“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8
Earlier this week, I suggested that you turn off The View and it turns out, a few you watch it regularly and there was some push back. Anything that we watch, read or listen to from the entertainment industry in this fallen world may harm you. When it sucks you into believing its okay, once in a while, there should be an Emergency Alert banner scroll before your eyes. This week, you read the Great Commission and if you want God to use you the way He intended to use you, then you need to fortify your faith.
When you rise in the morning do you think to yourself, “I get to exercise today!” I don’t. My first thought when my feet touch the floor is ‘OUCH’! We all need both physical and spiritual exercise to be at your best. To get the most out of our spiritual exercise, I remember a Max Lucado study that listed the following four spiritual habits that will fortify your faith.
First, study the Bible. Did you start reading Romans? Your Bible study needs to be personal. You can’t depend on somebody else’s study of the Bible to fortify your faith. You have to do it yourself. God’s Word is the “Get Ready” manual for life. If you want to get ready to be used by God, you’ve got to study the Bible.
Next, read Christian books, devotionals or watch video driven Bible studies. You learn a lot more when you read books or watch resources that help you grow spiritually.
And then, write out your personal testimony. We are always to be ready to answer everyone who asks us to explain about the hope we have. Just like nobody else can study for you, nobody else can tell your story. We are a unique creature; a one-of-a-kind child of God. There are four parts to a testimony: what your life was like before you came to Christ, how you realized you needed Christ in your life, how you committed your life to Christ, and what your life is like now.
And lastly, join a small Bible study group at a home or at Church. When it comes to fortifying your faith, few things compare to regular contact with a small group. If you are not in a small group, find people you can share life experiences with and who will support you as you grow in faith. Thanks Max. These four habits will help you stay spiritually fit so that you’re ready for God to use you as you accomplish the work He prepared for you to do on this side of Paradise.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay