Tag: Bible verses about growing in Christ

Bible Verse of The Day – 11-20-24

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

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Bible Verse of The Day – 11-4-24

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

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Bible Verse of The Day – 10-27-24 – Rooted in Christ

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

We trust that you are growing closer to God each day 🙏🏻 

We have a new video for you today that teaches not just about growing but being rooted in Christ. 

The video is aptly titled, Rooted in Christ. 

We hope this video will bring knowledge and understanding regarding the importance of growing those deep roots that make us immovable during times of storms or trials.

Please click here to watch the video now. 

We love you all! 

Enjoy the rest of your day and keep pressing into God. 

Sincerely in Christ, 

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 – 8-25-24 – A Work in Progress

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

There is a phrase that Jesus spoke in which He referred to specks and planks. 

In our new video, we also refer to that phrase as we teach about being careful not to judge others because we are all “A Work in Progress” as God teaches us and molds us. 

This is a great lesson for all of us, to remind us that not even one of us is perfect. 

We hope you enjoy it! 

Please click here to watch the video now. 

We love you all! 

Enjoy your day. 

Sincerely, 

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 – 6-25-24

Genesis 1:27 (NKJV) 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Being created in His image is amazing!

However, we all have our own personalities. And, unlike Him, we as fleshly individuals have weaknesses and strengths.

But through our Helper, the Holy Spirit, our weaknesses will be made strong.

Sometimes we like to use phrases like, “well, that’s me, that’s how I do things, that’s who I am”. But this will only hurt us, and many times it will cause us to miss opportunities from God to help us in those areas.

Even though it is how we have always been, it doesn’t mean that we can’t change these things that God desires to change in us.

Don’t claim these things forever. Nothing is too big for God to help us with.

If they are keeping us from growing and maturing in our walk with Him, we need His strength, His guidance, and wisdom to overcome them.

Psalm 46:1 (NKJV) 1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

For most of us, the hardest thing to do is to recognize our weaknesses and change things up when we’ve been doing it that way forever.

How many of us are with Paul, struggling to do what we will to do at times?

Romans 7:15 (NKJV) 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.

What is the best way to bring changes?

Keep working through them with the help of the Holy Spirit, and never give up!

Trust God. He will help strengthen that part of us, and we will look back one day and say, “Wow, thank you God!”

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 – 6-6-24

Acts 9:35 (NKJV) 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

These people who turned to the Lord had just witnessed a man named Aeneas be healed. To them it was a sign.

The healing of this man would bring many to Christ.

We may have no idea why many things happen, but God uses things like this for a purpose.

And that purpose is to help people see God in a way that they cannot deny it is Him. And this is the very thing that often causes us to turn to Him.

Some of us may state that we have given our heart to Jesus Christ. But have we actually turned to Him?

Have we allowed Him to help us make those necessary changes in our lives that will make a difference in our relationship with Him?

The word “turn”, used in the opening verse, means to change direction; To move so that we are in a different position.

Some Synonyms would be: change course, swing round, wheel round, veer.

Change direction or change course; two very important steps.

This is exactly what should happen to us when we have been convicted in our heart, and we have put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. This “turn towards Him” is a must.

There has to be a change of direction in our walk. And a very noticeable one at that.

Whether it’s the words from our mouths, our habits, our thoughts, our entertainment choices, our friends and family that we spend time with. Whatever we are convicted of and we now know better, we must turn from. And doing so will cause a change of direction.

We do not want to be apart from His peace that comes when we turn to Him.

1 Peter 3:11 (NKJV) 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue 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 – 2-6-24

Philippians 3:14 (NKJV) 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Being a believer in Christ is not something to take lightly.

We begin a journey on a plan that He has for us. We are always learning and growing. We are in His school of training, so to speak.

As part of this training, we may be tested in areas we never thought we could walk through.

Sometimes it’s heavy and hard. Other times light and fulfilling like never before.

We will learn how to listen, how to surrender and how to obey!

We will also learn how to push through difficult situations that are going to help us get stronger and wiser.

It is all done through the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is so beautiful to be led by Him, and it can be very humbling at times.

All we need to do is focus on staying close to Him through prayer and studying God’s Word.

Press forward day by day, and allow what we learn in His Word to carry us when we are tired, strengthen us when we are weak, and fill us with wisdom and understanding so we can continue forward and not give up.

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 – 2-3-24

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

With any relationship, we get out what we put in.

Our relationship with God is no different. It will grow on the same scale as the effort we put into it.

If we truly desire to know Him and serve Him wholeheartedly, we will intentionally make the time needed to grow and mature as a believer.

This isn’t something that we always think of or understand when we first become a child of God.

In fact, it is something that is not taught nearly enough.

While the forgiveness of our sins is monumental, if we do not feed our spirit with the word of God, it will be in danger of withering and dying.

Jesus taught about this when He shared the parable of the sower and the seeds.

Matthew 13:20-21 (NLT) 20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.

This is why we need to be sure to put forth the required effort to keep ourselves fed and growing.

It is something that no one can do for us. Yes, we can have people help us, lead us and guide us, especially in the beginning of our new walk with God. But in the end, we are the ones who are responsible for whether we grow or not.

Think of it like a newborn baby. When the baby is small, it requires constant help and nurturing. But as it grows older and older it must learn to take what it has been taught and use that knowledge to grow and mature on its own.

This is why it is paramount for each of us to do whatever is necessary to feed ourselves with the word of God.

God tells us that as we make the effort to seek Him, we will find Him if we seek Him with all our heart.

The key lies in the phrase, “with all your heart”, since God spells it out for us right there.

Suffice it to say that effort on our part is required. And that effort is something that we must be willing to put forth.

It may not always be easy or comfortable, but we need to keep in mind the incredible sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross. This will usually put things into perspective and help motivate us to do what it takes to mature and grow as a believer.

And as we do this, let us liken ourselves to a runner in a race, disciplining ourselves, shaking off all that tries to hold us back, and doing all that is necessary to claim the prize at the finish line.

For the prize we race toward is eternal.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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!

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 – 2-2-24

John 15:9-10 (NKJV) 9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

Now that we have had a refresher, and we have been reminded of the foundations of what salvation is and what it is not, let us move on to talk about what God asks of us once we become His child.

This is something good for all of us to ponder on because it can be easy to get off track and lose sight of the foundational things that our faith was built on.

So, now you are a child of God.

What next? How does this new life in Christ work?

The first answer to that is found above, as Jesus said that if we love Him, we should keep His commandments.

To clarify, this is about more than following a set of rules. Jesus wasn’t referring to simply following the 10 Commandments and living happily ever after.

He was implying that anyone who claims to love Him should prove it by willingly following the ways that He taught us.

What did He teach us?

To keep our priorities in order, always putting God first in everything.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

If we can get this one thing right, so many other things about our lives will fall into place.

And how do we know what He asks of us when it comes to keeping Him first?

We use the “tool” that He supplied us with; His Word!

The Bible is our handbook for life; a user’s manual that gives us knowledge and understanding in every topic we need to grow and mature in Christ.

It is more than just a book with printed pages. It is alive and breathing; a timeless word from God to the world, sharing His love and magnificence with anyone who will take the time to read it and seek the treasures that are contained within its pages.

We urge you to make the time to get into His word. Treat it as it should be treated; like something that is necessary for our survival.

And as we consistently put Him first by learning of Him, we will begin to see ourselves change, from the inside, out, as God replaces our thoughts with His thoughts, our heart with His heart, and our desires with His desires.

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 – 1-29-24

John 3:16 (NKJV) 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Sometimes it is good for us to remember and reflect on the foundations of our faith.

Life gets busy, and as we walk through our day-to-day things, we can sometimes get sidetracked and forget Who we are children of and what our faith is really about.

So, over the next several days, we will be walking through our new Essentials of Faith series. We hope you enjoy it, learn from it, and are reminded of what our walk with God is about.

Let’s get started!

John 3:16 is one of the most often quoted verses in the entirety of God’s word. And there is a good reason for this.

These words spoken by Jesus take us past all the dos and don’ts that people often get hung up on when they think of God.

He wanted us to know that God is a God of love, not just a God of laws and regulations, as was so often perceived by the Jews.

You see, the Jewish leaders so frequently expounded on the tenets of The Law, they completely tossed out the love of God. Sadly, this was done partially because it made keeping the Jews under their control much easier.

But Jesus came to swing the wrecking ball, so to speak, destroying the narrative of the Jewish leadership and showing who God really is.

He was, after all, Emmanuel, God in the flesh walking among us.

This should also serve as a reminder to each of us that God’s love is the source of our salvation, not our own righteousness.

Our own righteousness is worthless, as so accurately stated by the prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV) 6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

The NLT translation says it this way:

Isaiah 64:6 (NLT) 6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

It is only God’s love for us that can overcome our unrighteousness and make a way for us to be saved.

Thank you, Father, for loving us despite ourselves.

Please join us again tomorrow.

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 – 1-26-24

Luke 21:19 (NKJV) 19 By your patience possess your souls.

As Jesus spoke to His disciples, He began warning them of some things that were to come that would signify “the end of the age”.

His first warning was that no one fall victim to the deceptive tactics of the false messiahs who would come.

He went on to tell them of numerous signs and events that would take place that would be very difficult for those who had to endure them.

There will be great earthquakes, pestilences, fearful sights, and great signs from heaven.

He then expounded on the great persecution that His followers will be subjected to during that time.

Part of this persecution involves “them laying their hands on you” and “delivering you up to synagogues and prisons”.

And “they will put some of you to death” for your faith.

Why will this happen?

Because His followers will be hated for His name’s sake.

These are not easy things to talk about or to imagine having to endure.

But Jesus was speaking truth that we must all embrace the reality of.

None of us knows if we will face these things. But we must all understand that it is a real possibility, and that we must be prepared for it should it happen.

Jesus didn’t speak of this to scare His disciples. He spoke of it to prepare them!

But after all His warnings, He reassured them that “not a hair of your head shall be lost” if they stood firm, patiently enduring and persisting in their faith.

What would they gain by their patient endurance?

Here is what 4 different translations say:

NKJV – By your patience possess your souls.

NLT – By standing firm, you will win your souls.

AMP – By your [patient] endurance [empowered by the Holy Spirit] you will gain your souls.

NIV – Stand firm, and you will win life.

These 4 translations each state this truth a bit differently. But the meaning is the same. Stand firm and protect our eternal destiny.

Faith in Christ is not for the weak or the faint of heart.

It is not something we should approach flippantly or lightheartedly.

Let us all do whatever is necessary to make our calling and election sure.

2 Peter 1:10 (NKJV) 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

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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