Spiritual Disciplines 

Foundations of Faith – Spiritual Disciplines

When a person truly comes into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, a common question is, “What next?”. They have this overflowing gratitude for the One who gave His life for them. They become zealous to know what Jesus desires their lives to be. They have a new found passion to discover how they can grow closer to Jesus and please Him.

This journey will take them into a wonderful discovery of spiritual disciplines. These will bring them into a heavenly “oneness” with their “First Love”! These disciplines include prayer, Bible reading, daily devotions, serving, joyful obedience and being a witness for His gospel.  

So, let’s begin the journey!

Why Should I Develop Spiritual Disciplines?

Here are some of the reasons why we want to develop spiritual disciplines in our lives;

• Honors God

• God rewards those who do

• Causes us to fall more in love with Jesus 

• It reminds us how we greatly need Him daily

• It keeps us from “burning out”

• It keeps our daily walk with Him REAL

It’s important for us to understand that spiritual disciplines are not an end in themselves, but rather, a means to an end. The end is a “healthy” unbreakable relationship with Christ. For example; if we desire to read the Bible from Genesis through Revelation, and at the end, if all we truly accomplished was reading the entire Bible, we fell short of what spiritual disciplines are actually all about. If we read the entire Bible and at the end we have developed a more rich and unshakable relationship with Christ, that spiritual discipline that we have engaged in has successfully accomplished its purpose. 

We must remember, first and foremost, that it should always be a love for Jesus Christ and an overwhelming heart of thankfulness for all He has done and is doing, that should be drawing us to engage in any of these spiritual disciplines. We can get so busy “doing things for God” but miss what the foundation of our efforts should really be all about.  

(Revelation 2:1-4), “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” 

Spiritual Disciplines

• Spend QUALITY Time Alone with the Lord

We cannot over stress how important this is. This requires slowing down your pace of life. For many who have been caught up running like crazy from morning to night, they might think this is impossible. But you must make this a top priority and you will be thankful of the wonderful results. Here are some ways you can try:

• Go to bed an hour early to get up an hour early to spend the “firstfruits” of the day with Him

• When things quiet down in the evening, seize that moment and give it to the Lord

• Allow quality time to include prayer, Scripture reading, devotionals, worshipful music, meditating on the attributes of God

• Enjoy your “sabbath day” of rest with Him

It is God’s desire for us to find rest from our physical and mental labor, and from the business of life. In those moments of rest, He wants us to deeply consider the reality of Him and His love in every aspect of our lives. Our craving to spend time with Him alone each day should be as intense as described as David describes it;  

(Psalm 42:1-2), “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”

Your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and your love for Him will never grow unless you spend quality time with Him. Whether it be the “firstfruits” of the day, or that quiet evening alone with Him, go, go and spend some time with Him. Find ways to make these moments inspirational. You are spending uninterrupted time with your best friend and “First Love” (Revelation 2:1-4). As we continue in this study, we will show you how to keep these moments exciting, meaningful and sincere.

Jesus Himself expressed this discipline in His own life. Always strive to be more like Christ.

(Mark 1:35), “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

• Prayer

A strong and successful relationship depends on proper and consistent communication. One way the Lord communicates to us is through His Word. Prayer is a key way we communicate back.

• How Do I Pray?

a) Develop a lifestyle of prayer.

(Luke 18:1), “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,”

(Psalm 55:17), “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.”

b) Be sincere, and do not simply repeat the same words over and over.

(Matthew 6:5-7), “…And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”

c) Talk to the Lord and keep in mind that He is your heavenly Father and friend!

(Romans 8:15), “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

– Great examples are found in the Book of Psalms which are prayers put to music.

d) Realize that you have DIRECT access to God personally. You do not need to go through any man, angel or any other person to talk to God.

(1Timothy 2:5), “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,”

(Ephesians 2:18), “For through Him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”

• Some Ways to Make Your Prayer Time Meaningful

a) “ACTS” = Adoration – Confession – Thanksgiving – Supplications (requests)

b) “Thankful Thursday” – Just spend time thanking God for all the good He is to you

c) “The Lord’s Prayer Model” – Pray this structure in your own words from your heart

d) “The Tabernacle Prayer” – The Brazen Altar (sacrifice), Laver (Cleansing), Table of Showbread (Jesus supplies all your needs), Lampstand (no longer in darkness, but in His light), Altar of Incense (Our prayers are important and Jesus is our Mediator), Ark of the Covenant (God is holy [10 Commandments] + He sustains [jar of manna] + He is all powerful [Aarons budded rod]), Mercy Seat (God’s mercy is forever)

e) “Connection Card Prayer sheet” – Pray for your church family

• Bible Reading and Study

• Why is reading my Bible important to me?

a) It Strengthens and nourishes your faith

(Matthew 4:4), “…It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

(Romans 10:17), “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

b) It protects you

(Ephesians 6:13-17), “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;”

c) It guides you

(Psalm 119:105), “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

d) It rewards you

(Joshua 1:8), “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

• Where do I begin to study the Bible?

The best way to learn God’s Word is to study topics you are interested in and are relevant for you at this point in your life. God’s Word becomes more meaningful because it is ministering to your immediate needs.

Read portions that will help you draw more deeply into your relationship with Jesus.

Read portions that will teach you how to live a life that will please God.  

Before taking on the task of reading from Mathew to Revelation (let alone Genesis to Revelation), it would help you greatly to do a lesson on both Old and New Testament Survey. This will greatly benefit you in understanding the importance of each Book and help you discover the wonderful “treasures” in their pages. 

• Devotions

This spiritual discipline goes hand-in-hand with Spending QUALITY Time Alone with the Lord. Here are some approaches that many people find spiritually uplifting.

• Read a chapter or two per day from the Book of Psalms, for inspiration

• Read the Proverbs chapter matching the day of the month, for wisdom

• Keep a list of God’s attributes and choose two or three each day to meditate on 

• Keep a list of the names and titles of who Jesus is to you and for you

• Purchase a good daily devotional book or visit a devotional website or use an app

• Serving

Just as Christ came to serve, we are called to serve. One of life’s greatest privileges is to serve alongside our Lord Jesus Christ.  Here are some examples.

• Helping the poor, widow and fatherless (James 1:27) (Acts 2:44-45)

• Reaching out to a lost and dying world with His gospel of good news (Matthew 9:36-38)

• Edifying His bride, the church (Hebrews 10:24-25)

• Engaging in spiritual warfare to rescue and protect others (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Whatever abilities God has given you, use them to serve Him. No matter how insignificant you might think those abilities are, you will always find a place where you are needed.  

(Matthew 6:19-21), “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

(2 Corinthians 5:10), “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

(1 Corinthians 3:11-15), “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

• Obeying

Another spiritual discipline we desire to be engaged in as followers of Jesus, is discovering what His desires are for us especially in the following two areas; 

• We want to learn what His commandments are for us to obey that we may strive to be holy as He is holy. We do not look at His commandments as a “burden” that is heavy on our shoulders. Rather, we see His commandments as a joy and rewarder for those who obey.

(Psalm 19:7-11), “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.”

• We want to seek His will for us where He desires us to be an active part in His Church and for the increase of His Kingdom. As we talked about this in our previous point, our heart’s desire is not only to discover, but obey and remain faithful till the end what He has called us to do.

(2 Timothy 4:7-8), “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

• Witnessing

Proclaiming the good news of the gospel is a privilege that God has called every believer to do.  

(Acts 1:8), “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

(Matthew 5:14-16), “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Wherever we go, we should always be sensitive and willing to tell others about the amazing salvation Jesus is offering to everyone as expressed in the Book of Ephesians.

(Ephesians 6:13-18), “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace…”

Never be ashamed to tell others about Jesus. His gospel is truth and the power of eternal life!

(Luke 9:26), “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.”

(Romans 1:16), “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

(Matthew 10:27), “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.”

Develop your witness to be a natural out-pouring of your thankfulness and love for Jesus and a genuine care for a lost soul. A good way to tell others is ask them if you can share your own personal testimony of how you came to trust the Bible and Jesus. Pray for the Lord to give you an “opening” to tell your coworkers, family and friends.  

Keep church invitations and gospel tracts with you that you might be able to hand out in a moment’s notice to those willing to receive one. Invite them to a Bible study. Be a consistent testimony that they may see what it truly means to be a Christian. Always remember, at the end of life without Jesus, they have no answers to their important questions, and no hope for all eternity. What could be too great a cost, for caring for one whose life is lost?

Promoting spiritual disciplines in your life takes sincere effort and sacrifice on your part. The more you find reasons why you love and trust Jesus and His Word, the easier and more natural these disciplines become as we include them in our daily lives. Sincerely exercising these disciplines will cause you to rise to a spiritual level that will promote trust in the heart of others concerning you. A trust that will encourage them to come to you when they need that one special person who is genuinely real in their relationship with the Creator.  

They will come to you having the confidence that what you will tell them is truth and life. We cannot imagine the joy you will experience up in heaven when they will come to you with their utmost thanks for allowing God to work through you for them. Keep reminding yourself that all the things this world offers that distract you from these spiritual disciplines will burn up one day. What you accomplish here on earth for Jesus, because you took the time to sincerely engage in these spiritual disciplines, is eternal. Developing spiritual disciplines will significantly factor into how successful you will truly be with God. 

(Matthew 6:19-21), “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Spiritual Disciplines!

BUILDING A FOUNDATION THAT WILL NEVER CRACK!