The Path to Spiritual Growth
Introduction to the Spiritual Disciplines
This devotional is written by Charlotte Anderson.
Reflection
The book of Exodus talks about how Moses would speak face to face with God as you would with a friend. I have always loved how after being with God on Mount Sinai Moses had to cover his face with a veil because he was radiating God's glory! It’s incredible how putting ourselves in Christ's presence transforms us.
When I was a student I heard a story of a girl who was sat on the tube, literally shining, from the way she radiated God's presence. I remember praying many times to radiate God's presence that way. 2 Corinthians 3:18 talks about how this is available to all of us. As we spend time in God's presence we will be transformed to be more like Jesus; we will reflect him like a mirror.*
'So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.'
How do we spiritually grow to be more like Jesus?
How do we experience more fullness in our lives as Christians?
Over the following days, we will be exploring the spiritual disciplines. These are practices such as prayer, worship and serving which Christians have always used to grow their personal relationship with God. Think of the disciplines like training yourself in a spiritual gym. They are all important and work together so I encourage you to try them all out over the following days. Stick it out. Be kind to yourself but be intentional too. The growth comes slowly but it's so worthwhile. Galatians 5:22 tells us what we can expect to see in our lives as a result and who doesn't want more peace, joy, hope or love?
Pray: Jesus, I want to be more like you. Thank you that I can reflect your glory. Would you transform me by your Spirit to be more like you and help me form spiritual disciplines in my life.
*Disclaimer: physically shining not required.
When I was a student I heard a story of a girl who was sat on the tube, literally shining, from the way she radiated God's presence. I remember praying many times to radiate God's presence that way. 2 Corinthians 3:18 talks about how this is available to all of us. As we spend time in God's presence we will be transformed to be more like Jesus; we will reflect him like a mirror.*
'So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.'
How do we spiritually grow to be more like Jesus?
How do we experience more fullness in our lives as Christians?
Over the following days, we will be exploring the spiritual disciplines. These are practices such as prayer, worship and serving which Christians have always used to grow their personal relationship with God. Think of the disciplines like training yourself in a spiritual gym. They are all important and work together so I encourage you to try them all out over the following days. Stick it out. Be kind to yourself but be intentional too. The growth comes slowly but it's so worthwhile. Galatians 5:22 tells us what we can expect to see in our lives as a result and who doesn't want more peace, joy, hope or love?
Pray: Jesus, I want to be more like you. Thank you that I can reflect your glory. Would you transform me by your Spirit to be more like you and help me form spiritual disciplines in my life.
*Disclaimer: physically shining not required.
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2020
January
New YearNew YearNew YearThe Path to Spiritual GrowthEvery Night with MattThe Path to Spiritual GrowthThe Path to Spiritual GrowthThe Path to Spiritual GrowthThe Path to Spiritual GrowthThe Gospel of LukeThe Gospel of LukeThe Gospel of LukeThe Gospel of LukeThe Gospel of LukeThe Gospel of LukeThe Gospel of LukeThe Gospel of LukeThe Gospel of LukeThe Gospel of Luke
2019
January
John the Baptist prepares the wayJesus announces the good newsJesus heals manyJesus forgives and healsJesus heals on the SabbathParable of the sowerLamp on a standJesus restores a demon possessed manJesus raises a dead girl and heals a sick womanA prophet without honourJohn the Baptist beheadedJesus feeds the five thousandJesus walks on waterThat which defiles
February
Faith of the Syro-phonecian womanFeeding 4000Jesus heals a blind man at BethsaidaTransfigurationJesus heals a boy possessed by an impure spiritJesus predicts his death a second timeDivorceThe rich and the kingdom of GodJesus predicts his death a third timeBlind Bartimaeus receives his sightJesus comes to Jerusalem as kingJesus curses a fig tree and clear the templeThe authority of Jesus questionedPaying tax to CaesarThe greatest commandmentThe destruction of the temple
March
June
July
A Fellowship of DifferenceLove your neighbourLove your enemyNeither Jew nor GentilePray for PrideEphesians 6:10-13Ephesians 6:14Ephesians 6:15Ephesians 6:16Ephesians 6:17Ephesians 6:18-20LoveLove, for the day is nearLove is patientGod is loveCreationSabbathThe Lord does not grow wearyPsalm 23Come all you who are wearyBe stillJesus asleep in the boatQuiet you with love
August
Proverbs 1Proverbs 2Proverbs 3Proverbs 4Proverbs 5Proverbs 6Proverbs 7Proverbs 8Proverbs 9Proverbs 10Proverbs 11Proverbs 12Proverbs 13Proverbs 14Proverbs 15Proverbs 16Proverbs 17Proverbs 18Proverbs 19Proverbs 20Proverbs 21Proverbs 22Proverbs 23Proverbs 24Proverbs 25Proverbs 26Proverbs 27Proverbs 28Proverbs 29Proverbs 30Proverbs 31
September
October
A Brief Skim Through the BibleA Brief Skim Through the BibleA Brief Skim Through the BibleA Brief Skim Through the BibleA Brief Skim Through the BibleA Brief Skim Through the BibleBack very soonSermon on the MountSermon on the MountSermon on the MountSermon on the MountSermon on the MountSermon on the MountSermon on the MountSermon on the MountSermon on the MountSermon on the MountSermon on the MountSermon on the MountSermon on the MountSermon on the Mount
November
Sermon on the MountSermon on the MountOpen to the SpiritOpen to the SpiritOpen to the SpiritOpen to the SpiritLetters to the ThessaloniansLetters to the ThessaloniansLetters to the ThessaloniansLetters to the ThessaloniansLetters to the ThessaloniansLetters to the ThessaloniansLetters to the ThessaloniansLetters to the ThessaloniansLetters to the ThessaloniansLetters to the ThessaloniansLetters to the ThessaloniansLetters to the ThessaloniansLetters to the ThessaloniansLetters to the Thessalonians
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