"Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." - II Peter 1:4-8 (NIV)
Teaching children is a multifaceted endeavor. Although I am a science teacher, I am also responsible for teaching my students how to be better learners in school and how to behave in life beyond the classroom. One of the expectations for the middle schoolers in my classroom and at my school is to be productive. God has the same expectation for His children. He expects each of us to be productive in our knowledge of and work for Him.
As Christians, we are called to be productive. But how should we be effective and productive in our work for God? Peter (II Peter 1:4-8) gives us some guidance in becoming more productive. In the Bible, Peter tells us to begin with faith in Jesus. Without a foundation of faith in Jesus, the rest of the recipe for being productive and effective in our work will crumble!
Building on our faith, we add goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. We are called to nurture and grow these attributes "in increasing measure" in our lives. We should focus our attention on increasing each of these attributes in ourselves.
There are many ways that we can nurture these characteristics in our lives. Reading the Bible and spending time studying God's word can increase our knowledge and understanding of God and Jesus. Fellowship with other believers can also support our learning and growth. Emulating heroes of our faith, whether from history or current times, can allow us to see how to live a better, more Godly life.
As you look to grow in Jesus, consider the ways that you can increase your goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. As you learn and grow, one step at a time, apply what you have learned to increase your effectiveness and productivity for the glory of God!
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for guiding me and helping me learn how to be more productive for You. Please continue to guide me and increase each of my goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love in order to glorify You. In Jesus' name, Amen,
As Christians, we are called to be productive. But how should we be effective and productive in our work for God? Peter (II Peter 1:4-8) gives us some guidance in becoming more productive. In the Bible, Peter tells us to begin with faith in Jesus. Without a foundation of faith in Jesus, the rest of the recipe for being productive and effective in our work will crumble!
Building on our faith, we add goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. We are called to nurture and grow these attributes "in increasing measure" in our lives. We should focus our attention on increasing each of these attributes in ourselves.
There are many ways that we can nurture these characteristics in our lives. Reading the Bible and spending time studying God's word can increase our knowledge and understanding of God and Jesus. Fellowship with other believers can also support our learning and growth. Emulating heroes of our faith, whether from history or current times, can allow us to see how to live a better, more Godly life.
As you look to grow in Jesus, consider the ways that you can increase your goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. As you learn and grow, one step at a time, apply what you have learned to increase your effectiveness and productivity for the glory of God!
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for guiding me and helping me learn how to be more productive for You. Please continue to guide me and increase each of my goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love in order to glorify You. In Jesus' name, Amen,
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