Spiritual Disciplines in the New Year
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It’s a new year, and that means an annual pitch about why and how to dive into spiritual disciplines. You’ll note that I waited until we got a few weeks into the new year before I wrote it this time. Was it because I was lazy? Or because — since the last lecture before the shame breakdown is always the most memorable — I wanted to make sure you were already weighed down with the post-resolution blues before I added my voice to the “get your act together” chorus? Can’t it be both?
Seriously though, we’ve been talking a lot this month about “abiding in Christ”. If you’re getting the point that God’s love is the source of imitating Christ, not the result of imitating Christ, and that all Christian fruitfulness flows from abiding in Christ’s overwhelming love for imperfect you, then perhaps you can dare to read ahead. If not, listen in on our current sermon series, or considering diving into Dane Ortlund’s Gentle and Lowly before you do anything else that involves the word “discipline”, spiritual or otherwise.
Ok! If you’re looking to dive into some new devotional habits in the months ahead, here are some suggestions from myself and other members of the Liberti River Wards community. You may recognize some of these from last year’s post as well…
What is the Bible, and how do I make sense of it?
If you need a primer or a refresher on what the Bible is and how to make your way through the whole thing, these brief, entertaining videos from BibleProject are great. Start with the first four, or watch all 19. They’re just 3-5 minutes each.
How can I make use of the Bible from day to day?
Even if you’ve been mining the Bible for years, it’s helpful to have someone walk with you to enter the story right now — today. Jen Wilkin has a free 5-part series over at bible.com to guide you. If you don’t know where else to start, start here. It won’t waste your time.
I’ve written a brief guide of my own, called “Intro to Devotional Scripture Reading,” which is a shorthand of what Jen Wilkin walks through in more detail.
Finally, on Sunday 1/1, Christine Matulewicz took the stage to welcome others to join her in the "Bible Recap" reading plan that leads you through a one-year chronological reading plan. The plan also has an accompanying podcast that helps explain the day's selected passages. Reach out to Christine if you are planning to participate!
I want to pray, but how do I get started?
Two words: start simple. See our “Starting to Pray” guide!
But that’s too much! Got anything simpler? Yes! Glad you asked: sit with one of these verses every day for a week, listening to the words for 5 minutes at a time. At the end of the week, send me an email and we’ll talk about what it stirred up in you: Psalm 46:10, Matthew 5:3, Isaiah 40:29, John 19:30Join the 7:14 campaign!
Philadelphia Gospel Movement's 7:14 initiative is drawn from 2 Chronicles 7:14, where the Lord says, "if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." Through January and February, set alarms at 7:14 am & pm and pray for Philadelphia, your block, and your neighbors. Learn more about the 7:14 campaign here.
With all hope in our strong, persistent and compassionate Savior,
John A