Why are so many churches not growing? Whay are so many unhealthy? Why are so many local churches more like clubs and clans than the Church Jesus died for? A complete answer is rather complex. But in thirty years of ministry one thing I have learned: Our churches are unhealthy because many of our members are spiritually unhealthy. It has always been so-----Paul's letters in the New Testament show us that.
Here are 39 simple ways to get in spiritual shape. Get started today. It's time to own your faith. Accept responsibility for your own spiritual fitness. Don't outsource it to your spouse, or pastor or anyone else. Do it now!
1. Use a one year reading Bible to develop the discipline of daily time in God's Word.
2. Learn to meditate on a verse or passage of Scripture. Chew on it like a dog on a bone. You won't exhaust it but you will learn so much by trying.
3. As you go through your day ask the Philippians 4:8 questions. I'm not going to give them to you. Look it up.
4. Pray Scripture. Simple enuff!
5. Take a prayer walk through your neighborhood. Pray for that neighbor who's barking dog keeps you up at night. It'll do wonders for your attitude.
6. Adopt those areas in your daily life as your own mission field (work, school, gym, etc.). Ministry is where ever you find it or it finds you.
7.Pray over your daily to-do-list.
8. Use prayer prompts as reminders to pray for people. Prayer prompts can be anything from pictures of family and friends to your local school. The only limit is your own imagination.
9.Keep a spiritual journal. It's a great way to measure your spiritual growth, keep a proper perspective and count your blessings!
10. Fast from television, the internet or social media for a week. After six days, the last one is easy!
11. Participate in an in-depth Bible study.
12.use a hymnal in your quiet time. You should be able to find one cheap!
13. Go on a short term mission trip. You will recieve so much more in blessings than you will give. Trust me on that!
14. Develop your testimony to share with someone in 60 seconds or less.
15. Ask people how you can pray for them----and then do it!
16.Adopt a city, nation or people group to pray for.
17. Adopt a missionary (family) and pray for them each day.
18. Conduct a monthly or quarterly mission or ministry project.
19. Sharpen your saw----attend ministry training events a couple of times a year.
20. Memorize a verse or passage of Scripture every week.
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