Get Stronger: Here are some exercises
We are one-third of the way through 2016. Since January we have been focusing on being stronger spiritually as individuals and as a church family. I pray that you have been seeing some growth. Over these four months we have been seeking to be stronger in prayer, stronger in discipleship, and stronger in faith. These journeys of growth are ongoing. In this life we are never finished growing. So let’s do some exercises. Spend time today praying. Use Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 6 and Luke 11 as your guide to pray about the things of God first, then for what you and others need after that. Make a decision to be a Jesus follower. Let’s make our decision to follow Jesus more than just lip service. Let’s show that we are Jesus followers with our hands and feet, with our words and our attitudes. We live in a world that desperately needs to see and know genuine Jesus followers – not just “church-goers,” not just a demographic called “evangelicals,” but genuine Jesus followers whose actions and attitudes are in line with the Scriptures. If we will follow, Jesus has promised that He will help us (Matthew 4:19). Trust Him.
To grow stronger requires discipline and commitment. It’s not easy, but it is simple. (I think we have often made things too complicated in church.) We encourage three simple things that will help you grow stronger as a Jesus follower:
- Large group/small group – make a commitment to be in worship and Bible study each week.
- Worship and Scripture are at the heart of all we do as children of God. Without worship and Bible study we will never grow stronger spiritually.
- Mentoring – Seek someone to help you grow spiritually and help someone to grow spiritually.
- We are not made to go on this journey alone. We need each other.
- Talk about it – Have a meaningful spiritual conversation with an unbeliever each week.
- Develop the “habit” of including your faith in everyday conversations. Let’s learn to include Jesus in everyday conversations. Conversations, not just declarations. Engage people in conversation. Ask them what they think. Don’t just unload what you think.
These are not easy things to do, but they are worth the discipline and effort to be on a path to growth and spiritual strength. As the year progresses, I look forward to hearing back from you about how you are growing.
Pastor Durwin