Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4-9

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

Day 337 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this afternoon the focus is Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth; given how much ground is covered in my commentary* (chapters 1-9), I broke the reading into two days, yesterday starting with chapters 1-3 and today with chapters 4-9. 

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.  

Yesterday, I started a post with comments on how we as believers may feel impatient with the process of sanctification and how a hunger and thirst for righteousness serves to carry us through this impatience as we learn to love the process itself, regardless of how long or slow it may be.  Today I read an awesome post by John Piper on why God sanctifies us slowly.  Piper essentially says that God does this because "f[i] God didn’t do it this way, [we]’d get uppity about it. [we]’d think [we] had it made. [We]’d think [o]ur strength was coming from [ourselves]".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me bread daily - physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. - all of it!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for how You provide for me.  I put earthly concerns, selfish concerns ahead of You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

1 Thessalonians 4

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. v1

Paul is pleased with the church in Thessalonica but just as God seeks spiritual growth in all of us, Paul is pushing the church to grow.  Before I get into the specifics of where Paul seeks this growth, I am pausing today to focus on the general topic of spiritual growth.  I have previously posted how growth is not an option (per John Piper).  We are called to grow closer to God and become more like Him.  This starts by assessing where we are and surrounding ourselves with others that can push us and support us in our areas of growth.

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rite, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so. Hebrews 6:1-3

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16

See also

No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’

Luke 5

No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’ v38-39 

John Piper's post on spiritual renewal speaks to me this morning.  Another of his posts here talks to spiritual renewal and a belief in spiritual miracles in the sense that out of spiritual humility you can teach an old dog new tricks.  Piper also reminds us that spiritual growth is not optional.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I love You and You have worked many miracles in my life and I know You love me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry...please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.