Dear Church,
We shouldn’t be surprised if we lack God’s power, joy, and peace in our Christian lives. Such absence can make us “disenchanted believers”, a kind of an oxymoron. These are often the ones who complain(all of us do this at some point in our lives) about not experiencing the joy, peace, and assurance the Bible seems to promise. However, God has provided believers with specific means by which His Spirit works within us. We miss the blessings He intends for our lives if we neglect these means.
Here are five essential practices:
- Being in God’s Word: Are you consistently reading, meditating, and absorbing God’s Word into your life? The Bible says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
- Listening to Faithful Preaching and Teaching: Are you listening attentively and expectantly to sound Bible preaching and teaching? The Bible says, “So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
- Engaging in Meaningful Fellowship: Are you involved in deeper, meaningful fellowship with other believers (a small number is fine, example- ELF ) in the body of Christ, the church? The Bible says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Cultivating a Prayer Life: Do you have a habit & place for prayer, where you pour out your heart to God regularly? The Bible says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2)
- Participating in Baptism and Communion: Have you been baptized as a believer, and do you partake in the Lord’s Table with a heart full of gratitude, carefully and thoughtfully? The Bible says, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)
If your answer to any or all of these is “no,” then you may be neglecting the very means God has ordained for the Holy Spirit to work and strengthen you as a believer. Think about these.
Be Encouraged,
Mathews
