Spiritual growth isn’t a one-time event—it’s a daily process of surrender, humility, and learning to reflect Christ’s heart. In our daily prayer and devotional, Vivian Bricker shares how her early enthusiasm for sharing Jesus was marked by zeal, but not always by gentleness or grace. Over time, through both failure and faith, she learned that true growth comes by walking with Christ day by day.

Just as the Apostle Paul declared that “to live is Christ and to die is gain,” our lives find meaning only when centered on Him. To live is Christ means surrendering our will, allowing Him to shape our attitudes, actions, and relationships. And while the process of growth can be painful—marked by pruning, trials, and refining—it also deepens our roots in faith and equips us to help others.

God uses every circumstance—our mistakes, disappointments, and struggles—to grow us into the likeness of His Son. Even when we can’t see the progress, He’s working beneath the surface, producing maturity and steadfastness.

Spiritual growth doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t come through striving. It comes through abiding—listening, learning, and depending on Christ moment by moment. As we do, we echo Paul’s words and find joy in knowing that our lives belong fully to Jesus.

Today's Bible Reading: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." – Philippians 1:21

Key Takeaways


Spiritual growth takes time, humility, and daily dependence on Christ.


Struggles and failures are opportunities for God to refine and strengthen us.


“To live is Christ” means making Jesus the center and purpose of every day.


True growth leads to deeper compassion and a greater heart for others.

Let’s Pray Together

Dear Jesus, I want to grow in You, even when growth feels slow or painful. Help me to be patient and faithful, learning to walk with You one day at a time. Teach me to echo Paul’s words—to live for You and bring glory to Your name. Strengthen my heart, renew my mind, and help me see every moment as a chance to grow closer to You. In Your name I pray, amen.

Related Resources


What Does It Mean to “Live is Christ, to Die is Gain”? – Crosswalk.com


How God Uses Trials to Grow Our Faith – BibleStudyTools.com

Spiritual growth isn&rsquo;t a one-time event&mdash;it&rsquo;s a daily process of surrender, humility, and learning to reflect Christ&rsquo;s heart. In our daily prayer and devotional, Vivian Bricker shares how her early enthusiasm for sharing Jesus was marked by zeal, but not always by gentleness or grace. Over time, through both failure and faith, she learned that true growth comes by walking with Christ day by day.
Just as the Apostle Paul declared that &ldquo;to live is Christ and to die is gain,&rdquo; our lives find meaning only when centered on Him. To live is Christ means surrendering our will, allowing Him to shape our attitudes, actions, and relationships. And while the process of growth can be painful&mdash;marked by pruning, trials, and refining&mdash;it also deepens our roots in faith and equips us to help others.
God uses every circumstance&mdash;our mistakes, disappointments, and struggles&mdash;to grow us into the likeness of His Son. Even when we can&rsquo;t see the progress, He&rsquo;s working beneath the surface, producing maturity and steadfastness.
Spiritual growth doesn&rsquo;t happen overnight, and it doesn&rsquo;t come through striving. It comes through abiding&mdash;listening, learning, and depending on Christ moment by moment. As we do, we echo Paul&rsquo;s words and find joy in knowing that our lives belong fully to Jesus.
Today's Bible Reading: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." &ndash; <a data-start="286" data-end="359">Philippians 1:21</a>
<hr data-start="1646" data-end="1649">
Key Takeaways
<ul data-start="1674" data-end="1985">
<li data-start="1674" data-end="1748">
Spiritual growth takes time, humility, and daily dependence on Christ.
</li>
<li data-start="1749" data-end="1830">
Struggles and failures are opportunities for God to refine and strengthen us.
</li>
<li data-start="1831" data-end="1910">
&ldquo;To live is Christ&rdquo; means making Jesus the center and purpose of every day.
</li>
<li data-start="1911" data-end="1985">
True growth leads to deeper compassion and a greater heart for others.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="1987" data-end="1990">
Let&rsquo;s Pray Together
Dear Jesus, I want to grow in You, even when growth feels slow or painful. Help me to be patient and faithful, learning to walk with You one day at a time. Teach me to echo Paul&rsquo;s words&mdash;to live for You and bring glory to Your name. Strengthen my heart, renew my mind, and help me see every moment as a chance to grow closer to You. In Your name I pray, amen.
<hr data-start="2385" data-end="2388">
Related Resources
<ul data-start="2417" data-end="2771">
<li data-start="2417" data-end="2521">
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/https://www.crosswalk.com/video/to-live-is-christ-matt-chandler.html">What Does It Mean to &ldquo;Live is Christ, to Die is Gain&rdquo;? &ndash; Crosswalk.com</a>
</li>
<li data-start="2522" data-end="2621">
<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/how-do-trials-achieve-for-us-an-eternal-glory.html">How God Uses Trials to Grow Our Faith &ndash; BibleStudyTools.com</a>
</li>
</ul>

Every morning, the team of women behind iBelieve.com bring you a devotional and prayer to help you start your day in conversation with God. The Bible tells us to bring our prayers and petitions before God and He WILL give us peace! May these daily prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God today.

Every morning, the team of women behind iBelieve.com bring you a devotional and prayer to help you start your day in conversation with God. The Bible tells us to bring our prayers and petitions before God and He WILL give us peace! May these daily...

Your Daily Prayer

Every morning, the team of women behind iBelieve.com bring you a devotional and prayer to help you start your day in conversation with God. The Bible tells us to bring our prayers and petitions before God and He WILL give us peace! May these daily prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God today.

Advertisement