Weekday Devotionals
The Foundation of Spiritual Growth written by Rick McCotter
Verse: Acts 2:42-47: All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[a]), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[b]— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Review: These 6 verses clearly identify the ingredients necessary to become a mature Disciple of Jesus.
Let’s review them:
1.Personal Study-reading bible, devotional guide
2.Fellowship-gathering with other believers, attend a small group
3.Prayer & Fasting-talking / listening to God, journal what you feel and hear
4.Service-use your spiritual gifts to serve fellow believers / church
5.Generosity-share your gifts and resources with the Church and others
6.Evangelism-tell others about Jesus, many ways to do this
Thought: Becoming a mature Disciple of Jesus is a building project. We all started at the same place, we were a Seeker who decided to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Now we are a New Believer that becomes a Growing Believer, then a Mature Disciple of Jesus.
The most important part of our spiritual growth is our Foundation. Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-25, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bed-rock.”
Your Foundation for spiritual growth must be built on Solid rock, bed-rock, JESUS! Done correctly, no storm we will ever face will knock down our Spiritual House (your FAITH).
Application: To build your Spiritual House on JESUS, you have to know him in an intimate, personal way. The only way you will ever accomplish this is to spend time with him. Think about this for a moment. Are you married? In a relationship of any kind? How did you get to know that person? You spent time with them and lots of it. It is absolutely impossible to get to know someone in a deep personal way if you don’t spend time with them. All deep relationships are developed by intentionally investing time in them.
Challenge: Start building your Spiritual House today by doing the following at the same time each day, your building a habit so be consistent. (This is your QUIET TIME with God)
1.Pray-talk to God, ask for what you need, tell him what your thankful for, pray for others
2.Listen-be still and just listen for what God says to you, get a journal and write down your thoughts as they come from God. Often God speaks to me in a gentle whisper or a thought I will have. It takes time; be patient.
3.Read Bible and meditate on it. Start with the 4 Gospels and mix in other books of the New Testament.
4.Get a daily devotional book and use it daily.
5.If your married, pray with your spouse every day. Yes, it will be awkward at first, but just breakthrough that and do it. I promise, you will experience a oneness with your spouse you can enjoy forever.
- Rick
Verse: Acts 2:42-47: All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[a]), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[b]— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Review: These 6 verses clearly identify the ingredients necessary to become a mature Disciple of Jesus.
Let’s review them:
1.Personal Study-reading bible, devotional guide
2.Fellowship-gathering with other believers, attend a small group
3.Prayer & Fasting-talking / listening to God, journal what you feel and hear
4.Service-use your spiritual gifts to serve fellow believers / church
5.Generosity-share your gifts and resources with the Church and others
6.Evangelism-tell others about Jesus, many ways to do this
Thought: Becoming a mature Disciple of Jesus is a building project. We all started at the same place, we were a Seeker who decided to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Now we are a New Believer that becomes a Growing Believer, then a Mature Disciple of Jesus.
The most important part of our spiritual growth is our Foundation. Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-25, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bed-rock.”
Your Foundation for spiritual growth must be built on Solid rock, bed-rock, JESUS! Done correctly, no storm we will ever face will knock down our Spiritual House (your FAITH).
Application: To build your Spiritual House on JESUS, you have to know him in an intimate, personal way. The only way you will ever accomplish this is to spend time with him. Think about this for a moment. Are you married? In a relationship of any kind? How did you get to know that person? You spent time with them and lots of it. It is absolutely impossible to get to know someone in a deep personal way if you don’t spend time with them. All deep relationships are developed by intentionally investing time in them.
Challenge: Start building your Spiritual House today by doing the following at the same time each day, your building a habit so be consistent. (This is your QUIET TIME with God)
1.Pray-talk to God, ask for what you need, tell him what your thankful for, pray for others
2.Listen-be still and just listen for what God says to you, get a journal and write down your thoughts as they come from God. Often God speaks to me in a gentle whisper or a thought I will have. It takes time; be patient.
3.Read Bible and meditate on it. Start with the 4 Gospels and mix in other books of the New Testament.
4.Get a daily devotional book and use it daily.
5.If your married, pray with your spouse every day. Yes, it will be awkward at first, but just breakthrough that and do it. I promise, you will experience a oneness with your spouse you can enjoy forever.
- Rick
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