NBSK7

Day 7

For healthy physical growth, we need to discipline ourselves to regularly breathe, eat, sleep, etc. Likewise, for healthy spiritual growth we need to maintain certain spiritual disciplines: prayer, praise, worship, confession, fasting, meditation, and study. These things don’t save you; you are already saved. These disciplines demonstrate your commitment to Christ and help you to grow spiritually.

1. Prayer is talking to God and expresses our trust in Him and dependence on Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing, meaning we can pray at any time, in any place, and under all circumstances.
2. Through praise and worship, we bless God and have communion with Him (Psalm 34:1).
3. Through confession of our sins, we are assured of God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
4. By fasting we draw close to God and discipline ourselves to deny the desires of the flesh and submit to the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 58:6-8).
5. Through the study of and meditation on Scripture, we enhance our own spiritual growth and are prepared to help others in their spiritual journey (2 Timothy 2:15). Meditation is reflecting, thinking on, or evaluating, and we are told that the righteous meditate on God’s word (Psalm 1:2).

Prayer: Lord, help me to learn and understand the spiritual disciplines that cause me to grow in Your grace. Thank You that You are always at work in me to change me and strengthen me to do Your will. I submit myself anew to Your will and thank You for the victory, through Jesus Christ. Amen.