"...exercise yourself toward godliness. 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." - 1Ti 4:7-8
Basic Spiritual Exercises Will Benfit You a Great Deal!
I. READ THE WORD OF GOD -- 1. The means by which we grow spiritually - 1Pe 2:2. 2. It was by the Word of God that Jesus resisted the devil - Mt 4:4,7,10 3. It is by God's Word in our hearts that we can resist sin - Psa 119:11-- The Word of God is therefore foundational to our spiritual fitness
1. Develop the habit of reading the Word daily 2. Start slow; perhaps with the NT, a chapter a day
3. Progress to reading the Bible through each year 4. Read devotionally, meditating on what you read
-- The Word of God will help you to grow in grace and knowledge
II. SPEND TIME IN PRAYER --A. THE POWER OF PRAYER...1. . There is forgiveness from God - Ac 8:22; 1Jn 1:7-10 2. There is peace from God - Php 4:6-7 3. There is strength from God - Ep 3:14-16,20 4. There is opportunity from God - Col 4:3 5. There is boldness from God - Ep 6:19-20 6. There is wisdom from God - Jm 1:5-8 7. There is healing from God - Jm 5:14-16 8. There is tranquility from God - 1Ti 2:1-4 -- Together with the Word, prayer is foundational to spiritual fitness
B. PRAYING FERVENTLY...1. As you read the Word of God, pray for wisdom 2. Pray daily for forgiveness, strength, opportunity, boldness 3. As needed, pray for peace, healing, tranquility
4. Continue earnestly in prayer, vigilant in with thanksgiving - Col 4:2 - Consistent, fervent prayer will strengthen your relationship with God
III. SING PRAISES 1. One purpose of singing is to praise God - Ac 16:25 2. It is a type of spiritual sacrifice that we offer to God - He 13:15 3. A way to be filled with grace and melody in our hearts - Col 3:16; Ep 5:19 4. A way to respond to the goodness of God - Jm 5:13 -- Singing praises is foundational to our spiritual well-being -- Singing enriches our souls and fortifies our relationship with
God
IV. FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS AND LOVING THOSE WHO ARE NOT CHRISTIANS -- BEING PERSONS OF LOVE AND MERCY -- LOVE THE LOST
A. THE IMPORTANCE OF FELLOWSHIP... 1. The church is the body of Christ which is built up when each part does its share - Ep 4:15-16 2. Our assembling is designed to stir one another to love and good
works - He 10:24-25 3. Our fellowship is a source of comfort and edification - 1Th 5:11 4. A way to avoid becoming hardened by the deceitfulness of sin - He 3:12-14 -- Frequent fellowship is crucial to remaining faithful and steadfast
B. EXPERIENCING FELLOWSHIP...
1. Assemble together with Christians every opportunity you can Heb. 10:24-25
2. Take advantage of the assemblies offered by the local congregation
3. Not just one time on Sunday, but every time the door is open
4. Look for ways to be with Christians daily - by phone, Biblestudies, social activities
-- Fellowship with other Christians strengthens one's faith in God and Christ
V. DO GOOD WORKS A. THE ROLE OF GOOD WORKS...1. We are not saved by good works - Ep 2:8-9; Tit 3:4-5 2. But we are created in Christ for good works, to glorify God - Ep 2:10; Mt 5:16
3. Thus we are to be fruitful in every good work - Col 1:10 4. We are not to grow weary in doing good - 1Co 15:58; Ga 6:9-10 -- Good works are essential if we are going reap spiritual benefits
B. EXAMPLES OF GOOD WORKS... 1. Share the gospel with the lost 2. Minister to brethren and to the lost in need, whether physical or spiriutal. 3. Utilize your resources (time, money, talents) to help the poor or sick 4. Each day try to do something that blesses another person SHARE A CUP OF COLD WATER1-- Good works, done systematically, builds spiritual endurance.
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