Quotes about Growth

God is in the résumé-building business. He is always using past experiences to prepare us for future opportunities.

As I look back on my own life, I recognize this simple truth: The greatest opportunities were the scariest lions. Part of me has wanted to play it safe, but I've learned that taking no risks is the greatest risk of all.

Half of learning is learning. The other half of learning is unlearning.

Spiritual discipline: any activity I do by direct effort that will help me do what I cannot now do by direct effort.

Holy habits are that: the disciplines, the routines by which we stay alive and focused on Him. At first we choose them and carry them out; after a while they are part of who we are. And they carry us.

Part of being a Christian is recognizing that sin deceives us, and we need other believers to help us see the things we cannot see about ourselves. Joining a church, I've often said, is like throwing paint on the invisible man. New sins become visible in the course of our discipling relationships.

we preach with the goal of spurring believers on in their maturity in Christ and of awakening nonbelievers to their need for the Savior.

Ask your friends what God has been teaching you about himself. Small groups can also be useful for facilitating these kinds of relationships.

A cold heart that does not love suggests one of two things. Either it has never been forgiven, or it does not appreciate the depth of its forgiveness. In fact, much of our growth in Christ is simply growth in our understanding of what Christ has done for us.

Churches don't need programs so much as they need cultures of discipling, cultures where each member prioritizes the spiritual health of others.

In what ways has God changed you to become more holy because of Jesus' blessing? How is God inviting you to make further changes in your life to live at greater levels of obedience and holiness to reflect Christ more?

Spirit-led Jesus followers recognize that they are imperfect Christians working with other imperfect Christians to serve a perfect Christ. When we love and give to one another, then we grow as individuals and as the family of God.136