To grow spiritually strong
John 15:4 Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine, no more can you, except you abide in me.
Every soldier in the army has to maintain a fitness schedule so that he is prepared at any time to fight a battle. As we are the soldiers in the army of Jesus we also have to grow spiritually strong and continue to train ourselves to maintain a spiritual life So we will be able to destroy the evil desires of the flesh . We have to cloth ourselves with the armour of God so that we will be able to shatter the plans of satan.
The first step on any journey is the commitment to living a life that is pleasing to our Lord Jesus Christ. We have to be disciplined in our daily activities so that we will be able to grow spiritually strong everyday. We have to have a daily routine with a time for prayer, worship and the Word of God.
7 things to make you Spiritually Strong
1. Everyday spend time God in the morning
Psalms 5: 3 My voice shalt thou in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee,and will look up.
Mark 1: 35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out and departed into a solitary place and there prayed.
Jesus has set an excellent example in the above course which tells us that he used to have his first conversation with His Father. In the same way we also should give our first time in the morning to communicate with Him. We should commit our day into His hands so that we will be able to carry His presence with us throughout the day.
We have to make a rule for ourselves that if we do not read the Bible then we should not eat, this will enable us to read and meditate on the word of God first thing in the morning.
We have to spend time in worshipping the Lord in spirit and truth
2. Everyday spend time feeding your spirit on others sources like books, audio or videos
2 Timothy 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books and the parchments
Here Paul tells us the importance of books and the parchments. He loved reading and worshipping. He has also written letters and teachings which are very encouraging for us.. We have to make time to keep reading spiritual books and also to listen to the Word of God and also the Praise and worship songs.
3. Everyday spend some amount of time insilence ( Quiet time)
When the water is still you can see your face so when you are silent you will see yourself clearly. This is the time when you will be able to listen to God’s word
Proverbs 27:19 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
Testimony
When I was troubled due to my eldest son’s behaviour I was not able to pray, worship not sleep for 3days. On the fourth night I got up at 2:40 AM and came out of our room and sat in the hall. I just sat quietly with a very heavy heart then I heard a distinct voice saying “Be still and know that I am your God.” This voice gave me so much peace that immediately I want to sleep and the next day onwards I was totally free and surrendered my son to the Lord
4. Spend some time with a man of God who will strengthen your soul.
1Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift Even so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God
Jesus set an example of how we used to go out everyday touching people’s lives hence we also should edify eachother , if not by meeting with each other atleast by speaking and encouraging each other to grow more spiritually
5 . Everyday take time for random pauses to acknowledge God throughout the day.
Psalms 119:164,165. Seven times a day do I praise because of thy righteous judgements. Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them
Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto thy Lord and thy thoughts shall be established.
Take a pause just to thank the Lord for all the blessings in your life we can be thankful for the breath, food water, our families, friends and the innumerable things that God has blessed us with..
Everytime I keep thanking God for my life my job,my ability do the house chores, my ability to drive , for a supportive life partner, for all the trials that I went through, and am still going through which helps me to grow more spiritually stronger .
6. Everyday say no to the things which you are not supposed to do.
There are 6 things the Lord hates 7 that are detestable to him; haughty eyes a lying tongue hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devices wicked schemes feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and the person who stirsup conflict in the community
We have to train ourselves to keep ourselves from all activities and actions which will hamper our spiritual growth , and we have to learn to see Yes to the things that we have to do
Proverbs 3: 5,6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding, In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.
We have to humble ourselves, love unconditionally and be kind to everyone
7 . Ever pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 5:17,18 Wherefore be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
As we spend time with the Lord worshipping him inspirit and truth we will be able to discern what is the right and what is wrong. As we try to follow these steps we will be able to grow more spiritually strong
Prayer:-
Lord Jesus we come before your awesome presence with a humble heart. Help us to have a personal relationship with You. Give us the strength to overcome the perils of this world and seek your face. Give us the grace to be equipped with the fruits of the Holy Spirit and also the gifts of the Holy Spirit. . Lead and guide our life at all times. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Sol.Pasty Joseph