I want to be a fireman when I grow up. I want to be a doctor or a nurse — a teacher — an astronaut — a police officer — a banker — and the list goes on and on. Children are always excited about what they can be and do when they are grown or mature. For them, the sky is the limit! How sad that, as adults, we often forget the excitement of growing and changing. 

This can be true of Christians also. Some believe that once we have been confirmed and attend church regularly, we are all grown-up, mature in our faith. A devout Christian lady who was a strong prayer warrior was often heard praying that God would “grow her.” A friend asked her one day why she always prayed that way. She replied, “One can never stop praying for the Lord to grow us in knowledge, faith, and trust.”

Day By Day — Growing in the Lord is a devotion by Judy Gordon, originally published by LWML.

This devotion is also available as a free downloadable PDF at www.lwml.org/posts/devotion/day-by-day-growing-in-the-lord

Devotion on Comfort and Hope, Psalm 71:1–3. 

In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress (Psalm 71:1–3).

When we ask for a rock of safety, we are asking God to protect us, to give us a special place we can go where we will not be afraid.

Rock of Safety by Beverly Rasmussen, Scottsdale, Arizona

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

There is an even greater need for shelter and protection than physical shelter. It is the protection of our faith in our redeeming Lord and Savior. Our world is full of evil and sin, which is attacking us every day on every side seeking to lure us away from God.

Perfect Protection by Dottie Sincebaugh, Fargo, North Dakota

I am He … You are Right

Copyright © 1991 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.

New Growth – Again by Nancy Kohrs, Lake City, Minnesota

Building Materials by Mary Lou Nash, Murphy, North Carolina

Bedrock by Pat Reck, South Harwich, Massachusetts

Copyright © 2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.

lwml.org

The Lord, My Solid Rock by Lois Voeltz, Woodland Park, Colorado

Copyright© 2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.

God’s Unfailing Love by Janet Hurta, McGregor, TX

Copyright© 2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.

What is your heart seeing? Have you opened the eyes of your heart to behold His beauty or is there a fog over your rose-colored glasses? Are you caught up in the “I wanna be first” world? Have you lost sight of the One who should be the center of attention in your heart?

Focus My Heart is a devotion for Christian Life, by Cassandra Hebermehl, originally published by LWML.