Growing in Spiritual Discipline
When we look at the context of this Scripture, the Apostle Matthew referenced basically all our earthly needs, what you wear, what you will eat, what you drink, all you need for your life on earth. But what does that have to do with Spiritual Discipline?
Maybe you are new to the faith, and you did not grow up in a family of believers. Or maybe you have not enjoyed clear direction for your spiritual journey. Or maybe you are seeking the Lord in a new season, and you long to hear from Him in a new way. And it is possible that you have been on your faith journey for a long time, leading others, and you hit a dry spell. That's ok! In fact, our Lord, Abba Father, reminds us that He has created a desire in our hearts to know Him and grow in the knowledge of Him, to feel His presence, and to hear His voice.
How does that work, and how do I find the Kingdom of God?
Friends, you should know that our Heavenly Father desires a deep, close personal relationship with you. You are His precious child. He created you, just the way you are, with a special yearning and desire in your heart to hear from Him. If you have not heard how much the Lord loves you, take a moment and read your Bible, find the book of John, and highlight this passage.
"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," (John 3:16, NKJV).
As the Scripture states, our Heavenly Father loves each one of us. He knew us before we were knit together in our mother's womb, (Psalm 139:14-16, NKJV). He wants us to know the love in His heart and to follow His will for our lives. To demonstrate His love for us, we are reminded that Jesus died a horrible death on the cross our sins. He rose from the grave and ascended to heaven that even though we are sinners, we might have a way to the righteous Father's heart to live with Him for eternity.
This concept does not always make sense. Some of us did not grow up with loving, kindhearted fathers in the home. Some fathers were absent, or abusive, or angry all the time. If that is the case in your family, Beloved, take heart. Abba Father hears your prayers and knows your heart. His loves all His children, and He truly wants a personal relationship with you. He is ever present in our midst, responding to those who seek Him. He cares for you, especially in times of trouble. In fact, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble", (Psalm 46:1, NKJV).
Growing in Spiritual Discipline looks different to each one of us, but there are some basic steps that point us in the right direction.
May I suggest the following steps to growth in Spiritual Discipline......
1. Find a local church and worship there regularly. Introduce yourself to the pastor or an elder. Get involved in a small way as a volunteer. Connect with two or three people at church and ask about their faith journey. Listen with intention.
2. Read the Word consistently every day. I find that mornings work best for me, but you may prefer afternoon or evenings. Get a Bible of your own with a version that speaks to you. There are many versions, and some of the most popular are ESV, NIV, NKJV, and AMP. Use an app, written text, audio, or journal style study Bibles. Start by writing down key Scriptures that the Lord highlights to you. Keep a personal journal with these Scriptures and record the date and time. You will enjoy looking back as you grow in Spiritual Discipline to see how the Lord has blessed your faithfulness.
3. Bring your friends or family members to church with you. After church, talk about the sermon and the Scripture during a meal or over coffee. Not everyone will hear the same message, and the dialogue will help you grow in your faith.
4. Pray regularly. Start when you first get up in the morning. Pray on the way to work or school. Pray during the day: take a 5-minute break and thank the Lord for His love, for your family, your job, your health or finances. Pray and give thanks before each meal. Pray while you exercise, take a walk, or listen to music. Pray at bedtime. If you do not know what to pray, start by giving honor and glory and praise to the Lord for His Majesty and for His love for you. Read a portion of your favorite Psalm aloud. Or start with a favorite verse and convert it to a personal prayer. Follow through with a different verse each day.
5. Expect to hear from the Lord. As you grow and mature in Spiritual Discipline, you will learn to recognize and experience impressions, dreams, visions, and a soft voice, the voice of Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit may prompt you to act a certain way or to do certain things. Jesus told us when He ascended to heaven, that He would send us a Helper to guide us in our earthly life. "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning", (John 15:26-27, NKJV). Holy Spirit may direct you to travel a certain road, to call a friend, to send a note of encouragement to someone, or to visit a shut-in. The Holy Spirit may speak to you through the beauty of nature, through specific words from other people, through Scripture that jumps off the page while you are reading, through a worship song, or through an event that resonates with your heart.
6. Guard your tongue! See Psalm 34:13 - Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies, (NIV). Also, see Mark 11:23 - "For assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Remember that you will have what you say - positive or negative. Train yourself both to think and to speak positive peaceful language to yourself and to other people. Resist the urge to complain or gossip about people or to condemn others.
7. Attend Bible studies taught by faith-filled spiritual leaders. Learn from the Word and also from their godly lifestyle examples. Read and prepare for the study before each session and contribute ideas that the Lord highlights to you. Actively engaging in the Bible study transforms your mind and renews your spirit. As Paul said, "For this reason, I remind you to stir up the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind", (2 Timothy 1:6-7, NKJV).
8. Seek a spirit-filled mentor to guide your new faith journey. Ask that person to hold you accountable for new goals and for letting go of beliefs or activities that may cause you to stumble. See 1 Corinthians 4:14-16 where Paul encourages believers to imitate him as a spiritual father, regardless of how many thousands of other teachers they may have.
