It is the 31st of December and I did something this morning that I have been putting off for many days. I stepped on the scale. And what is even worse is that I have my annual doctor appointment this week. For several months now I have just plain catered to the flesh. And to top it off, this morning in the church building I can smell the lingering odors of another wonderful potluck meal.
Now it is time to reestablish some good and practical disciplines and say no to my appetite and yes to a well-ordered life. This always reminds me of the spiritual disciplines that are necessary if we are to thrive in our Christian walk.
Living a Christian life cannot be achieved without good, practical and enforced spiritual disciplines. In my observation it begins with a regular and attentive practice of Bible reading. This is where fellowship with God really happens. This is where we hear the words of God. Those who think they are having fellowship with God through some mystical form of meditation or prayer are only fooling themselves. To think that God speaks to us through some ill-defined impressions upon our mind or emotions, can find no support in what God clearly says in His word. Notice this clear warning in the book of Hebrews:
Hebrews 2:3-4 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
This “neglect” is the neglect of Bible study and reading. If your spiritual life is languishing, “you did it to yourself”.
