Spiritual Disciplines

What are some spiritual disciplines that you need to work on?

For me it's the discipline of solitude (spending time alone with God).

How many of you have taken a Spiritual Gifts test before? If you haven't or you are not sure what this is I would highly recommend doing this! It's a series of questions that you answer, there is no wrong or right answers it just shows you what Spiritual Gifts God has given you.

For the best results answer each statement according to who you are, not who you would like to be or think you ought to be. Here is a link to take the test: Spiritual Gifts Test - Adult Version | Spiritual Gifts Test

My Spiritual Gifts test results were: Serving, Shepherding and Mercy Showing. I hope you will take the test and share your results with me, I would love to hear what your Spiritual Gifts are!

Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportions to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Have you read or heard of Richard J Foster's book called Celebration of Discipline? If not, this is another book I would recommend reading as it talks about inward (mediation, prayer, fasting, study) & outward (simplicity, solitude, submission, service) disciplines as well as corporate (confession, worship, guidance, celebration) disciplines.

The Celebration of Discipline has been another reminder that God is calling me to be more spiritually disciplined which means continuously making God my #1 priority each and every morning by retreating and spending time in His word before I interact with the outside world. But the discipline also requires me to include God in every decision I make to ensure that I am not moving ahead of him.

Do you feel as if God is transforming your heart & mind?

For me, God uses everything from books to sermons to people to point out areas that he is trying to transform within me and lately I feel like he is using a megaphone to get his messages across to me.

That only seems fitting with me being hearing impaired and all doesn't it? LOL you know I believe God has a great sense of humor so that is why this makes me laugh when I think about it. I often wonder if God ever puts his palm to his forehead while saying "FINALLY" as if to say he finally has my attention and now he can begin the transformation process.

Part of our spiritual discipline is hearing and knowing when God is speaking to us and knowing when to follow his lead or when to get out of the way and allow him to work in our lives. What are the different ways God speaks to you?

Friends I hope this message will encourage you to become more spiritually disciplined on a daily basis because as you surrender to this process you will begin to experience positive changes in your life.

Timothy 4:13-16

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime