Three weeks ago we first talked about the importance of our spiritual roots and digging into God. Looking at Jeremiah 17:8-9 we reminded ourselves:
...blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.Jeremiah 17:8-9, NIV
Over the last couple of Sundays in particular we’ve emphasised the particular importance of regular prayer and bible study as two key spiritual disciplines that invest in our spiritual lives and invest in our relationship with God.
Prayer
Prayer is the main means we connect with God and it’s the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives that makes this a two-way process. We hear much better when we are disciplined to focus on God, just like it’s easier to hear someone if we are looking at them and watching their lips, as opposed to facing away from them and distracted by other things. We are designed for this to be two way communication, enabled by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Joy comes when we are in communion with the Father, just as Jesus was focussed on the Father in his devotional life.
Bible study
Studying the bible is like feeding ourselves on a healthy diet of good nutritious fruit and vegetables, rather than junk food like burgers, chips, chocolate and ice cream. The first leads to feeling spiritually fit, sharp, with energy and joy for what the Lord has for us. The second leads to feeling fat, bloated and lethargic. Junk food may bring immediate happiness, but not lasting joy. Studying God’s word is a blessing and Psalm 1 reminds us that whoever meditates on, and delights in, scripture is blessed.
As some of us have more time on our hands at the moment than normal we have an opportunity to devote ourselves to these spiritual disciplines and to God. You won’t regret it, you’ll feel fitter, stronger, healthier and happier!