Friday, December 2, 2011

Stepping Stones for Spiritual Growth

Our spiritual lives grow deeper when we our focused and taking steps to mature. If you are like me, it hard to be consistent in using the tools that equip us to battle sin, get along with others, and/or be faithful to the vows made to God. Most people do not wake up in the morning and say, “I wonder what sin I can do today.” When we were born again, we did not set out to live a mediocre spiritual life. But, in the busyness of our days, focus gets blurred and the steps to maturing gets steep and hard to climb.

There are four things that are key to spiritual growth that will enable each person to be a spiritual Christian each day.

Daily Worship – Worship is a 24/7 lifestyle: Revelation 4:8 "Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” When God becomes the center-piece of our lives and we see Him as the glorious and majestic God of heaven, it is then we worship with a heartfelt attitude toward Him. Worship is focusing on God: Psalm 95:6 "Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker." Being God focused means that we see clearly the richness of God, the power of God, and the gentleness of God. Our view of God will inspire us to worship Him with humility and reverence.

Daily Prayer – Prayer is an opportunity to Adore God: Psalm 8:1-2, "O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength,...." God has given us everything to sustain us in life. Prayer is an opportunity to Admit our sins: 1 John 1:9,"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." Prayer is an opportunity to Appeal to God: 1 Samuel 1 is a powerful prayer chapter of a woman who makes an appeal to God for a child. Hannah is a story that demonstrates persistence, faith, and integrity.

Daily Bible Study – God's Word is not just words, but food: Matthew 4:1-11, "...not live by bread alone, but on every Word...." Regular bible intake feeds us spiritually. God's Word helps us grow-up: 1 Peter 2:1-5, "...may grow up in your salvation...." God's Word will help us mature as Christians. God's Word equips us: 2 Timothy 3:10-17, "...be thoroughly equipped for every good work" The Scriptures teaches us how to live.

Be Spirit-Led – Galatians 5:16 says that if we live by the Spirit, we will not want to be involved in things that take us to places that isn’t God honoring. Spirit-led people keep right focus, right living, and right relationships.

When our days are filled with worship, prayer, God’s Word, and the Spirit leading the way, a change will come about in our lives that no power of evil can over come us. And, No amount of distraction can detour us from our purposed life.

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

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