Pastor's Corner - Discipleship

Dear Friends,
This will be my last Pastor's Corner for the year - we will pick back up in January. As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to send you some thoughts on discipleship for the new year.  If you are like me then you are starting to think about New Year Resolutions.  I really do believe that this is a great time to start thinking about spiritual goals for 2015.  I have a few ideas/suggestions below to help you grow in your walk with Christ in the new year.
  • Start a Quiet Time:  My best suggestion for you is to get up early in the morning and spend time in your Bible.  I know this is easier said than done so here is what you need to do to accomplish this goal: 1) go to bed early the night before, 2) set an alarm across the room from your bed, 3) make your coffee/tea/diet coke the night before, 4) clear off a place before you go to bed to have your quiet time (desk, kitchen table, etc...), 5) make a plan for your quiet time today (what are you going to read, study, mediate, etc…).  Personal experience has taught me that to accomplish this discipline, I need to be more mindful about everything leading up to a morning devotion. If I'm tired, if my desk is a mess or if I don't even know where my Bible is, then I'm less likely to be motivated to spend time in God's Word.
  • Start Discipling Your Family:  If this is fresh on your mind and heart and you don’t know where to start, I highly recommend Intentional Parenting by Tad Thompson.  This is a short and straightforward read with great advice for parents. In this book, you will find some excellent encouragements for pointing your kids to Christ.
  • Start Family Devotions:  My best suggestion for you here is to do this after dinner (at the dinner table) or before the kids go to sleep.  Click here for some suggested material to get you started with your family.
  • Start Reading Good Christian Books:  There are a lot of good ones out there but I will recommend four (in order of difficult to easiest):  Knowing God by J.I. Packer, The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, and The Christian Life by Sinclair Ferguson.  Read for 15-20 minutes before you go to bed – you will be amazed at how much you can read in just a few weeks!  Here is a tip:  move the TV and other distracting electronic devices away from you while you are trying to read.
  • Start Saying No:  What is the biggest reason that one might give for not being able to start any of the disciplines listed above? I bet the number one reason would be, "I'm too busy." Whether you are single or have a family, what can you say no to this year?  Better yet, what do you need to cut out of your life and schedule so that you can accomplish your spiritual goals?

I hope these are a few things to motivate, help and encourage you as you get started on your spiritual goals for the 2015!

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. (Psalm 143:8 ESV)
Your friend,Wilson

 

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