The New Year is coming. Lots of things will be changing once again and I am convinced that we must be ready as Christ followers for everything that comes our way. In the past two years we have dealt with covid, wars, elections, a struggling econony and hurricanes. Conflict in our government. World disasters and now already at the end of the year we have faced the snow blizzard of the century where the last count I saw indicated 34 people have lost their life and more snow is on the way.
The Kingston Trio in 1959 did a song called the Merry Minuet that ends with the line, "what nature doesn't do to us, will be done by our fellow man." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUfUAnqRJTQ While the song is somewhat sobering in it's message, we see that the world just remains the world. As believers in Christ, we know that there will be lots of things that we will wonder about and while some will blame God, more than likely it is us who will impact the world. When we drive, is there a sensitivity to others or that attitude that I want to be first. Do we see the homeless as in need or as an annoyance. Do we struggle to accept that many parents and families are struggling not because of anything they did, but because they can't keep up with the demands of work, bills and expectations. Churches we owe this world more than what we have been doing. In the next several months we will be focusing on some very specific things that we as believers can do to impact our own faith and the lives of others. Just like Steven Covey had his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, we can establish some growth steps to improve ourselves spiritually.
Spiritual discipleship begins with spiritual discipline and over the next several weeks,in church, we will look at 8 disciplines we can master to enhance our relationship with Christ.
1. Pray. This is how we talk and share with God. ...
2. Read the Bible. ... that is how we learn about God
3. Give thanks. ... that is how we worship God
4. Practice humility. ... that is how we honor God
5. Memorize scripture. ... that is how we remember God
6. Honor God with your body. ... that is how we prepare to handle this world
7. Start and End your day with God. ... that is how we bring joy to our and others lives
8. Take your thoughts captive and ruminate on what is right.... that is how we become assured of God's plan.
Join us in this "work out" spiritually as we set some goals spiritually. If you want to set some goals for yourself; share those goals with someone who can hold you accountable to what you set out to do. When people are dedicated to working out there is concept called Recovery Days. Muscles recover, adapt and become stronger during your rest, not your workout time, and your nervous system has a chance to recover too. Including appropriate rest in your training program can also help prevent a workout plateau or the fatigue that comes from overtraining. A rest day will give your body and mind the time it needs to consolidate the hard work you’ve been doing. Muscles recover, adapt and become stronger during your rest, not your workout time, and your nervous system has a chance to recover too.
Use your Sundays as your rest days to grow and recover from the work out you get in this life. Join us or any good bible believing, spirit led church regularly and with a zeal to learn. Use the day of rest to truly rest and recover. Have a great and blessed New Year.
Much love,
Preach