Renewing Your Spiritual Passion

  Getting Fit In The New Year     # 1

Well we are into a New Year and that means a fresh new start.   Its this time of the year when many people decide that its time to go back to the gym or get involved in some kind of physical activity so that they can maintain a healthier lifestyle.   Personally, I didn’t do so good last year so I’m determined to go at it again with more success.

I’m reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul,  " For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come (1 Tim 4:8 NKJV).   Getting to the gym is important but what about your soul care.   The New Year is a perfect time to pay attention to what’s happening on the inside because what’s on the inside will eventually show up on the outside.

The New Year is a good time to take spiritual inventory of just where you are at in your Journey with God.   Even if you are a sincere follow of Jesus its possible to get slightly off course and miss out on all the incredible blessings that intimacy with God brings.   There is nothing as exciting as walking in deep fellowship with God and growing more like Jesus.

To that end, let me give you a challenge.   For the next five days I’m going to post a blog that asks a new penetrating question that will help you evaluate your spiritual fitness and perhaps stimulate you to renew or affirm your spiritual passion.   Only you have control of your spiritual journey so these questions don’t have any magical powers but if you use them under direction of the Holy Spirit, I believe He will use them to rekindle the spiritual passion in your heart.   As you use them each day, I would encourage you to leave a response in the response area below.   Your response and interaction will be a tremendous encouragement to those from many parts of the world who read Pastor Rick’s Study.

So, are you ready for the challenge. Here’s the first question.

Am I Keenly Aware Of God’s Manifest Presence?

Every great revival in history has been characterized by a dynamic manifestation of the presence of God.   In revival, you know when God shows up.

Someone has said that if the Holy Spirit was removed from the North American church we’d hardly notice the difference.   We can accomplish much with our planning and our money and our organization.

There is what we call the General Presence of God.    We know that God is everywhere and therefore we are never out of His presence.    However, we don’t always know or experience what is often called God’s Manifest Presence.    This is the special and very real presence of God available for all His people. You know you are in God's presence.

When was the last time either in private devotion or in church when you just knew God was there in a powerful way and you exalted His name.

Ask Yourself:

• Am I keenly aware of God’s presence in my life?

• Am I experiencing Him in a real and personal way?

• Do I see His supernatural activity in my life?

• Am I as in love with Jesus as I ever was?

Prayer: Lord, cleanse my heart of all that would interfere with our fellowship

Honestly ask yourself these questions to evaluate how spiritually healthy you are.    Don’t just read them, reflect on them.    Take a good 15-30 minutes and talk them over with God.    Be honest with yourself.    Perfection is not the target but spiritual growth and health is.    You may be relatively healthy and find you are experiencing the presence of God on a regular basis but your spiritual muscles can get stronger so keep moving forward.

Some of us may find the answer to these questions discouraging because we find ourselves spiritual unfit.    Do not be discourage.    God wants to build an exciting relationship with you and He wants you to know His presence.

Just like people start going to the gym in the new year to get physically fit, so you too can begin the journey of spiritual fitness anew.    If you’re not experiencing His presence like you ought out to and like you’d like to, then begin to get back in shape.    Start doing the things that will build you up spiritually.    Spend time everyday with God.    Get into your Bible and pray on a daily basis.    Get out to church and worship with other Christians and let them challenge you and hold you accountable.    Tell God how much you want to know His presence in your life and be willing to walk in obedience to Him.

God bless you as you seek God Himself with all your heart and enjoy His presence in your life daily.

Pastor Rick