Get Back to The Basics: Spiritual Disciplines 101 is inspired by the Holy Spirit to realign your focus.
INTRODUCTION
We pray, seek God, and ask him for direction as we embark on a new year and season. We sometimes make things complicated and try to align our own will and desires and convince others and ourselves that this is where the Lord is directing us.
He’s saying, Daughter, get back to the basics.
Yes, it may sound simple, but it is foundational.
Like myself, in these past seasons, you may have found yourself growing a community, building a business and ministries ground up, pursuing the vision God has given you, or maybe you have been going to a thousand conferences, focusing on ways to build and grow, or looking and hoping for another prophetic word or anticipating the prophecy spoken over you years ago to come to pass.
Truthfully the overwhelm of it all has you in a place of dysfunction, disappointment, and no true peace. Why? Because there are too many distractions and no order. Your focus is off.
Whew!
Take a deep breath.
Breathe.
Pause.
I know, I know, because it hit me the same way.
But I declare and decree that the old way of living, doing, and being ends today.
GET BACK TO THE BASICS
In seeking God’s direction for this season of my life, He told me, Daughter, “Get Back to the Basics.” You may be asking yourself, “What does that even mean?”
That was my question. The Lord answered Spiritual Disciplines. That’s how Get Back to The Basics: Spiritual Disciplines 101 was born.
Immediately when I heard it, I thought of dying to my flesh to be more like Christ. That’s our prayer and desire. Right?
We start our prayers by saying;
Lord, make me more like you,
Create in me a clean heart.
Intentionally disciplining yourself spiritually will not only place you in alignment with the Father, but you will be effective and impactful, serving from a place of overflow.
Get back to being daughter.
(We can get lost in seasons of being mom, wife, ministry leader, influencer, our titles, etc. Filling these roles and we are serving from a place of deficit)
Lay yourself at the feet of Jesus, and say yes to His will and His way. Focus on Him, and get back to self ( if you’re married and or have children, there’s an order, and that’s your first ministry) because you can no longer pour from an empty cup, serve, or be effective or better yet walk in the fullness of who God is calling you to be and what God has called you to do.
Like 3 John 1:2 says, “Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually].” AMP
God desires the same for you.
If you’re still reading or listening, he’s saying the same to you.
My Son,-
My Daughter, Get back to the basics.
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES 101
In this section, I will briefly explain the meaning and purpose of spiritual disciplines.
Question 1: What are spiritual disciplines?
Question 2: What’s the purpose of spiritual disciplines?
Spiritual disciplines are activities you practice and participate in to be more like Jesus. They are attained by one’s self or corporately with other believers.
Spiritual disciplines are intentional. We pray and work our faith by putting in the effort to pursue a life of godliness by disciplining ourselves (spiritually.) It requires intentionality on our part. Why? Because the work and what we put in is not up to God but to us.
When we pray, asking God to make us more like His Son Jesus, grow me up in you, Lord. Spiritual disciplines are our responses as believers toward spiritual maturity.
What is the purpose of Spiritual Disciplines in the life of the believer? The two verses below very well explain the purpose and meaning of Spiritual Disciplines.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 AMP
7. But have nothing to do with irreverent folklore and silly myths. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness [keeping yourself spiritually fit]. 8. For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 AMP
16. All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17. so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Partnering with the Holy Spirit is imperative as we embark on a different spiritual discipline every month.
In closing, I’ve written a prayer you can pray as a response to living a spiritually disciplined life.
GET BACK TO THE BASICS: SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES 101 PRAYER
Dear God, Thank you for confirming what’s required of me this season. Forgive me for taking my focus away from wholly pursuing godliness. I desire to be more like your son Jesus. Please help me not to approach spiritual disciplines from a religious lens. Remove the scales from my eyes. Oh Lord, search my heart; perform a heart check. Check my motives. I desire to bear fruit and live a full life by being spiritually disciplined. As I do my part to grow towards Christlikeness intentionally, -empower me with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Every month I will provide resources and practical tips as we dive into a new spiritual discipline. You can expect a blog from other guest bloggers and myself every 2nd Wednesday of each month.
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