Catechism: Discipleship And Our Whole SelfSample

When you feed a child healthy foods, he or she will grow bigger and stronger. It just makes sense. 

Today we will consider what parts your actions, emotions, physical practices, and spiritual disciplines are feeding and, in turn, strengthening.

Today’s passage reminds us that there is a direct correlation between our choices and the outcomes.

Your relationships, physical abilities, emotional balance, mental health, and spiritual maturity will start to suffer if neglected.

When you prioritize regular physical activity, you strengthen your heart and muscles, optimize your oxygen uptake, and flood your body with “feel good” hormones. Do it with a team or partner, and you strengthen your social ties at the same time.

When you set aside time for reflection, prayer, and to go through a daily Bible study like this, you realign your heart, spirit, and mind with God. Just a few minutes a day can radically transform and enrich the rest of your daily relationships and activities.

When you gather with other believers to worship and study, you strengthen your network of support and realize that you are not alone.

On the other side, when you live by your impulsive desires or choose your natural ways, anger, envy, and strife are certain to rise up in your life no matter how hard you try to mask them.

When you choose the Spirit's way and say no to your impulsive need to seek instant gratification, the outcomes are sure and noticeable. Love, joy, faithfulness, and self-control mark your actions and attitudes.

What if you are not sure you want to—or even can—choose the way of the Spirit? Your honesty is the perfect place to start.

Ask God to reveal to you not only the overwhelming, transformational impact of choosing to live by the laws of His Kingdom, but also to give you the strength to choose Him in every small and large decision.

Your spiritual journey with God is just that—a journey, not a destination. Each day will bring you the challenge and opportunity to deliberately silence your own desires and choose God's way.

• What decision did you make today that indicated a desire to follow the Spirit? One that catered to your own desires? What, if any, outcome did you see as a result of your decision?
• What area do you need God’s power to overcome? What verses have you read recently that remind you of His mercy and forgiveness when you fall? What is one tangible way you can focus on God’s promises and not your weaknesses?