Where are you as it relates to your spiritual walk today? Would you say you’re on fire for the Lord or if you’re honest, maybe a little lukewarm? Would you say that you've been drawing closer to God in this season or do you feel like you’re drifting a bit due to life’s circumstances, trials, lack, or busyness? Wherever you are today, I want to share with you a few spiritual growth ideas that may help strengthen you in either case.
Here goes…
- First, recognize where you are (as often as you need to)? After that, pray and ask the Lord to help you to either keep your fire burning for the desire to stay connected to Him and His Word and prayer or to help you return to your first love and passionate relationship with Him. Again, this happens through acknowledgment and prayer.
- Next, consider creating or signing up for a Bible reading plan either by doing a Google search, choosing a 4-5 Day Devotional Plan on your Bible App (YouVersion, etc.), or looking into your actual Bible (sometimes there is a reading plan in the back of your book).
- Now, if you are a Bible teacher, pastor’s wife, leader, or in today’s terminology, influencer, then you’ve got to make time to not only read the Word, but study it. So seek the Lord on what to study for your congregation, class, or audience. Sometimes you already know the topic to study, because you’ve been asked to speak or teach on it. However, you also have to take time to study for yourself so that you’re already getting fresh revelation before an opportunity arises for you to teach, preach, or speak. So grow, now.
- Next up, plan to pray, read, meditate on the Word of God, and study. Don’t just wing it! I would also encourage you to not be so rigid (if you find yourself being that way at times - I've been guilty of this before). Meaning, if your day kicks off and you didn’t get a chance to do your normal routine in the morning or afternoon, try again later on in the day. Or if you've missed a day due to life happening, just pick it back up the next day. It’s totally okay. Just jump back on the horse (figuratively speaking of course). God still loves you, sis! 😉
- And lastly, my favorite at the moment (something new for me) is to choose a systematic approach. Create one if you need to or feel led to do so. For instance, I am about to do a scripture reading daily and I've titled it, “The F-10 System.” Beginning this week, I will be researching 10 topics from the letter “F” to keep growing spiritually. It will start by typing up 10 Bible verses, printing them out, and then reciting them out loud, daily. By doing this, I will not only be hiding the Word of God in my heart, but I will also be gaining strength in these areas for life practice. These verses will rise up as reminders for me when I need them.
For example…
- Faith
- Fasting
- Family
- Fellowship
- Friendship
- Fear
- Fitness
- Finances
- Favor
- Focus
Now, let me ask you a couple of questions. If you did the same thing, what would be your letter or 5-10 topics for spiritual growth? Do you have a system in place already, and if so, what is it? Again, where are you spiritually, sis?
I think, more now than ever, it’s time to stay focused and grow spiritually so that we are not only ready to handle anything that comes our way, but so we're also ready to help others while standing strong in these evil days ourselves.
Before I close, I want to share with you a few spiritual growth encouragement scriptures as you journey on in your Christian walk…
Hebrews 10:32 & 34, “Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering…you knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.”
Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
2 Peter 1:5-8, “Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and more excellence with knowledge, and knowledge of self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
QUESTION: What helped you after reading this week’s post? I’d love to hear from you, sis.
If you need prayer, please leave your prayer request in the comment section or you can email me directly at insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com and I will pray for you. I'd love to hear from you.
Also, discover more resources from my ministry and find out more information about upcoming events and booking for your next conference or event by visiting www.courtnayerichard.com. Let's connect and let me know how this post ministered to you today! ~Courtnaye
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