Consider…
The disciplines described in the last series of posts are examples of how to take refuge. He is the rock! Abide in Him!
Filed under seeking understanding
Spiritual Disciplines
Over the last two weeks, you may read descriptions of the spiritual disciplines. They and the following are excerpted from CEO’s latest ministry resource: A Fresh Start Toward Renewal.
This is a revision and expansion of A Fresh Start (from last year). It is available on Amazon – click here.
The disciplines are an active means to abide in Christ. Through this abiding, He may use them to enliven and change our hearts and minds to be more like Him. The purpose of the disciplines is to grow in our knowledge and understanding of God and thus to be more faithful and fruitful followers of Jesus.
But the disciplines are not an end unto themselves. Their practice does not improve our standing with God, only the work of Jesus can do that.
Each of us is different, and in that uniqueness, some disciplines are going to help you more than they might help me. But just because a discipline is not immediately profitable for you doesn’t mean you should give up. Perhaps you will profit from it later, so don’t give up. Remember, the disciplines are not the way to get on God’s ‘good side,’ so forget that. We use the disciplines to know Him better and through them, He may change us.
This following list of disciplines is in alphabetical order so that one does not appear more important than another. There are disciplines that may have been left out. If you’d like to suggest an addition for a future revision of A Fresh Start, let us know. They are written in a personal style as I share my own experience with them.
Finally, theses are not laws or rules, there is no minimum daily requirement, but try some of them. As you’re reading, use you pen to make some marks about the ones that resonate with you then practice a couple of them for a couple of weeks. Continue with the ones that nourish you and leave the others to other people. Each one is linked to a brief explanation of the discipline as I have experienced using it.
Filed under seeking understanding
Writing
When we use pen on paper to write, something happens in our brain to awaken it (apparently typing or reading don’t have the same effect). When we intentionally write down Scripture, prayers and responses, we have slowed down the process and are paying more attention to those prayers and Scriptures. Therefore, copying Bible passages can make our prayer time more meaningful. When I began to practice this discipline almost twenty years ago, it was significant to my own personal renewal and ongoing spiritual development since.
Filed under A Fresh Start, seeking understanding
Thanksgiving
There is no longer any question about the value of thanksgiving. This is true for the person expressing gratitude and the one receiving the thanks. Lots of studies show the importance to our own well-being of be thankful. I have even found that it is helpful when I am struggling in a relationship with someone to practice thanking God for them as I pray for them. God uses that prayer to change my own heart toward them. But thanksgiving must also be directed toward God. If, sometimes, you’re not sure that you have something to be thankful for, just thank God for your last heartbeat and breath. To regularly practice the discipline of thanksgiving is as sure a path to change as one may take.
Filed under A Fresh Start, seeking understanding
kingdom travelin' 