Title: Spiritual Disiplince
Memorize: “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” Joel 2:12 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:17-18 (Nkjv)
[17] But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
[18] so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Message:
Spiritual discipline is a key way through which God’s children draw themselves closer to Him. It involves practices that are deliberately done to cultivate spiritual growth and foster a deeper connection with God. These practices are designed to help believers build spiritual maturity, deepen their relationship with God, and lead a more godly life.
The early church demonstrated spiritual discipline as they sought God’s direction in Acts 13:2:
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
The Scripture above makes us understand that the early Church committed itself to prayer and fasting, and in response, God revealed His divine purpose to them.
My dear child, to cultivate spiritual discipline, you must intentionally set aside time to worship God, study the Bible, pray, and fast. Engaging in these practices will not only help to strengthen your faith in God, but they will also align your heart with His will for your life.
However, you must not do them for the approval of others but to deepen your relationship with God. I pray that as you commit yourself to being spiritually disciplined, God will reveal Himself more to you, in Jesus’ name.
Key Point:
Spiritual discipline increases a person’s intimacy with God.
Bible Quiz:
To cultivate spiritual discipline, you have to intentionally set aside time for __?
HYMN 2: I AM THINE O LORD
1 I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
and it told Thy love to me;
but I long to rise in the arms of faith,
and be closer drawn to Thee.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
to the cross where Thou hast died;
draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
to Thy precious, bleeding side.
2 Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
by the pow’r of grace divine;
let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
and my will be lost in Thine. [Refrain]
3 O, the pure delight of a single hour
that before Thy throne I spend,
when I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend! [Refrain]
4 There are depths of love that I cannot know
till I cross the narrow sea;
there are heights of joy that I may not reach
till I rest in peace with Thee. [Refrain]
Bible In One Year: Mark 8, Numbers 24-25
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye