2 Peter 1:5

Have you ever tried to grow a garden at your home? Why is it so difficult sometimes to get the garden to produce the plants you want it to, when other weeds just pop up so easily where they're not supposed to! There an aspect of plant life that's easy and automatic, but it isn't always producing the best fruit. To cultivate the best possible produce, you need to put in the work of ensuring the proper soil conditions, lighting, weeding, watering, etc. It's hard work! Peter talks about our faith in a similar way. There's an aspect of faith that's simple--that all who place their trust in Jesus will be saved--but there's also an aspect of growing and maturing that faith that takes hard work. Put in the effort and you will see the improvement in the fruit that is produced!

PASSAGE: 2 Peter 1:5 - For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge...

PAUSE: Since we have been blessed with the divine power of the Holy Spirit, we need to make an effort to add to our faith. Peter understood that spiritual growth and maturity are not automatic, it requires discipline and effort. Are you willing to put forth the effort as we journey together on our growth spurts?

PRAYER: Father, thank you for giving me everything I need to grow. Empower me to put forth the effort to be effective and fruitful in my life.