Beyond Sunday: 4 Daily Disciplines for a Vibrant Faith Exemplo

Devotions and spending time in God’s word is the other fundamental spiritual discipline. This is another action to ensure we build our relationship with Christ. We need to talk, but even more so in relationships, we need to spend time listening. Listening to our creator and diving into the word of God is key to spiritual formation. The Word of God is our best weapon against the devil’s schemes as it is the sword of the spirit (Ephesians 6:10-17). We will be very weak and unable to defend ourselves if we are unarmed.

Devotional:

Jesus quotes scripture all three times to combat Satan's temptations. That sets such a powerful example for us. We can resist the devil best by knowing the scripture. Jesus did not stray from the word of God. The word of God is our foundation to stand strong in our faith. As Hebrews 4:12 says, the word of God is alive, and it is active. It has not become outdated two thousand years later; it is relevant for us today.

Even going a day without reading the word, we will notice our soul getting a spiritual headache. We will be more vulnerable to temptation and less connected to our heavenly Father. Studies have shown that frequent Bible reading helps us deal with stress and cope in healthier ways (Krause & Pargament, 2018). Research has shown that for someone to experience God's life-changing power, they need to open the word of God at least four days a week (Earl, 2021).

If we want a deep relationship with our heavenly Father, we need to be in daily communication with Him. That communication means we do not just talk to God in prayer or listen to His word every week at church. For it to be a blossoming relationship, we need to build that connection repeatedly by listening to and talking to God.

Reflection/Discussion Questions:

• What is your current daily Bible routine?
• Do you regularly practice meditation on scriptures you read?
• When you are tempted, do you use scripture to combat the devil?

Application:

• For starters, pray Psalm 119:18, “Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word.” Pray Psalm 119:18 every time you read God's word.
• Also, consider journaling your prayers and what you learn from scripture each day.
• Begin a plan for walking through the books of the Bible.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we reflect on the powerful example set by Jesus, who quoted scripture to resist the devil's temptations, I am reminded of the profound significance of your word in our lives. Just as Jesus did not stray from the word of God, I recognize that your word is the unshakable foundation upon which I stand in my faith.

May your word be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, guiding me on this journey of faith.

In Jesus' name, we pray.

Amen.

References:

Earls, A. (2021, May 28). More Americans Are Reading the Bible. Now What? Lifeway Research. https://lifewayresearch.com/2021/05/28/more-americans-are-reading-the-bible-now-what/

Krause, N., & Pargament, K. I. (2018). Reading the Bible, Stressful Life Events, and Hope: Assessing an Overlooked Coping Resource. Journal of Religion and Health, 57(4), 1428–1439. https://doi-org.ocu.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s10943-018-0610-6