[Song of Solomon 1:5-6 KJV] “I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, As the tents of Kedar, As the curtains of Solomon. Look not upon me, because I am black, Because the sun hath looked upon me: My mother‘s children were angry with me; They made me the keeper of the vineyards; But mine own vineyard have I not kept.“
I want to exhort you tonight to strive for personal growth. I wish that you will be growth oriented, rather than goal oriented. Being growth oriented will help you to enjoy the journey. You need to arrive before you celebrate when you are growth oriented. I will encourage you to set growth goals and just keep running!
Everyone must grow consistently in two areas grace and knowledge!
Apostle Peter teaches this in 2 Peter 3:18. In 2023, let us all strive to grow and sharpen ourselves in the areas of grace and of knowledge, especially the knowledge of Christ. You must grow and sharpen your skills and grace; and then your mindset and knowledge. It is one of the major inputs to your overall growth.
Though, the price of growing might be high, the benefits are priceless.
Let us strive to grow. When you grow in grace and knowledge:
- Everything about you will grow and improve. Your business, ministry, family, marriage, and community will grow and improve.
- You will become more stable, productive, and fruitful.
- You will be safe; you will escape the strong winds of doctrines, the sleight of men, the cunning craftiness of men who lie in wait to decieve, storms in life, and the heresy and willful misinterpretation of scriptures to destroy you.
- You will be positioned to recieve deeper revelations and things. (See Hebrews 5:12-6:4)
- You will escape mockery and the scorning of those who are at ease because you made sacrifices. (See Song of Solomon 1:5-6)
As you strive for personal growth, remember though growth is a mystery that no man can explain; growth does not happen in vacuum. There are factors that facilitate growth. May the Lord help us to put in place these factors.
Have a nice day
