Following Christ begins with prayer, and the process of following Christ is bathed in prayer. During the past month, you have considered different habits that you can develop in order to grow closer to God. One of the common mistakes of spiritual disciplines is the tendency to turn the discipline into a routine that is accomplished, so that the habit no longer draws your attention to God.
As you practice spiritual disciplines, I encourage you to think of the habits as a means to help you grow in your prayer life.
I have known faithful Christians who have never fasted nor meditated. I have learned a great deal from Christians who have never kept a journal. However, I have never met a mature Christian who did not spend time in prayer.
Let your life be bathed in prayer as you strive to grow closer to God.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Discipline of Service
The Bible tells us that true religion is worked out in the way we live our lives. Offering our bodies in service may not seem very spiritual, but service can indeed be an act of worship. I think many people believe spirituality is some kind of mysterious, exotic experience that has little to do with “real life.”
I believe the opposite is true. True spirituality is evident in the way we handle the things that can often seem mundane. How do we treat our spouses when we are having a bad day? Do we do our jobs well, even when we are upset with our bosses? How do we act at the local sporting events and when we are on vacation? True spirituality that is focused on Christ is evident in the normal stuff of “real life.”
Christians are called to serve. Below, I could list numerous service possibilities, but instead, I am only going to list a few categories to get you thinking creatively about how you can serve God.
Ideas for Service:
1. Long-term commitment
Many people are willing to do a “one-time” favor. It is relatively easy to find someone to bake cookies, donate car-wash buckets, or serve one meal. It is much more difficult to find someone who is willing to make a commitment to serve for an extended period of time. Churches often struggle to find Sunday School teachers, elders, deacons, committee members. Consider making a commitment to serve for an extended period of time.
2. Using your gifts
It is easy to get overwhelmed by opportunities to serve. You may feel pressure to serve meals, fix bicycles, organize fundraisers, host the youth group, serve on the social action committee, save labels for the local school, be a mentor, correct Bible lessons, and deliver meals. These are all worthwhile service opportunities, but no person can participate in every worthwhile service opportunity. As you consider ways to serve God, ask God to reveal your gifts. When He prompts you to use a gift, do not feel guilty when you have to say “no” to other worthwhile service opportunities. God has given other people gifts for those areas of service.
3. Secret acts of kindness
It is a good idea to occasionally offer an act of kindness anonymously. When you offer a good deed in secret, you know it has truly been for God’s sake, rather than for the sake of being praised by others.
4. Encouragement
I think it is difficult to overstate the value of encouragement. Consider taking time to write thank-you notes or offering a word of praise when you notice someone striving to do their best. God often uses the words of people to steer people closer to Him. Use your ability to encourage others to glorify God.
I believe the opposite is true. True spirituality is evident in the way we handle the things that can often seem mundane. How do we treat our spouses when we are having a bad day? Do we do our jobs well, even when we are upset with our bosses? How do we act at the local sporting events and when we are on vacation? True spirituality that is focused on Christ is evident in the normal stuff of “real life.”
Christians are called to serve. Below, I could list numerous service possibilities, but instead, I am only going to list a few categories to get you thinking creatively about how you can serve God.
Ideas for Service:
1. Long-term commitment
Many people are willing to do a “one-time” favor. It is relatively easy to find someone to bake cookies, donate car-wash buckets, or serve one meal. It is much more difficult to find someone who is willing to make a commitment to serve for an extended period of time. Churches often struggle to find Sunday School teachers, elders, deacons, committee members. Consider making a commitment to serve for an extended period of time.
2. Using your gifts
It is easy to get overwhelmed by opportunities to serve. You may feel pressure to serve meals, fix bicycles, organize fundraisers, host the youth group, serve on the social action committee, save labels for the local school, be a mentor, correct Bible lessons, and deliver meals. These are all worthwhile service opportunities, but no person can participate in every worthwhile service opportunity. As you consider ways to serve God, ask God to reveal your gifts. When He prompts you to use a gift, do not feel guilty when you have to say “no” to other worthwhile service opportunities. God has given other people gifts for those areas of service.
3. Secret acts of kindness
It is a good idea to occasionally offer an act of kindness anonymously. When you offer a good deed in secret, you know it has truly been for God’s sake, rather than for the sake of being praised by others.
4. Encouragement
I think it is difficult to overstate the value of encouragement. Consider taking time to write thank-you notes or offering a word of praise when you notice someone striving to do their best. God often uses the words of people to steer people closer to Him. Use your ability to encourage others to glorify God.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The Discipline of Meditation
The word “meditate” carries a connotation of sitting in the woods with you legs folded and chanting some meaningless word over and over. Meditation merely means to think. When you practice meditating, you are setting aside time to think about God’s will for your life, and how you will live for Him.
Ideas for Meditating:
1. Bible Memorization
When I was a junior in college, I was challenged to read less scripture, and instead memorize some particular passages. I started with Isaiah 40:28-31, and then memorized Proverbs 3:5-6. After a few weeks of reciting these passages, I added Micah 6:6-8, and then Psalm 121. I was amazed at how these passages started to pop up in my thoughts as I faced decisions and spent time in prayer. The act of memorizing forces you to think about Bible passages.
2. Word of the Year
For the last two years, my wife and I have chosen a word that we would focus on throughout the year. In 2006, my word was “discernment,” and in 2007, my word is “contentment.” We have found that focusing on one word for the year has helped our individual prayer lives, and it has been good for discussions in our marriage. My word for the year has become a recurring prayer request, and I am discovering that God teaches me about the significance of that word as I focus on it. If you want to pick a word for the year, I suggest starting with one of the fruit of the Spirit that are mentioned in Galatians 5.
3. Pointed Questions
After spending some time in prayer, resolve to sit quietly for a few moment in order to think about some important matters in your life. In the silence, continue to pray and ask God some questions about your life. You may want to ask about your integrity, your faithfulness, your relationship with family members, your witness to family members or co-workers, your walk with God, or the calling God has for you (to name a few). After you ask these questions, take time to think about the answer to that question, and ask God to guide your thoughts. When I have practiced this as a spiritual discipline, I have had frequent times when I have sat silently without any earthshaking revelations. However, there have also been numerous times when I have gained previously undiscovered insights. I believe that many of those insights were God’s voice calling me to live for Him.
Ideas for Meditating:
1. Bible Memorization
When I was a junior in college, I was challenged to read less scripture, and instead memorize some particular passages. I started with Isaiah 40:28-31, and then memorized Proverbs 3:5-6. After a few weeks of reciting these passages, I added Micah 6:6-8, and then Psalm 121. I was amazed at how these passages started to pop up in my thoughts as I faced decisions and spent time in prayer. The act of memorizing forces you to think about Bible passages.
2. Word of the Year
For the last two years, my wife and I have chosen a word that we would focus on throughout the year. In 2006, my word was “discernment,” and in 2007, my word is “contentment.” We have found that focusing on one word for the year has helped our individual prayer lives, and it has been good for discussions in our marriage. My word for the year has become a recurring prayer request, and I am discovering that God teaches me about the significance of that word as I focus on it. If you want to pick a word for the year, I suggest starting with one of the fruit of the Spirit that are mentioned in Galatians 5.
3. Pointed Questions
After spending some time in prayer, resolve to sit quietly for a few moment in order to think about some important matters in your life. In the silence, continue to pray and ask God some questions about your life. You may want to ask about your integrity, your faithfulness, your relationship with family members, your witness to family members or co-workers, your walk with God, or the calling God has for you (to name a few). After you ask these questions, take time to think about the answer to that question, and ask God to guide your thoughts. When I have practiced this as a spiritual discipline, I have had frequent times when I have sat silently without any earthshaking revelations. However, there have also been numerous times when I have gained previously undiscovered insights. I believe that many of those insights were God’s voice calling me to live for Him.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Discipline of Fasting
Fasting is the practice of voluntarily giving up something in order to dedicate that time or resource to growing in your walk with God.
I must confess I have mixed emotions about my experiences with fasting. In college, I would occasionally join a group of students who would fast for 24 hours for the purpose of learning how to sympathize with those who are hungry in our world. I don’t think our experience was very helpful as a spiritual discipline, because we would always wait until 12:00 midnight and then order a pizza in order to celebrate the fact that we went an entire day without food. However, I have had other occasions when fasting has been helpful. I have intentionally decided to skip a meal or two in order to spend time in prayer. This has been particularly helpful when I have been facing a difficult decision, and wanted to spend time in prayer for wisdom.
If you practice fasting, make sure the focus of your fast is growing closer to God. There is nothing wrong with attempting to lose weight, save money, or developing a new hobby, but if this is the point of your fast, you should not consider it a spiritual discipline.
Ideas for Fasting:
1. Giving up food
This is the classic kind of fast. If you are going to fast from food, please make sure that you are in good health. Pregnant women and people who have struggles with blood sugar levels would want to talk to a doctor before fasting from food. I have heard of people fasting for periods of time that last over a week. Many will allow themselves fluids during their fast. If you want to fast from food, set a period of time that you want to fast. You might want to fast by skipping breakfast and lunch for a period of 1-3 days. Take your normal meal times for a devotional activity. Fasting can be especially helpful when you are seeking wisdom for a decision, or when you are praying for a specific circumstance.
2. Turn off the TV
In the United States, most homes have more than 1 television set, and many of those television sets are on for more than 8 hours a day. All of this noise can drown out our ability to focus on God. You can fast by turning off the TV. This can be anything from limiting your time watching television, to getting rid of the television in your home. If you are going to fast from television, I suggest starting with a period of time (at least one day) when you do not turn on the TV in your home. After that, make sure that you only sit down in front of the TV when there is a specific program that you want to watch, and turn the TV off when that show is over. You can also help yourself in this endeavor by putting the TV in a room that is not the center of the home, or putting your television set behind closed doors, so that you do not see it when it is turned off. By the way, this fast from media input can also be applied to the internet, magazines, radio, etc.
3. Financial Fast
Take a solid week when you do not spend any money. This will take planning, but you will be surprised by the results.
4. Sabbath Keeping
Make Sunday a day of rest, not only from your job, but also from normal weekly routines.
I must confess I have mixed emotions about my experiences with fasting. In college, I would occasionally join a group of students who would fast for 24 hours for the purpose of learning how to sympathize with those who are hungry in our world. I don’t think our experience was very helpful as a spiritual discipline, because we would always wait until 12:00 midnight and then order a pizza in order to celebrate the fact that we went an entire day without food. However, I have had other occasions when fasting has been helpful. I have intentionally decided to skip a meal or two in order to spend time in prayer. This has been particularly helpful when I have been facing a difficult decision, and wanted to spend time in prayer for wisdom.
If you practice fasting, make sure the focus of your fast is growing closer to God. There is nothing wrong with attempting to lose weight, save money, or developing a new hobby, but if this is the point of your fast, you should not consider it a spiritual discipline.
Ideas for Fasting:
1. Giving up food
This is the classic kind of fast. If you are going to fast from food, please make sure that you are in good health. Pregnant women and people who have struggles with blood sugar levels would want to talk to a doctor before fasting from food. I have heard of people fasting for periods of time that last over a week. Many will allow themselves fluids during their fast. If you want to fast from food, set a period of time that you want to fast. You might want to fast by skipping breakfast and lunch for a period of 1-3 days. Take your normal meal times for a devotional activity. Fasting can be especially helpful when you are seeking wisdom for a decision, or when you are praying for a specific circumstance.
2. Turn off the TV
In the United States, most homes have more than 1 television set, and many of those television sets are on for more than 8 hours a day. All of this noise can drown out our ability to focus on God. You can fast by turning off the TV. This can be anything from limiting your time watching television, to getting rid of the television in your home. If you are going to fast from television, I suggest starting with a period of time (at least one day) when you do not turn on the TV in your home. After that, make sure that you only sit down in front of the TV when there is a specific program that you want to watch, and turn the TV off when that show is over. You can also help yourself in this endeavor by putting the TV in a room that is not the center of the home, or putting your television set behind closed doors, so that you do not see it when it is turned off. By the way, this fast from media input can also be applied to the internet, magazines, radio, etc.
3. Financial Fast
Take a solid week when you do not spend any money. This will take planning, but you will be surprised by the results.
4. Sabbath Keeping
Make Sunday a day of rest, not only from your job, but also from normal weekly routines.
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Discipline of Study
It is hard to overstate the value of studying for Christians. The desire to know God more fully is the reason the printing press was invented. Schools were first developed to teach children to read so that they could read their Bible.
Studying does not have to be a monotonous exercise. There are many facets of the Christian faith that can be the subject of your study. This can be a discipline that promotes wonderful growth in your understanding of God.
Ideas for Studying:
1. Read a book
There are many good Christian books that are available today. Some of them are deeply theological and theoretical, and some are very practical. I would recommend going to your local Christian bookstore and browsing through the shelves to see what aspect of Christian Life interests you.
2. Read the Bible
Many Christians have read sections of the Bible, but have never read an entire book. I encourage you to take time to read the Bible and study the stories. Keep track of the characters that are mentioned as you read through an entire book. I recommend starting with a book of the Bible that is filled with stories, and then move to other types of Biblical material. If you are going to read large sections of the Bible for the first time, I recommend purchasing a readable translation or paraphrase. I really appreciate Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase called The Message.
3. Join a group study
Bible Study groups are woven into the fabric of Christian history. Churches offer many options for studying the Bible with others. There are para-church groups such as Bible Study Fellowship that offer helpful opportunities. When you study with others, not only do you learn more about God’s word, but you also develop very close friendships with others who will hold you accountable in the way you live for Christ.
Studying does not have to be a monotonous exercise. There are many facets of the Christian faith that can be the subject of your study. This can be a discipline that promotes wonderful growth in your understanding of God.
Ideas for Studying:
1. Read a book
There are many good Christian books that are available today. Some of them are deeply theological and theoretical, and some are very practical. I would recommend going to your local Christian bookstore and browsing through the shelves to see what aspect of Christian Life interests you.
2. Read the Bible
Many Christians have read sections of the Bible, but have never read an entire book. I encourage you to take time to read the Bible and study the stories. Keep track of the characters that are mentioned as you read through an entire book. I recommend starting with a book of the Bible that is filled with stories, and then move to other types of Biblical material. If you are going to read large sections of the Bible for the first time, I recommend purchasing a readable translation or paraphrase. I really appreciate Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase called The Message.
3. Join a group study
Bible Study groups are woven into the fabric of Christian history. Churches offer many options for studying the Bible with others. There are para-church groups such as Bible Study Fellowship that offer helpful opportunities. When you study with others, not only do you learn more about God’s word, but you also develop very close friendships with others who will hold you accountable in the way you live for Christ.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Discipline of Journaling
Many Christians have benefited from keeping a journal, or a diary. I have had a few times in my life when journaling has been very beneficial in my walk with God, and I have had other times when I tried desperately to keep a journal, but only found it more burdensome than helpful.
Journaling is accomplished by writing down your thoughts. If you are going to be serious about journaling, it helps to have a nice notebook or even a bound journal (they sell them at bookstores). Keep your journal in a place where you can have access to it during quiet times.
Journaling works best when you find regular times to write. It can be in the mornings or evenings, or even just on the weekends – whatever time regularly works for you.
Ideas for Journaling:
1. Write your prayer
Writing a prayer makes you focus on what you are saying to God. Furthermore, but writing down your prayers, you have a record to look back at and see how God answered them.
2. Write the answers to your prayers
After praying, spend some time writing down how you have seen God respond to your prayers.
3. How I have seen God at work
One journaling method is to write down each day the way that you have seen God’s hand at work in that day. This practice makes you aware that God is actually working, it helps you pay attention for His work, and it can produce contentment as you notice His handiwork
4. A Daily Record
Perhaps the most common type of journaling is merely keeping a record of things that have happened during the day or week, and reflections on those events. This can become a wonderful record if you save your journals. Furthermore, it can cause you to slow down to meditate about what is happening in your life.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Day 31: The Joy of Discipline
Week 5, Wednesday, February 3
Text: Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Thought for the day:
When God gave us the Ten Commandments, He included one that is difficult for us to understand in our world today. He told His people to take a day of rest, to set aside time for the purpose of worshipping Him. He wanted His people to acknowledge His presence by giving Him time and space, so that He could shape them according to His plans.
For the past month, you have been practicing spiritual disciplines by setting aside time at regular intervals to focus on God’s work in your life and in the world around you. Today, I want you to consider how you can continue developing these habits for the remainder of the year.
Journal/Exercise:
Look back in your journal to Day 3. On that day, you were challenged to pray about God’s Kingdom, and to write down some way you believed God wanted you to serve Him in His Kingdom. Do you still believe God wants you to serve Him in that way? God has searched you and knows you, better than you know yourself. Pray that He will lead you as you strive to follow Him. Pray that He will guide you in a life of developing habits to spend time in prayer with Him, and pray that He will teach you how to continue pursuing Him.
Over the next few days, I will post some ideas for practicing spiritual disciplines. Take a few moments in the next few days to decide which ideas you will want to put into practice. Please do not think that the list I post will be exhaustive. You know yourself better than I do, so be creative in thinking of ways you can develop habits to focus your attention on Christ’s work in your life. Write down in your journal some ways you will want to develop these habits.
Text: Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Thought for the day:
When God gave us the Ten Commandments, He included one that is difficult for us to understand in our world today. He told His people to take a day of rest, to set aside time for the purpose of worshipping Him. He wanted His people to acknowledge His presence by giving Him time and space, so that He could shape them according to His plans.
For the past month, you have been practicing spiritual disciplines by setting aside time at regular intervals to focus on God’s work in your life and in the world around you. Today, I want you to consider how you can continue developing these habits for the remainder of the year.
Journal/Exercise:
Look back in your journal to Day 3. On that day, you were challenged to pray about God’s Kingdom, and to write down some way you believed God wanted you to serve Him in His Kingdom. Do you still believe God wants you to serve Him in that way? God has searched you and knows you, better than you know yourself. Pray that He will lead you as you strive to follow Him. Pray that He will guide you in a life of developing habits to spend time in prayer with Him, and pray that He will teach you how to continue pursuing Him.
Over the next few days, I will post some ideas for practicing spiritual disciplines. Take a few moments in the next few days to decide which ideas you will want to put into practice. Please do not think that the list I post will be exhaustive. You know yourself better than I do, so be creative in thinking of ways you can develop habits to focus your attention on Christ’s work in your life. Write down in your journal some ways you will want to develop these habits.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Day 30: Holding Your Attention
Week 5, Tuesday, February 2
Text: Matthew 14:29-30
“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Thought for the day:
Did Peter do anything that bad? I think if I had been walking on water, and the wind started to blow, I would certainly be a little nervous. After Jesus saved Peter, he scolded Peter, asking why he doubted, and saying Peter had little faith.
I think Peter had a great deal of faith to merely step out of the boat. The other disciples didn’t even make a move to step out. However, Jesus was not scolding Peter for his faith to get out of the boat, He was scolding Peter for his short attention span.
A life of faith is more than merely having occasional moment of extreme trust. If we trust Jesus in a moment of crisis, and than forget about Him a few days later, we have demonstrated faith, but little faith. Faith matures as we intently focus our lives on Christ. Peter would have had a big faith, if he had been able to continue to trust that Christ would sustain Him even though the wind was blowing.
The practice of spiritual disciplines helps us develop a focus on Christ, so that our little faith can grow up.
Journal/Exercise:
Look back in your journal to Day 9. On that day you were asked to write down one prayer request that would be the focus of your prayers for your time of fasting. Have you been able to focus on that prayer request? How has God responded to that request in the last three weeks? Write down that prayer request again, and whether you have seen God working in response to that prayer.
Text: Matthew 14:29-30
“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Thought for the day:
Did Peter do anything that bad? I think if I had been walking on water, and the wind started to blow, I would certainly be a little nervous. After Jesus saved Peter, he scolded Peter, asking why he doubted, and saying Peter had little faith.
I think Peter had a great deal of faith to merely step out of the boat. The other disciples didn’t even make a move to step out. However, Jesus was not scolding Peter for his faith to get out of the boat, He was scolding Peter for his short attention span.
A life of faith is more than merely having occasional moment of extreme trust. If we trust Jesus in a moment of crisis, and than forget about Him a few days later, we have demonstrated faith, but little faith. Faith matures as we intently focus our lives on Christ. Peter would have had a big faith, if he had been able to continue to trust that Christ would sustain Him even though the wind was blowing.
The practice of spiritual disciplines helps us develop a focus on Christ, so that our little faith can grow up.
Journal/Exercise:
Look back in your journal to Day 9. On that day you were asked to write down one prayer request that would be the focus of your prayers for your time of fasting. Have you been able to focus on that prayer request? How has God responded to that request in the last three weeks? Write down that prayer request again, and whether you have seen God working in response to that prayer.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Day 29: Walking with God
Week 5, Monday, February 1
Text: Genesis 5:24
“Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.”
Thought for the day:
For the past month, you have been sampling spiritual disciplines in order to help you grow in your walk with God. Enoch is a character in the Bible, but we know very little about him. We are only told that he walked with God, and God took him away.
What would you want people to know about you, if your life were to end tomorrow? If you were taken away tomorrow, would you want to be remembered because of your financial savvy? Would you want people to speak of your wonderful leadership abilities? Perhaps you would want to be remembered for your personal integrity, or for the way you loved your family. Enoch is remembered because he walked with God, and in the final day, that is what matters most.
Journal/Exercise:
Write down one way that you want to grow in your walk with God. Do you want to be more loving, more devoted to prayer, or more willing to be still in God’s presence? Would you like to grow in your assurance of God’s faithfulness or in your level of contentment? After you write down one way that you would like to grow, spend some time in prayer, asking God to show you how to develop habits that will help you grow in that area.
Text: Genesis 5:24
“Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.”
Thought for the day:
For the past month, you have been sampling spiritual disciplines in order to help you grow in your walk with God. Enoch is a character in the Bible, but we know very little about him. We are only told that he walked with God, and God took him away.
What would you want people to know about you, if your life were to end tomorrow? If you were taken away tomorrow, would you want to be remembered because of your financial savvy? Would you want people to speak of your wonderful leadership abilities? Perhaps you would want to be remembered for your personal integrity, or for the way you loved your family. Enoch is remembered because he walked with God, and in the final day, that is what matters most.
Journal/Exercise:
Write down one way that you want to grow in your walk with God. Do you want to be more loving, more devoted to prayer, or more willing to be still in God’s presence? Would you like to grow in your assurance of God’s faithfulness or in your level of contentment? After you write down one way that you would like to grow, spend some time in prayer, asking God to show you how to develop habits that will help you grow in that area.
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