Eighteen Aspects of Holy Dissatisfaction

A New Year’s Agenda for Growth

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Founder & Teacher, desiringGod.org

“Grow in grace.” “But he gives more grace.” (2 Peter 3:18; James 4:6)

“We pray for you that you…increase in the knowledge of God.” “Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Colossians 1:10; 2 Peter 3:18)

“Increase our faith!” “We give thanks because your faith is growing abundantly.” (Luke 17:5; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 10:15)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13)

“May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love to one another and to all men.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Philippians 1:9)

“As you learned from us how you ought to…please God…do so more and more.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1)

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

“Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

“[God] will cause the fruits of your righteousness to grow.” “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (2 Corinthians 9:10; Matthew 5:20)

“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:18; 2 Corinthians 9:8)

“Be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)

“I [pray] that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19)

“The word of God grew and multiplied.” (Acts 12:24; 6:7)

“The number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem.” “I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more people.” (Acts 6:7; 16:5)

“Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.” (1 Corinthians 4:12)

“As you received Christ Jesus the Lord so live in him…abounding in thanksgiving.” “Always and for everything give thanks.” (Colossians 2:7; Ephesians 5:20; 2 Corinthians 4:15)

Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way unto him who is the head.” (Ephesians 4:15)

“You shall be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48; Philippians 3:12)

Your partner in the pursuit of all the fullness of God,

Pastor John