Growing in Godliness:: 31 Day Series

I'm accepting The Nester's 31 day writing challenge for the second year in a row.  YAY!!!  Don't all of you scream at once! ahem....can't say I'm not a little scared!  The goal is to write a post every single day in October.  Last year, I wrote about finding balance as a homeschool mom.  This year, my topic is something near and dear to my heart... Growing in Godliness. 

  

I live in the Bible belt (the belt buckle to be exact) and one thing about it--everybody and their brother believes they are a Christian.  not really, but mostly.  Many folks around here are products of a familiar yet false teaching--say this "magic get out of Hell free prayer" and you are good to go.  There are some who have prayed a prayer, walked an aisle and have even passed through the waters of baptism that have never gone on to study God’s word, much less open their Bibles.  They have neglected His Word, His Church and His people and have remained unchanged spiritually.  Is that true salvation?  Of course not.  And unfortunately, I've talked to people who cling to that past prayer they prayed as being legitimate even though the life they live completely contradicts their profession.  This false sense of security truly breaks my heart. 

*Now don’t misunderstand me--our works don’t save us, but they do prove that we are saved.* 

True salvation is knowing, believing and personally trusting in the person and work of Christ.  It’s a complete and total surrender to Him; it involves a change of allegiance—a turning over the reins of your life.  

I love this quote from one of Graham's seminary professors:  A FAITH that FIZZLES before the FINISH was FAULTY at the FIRST. 

Jesus affirmed this when he said, "You will recognize them by their fruits."  Matthew 7:16

This month, I plan on writing about the importance of sanctification.  Growing in godliness often gets over looked, but scripture points out its significance.  God is clear in His word that once we've given our lives to Him, we must be disciplined to die to ourselves and grow in our knowledge and understanding of Him.

This is Paul’s point when he says,

"Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness."  1 Timothy 4:7

This month, I will be discussing some of the ways we as believers must be disciplined for the purpose of growing in godliness. Growing in Him is life's greatest pursuit and though we will never arrive spiritually, this side of heaven, we are strengthened, refined, and sharpened as we become more disciplined.

I'm excited about this series.  My prayer is that it would be a blessing to those of you who read it.  If you ever have any questions, please leave me a comment or email me: ourjoyhisglory{@}gmail{dot}com.  Newcomers to Our Joy...His Glory, I hope you stick around and stalk the place out a bit!  I'm okay with that.  Fellow pinners, if you'd like to stay connected with this series, make sure to pin this post.  I'll be linking up right here each day via the index (below).  Don't forget, you can follow along through GFC and Bloglovin', too.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• Day 1 •   Growing in Godliness Index • Day 2 •   Disciplined to Be More Like Him • Day 3 •   1 Timothy 4:7  • Day 4 •   The B-I-B-L-E • Day 5 •   2 Timothy 3: 16-17  • Day 6 •   We Got to Pray • Day 7 •   Hebrews 4:16 • Day 8 •   O Worship the King • Day 9 •   Psalm 95:6 • Day 10 •  Share • Day 11 •  Romans 10:17 • Day 12 •  Serve with Gladness • Day 13 •  1 Samuel 12:24 • Day 14 •  Stewardship • Day 15 •  Romans 14:12 • Day 16 •  Scripture Meditation | Joshua 1:8 • Day 17 •  In the Quiet Hour - I wait. • Day 18 •  Psalm 62: 1-2 • Day 19 •  Write it down. • Day 20 •  Psalm 62:8 • Day 21 •  Learning • Day 22 •  Romans 12:2 • Day 23 •  Perseverance • Day 24 •  Phillipians 1:6 • Day 25 •  Favorite Hymns • Day 26 •  Recommended Reading • Day 27 •  Growing in Godliness as a Couple • Day 28 •  Scripture Memory Cards • Day 29 •  Podcasts to Pin • Day 30 •  Pointing Your Kids to Christ • Day 31 •  Closing Thoughts