DAILY CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE: Part 1 Christianity is a relationship with GOD through a faith-walk with Christ Jesus and powered by the Holy Spirit. In order to experience steady growth and attain maturity in Christ, and in answer to some questions I have received, I will share with you in sections, some basic principles that will under-gird your faith-walk with GOD, empower you to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, as well as help you to develop Christ-likeness in WORSHIP, CHARACTER and SERVICE which is known as “Daily Christian Discipline” and which are as follows - Personal Bible study, Meditation on the Word/Quiet Time; Prayer, Fellowship; Personal Evangelism, Fasting Personal Bible : ”Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ~ ” 2 Timothy 2:15, AKJV. It is very important to be acquainted with the Bible which is the tool/manual that GOD made available for the smooth operation of the life that HE gave to you. Every manufacturer attaches guidelines to their products, just as our caring FATHER who gave the Bible to you HIS creation.Your part is to study this manual so that you can enjoy life in your body. So, be Bible Literate and Word perfect, and also apply the principles to your present reality. There are many ways to keep your interest ongoing in your study. You can start by taking a TOUR of the Bible beginning from Genesis through to Revelation. Get a hard copy of the King James Version, not the New King James for first tour. Set a target for yourself as to how many chapters you would read in a day. For my first study, I started out with 10 chapters the first week, but by the second week, I increased it to 20 chapters. I was so hungry for the word. It was very tasking, but then, that is why it is called ‘ Christian Discipline’. You really dont need to take or make notes for this first tour, but one thing you should do is to personalize your Bible. Get highlighters. Mark/underline verses that touch your heart or catch your attention. That way you can get back to it very easily. Use a particular shade to mark related or similar threads of verses that point at the same things. At this stage of your Christian walk, you are storing data into your mind and these Words you are storing will begin to form the frame-work for your thinking , which will become you. The Bible says in Proverbs that: “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he’. The Bible, which is the written WORD of GOD is the mind of GOD. The more of the WORD you have in the inside of you, the more of the WORD you become. Your thoughts would be the thoughts of GOD and your actions would be HIS also, because a transformation is in progress in the inside of you and your actions speech and actions would reflect the GOD in you. Concerning inability to focus when reading your Bible: It takes within 21 to 30 days to form a habit. So, for the next 21-30 days, create a routine for regular Bible study time for yourself. That way, you will condition your mind and body for that experience. You can break it down to about 2 or 3 sessions, aimed at finishing certain numbers of chapters for the day. If the issue is sleepiness you begin your Bible-study, command the ‘spirits of sleep and slumber’ to go away, and release the spirit of wisdom, knowledge and understanding to enhance your ability to receive, retain and recall what you are about to study. Play some background Christian gospel/inspirational music to saturate the atmosphere with the presence of GOD and which also will place you in a spiritual mode.. Let prayer precede all your studies, not some religious ranting but just acknowledge GOD’s presence and invite the Holy Spirit speak to you through GOD’s Words. As for me, from the first day of every New year, I take a Bible Tour with a New Translation/version. The more you study, the more the eyes of your understanding will be enlightened. The Word of GOD is sharper than any two-edged sword and is dynamic in working. The WORD of GOD is GOD HIMSELF. And the Believer is born again by the indestructible and incorruptible Word of GOD that lives for ever. Once you have the WORD in the inside of you, you take on the characteristics of the word. Feedback please with comments or questions. Shalom! Hephzibah Christly.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:07:23 +0000
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