October 1, 2006

''Measure Me''

Jesus increased in wisdom and stature. —Luke 2:52

"Can you measure me today?" Caleb, our paperboy, asked.

It was not the first time he had made that request. A few years ago I had mentioned to him how tall he was getting. Since then, we've often measured his height on the siding of our house. After all this time, he still wants me to measure him.

Measurements can be indicators of growth. And it's a good idea to measure our spiritual growth. For instance: Do I spend time reading God's Word and talking with Him each day? Do I look forward to fellowshiping with the Lord? What "fruit of the Spirit" is apparent in my life? Do I talk about Jesus with people who don't know Him? How am I using my spiritual gift or gifts? Do I have a generous and giving spirit? How much better do I know God today than I did a year ago? These questions are good indicators of spiritual growth.

A child seems to grow up all of a sudden, but it's actually a continual process. Just as Jesus grew in both wisdom and stature, we as believers are to continue to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). We are no longer to be children, but to "grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ" (Eph. 4:14-15). Have you measured yourself lately? —Cindy Hess Kasper

The child of God who reads the Word
And heeds the messages he's heard
Will grow in grace from day to day
And share with others on life's way. —Hess

Salvation is the miracle of a moment; growth is the labor of a lifetime.

Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year; Isaiah 11-13; Ephesians 4

Blessed Sunday morning, Rus. Sing out in church this morning.

Thanks for our beautiful lesson from God's Word.

Good morning Mayor..Thank you always for our Daily Bread!

Matthew 6:25
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you
will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they
gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly
Father feeds them. Are not you more important than
they?
27 Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-
span?
28 Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the
wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin.
29 But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor
was clothed like one of them.
30 If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows
today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not
much more provide for you, O you of little faith?
31 So do not worry and say, 'What are we to eat?' or 'What are
we to drink?' or 'What are we to wear?'
32 All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father
knows that you need them all.
33 But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given you besides.
34 Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of
itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.
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May You Have A blessed Sunday.