In 2 Thessalonians 1:3 Paul commended the church for its growing faith. He said, "your faith groweth exceedingly and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth." Even in the midst of trouble and trials, these newborn babes were making spiritual progress. Wouldn't it be great if this could be said of you and me? Growing in faith is necessary and vital to our salvation. But, what does it mean to grow in faith? Growing in faith involves at least three basic elements.
    First, growing in faith demands that we listen to the will of God. Paul wrote that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17), and so to grow in faith one must study the pages of Holy Writ. We will never possess assurance or confident trust in God if we do not participate in a proper and diligent study of the Bible. We will never grow if we do not desire to be fed with the Word. As milk is essential to the growth of a baby, so is the milk and meat of the Word essential to the growth of a Christian (1 Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:12-14). Saving, active, and growing faith cannot be sustained without a steady diet of Bible study. The Christian who is growing in faith has abundantly filled his life with the words of Christ (Col. 3:16). The weak Christian lacks the strength to quench the fiery darts of the wicked because he has neglected to take up the shield of faith (Eph. 6:16). Faith is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4), but it is only victorious when it grows (2 Pet. 3:18); and it grows by the means of the knowledge of God's will.
    Second, growing in faith demands that we live the will of God. Faith apart from works is barren, useless, and dead (Jas. 2:14-26). It will never save. If you want to make your calling and election sure, then your faith must grow by adding to it the Christian graces (2 Pet. 1:5-7). You must acquire knowledge and learn to use it wisely and with all patience, godliness, and brotherly kindness. A growing faith is active, doing, and responsive. Only the man who believes and obeys can be blessed in his deeds (Jas. 1:25). Only the man who exercises his faith can be said to possess a growing faith (1 Tim. 4:7-8). Only when one acts upon what he reads can it be said that he possesses a growing faith.
    Third, growing in faith demands that we love the will of God. "Perfect love casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18), and each of us should grow in faith enough to serve God because we love Him, instead of being entirely motivated out of a fear of going to hell. A Christian who has grown in faith does not view the commandments of God as grievous or burdensome, but as an honor and a privilege (1 John 5:3). He keeps the commandments because he loves God and seeks to please Him (2 Tim. 2:4). Those who keep the commandments of God out of convenience or for the favor of man (e.g., an individual who attends worship merely to please his spouse or parents) or simply to avoid hell, do not possess a faith that groweth exceedingly. Growing faith learns the joy and happiness of serving God. It loves the will of God and will hunger and thirst for its precepts (Mat. 5:6). It yearns for its decrees and finds solace in its instruction. A growing faith discovers peace and strength inexplicable to the world (Phil. 4:7). A growing faith is manifested by the one who can, like the psalmist, say "Oh, how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." (Psa. 119:97).
    Have you progressed in your faith enough to say that you listen to, live, and love the will of God? Has your faith grown exceedingly? If not, why not begin today to awaken your dormant faith. Study again the Word of God that it might cut to the thoughts and intents of your heart and motivate you to experience, once again, the graciousness of God (1 Pet. 2:3). May your faith grow exceedingly. May you then "continue in the faith, grounded and settled...not moved away," so that on that great and final day, Christ may present you holy and unblameable, and unreprovable before our grand and glorious Judge (Col. 1:23).
John W. Moore
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December Birthday’s
Geneva Bonner……………………….12/21
Jeanie Boatright …………………….12/24
Kathy Brooks ..……………………..12/25
Carl Holbrook ..……………………..12/29

December Anniversaries
None for December

Morning Lesson:
Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind
Romans 14:1-12

Schedule of Service
Sun. Morning: 10:00a Bible Class
                     10:45a Worship
Sun. Evening: *6:00p Worship *
Wed. Evening:  7:00p Bible Class
2nd Wed. @ 7:00p Singing Night
2nd Sun. @ 12p Fellowship Lunch