Devoted
New Disciplines!
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Acts 2:42 (NIV)
Vibrant & Healthy Community
The early church grew strong due to their unwavering faith in God and His teachings. Their dedication was evident through regular Bible reading and sincere prayer. These practices not only deepened their faith but also built a closer community among the believers.
The Word of God
The Bible is a collection of stories, poems, and letters, but it's more than that. It is God's inspired Word. We should cherish it more than food, as it gives life to our souls.
You used to live by the world's ways, but now that you follow Jesus, you should let the Bible guide your beliefs and actions. God’s Word is now your standard for every area of your life. Your spiritual growth isn't about memorizing the Bible but about living by its teachings. Unfortunately, some people can quote Bible verses but don’t necessarily follow or obey them, and this can lead to self-deception..
“I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.”
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
A Key to Spiritual Growth
The Bible is important for your spiritual growth, helping you resist temptation and understand God's will for your life.
God communicates with us in various ways, but mainly through the Bible. By reading it, we get to know Him better, know His will for our lives and learn to recognize His voice in our everyday lives.
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Developing a lifestyle of Prayer
Following Jesus is not a religion; it's a relationship with God and the foundation to any healthy relationship is communitation. The better the communication the better the relationship will be.
We speak to God through prayer, here He listens to us, and we learn to hear His voice. You need to believe that when you pray, God does listen to you. When you respond to His Word with action (believing loyalty), He responds to your prayers with action.
Jesus is your perfect example when it comes to praying. When you read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) notice that Jesus lived a lifestyle of prayer, of how often he would retreat to go be with His Heavenly Father.
“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.””
According to His Will
As we read and follow God's Word, and learn to trust Him through prayer, we start to believe that God answer our prayers.
It's important to pray for God's will, not just our own, and we learn His will by reading the Bible. When we pray according to His Word, we can trust that He will respond. Our heart attitude towards praying is one of thankfulness, knowing that God has heard us.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”
Connection with Father God
Prayer was how Jesus connected with God. It should be important for all His followers. In prayer, we feel God's presence and help share His Kingdom on earth.
Jesus taught his disciples to pray sincerely for God's will, daily needs, true forgiveness, help against temptation, and protection from evil. Prayer helps us grow closer to our Father. Praying like Jesus means staying connected to the Holy Spirit every day.
““This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”
Personal Application
Are you making time for daily reading and prayer? Start with just 5 to 10 minutes.
Are you part of a LifeGroup and attending a local church regularly?
Have you forgiven everyone who has wronged you?
Ask God for what you need each day through prayer.