As we seek to be diligent to grow in the Lord, one means it can be through is attending conferences. This will be the 11th year of Fellowship Conference, in which we come together for fellowship, preaching, and singing that center on the glory of God. To view registration details go here, to view some photos from past conferences go here.
This 14th verse: “To make every effort…” To be diligent, he says. Be diligent. And in what direction? Well, you’ve got to seek food for your souls. You’ve got to get away to a conference, travel a long distance to be here. Drive 15 hours. Drive through the night. Drive just to be here. And search for things that can nourish you and build up your knowledge and your graciousness. You don’t want to be unfruitful and static, but there’s a dynamism and a maturing and a beauty and a fragrance and a loveliness about your life. You’re seeking for truths that will do that, that will produce love and joy and peace and long-suffering and gentleness and goodness and faithfulness and meekness and self-control. You’ve got to fall in love with the Bible. You’ve got to search it. You’ve got to ransack it. You’ve got to sit under the best ministry you can on a Sunday. You’ve got to read the best books. You’ve got to sit and listen to older Christians as they talk together and they reminisce about how God has dealt with them over the years, and learn from them the mysterious influence that one Christian can have over another – you see, good fellowship with other Christians. And you hunger after truth. You want the Word of God to come not in word only, but power and the Holy Spirit and much assurance, and fall in love, meditating upon Scripture, and praying Scripture, so that you read a verse like this: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior…” and you say, “Lord, me too. I want to grow.” I want to grow. This week, I’ve got a special time here, and special privileges. Help me to grow in the grace and knowledge of my Savior Jesus Christ. Because your souls won’t grow without food. There’s no food for the soul like the Word of God. There’s no place to be better than before the face of Jesus Christ.
