Spiritual Disicplines...

Following are some kickstarts to some of the Christian Spiritual disciplines with some beginning exercises for each discipline summarized from some entries in the NRV Spiritual Disciplines Bible:

Fasting

Hungering for God’s deliverance  2 Chronicles 20:3

Don’t wait for the Moabites to come marching in before practicing fasting.  Practicing fasting, dependence upon God, prior to emergencies leads to the natural practice of looking to God when emergencies do happen.  Start off practicing a short 24-hour fast, lunch to lunch.  Drink plenty of water, perhaps with a bit of lime or lemon.  Expect distractions and some discomfort--use distractions and discomfort to turn to God in thought and prayer.  Keep a journal/phone/pad handy to record insights throughout the day.

Service

Leading by serving  Mk 10:41-45

Though God is all powerful and worthy of all honor and glory, he became a suffering servant (Is 53.)  In the eyes of God, greatness is not measured by where we stand but by where we kneel.  Where are you most tempted to seek places of honor?  Church?  School?  Sports?  What one step can you take to free yourself from seeking your own interests and to begin focusing on serving others?  Write it down and let your friend know.

Repentance & confession

The 10 Commandments:  A gracious moral inventory  Ex 20:1-17

By God’s grace, a moral inventory of our past behavior compared to the 10 commandments is not a process of despair but rather restitution, reconciliation and renewal.  Examine your spiritual life by reflecting on each of the commandments.  How does each one apply to you--both in attitude and behavior.  What causes you the most concern?  What causes you the least?  How can you make the Ten commandments a regular part of your daily confession to God?

Stewardship

A way to remind yourself  Deut 8:17-18

Prosperity can lead to spiritual amnesia.  If we allow ourselves to be numb to God through comfort and prosperity (America is still the most prosperous world nation), we will pay the price.  Do you consider your money a reminder of God’s provision?  Can you remember living “manna” to mouth?  How did it affect your spiritual life living on more manna and less money?  Read Deut 8 noting the promises of God’s provision.  Record as many specific occasions as you can remember that God has provided for you.

Spiritual Friendship

But isn’t God enough?  Gen 2:18

Our spiritual journey is not a solo journey.  Spiritual friendships can heighten our awareness of God’s presence, provide accountability, and provide encouragement.  Who encourages your spiritual vitality?  Who is trustworthy?  Make a list of some people and spend time praying for God to lead you into a deeper “soul” friend relationship.  If you already have a close Christian relationship as such, pray for God to lead you in deepening that friendship.  Include who God has laid on your heart about your intention to deepen in fellowship.

Prayer

Exploring God’s Mercy, Learning God’s Heart  Gen 18:1-33

Prayer can be one of the most frustrating yet rewarding disciplines.  Prayer begins not with requests but with our relationship with God.  Reflect on your view of God.  How do you think God views you?  Is there someone you know in a bad situation, or is something overwhelming you with anxiety?  Talk with God about it as a conversation with a special friend that wants the best for you and for all.

Bible Study & Meditation

Handwriting on the heart  Deut 17:18

Israel’s king had to make his own personal copy of the law.  Obedience to God was essential to his effectiveness as a leader.  Spend a period of time copying Scripture by hand.  Choose one of the shorter epistles or several favorite chapters of the Bible.  what do you notice as you copy?  As you make your copy, be ready to note insights and ideas in your journal so you can give them thought later.

Worship

Take a Rest  Exodus 20:8-11

Few of the spiritual disciplines are clearly commanded in scripture, though some are.  Most are accepted because of example and the testimony of God’s people.  But observing the Sabbath, a day of rest, is a commandment, to serve as a worshipful reminder of the Lord’s covenant with us and as a means to our well-being.  Worship sets the pace for our lives.  When was the last time you scheduled a time of doing absolutely nothing?  Reflect on you weekly sabbath day.  Consider eliminating some activities and adding some restful things like taking a nap, sitting alone with some music, taking a leisurely walk...how do you rest?  The purpose is to rest and refresh your soul, not exercise the soul.  Remember God’s covenant with you and refresh your soul.

Who's Speaking?

I spent a recent morning in prayer alone with only God and nature on the back deck.  The birds chattered so much that any other sounds were muted in the process.  As I spent time in solitude, getting annoyed by the constant chirping and babbling of the birds,  Job's conclusive statements about God resounded in my head.

About God, he spoke:
You said, "Listen!  And I will speak!  I have some questions for you, and you must answer them!"  I had heard about you before but now I see you with my own eyes.  I take back everything I've said and now I sit in dust and ashes in repentance.

I'd read a different take on Job's conversation with his friends and with God earlier, one that is not important to review here, other than to say, this epiphany was much brighter.  God prepared my heart in  advance through a random presentation of His word.  Then through an exercise in solitude, God made clear to me the babbling bird I can be.

He loves the babble of the birds because He created their songs, but I get caught up in singing my song to other busy birds and forget to listen for the conductor, telling me when I'm a bit flat, or encouraging a good run of notes, or adjusting my tempo.

As I gave Him the issues on my heart, I left them on the table, stopped my chirping and listened for Him.  Scriptures zinged at me and through me as reminders that His voice is written down, and He's happy to remind us of what He's said regarding our struggles.   As I see the value of the rambling of this world compared to the clarity of Christ, I realize that I must listen.  God has some questions for me, and I must answer them.  Will my answer involve obedience always and repentance when necessary?  Truthfully, I'll probably still do my share of screeching in the trees, but I pray through regular solitude, I can become better at recognizing the Spirit's voice, listening for His lead and in obedience, keeping in step with His rhythm.