and emotionally so you have to commit yourself to spiritual growth. Here is the truth that is so often overlooked, Your spiritual growth will impact every aspect of your personhood. Because God is your Creator, your personal connection to Him gives to you peace, hope, truth and a well-balanced perspective on life. When you spiritually grow, you grow in all areas.
Here is another truth that is often ignored, Spiritual development never stops until you get to heaven. As you grow older, you must continue to seek to spiritually grow, just as you have to physically exercise, in order to maintain a quality of living. Are you daily feeding by reading God’s Word? You should never just fill your stomach and starve your soul. Study and meditate on God’s Word.
Do not overlook that your dedication will require personal discipline. They go hand in hand. What personal disciplines do you need to put in place so you can dedicate yourself to being enriched by the Bible?
#2 Devote yourself to praying, with the help of the Holy Spirit. Learn to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. [Living Bible] Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would lead you into knowing truth and guide you in wise decision making. Jesus said, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, we will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” [John 14:26 NIV] The Apostle Paul reminded the Roman believers that, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” [Romans 8:26 NIV]
Do not forget that your devotion will require personal denial. They go hand in hand. What personal desires or comforts need to be set aside so you can devote yourself to pray?
#3 Declare that God’s love is the best way of living. Jude said “…keep yourselves in God’s love…” Your declaration begins with obeying the Greatest Commandment. [Mark 12:29-31] Loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and then loving your neighbor as yourself, leads you to experience a blessed life. Personal significance, security, success, stability and selflessness are just a few of the blessings you receive when you love God first.
Do not forget that your declaration is based on your personal decision to make Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord of your life. Can you articulate the when, where and why of that decision?
#4 Decide that life’s greatest anticipation is to be with Jesus forever. Jude instructs believers to wait for “the unending life, the real life!” [Message] Some day you will see your Savior and Lord face to face. Imagine that? What will you say or do? I have thought about this moment and can honestly say I don’t know how I will respond. Until then, I will look forward to that moment when I can say “Thank you Lord for saving my soul, thank you Lord for making me whole, thank you Lord for giving to me Your great salvation so rich and free!”
Do not forget that your decision is driven by longing to see, face to face, the One who gave His life so that you could have eternal life. What could happen when you see Jesus?
SOMETHING TO DO
What are your strategies for building yourself up? HOW ARE YOU STAYING FIT?
#1 Physically - What healthy exercise routines do you follow every day? Read 1 Timothy 4:8.
#2 Mentally - What do you reflect on or meditate about? Read Philippians 4:8.
#3 Emotionally - What are you doing to live a life of love and forgiveness? Read Proverbs 4:23
#4 Spiritually- What do you do to make Jesus the center of your life? Read Galatians 2:20.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, I want to grow stronger in my faith. My desire is that my life would reflect how You are at the center of my life and how you are changing me. Teach me, guide me, and empower me. AMEN