DATE POSTED: Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Kyle, Texas when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE New Living Translation (NLT) IS FOUND IN Hebrews 6:1-3

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: This devotional may be more directed to those who have already accepted Jesus as Lord and now wondering ‘so, what’s my next step’? For each of us, the answer will be different for this dilemma, and God, through the Holy Spirit, is the only One who can drive us to the point of decision regarding spiritual maturity. The writer of Hebrews, and many pastors today, still do a wonderful job of trying to help Christians grow in their relationship with Christ. For failure to grow, could very easily allow one to drift into stagnancy, or perhaps fail to see value in the decision they made when accepting Christ. After all, in becoming a Christian, one decides to leave their life of sin and self-destruction, and make a 180 degree turn to live life like God teaches us in His Word. Notice the Word says nothing about us just depending on what our pastor spoon-feeds us with each time we go to church. Entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ is very similar to other relationships you try to build on. You want to know them, especially their likes and dislikes, and you endeavor to live in a way that will please them. Often in relationship building, you may have to relieve yourself of other relationships in order to do a better job and be most committed to your new relationship. The more you commit to pleasing Jesus, the more you mature in your relationship with Him. I believe that most of us will go through a process something like this: A). We find ourselves in church, either by a nudging of the Holy Spirit, or feeling compelled to do so because of family or peer pressure. B). We hear the Word of God proclaimed and God speaks to us through His Word, convicting us of our sin and our need of a Savior. C). We are led to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Usually, a momentous occasion in our lives! D). Many may struggle with a huge question: Now what? While some will be drawn to spending more time with God’s people in hopes that they show them the way to being God’s best representative here on earth. E). Some will choose to simply just attend a church service once weekly. F): Some endeavor to develop a deeper understanding of God, by studying His Word – especially with other believers, so that they could understand what this new Master requires of them. This will often lead to personal time with the Lord, in His Word and in prayer. God, through His author of Hebrews, seems to be challenging us to evaluate what stage we are at in our relationship with our Father. While I would suggest that each one do this privately, your time may be better spent in asking God to help you decide. For it seems like too often we think we are much better than God may think. Remember, God not only sees our actions, hears the words we speak, and acknowledges the path we walk, but He also knows our very thoughts. Generally in life we can make the best decisions when we have all the facts, when we know everything about the individual and also some experience with their actions over the years. God is one step ahead of us, so plead with Him to guide you in the right path so that He could use you for His glory right where He places you. I believe that when we all reach this stage in our lives, we are ready to submit ourselves to God’s perfect will and way. Perhaps at this point we are reaching the maturity spoken of in our Scripture today. In life, we tend to help our kids advance from infancy, where they are totally dependent on their mother for milk; to toddler, where they could stomach a few soft foods while learning to talk; to childhood where they learn more discipline and parental direction while advancing to normal household meals, etc, etc. It would be very simple to look at our relationship with Jesus in much the same way, for we begin as an infant – not knowing right from wrong, or what’s required of us, or how God will speak to us, etc, but as we grow in our relationship, we bond with Him, understand His love for us, and depend on Him for our every step in life. What’s your next step towards maturity? Perhaps we should each set that as our goal for 2024.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord Jesus, some who may read this devotional will identify themselves as just an infant in their relationship with You. Perhaps because they have committed as much of themselves to You as they feel is possible at this time. But I believe that many want to grow in You, understand You better, and reach for the next step towards maturity in You. Please help us to never settle for less than what we feel You want for us. Please provoke us to a deeper understanding of Your Word and a desire to become more like our Master every day. You didn’t just settle for being born, come to earth to heal and perform amazing miracles, but You went on to sacrifice Your life so that we may find forgiveness of our sin and reach the portals of Heaven one day with You and the Father. Please give us that same lasting desire to fully mature into all that You want to accomplish in us. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!