Throughout the remainder of the winter and into the spring, our church will be processing through a church-wide study of the Spiritual Disciplines. If you don’t know what the Spiritual Disciplines are, I recommend you read Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster. This book is a modern day classic of the Christian faith.
Each week during our study, I plan to give some of the highlights of the last week, not only for the benefit of any New Hope members who might stop by, but also for those interested in seeing a glimpse of our journey through the disciplines.
The last two weeks (in fact, the last 6) have been introductory weeks leading up to the individual studies of the disciplines themselves. So, this first posting will be a little longer as it is a catch-all synopsis.
Many of us have had thoughts like this: “I want my life to be better.” “I just believe there’s got to be more to being a Christ-follower than what I’ve been experiencing.” These are the statements of a soul in need of the spiritual disciplines in their lives. To make the disciplines even remotely effective, we must realize a few things.
First, we must know that we actually have a relationship with Jesus. He must really be Savior and Lord of our lives. If you do not have this assurance, please contact me. I’d be happy to discuss how you can know Him personally.
Second, you must see your personal need to deepen your relationship with the Lord. You must desire to put yourself into position for real growth and development, and not just expect it to happen because you walked an aisle or said a prayer sometime in the past. Rather than just asking the Lord to bless your life, focus on doing those things we already know He is going to bless because He’s said so in His Word.
Third, you must realize one of the most basic of truths: “Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest.” Galatians 6:7 (The Message). This is a truth we easily disregard, but the Scripture even warns us about this. Don’t be fooled: whatever you sow, you will reap. It’s true for agriculture. It’s true economically. It’s true professionally. It’s true physically. It’s true spiritually.
This is a truth that God inevitably upholds (”no one makes a fool of God”). It is a universal truth, something that is true for all people, at all times, in all places, in all situation. It is a truth which is impartial . It is a truth which is unchanging.
Fourth, realizing we will reap what we sow, we must also realize there are only two places in which we can plant said seed: “The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.” Galatians 6:8 (The Message). We can either plant seeds of selfishness—doing those things we know are contrary to what the Lord would have for us—or we can plant in response to God. There is no in-between. There is no third option for planting your crop. You are either planting to self or to the Spirit.
Want more in your life? Do you believe there’s something better?
There is! You will harvest out of the place where you plant.
(For further study, read Philippians chapter 2. Paul teaches us we are to “work out our salvation.” What does that mean? It’s more planting your seed in the Spirit’s field.)
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