It’s impossible to live without eating or drinking anything! That’s one discipline or law that governs the fresh and blood Life, that you and I are clothed in on earth. And just as it is impossible in that manner, so it is definitely impossible to live a perfect life connected to God, through Christ Jesus our Lord, without practicing these 7 Core Spiritual Disciplines.
Before we get started, we might need to know one thing. “These 7 Core Spiritual Disciplines are actions that children of God must put into practice on a daily basis, in order to fight a good fight of faith that leads to Success, Victory and above all, inherit Eternal Life after this earthly life”.
Let’s get started with Spiritual Discipline number 1 below!
1. Prayer
Prayer refers to communicating to God! I can also say this. “Prayer means asking God to do anything for us according to His perfect will”. Just like a son asks his father to provide needs, we Christians must ask our God and Father in Heaven concerning our needs through Prayer. Mathew 7:7a encourages us that “ask and you will receive …,” In Ephesians 6:18, the Apostle Paul advises us to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Note this; Prayer as a Core Spiritual Discipline goes hand in hand with Fasting. Mathew 17:21 says; “However this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting (KJV). #Key Action: Spend some good time in Prayer every day, dedicate some days to fast.
#Key Scripture: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God _ Philippians 4:6.
2. Faith
Let’s first define faith! “Now, faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”, _ Hebrews 11:1. What did Jesus Christ say about faith? “Truly I tell you, If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” _ Mathew 17:20. And what did James say? “As the body without the Spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” _ James 2:26. The Spiritual Discipline of faith marks part of what your Life becomes. It determines the relationship between you and Christ Jesus as well. #Key Action: Put your Faith into Action. God has given you a lot of authority, exercise it daily.
#Key Scripture: For in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from fast to last, just as it written: “The righteous will live by faith”_ Romans 1:17, Habakkuk 2:4.
3. Studying the Word
Most believers don’t study the entire Holy Bible. This is by some means wrong. We ought to study the entire Bible. For this is how we can learn every true promise God has for us through HIS Word. The Psalmist said, “Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” _ Psalm 119:105. Studying the Word makes us fully understand God and HIS entire plan of salvation for mankind through Christ Jesus. It saves us from false teachings and doctrines. The days have been evil since the fall of man in Genesis Chapter 3. The only way to know the truth is to read the entire Holy Bible, not to pick favorite scriptures or books. #Key Action: You must understand that the physical body or man lives by food, but the real Inner Man lives by the WORD of GOD. Feed the Inner Man by Studying Scripture Daily.
#Key Scripture: Jesus answered, “It is also written ‘man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” _ Mathew 4:4.
4. Worship
In Revelation 4:8, four living creatures are before the throne. Day and night they say “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Whenever these living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to HIM who lives forever, the twenty four elders fall down before HIM who sits on the throne and worship HIM who lives forever. This is Worship! It is giving glory, honor and power to God for WHO HE IS and for the great things HE has done and will do. #Key Action: God made Us all! There is nothing we can give HIM except to worship HIM alone daily, forever in Truth and Spirit.
#Key Scripture: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe …” _ Hebrews 13:28.
5. Fellowship
Let’s first put it this way! Children of the One True GOD in Heaven who lives forever are ought to have groups, gatherings, events or activities that brings them together as the body of Christ. And this next statement is true. “The Church, I mean you and I can never grow spiritually mature in Christ without fellowships such as Discipleship Classes, Home Cells, Prayer Groups, Worship Events and many others”. Our Lord and Savior said “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” _ Mathew 18:20. #Key Action: We know you are busy but create time to fellowship, it nurtures your life for Eternity.
#Key Scripture: They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer _ Acts: 4:42.
6. Solitude
We all think about tomorrow’s waking up time, food to eat, clothes to wear, expenses to incur, problems to fix, income to earn and so forth. In my own words, solitude means separateness of the mind to focus and plan. God wants it so much when you set apart time to meet and plan with HIM in separateness where there are no disturbances. Consider Mark 1:35, “In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there”. #Key Action: This spiritual discipline is done in a place of silence, find a place to talk to God privately.
#Key Scripture: “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you _ Mathew 6:6.
7. Ministry
Ministry is the act of serving others through gifts of the Holy Spirit in full line with God’s will. Also, ministry is the using of your talents, skills, abilities, job, responsibility, authority or position to lead people into the Kingdom of Heaven. Once you receive Christ as your Lord and Savior and accept to be baptized, you receive the Holy Spirit. You are to bear good fruits (Mathew 7:15-20), to be the salt of the earth and light of the world (Mathew 5:13-16). This is ministry. #Key Action: Discover gifts of the Holy Spirit that you have, discover your talents, abilities, skills, responsibility, authority and position. Use them to preach the gospel, to inspire others to love and follow your God.
#Key Scripture: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” _ Matthew 28:19-20.