Honolulu Japanese SDA Church

It's in the Bible, Philippians 1:6, NKJV. “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Jesus is the source of spiritual growth. It's in the Bible, Colossians 2:6-7, TLB. “And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him, too, for each day's problems; live in vital union with Him. Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all He has done.”

We should be growing more like Jesus daily. It’s in the Bible, 2 Peter 1:5-8, NIV. “Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

How to grow spiritually

We cannot grow without staying connected to Jesus. It's in the Bible, John 15:4-5, NKJV. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

How can I stay connected to Jesus? Read the Bible. It's in the Bible, John 5:39, NKJV. “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”

The Scriptures were written to help us learn and grow in faith. It's in the Bible, Romans 15:4, NKJV. “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

God's Word is light to guide and lead us from darkness. It's in the Bible, 2 Peter 1:19, ESV. “And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

Keep Bible verses in your mind to fight sin. It's in the Bible, Psalm 119:11, NKJV. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

What is another way to grow spiritually? Time in prayer with God. It's in the Bible, Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Browse: Learn about the serenity prayer?

Prayer is needed to build your faith. It's in the Bible, Jude 1:20-21, NKJV. “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

Spiritual growth and trials

Trials can bring about spiritual growth. It’s in the Bible, Hebrews 12:7-11, NIV. “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

“We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3, 4, NIV).

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4, NIV).

We can grow spiritually by looking to Jesus. It’s in the Bible, 2 Corinthians 3:18, NKJV. “We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.”