Bible verses about growing in God

Bible Verse of The Day – 9-2-26

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2 Peter 1:10 (NLT) 10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.

As we read through these two verses, it becomes very apparent that Peter was strongly urging the believers who were the recipients of his letter to grow spiritually, that they might become productive and fruitful to God’s kingdom.

Let’s break this down a bit so we can be sure to understand it clearly.

In verse 10, he urges the readers to “work hard” to prove that they are among those God has called and chosen

It’s important to note that he is not in any way at all referring to working for their salvation. He is simply implying that their salvation should be evident in their day-to-day lives by the things they do.

Things get a bit more interesting, though, in the next line, in which he says if you “do these things, you will never fall away”.

There is an important point here that we need to touch on.

We need to know what “things” he is telling them they must do.

For that, we must look at verses 5-7, where Peter urges believers to walk in moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.

And look at what he tells them will happen if they walk in these things.

They will be “neither useless nor unfruitful in the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

These are words that can sting when we first hear them. But it’s important that we see and accept the truth that if we do not grow and obey God, we are not useful or fruitful (productive) to the kingdom of God.

We cannot walk in these attributes or characteristics without allowing the Spirit of God to transform us.

And this happens only when we choose to make it happen.

May we take this seriously and apply it to our lives daily 🙏🏻

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Bible Verse of The Day – 8-26-26

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John 1:12 (LSB) 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

This verse, and others like it, show us that we are not children of God simply because we are born.

It is when we receive Him, through faith in Christ, that we become His child.

It requires a conscious choice for this to happen.

Likewise, we don’t grow and mature as a believer accidentally.

Unlike the human body, which grows involuntarily as we age, we don’t grow spiritually by simply sitting back and allowing time to go by, hoping it will happen.

Growing and maturing is a choice we make!

We decide whether we will grow and mature as a follower of Christ. No one can make us grow involuntarily. No one can force us to grow.

We are taught throughout the word of God that if we wish to find Him and draw near to Him (grow and mature), we must seek Him and do so with our whole heart.

Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJV) 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

James tells us very plainly that we must draw near to Him if we desire Him to draw near to us.

James 4:8 (NKJV) 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Interestingly, James also refers to those who expect to draw near to God without putting forth the necessary effort as “double-minded”, exposing the hypocrisy of this notion.

As followers of Christ, we must desire to grow. We must understand that effort is required. And we must do whatever is necessary to put forth that effort.

Casual Christianity is a myth; a lie from the enemy to lull believers to sleep and prevent us from producing fruit for the kingdom of God.

But casual Christianity is exactly what we practice if we fail to grow and mature as believers.

1 John 2:3-4 (LSB) 3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 7-6-26

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Ephesians 4:14 (LSB) 14 so that we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming,

In our writings, we spend a fair amount of time teaching about growing and maturing in Christ.

This is a critically important topic that we must all understand and abide by.

Some may wonder why it is important.

The verse above explains exactly why!

When we are young in Christ, we can be easily fooled; tricked into believing many things that aren’t Biblically accurate or sound.

Paul described it as being “carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming”.

And this is a perfectly accurate statement.

When we are young, whether in the natural sense or in the spiritual sense, we can easily be fooled by people with ill intent; crafty men with schemes of deceitfulness.

And this is dangerous to our wellbeing. Naivety and ignorance can kill us, both spiritually and bodily.

And this is why it’s so critically important that we learn, grow, and mature in Christ.

It prevents us from becoming victims of our own ignorance, fooled by the trickery of men, believing anything we hear due to sheer ignorance of God’s truth.

With this we say to you, “Grow”!

Take the time and make the effort to learn of God. Get understanding in spiritual things. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you.

And seek Him. Seek Him with every ounce of strength you have, and with every fiber of your being.

And when you seek Him in this way, you will find Him 🙏🏻

Jeremiah 29:13 (LSB) 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 6-29-26

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1 Corinthians 13:11 (NKJV) 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Growth and maturing as a follower of Christ are taught throughout the word of God, and especially in the New Testament.

In fact, much of what is written in the New Testament is aimed at bringing understanding in this area.

God’s plan and desire for us is that we put our faith in Christ and view that only as the beginning of our journey.

Every day thereafter should be a step toward greater understanding in the things of God, which leads to greater, stronger faith. And that faith carries us through the seasons of life, including those that are difficult and hard to bear.

But are we doing this? Are we learning, growing, and maturing, as God desires for us?

Or are we remaining spiritual infants, failing to grow into who God has called us to be?

We are either partaking of spiritual meat, or we are still being nursed, partaking only of milk because meat is too difficult for us to digest.

Hebrews 5:12 (NKJV) 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

The word of God is our meat. It is what builds us, strengthens our spiritual muscles, and leads us from step A to step B, etc. throughout our lives.

To be clear, we don’t eat of the Word solely to gather food (knowledge & understanding) and become fat with it and keep it to ourselves.

We eat to be strengthened so we can grow and then teach others. We are meant to become fruitful to the kingdom of God, benefitting others with what God gives us.

But if we fail to grow, and we refuse to partake of meat, we will not reach that point. We will live and die drinking only milk.

1 Corinthians 3:2 (NKJV) 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;

Let us put away the childish things.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 5-4-26

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Matthew 7:13-14 (LSB) 13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

As you read these words today, please take them to heart. Let them penetrate.

Why do I say this?

Because these words matter. They are important enough to warrant careful consideration by each of us. And I will speak them plainly because of their critical nature.

There is no such thing as casual Christianity. We are either all in, or not in at all.

Why do I say that? And how can I back it up?

Jesus spent His days on earth teaching people the importance of repenting, putting God first, having faith in Him, and producing fruit.

He would not have done that if it wasn’t true, and it didn’t matter.

In the words above, He spoke plainly about the fact that the road (gate) to life is narrow, and that few will enter in. Those are sobering words in and of themselves if we take them at face value, which He intended.

But He said much more.

He told His disciples that we must abide (remain steadfastly) in Him, because apart from Him we cannot bear fruit. And, in fact, we can do nothing apart from Him.

John 15:4 (LSB) 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit from itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

And He went on to expound further by stating that anyone (any branch) that does not bear fruit is cut off by the Father, removed and thrown away.

John 15:2 (AMPC) 2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.

You see, Jesus did not die on the cross so people could casually, intermittently follow (trust) Him.

God intends that our walk with Him be a lifelong endeavor that means something; a heartfelt endeavor that gets our attention wholeheartedly.

This goes far beyond walking an aisle, praying a prayer of salvation, or attending a weekly church service.

He wants our whole heart, 24/7, 365.

Will we give it to Him?

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 4-17-26

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James 4:8 (LSB) 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

We have a question for you today.

What’s stopping you?

What is the basis for that question?

It is the fact that most people, if asked, would readily state that they wish their relationship with God was stronger.

Yet, despite willingly and readily speaking those words, few will actually do what is needed to make it stronger.

You see, just like anything else that’s worth pursuing, our walk with God is no different. It requires deliberate effort to make it happen and to strengthen it.

None of this will happen by chance, without our willingness to “put in the work”.

No, we are not saved by our works.

Ephesians 2:8 (LSB) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

But “work” is required if we are to grow and mature as a believer and climb past the infant stage of our growth.

You may ask, “why should I want to grow?”.

The answer is simple; because Jesus told us to do so.

John 15:5 (LSB) 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

We can make excuses as to why we aren’t growing, or why our relationship with God is weak.

In the end, no excuse holds water or validity.

But there is hope!

Each day is a new day. And this very day is the one on which you can “take the bull by the horns” and make the change that has been put off for so long.

Let us do the hard work.

Put in the time and effort, setting aside the things that distract us and suck up our time day after day, focusing instead on the One who loves us enough to offer redemption despite our sinful selves.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (LSB) 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 4-12-26 – What’s Stopping You from Growing in God?

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Please click to watch the video now!Greetings in the name of Jesus! 

We hope you’re growing in your walk with God each day. 

Speaking of growing, we have a new video for you today in which we teach about doing what it takes to grow in Christ, strengthening our relationship with God, rather than just wishing we had a stronger relationship with Him. 

The video is called “What’s Stopping You (from Growing in God)?”

We hope this video will strengthen you and give you fuel for the fire that God has lit within you. 

Please click here to watch the video now.

We love you! 

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie 

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443  

401-439-3780 

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

To have the Bible Verse of The Day delivered to your inbox each day, please Click Here and then enter your email address in the box near the upper left corner of the page. 

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Bible Verse of The Day – 6-23-25

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Philippians 2:12 (NKJV) 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

This verse is a good reminder for all of us from time to time.

We are a child of God because we made a conscious choice to do so.

We have each chosen to walk with God. We have chosen to be saved.

And salvation comes to us through that choice.

But then what? What do we do with our lives after making the choice to become a follower of Christ?

Do we simply move on as though it never happened?

Absolutely not! That step that we took to be saved was just the beginning of what is meant to be a lifelong journey to our eternal dwelling place with our Father.

We should make the most of this sojourn to present ourselves before Him that He will say to us, “well done, my good and faithful child.”

Going forward, we must walk it out. We must take deliberate steps to learn and grow as a believer.

We must think of it like a student who is working toward a goal, or an athlete who is training for a trophy. Neither of these can reach their goals if they aren’t diligent and steadfast in their endeavors.

As it is with us.

No, salvation is never about works. But our relationship with God is only as strong as we make it.

So, let us understand the seriousness of this walk we call Christianity, and run the race as though we are running for the prize.

Because we are. And that prize is the crown of life.

Amen

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 4-7-25

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2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

As followers of Christ, it is important that we never stop learning.

Learning of God and His ways paves the way for us to better understand Him. And that understanding leads to stronger faith and trust in His ways.

God desires that we mature in Him, leaving behind our days as spiritual infants.

Think about it.

How would we as earthly parents view our children if they refused to grow up and become responsible adults?

That’s a pretty sobering thought, isn’t it?

We are told many times throughout God’s word to get knowledge and get understanding.

Those words were written with a purpose; to emphasize the importance of learning in the life of a child of God.

In fact, Paul encouraged Timothy to be ready in season and out of season to speak God’s word!

2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV) 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

This can happen only if we put forth the effort to be prepared. No one can do it for us.

And as we put forth the effort, God will give the increase, helping us to better understand the things we read and study.

And our efforts are never in vain. The understanding we gain as we learn His ways will benefit us in every aspect of our lives.

Best of all, the knowledge we gain will give us a greater trust in God through everything we face. Our joy will increase, and we will walk in God’s peace in ways that we would never have imagined possible.

So, we urge you to press into Him and learn. Never stop learning.

Let it be a lifetime pursuit that changes your life in every possible way.

You will never regret it.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 11-20-24

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John 8:43-44 (LSB) 43 Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

As Jesus addressed the religious leaders, He spoke truth that infuriated them.

The men in front of Him held themselves up as leaders; men who should be honored and looked up to by everyone.

But their self-righteous opinions of themselves, and their visions of grandeur were shattered by the words of Jesus.

He told them bluntly who they really were; children of the devil, the father of lies, and a murderer.

Jesus saw past their religious garb and their pious words. He knew their hearts, and He knew their intentions.

It was because of their nature that they could not hear what Jesus was saying.

You see, the family we were born into does not matter. Our heritage does not make us righteous. It does not buy redemption or favor with God.

So, these men who thought themselves to be heirs to the kingdom because of their self-proclaimed lineage to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were sadly mistaken.

God desires that we be meek, humble, and willing to receive instruction.

There is a great lesson for us to learn from this, making sure that we do not base our relationship with our Father and Redeemer on our heritage.

Nor should we base it on something from our formative years that we were too young to actively participate in, such as being baptized or “Christened” as a baby or toddler.

Our faith is built on actions and decisions that we make ourselves, choices that we make to follow the One who gave His life for us.

Anything less is simply religion based on rituals, traditions, or choices made for us by others when we were too young to know the difference.

Let us make a conscious, deliberate choice to place our faith in Christ, embracing His death and the cleansing blood that He shed for us.

And let us build and grow that faith in a way that we will know who we are in Christ without relying on something that was done for us in the distant past that we didn’t actively participate in.

Amen

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 11-4-24

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Colossians 2:6-7 (NKJV) 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

As we put our faith in Christ. We begin a growing process.

A root is created, and it begins to grow.

A seed has been planted. And it has sprouted into a seedling.

That root is small at first, and very delicate. The seedling (our newfound faith in Christ) needs tender care and nurturing to grow and become strong.

That single, tiny root needs to become stronger and multiply, becoming many large “root branches” over time.

Those “root branches” need to get deep into the soil and spread, giving us strength and resilience.

That strength and resilience is needed to help us stand strong when we face the storms (trials and tribulations) that life is sure to bring.

How deep our roots grow is determined solely by us. No one can grow them for us.

We choose whether we deny ourselves the necessary sustenance or feast on the nutrition that is necessary to give us those strong roots.

So, how do we grow our roots and make them strong?

The first essential step is to read God’s word. Feast on it. Absorb it as though our life depends on it; because it does!

And we get sound teaching that is firmly rooted in God’s word.

We avoid hype-based teaching that plays solely on our emotions and uses only snippets of scripture, many times taken out of context, in an effort to get us excited while failing to teach the whole truth of God’s word.

Our emotions are fickle and changeable. We should not rely on them because they change like the wind.

But God is steadfast!

He supplies us with what is needed to get those roots deep and strong; able to withstand whatever comes our way.

And that strength can make a mighty warrior, fighting in the army of God against the wiles of the devil himself.

Are we willing to do what it takes to grow those roots to be deep and strong?

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

To have the Bible Verse of The Day delivered to your inbox each day, please Click Here and then enter your email address in the box near the upper left corner of the page. 

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