God Expects Growth

June 23

(Luke 13:18-19 NIV) ““Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? {19} It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.””

(Acts 4:1-4 NIV) “The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. {2} They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. {3} They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. {4} But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.”

(Colossians 1:3-6 NIV) “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, {4} because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints-- {5} the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel {6} that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.”

Things must grow or they die. Growth is one of the vital signs of life. God expects all living things to grow. God expects his kingdom to grow, and He expects it to grow in us. Christ expects His church to grow, and He expects personal growth in those people who are called by His name. The mustard seed is tiny, but grows into a bush-like plant up to ten feet tall. It represents the Kingdom of God as it grows in us and as it grows in the world. Christ living in us causes growth. Spiritual seed is planted in our hearts, and we are born again. As we feed on his word, we grow and begin to influence the world around us. The light of the Lord and Christ’s living water nourish our souls. We grow and others can begin to find shelter and comfort in the shade of God’s growing tree. This is our calling. God expects growth in us and in His Kingdom. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day