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"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
(Colossians 3:1-4)
Here are the first 5 spiritual truths or principles that I have embraced and offer to you to consider in order to encourage you in your walk and service to Christ.
1. Pray, pray, and pray more. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Pray without ceasing." This is vital if you are to grow in your walk with Christ. I pray each day in the morning during my quiet time and then pray a few times during the day, focusing on the Scriptures I read that morning in my time with the Lord. My wife Ashley prays for us in the mornings, and I say the prayer at night before we go to bed. We pray before every meal, and often while in restaurants, we pray for those who serve us. You can accomplish much for Christ after you pray but not before.
2. Cherish the Word of God. I love God's Word, the Holy Bible! Psalm 119:11 says, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You." Proverbs 4:20-22 says,
"My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh."
The Word of God is absolutely vital and essential for the follower of Christ. I am a big advocate of reading the Bible in the mornings and then praying those same Scriptures throughout your day. This way it is fresh in your mind and will help you not to forget what you read.
3. Sing praise to God. Psalm 95:1 says, "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation." Praise is a weapon Satan hates; it makes him flee. Martin Luther, the 16th century Protestant Reformer said, "Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. . . . music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through Music. Music is a gift and grace of God, not an invention of men. Thus, it drives out the devil and makes people cheerful. Then one forgets all wrath, impurity, and other devices. Next to theology I give music the highest place of honor. As long as we live there is never enough singing." ( Source.)
4. Put on the armor of God every day. Ephesians 6:10-18 details the vital pieces of our armor: belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the Gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and prayer. Ephesians 6:11 says, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." You would never walk outside your house wearing no clothes, so do not walk outside spiritually naked either. Get dressed in the full armor of God!
5. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 states, "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit." Charles Haddon Spurgeon, as he walked to the pulpit, would say repeatedly, "I believe in the Holy Spirit." Every day I ask the Spirit to fill me. I learned this simple prayer in seminary: recognize I need to be filled with the Spirit, repent of all sins, request the Spirit to fill me, and then receive the Spirit's filling.
In tomorrow's devotion I will share with you the remaining 5 of my top 10 principles to help you grow closer to Christ. |
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