Spiritual Growth – Page 167 – REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES

IN THE LIVING LIFE LESSONS COLUMN EACH MONTH I AM SHARING LESSONS GOD HAS TAUGHT ME these last several years. Today Let’s talk about the Power of God that is available to us…

One of the many mysteries of God is that when we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. Not only that, but the power also that raised Christ from the grave is available to us as well, actually working within us.

That is a mind-boggling concept!

According to Scripture God is able to carry out His purpose and do supernatural things in our lives as a because His power is working in us.

Good things come as a consequence of God’s power working… in me. In you.

So maybe the good things aren’t coming because I’m preventing God from working in me?

How can we stop God’s power from working?

The Bible tells us that we make the Holy Spirit sad by our behavior, when we carry bitterness and anger, use harsh words or hurt others.

If we want God’s power to be working in and through our lives we must be intentional about our words and actions; being careful to build others up, speaking words that are beneficial not polluting.

God is able to do much more than we ask or think through His power working in us. May we see His shining-greatness in the church. May all people in all time honor Christ Jesus. Let it be so. ~ Ephesians 3:20-21 (New Life Version)

IN OUR CELEBRATE DISCIPLINE COLUMN EACH MONTH WE ARE LEARNING A NEW SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE, HOW TO APPLY IT AND HOPEFULLY GROW INTO THE PEOPLE GOD WANTS US TO BE.

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES: habits that nurture spiritual growth; exercises unto godliness.

WORSHIP: a response to God’s love as the Holy Spirit touches our human spirit.

It may seem odd to look at worship as a Spiritual Discipline. But if you have ever been so angry you could explode or struggling with an ailing body… think about being in the midst of these situations and still able to worship God. That takes Spiritual Discipline.

Though worship is usually associated with religion, there are people who aren’t religious that have a type of worship. Worship is often revealed by the people or things we value most; money, power, possessions, substances, etc…

Where do we turn when we’re coming undone at the end of a bad day?

There are many styles of worship: liturgical, charismatic, traditional, and contemporary. Because the New Testament doesn’t specify rules and forms of worship, no one style is better than another. The most important thing to consider is our heart motivations before, during and after.

Before beginning a time of worship we must be sure we are in right relationships with family, friends, and God. If we go into worship angry that will block our ability to give and receive love, which is the primary purpose of worship.

The quality of our worship comes from the focus of our heart. We mustn’t look at another person and compare styles of worship. God wants my very best, not my interpretation of someone else’s very best.

The heart of worship is to seek God and love Him in our own personal way.

Take some time to evaluate your type or style of worship. Is it all you want it to be? You can lay face down on the floor or dance around the room. Whatever you do that shows God how much you love Him is what He wants from you.

God is Spirit and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. ~John 4:24

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

What does worship mean to you? How do you like to worship?

If you can’t see the video screen below click here for one of my favorite worship songs.

RESOURCES:

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun
The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney

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