Beginnings: Growing Gracefully

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV)

For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

John 1:16 (ESV)

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.

2 Peter 3:18 (ESV

When I passed 40 (and even today), I never considered hiding my age. I thank God for the time and lessons learned. But then and now, my goal remains the same: to keep going and growing gracefully...

With a strong emphasis on the word, GRACE, as the empowering Presence of God:* to be strong, vigorous, and productive; to exit Earth Stage Right on a high note.**

But great exits involve many factors:

  1. Oneness with Christ through the Holy Spirit.

  2. Keeping our bodies clean, fresh, and busy.

  3. Living life to the fullest every day.

  4. Seeing each sunrise as a beginning.

  5. Avoiding stale religious rituals.***

Therefore, I encourage fellow seniors, rising juniors, and tired executives to look for the joy and deny the gripes; to release grievances through forgiveness; to search for newness in every moment…

Because to do so is godly and wise. Because beginnings will never get old:)

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

You have an advantage in staying “new”: the fields of Entertainment DEMAND it! Growing with grace through the Presence of God is a spiritual fountain of youth! Regardless of age or what you’ve been through, you’ll be seen as bright, fresh, and exciting. God revives you, and you revive others.

So hang with your Creator and create!

Beginnings: Growing Gracefully (Part 3)

* Short article: GRACE, Not Unmerited Favor, http://www.thoughtsfromgod.com/grace-not-unmerited-favor/

** 'Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated' (Deuteronomy 34:7, NIV).

** I am not calling all churches (or their features/meetings) stale... but some are. Each follower of Christ needs fellowship with a group of Spirit-filled believers, because God says we’re influenced by our friends.

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God–  to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.

WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban