RENEWING YOUR

SPIRITUAL PASSION

Getting Spiritually Fit In The New Year # 2

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Just like you have to work hard at getting your body in shape so you have to work hard at getting your soul in shape as well.     I know from experience that it takes real discipline to get up and get to the gym and once there it takes lots of hard work and perspiration.    At first the progress seems slow and discouraging because you wonder if all that hard work is doing any good.    Is it going to pay off.    You may not notice any difference in a week or two or even three, but in time you not only notice the pounds are coming off but you have more energy, more muscle strength and your body is just generally healthier.    The same is true with being spiritually fit.    It takes time and effort but over time you really notice the difference.

There is no shortcut to spiritual growth and vitality.    It takes discipline, hard work and commitment but it results in a vital and joyful spiritual life walking in an exciting adventure with God.    That’s what you want.    Too many Christians settle for a mundane, joyless and less than authentic experience.    The Apostle Paul spoke of those who had "the appearance of godliness, but denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:5).  That’s not what you want. You want something real, vital and exciting.

This week we’re looking at five questions which will help us evaluate our spiritual condition. Yesterday we asked "Am I keenly aware of God’s manifest presence."    Today our question has to do with our response to God’s Word.    It is through the Word of God, the Bible that God speaks to His people and directs our lives.    How we respond to the Word is vitally important for God demands that we walk in obedience to Him.    Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments "(John 14:15).

AM I DELIBERATELY RESPONSIVE TO GOD’S WORD ?

 It is possible to become so accustomed to reading and hearing the Word of God that we become tone deaf to it – to not allow it to pierce our soul and transform our life?


We can become so accustomed to reading and hearing the Word of God that we become tone deaf to it – to not allow it to pierce our soul and transform our life?

• When was the last time I heard from God as He spoke deep into my heart through His word?

• Am I sensitive to allow the Word to convict and transform my life?

• Do I love to read and meditate on God’s Word?

• Are my devotions consistent and meaningful?

• Do I intentionally walk in obedience to God’s Word?

If there is to be revival in our own hearts, in our church, and in our land then it is God’s people who must have this deliberate responsiveness to God’s Word.    One thing you will need to do is to make sure you have a consistent intake of God’s Word into your life.    I remember the old Navigator’s diagram indicating 5 ways to intake the Word.

     1) Hear it.     2) Read It.     3) Study It.     4) Meditate Upon It.     5) Memorize It.

Make sure you go to church on Sundays and listen carefully to your Pastor’s message.    He has spent hours preparing a spiritual feast and God intends to feed you through it.    Have a daily Bible reading program and stick to it.    Read through books of the Bible.    Take time at least once a week to dig deep into the Word through study.    The difference between reading and study is a pen and paper.    In study, you slow down to ask questions, find answers and record them.    Meditate daily on the word.    Pick one short passage or verse and think about it during idle moments through the day.    Finally memorize at least one verse a week.    Don’t use the excuse you’re too old or you can’t memorize.    It takes discipline but you can do it and you’ll be delighted when you can recall these verses at appropriate times.

Prayer: "Lord, make my heart sensitive to your Word. Do not let me grow cold and indifferent. Help me to walk in obedience to Your Word"

James told us, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (James 1:22).    Remember, the purpose of in-taking the Word is to respond to it and allow it transform our lives.    In order for it to do that our hearts have to be ready to make a deliberate response to the Word.


God Bless you as you allow His Word to transform your life.
Pastor Rick