Category: Spiritual Growth

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THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES :: FELLOWSHIP

AT RHW WE PUBLISH A NEW COLUMN EACH FRIDAY. WE’RE GOING THROUGH FOUR SPECIFIC STUDIES WITH EACH SERIES BEING PUBLISHED ON A DESIGNATED WEEK OF THE MONTH. TODAY’S COLUMN CONCLUDES THIS SERIES FOR 2020.

In The Spiritual Disciplines series we’re learning 12 disciplines that guide us as we grow deeper in our walk with God. Spiritual Disciplines are not a list of religious duties but rather habits that nurture and mature our spiritual growth. They are inward, spiritual attitudes walked out by behaviors and actions. These habits are critical for lasting spiritual growth and true life transformation.

FELLOWSHIP: Engaging with other disciples in the common activities of worship study, prayer, celebration, and service, which sustain our life together and enlarge our capacity to experience more of God. ~ The Life With God Bible

The whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. ~ Ephesians 4:15-16

Usually when we think of fellowship a social gathering comes to mind. But it’s more than a cup of coffee and small talk with a friend. Fellowship is the united body of Christian believers working together to grow spiritually as individuals, mentor each other in discipleship and share the gospel with a lost world.

Fellowship: koinoonia: communion, commonalities, participation, friendship

Naturally as fellow believers in Christ, we fellowship because we have many things in common: the same faith in God through Christ and we can converse about the same subjects of prayer and Scripture. Fellowship is not only a state of being or identity with Christ. Fellowship is also an activity: such as assembling together for the shared purpose of study and worship.

Fellowship for Spiritual Growth

Fellowship provides a solid foundation for our spiritual growth. Contact with fellow believers shapes us; sometimes with sparks flying like an axe being sharpened, other times a gentle polishing to a smooth shine. Whichever the case, fellowship strongly influences our spiritual foundation and should be used to the full.

Ideas for Spiritual Growth Fellowship In Person or Virtual

      1. Join a small group in your church.
      2. Find a prayer partner and meet regular to pray.
      3. Lead a Bible study in a local retirement home.
      4. Start an online Bible Study or Small Group.

Fellowship for Discipleship

We become like those we spend time with. So if we want to grow stronger and mature in our faith, we need to spend time with those further along the spiritual journey than we are. As we continue to grow and mature we in turn can reach out to those new in the faith and mentor them as well.

Ideas for Discipleship Fellowship In Person or Virtual:

      1. Find a mentor, spiritual director or friend who models their faith.
      2. Meet regularly for spiritual growth and accountability.
      3. Find a friend or neighbor seeking guidance that you can share.
      4. Invite neighbors to an online worship service watch party.

Fellowship for Evangelization

Before becoming a Christian most of us had no problem spending time with strangers. The Church today is lacking in social activities that would draw in the unchurched of our world. We as individuals need to create ways to reach the people in our circle of influence: neighborhood, public transportation, maybe even a fellow coworker.

Ideas for Evangelism Fellowship In Person or Virtual:

        1. Pray for God to open doors and boldly walk through them.
        2. Create a list of folks to pray for regularly.
        3. Find ways to reach out to lost friends.
        4. Record your testimony and share it on social media.

For some of us fellowship isn’t always as easy as 1, 2, 3. Many of us are introverts and prefer to not be in the spotlight. However, Jesus commanded us to follow him and share His good news.

Sadly, with this season of Covid-19, fellowship has taken a back seat in most churches. And we are all suffering for it. Above are a few suggestions to help find or create some fellowship opportunities  in person or virtually if you are high risk.

I encourage you to look over the list of ideas and find one or two that can work for you. Take a leap of faith. God will meet you there and give you what you need to be successful in fellowship whether it be for spiritual growth, discipleship or sharing the gospel. You will definitely be blessed as you do!

Enjoy one of my favorite songs by Hillsong United. Here Now sings of the ultimate experience of fellowship available to us as believers… Fellowship with God!

 Today we bring this series to a close. If you’ve missed any of the columns this year, please check out the previous articles here: The Spiritual Disciplines Series. I hope this series has been a blessing to you like it has been for me.

 

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THE LORD’S PRAYER :: FOREVER

AT RHW WE PUBLISH A NEW COLUMN EACH FRIDAY. WE’RE GOING THROUGH FOUR SPECIFIC STUDIES WITH EACH SERIES BEING PUBLISHED ON A DESIGNATED WEEK OF THE MONTH. TODAY’S COLUMN CONCLUDES THIS SERIES FOR 2020.

In The Lord’s Prayer Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. He’s not just giving them a prayer to recite, but a model prayer for everyone of us. Each month in 2020 we’ve been studying this beloved prayer phrase by phrase.

Today as we bring our series to a close we’ll recap what we’ve learned with snippets from each of the monthly columns. If you’ve missed any of the columns this year, I’ve included links that you can check out at your convenience. I hope this series has been a blessing to you like it has been for me.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. ~ Matthew 6: 9-13

 

JANUARY: The Lord’s Prayer or the Our Father prayer begins where we must start… recognizing and honoring our heavenly Father. For some, seeing God as a father is painful  because our earthly father may have let us down in some way, maybe even harmed us. But Father God isn’t an untrustworthy man. Our God is a good Father who provides, nurtures, protects, comforts, heals, guides, encourages, trains and corrects us… all for our benefit.

I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. ~ 2 Corinthians 6:18 

FEBRUARY: The use of God’s name is so important it made God’s top ten list of commandments.God’s name isn’t to be used lightly or thrown about casually. God’s name is to be set apart from all others, respected and reverenced. As believers we carry the name of Christ and must honor and respect the holiness of God’s name by how we live.

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.~ Exodus 20:7

MARCH: Today, Jesus’ Kingdom is represented in this world by His body of believers. I believe when we pray Thy Kingdom Come we’re asking for more of God’s presence to come by way of the Holy Spirit through the body of believers. For God to show out more and more to the unbelieving world in a way that they will know Jesus is the only Way and Truth!

He is the One who loves us, who made us free from our sins with the blood of his death. He made us to be a kingdom of priests who serve God his Father. ~ Revelation 1:4-6

APRIL: Much like a child would go to their earthly parent seeking permission or direction, when we go to God and we ask for something we can also pray “thy will to be done.” God is for us and wants to help us. However, like a loving parent, Father God is looking for a good attitude and a submissive, obedient heart.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. ~ 1 John 5:14-15

MAY: As believers we are not of this world, we are earthen vessels filled with heaven’s breath, citizens of an unseen heavenly kingdom, in two realms at once. We are tasked with living on earth and in heaven. Our physical bodies inhabit the earth while our spirits are seated with Christ in heavenly places. We must live each day reminded that we may be the only example of heaven that those who are around us may see today.

…each of you should possess your own vessel in sanctification and honor…~ 1 Thessalonians 4:4

JUNE: We can take the analogy of our daily bread and use it to address our need for God’s Word daily in our life. God used manna in the wilderness to teach the Israelites their need for God daily. Jesus tells us that we’re not to live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

“I am the true Bread of Life.Your ancestors ate manna in the desert and died. But standing here before you is the true Bread that comes out of heaven, and when you eat this Bread you will never die. I alone am this living Bread that has come to you from heaven. Eat this Bread and you will live forever. The living Bread I give you is my body, which I will offer as a sacrifice so that all may live.”~ John 6:48-51 

JULY: Though we’re taught here in The Lord’s Prayer to ask God to forgive our trespasses, we must never forget that because of the blood of Christ we have already been forgiven. All we have to do is repent and accept his forgiveness.

I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name. ~ John 2:12

AUGUST: Unless we are able to forgive others, we cannot accept the forgiveness given to us by God. The other side of that principle is:  Who are we to accept forgiveness from God and not grant it to others? By not forgiving others we are saying we better than God.

Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.~ Ephesians 4:32

SEPTEMBER: Jesus will always be our way out, over, through, and around all temptations the enemy may throw at us. There’s nothing we face that isn’t filtered through God’s loving hands. No matter what comes God will never fail us. He will take what the enemy means for harm and turn it to good in our life.

And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13

OCTOBER: In The Lord’s Prayer, Jesus is teaching His disciples, and us, that prayer is our main defense against the evil one.  As we pray the Our Father we’re acknowledging that God is sovereign over all things including Satan and any of his wicked schemes and He will deliver us from all evil.

Let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. ~ Ephesians 6:10

NOVEMBER: Along our journey with the Lord, if we focus on the dirt beneath our feet we will be overly sensitive to every rock and bump in the road–distracting us from the purpose God has for us. But by praying the Lord’s Prayer our focus will be on heaven and God’s presence… looking to His kingdom, His Power and His glory.

…live the kind of life that pleases God, who calls you to share in his own Kingdom and glory. ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:12

Forever… it’s a difficult concept. Our human minds can’t understand the idea of time not marked by a clock ticking minutes away. Which is exactly what eternity will be forever with God. Timelessness filled with all the love and goodness of God wrapped up in The Lord’s Prayer.

Take a few minutes and let’s sing praises with Michael W. Smith for all of God’s Forever love and goodness!