Have you ever wondered how your spiritual life compares to your spiritual activity? Are they equal? Does one have more preference than the other? If so, what is the difference between the two?
Spiritual activity is the work you do for God. This could include being part of a worship team, a greeter, or a teacher. Serving at a local food bank is another example. All of these activities are great, but they don’t necessarily draw you closer to God.
Your spiritual life, on the other hand, is your direct connection to God. This is the time you spend seeking God. This could include praying in your car, praying over your meal, or studying to teach. All of these activities are important, but it’s the time you spend alone with God that will truly grow your spiritual life.
In Matthew 6:6, Jesus encourages us to find a quiet place and pray to our Father in secret. When we take the time to pray and read God’s word, we open ourselves up to the peace and joy that comes from connecting with our Heavenly Father. Taking time to pray and read the Bible can be difficult, especially when life is hectic and demanding. But when we make time for prayer and scripture, we can experience the reward of a deeper relationship with God. We can find solace and comfort in His presence, and we can be reminded of His promises and His love for us. Prayer and devotionals can provide us with the strength and courage to face the challenges of life.
Six Aspects of a Spiritual Life
Prayer
Prayer is an essential part of the Christian faith. It is a way for us to commune with God, to express our gratitude for His blessings, to seek His guidance and wisdom, and to ask for His help in times of need. The Bible encourages us to pray in many places, and Jesus Himself modeled prayer for us, teaching His disciples to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. In this passage, Jesus teaches us to address God as our Father, to ask for His will to be done, to ask for our daily needs to be met, and to seek forgiveness for our sins as we forgive others. Prayer is a powerful tool that can bring us closer to God and help us to understand His will for our lives. It is a way for us to express our love and devotion to Him and to grow in our faith. Prayer can also be a source of comfort and strength in times of difficulty and uncertainty. Through prayer, we can find hope and peace in the knowledge that God is with us and that He hears our prayers.
Reading your Bible
Reading your Bible is an important part of a Christian’s life. The Bible is the inspired Word of God and provides guidance, instruction, and comfort. In Psalm 119:105, it says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” This verse reminds us that the Bible is a source of light and direction in our lives. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, it says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” This verse reminds us that the Bible is a tool for teaching and training us in righteousness, so that we can be equipped to do good works.
Reading the Bible is a great way to strengthen our faith and grow closer to God. It is a source of wisdom and knowledge, and it can help us to better understand God’s will and plan for our lives. It can also provide us with encouragement and comfort in times of difficulty and despair. The Bible can be a source of strength and hope, and it can help us to live a life that is pleasing to God. By reading the Bible regularly, we can gain a deeper understanding of God’s love and grace, and we can grow in our faith and relationship with Him.
Worship
The Bible contains many references to worship, emphasizing its importance in our lives. In Psalm 95:6, we are told to “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” This verse reminds us to come before God in humility and reverence, expressing our love and devotion to Him. In John 4:24, Jesus says, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” This verse encourages us to worship God in spirit and truth, recognizing that our worship must come from a sincere heart and be based on the truth of His word. Finally, Psalm 100:2-3 tells us to “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” This verse reminds us that we are God’s people, and that we should come before Him with joy and gladness, singing praises to Him. Worship is an important part of our relationship with God, and these verses provide us with a reminder of the importance of worshipping Him.
Journaling
Journaling can be an incredibly powerful tool for deepening our spiritual life. Writing out our thoughts and feelings can help us to process our experiences and reflect on our journey with God. It can also help us to identify areas of growth and areas in which we need to focus more attention. Keeping a journal can provide us with a record of our spiritual journey, allowing us to look back and see how far we have come, and how God has been with us every step of the way. We can also use our journal to capture our prayers, dreams, and hopes for the future, as well as our struggles and doubts. Writing out our thoughts can help us to gain clarity and insight into our spiritual journey, and can open us up to new possibilities and deeper understanding. Journaling can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and spiritual growth, and can help us to connect with God in a deeper and more meaningful way.
Meditating on God’s word
Meditating on God’s word is an important part of spiritual growth. Meditating on God’s word allows us to slow down and really reflect on the meaning and implications of what we are reading. As we meditate on scripture, we can ask ourselves questions like, “What does this mean for me?” or “How does this apply to my life?” We can also look for patterns or themes that emerge as we read and meditate on scripture. We can ask ourselves, “What is God trying to tell me?” or “What is the overall message of this passage?” Meditating on God’s word can help us gain a deeper understanding of His character, His will for our lives, and the promises He has made to us. It can also help us to grow in our relationship with Him and to better understand how we can serve Him. Meditating on God’s word is a powerful tool for spiritual growth, and it is an important part of our daily walk with Him.
Supplemental reading
Supplemental reading can also be a great way to grow in your spiritual life. Reading books or articles written by spiritual leaders can help to expand your understanding of scripture and give you a new perspective on the Bible. It can also help to provide you with new insights and understanding of spiritual concepts, such as the importance of living a life of faith and obedience to God’s will. Reading the work of respected Christian authors can be a great way to gain knowledge about topics such as prayer, worship, and the spiritual disciplines, as well as how to apply them in your own life. Supplemental reading can also be a great way to stay up to date on current events in the Christian world and to learn more about the lives and teachings of influential Christian figures. Additionally, reading can be a great way to find encouragement and inspiration in difficult times, as well as to discover new ways to deepen your relationship with God.
Starting a Daily Devotional
I want to challenge you to start a daily devotional this year. Each of the above aspects is an integral part of your spiritual life. The key is finding the balance between them. If you’re not sure how to journal, start by writing out your prayers and writing down what you feel the scripture you are reading is saying to you. Ask yourself what the revelation about God is in the scripture and what your ask or request is based on this revelation.
It may seem like a lot to do each day, but if you take a few minutes to start, you will see how easy it is. In my sermon on January 1st, I shared an example of a daily devotional and how I do it. It’s not perfect and it’s not the only way. I encourage you to watch the sermon and start this new year with a new perspective and a desire for a closer walk with God.
I pray that God will begin to speak to you as you do this and that your love for the Father will grow like never before! Blessings!
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