TAUPO / NEW ZEALAND: Craters of the Moon.

Picture / Steven

Our spiritual disciplines are Bible study, and then prayer, reading devotional materials like Daily Devotions by J.I. Packer Knowing and Doing the Will of God, as I do at the present time, and worshiping together.

WHAT SHOULD OUR SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES NOT BE?

The answer to this question is a very short one. They should not be ends in themselves.

But are they not often ends in themselves?

WHAT SHOULD OUR SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES BE?

The answer to this question is in fact a very long one. They should be the means to make us more Christlike. We should grow spiritually through them. We do that by clothing ourselves with COMPASSION, with KINDNESS, with HUMILITY, with GENTLENESS, and with PATIENCE. Please read Colossians 3:12 and keep on reading.

I think the most important spiritual discipline is studying the Scriptures. Let us pray that our studying of the Scriptures not only informs us, but that it transforms us.

The mission of the Salvation Army is:

“CARING FOR PEOPLE, TRANSFORMING LIVES AND REFORMING SOCIETY, THROUGH GOD, IN CHRIST BY THE HOLY SPIRIT’S POWER.”

“Gold is there, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.” – Proverbs 20:15

“You will never have this day again, so make it count.”

When I read that here in Kaitaia in Commerce Street, I was greatly encouraged, but also challenged.

I remember also what it says in the Bible in Psalm 118:24 and 2 Corinthians 6:2. In 2 Corinthians 6:2 the Apostle Paul says, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of SALVATION.”

We are reading about the conversion of the Apostle Paul four times in the Bible, namely in Acts 9:1-19; 22:3-21; 26:2-23 and Galatians 1:11-17.

When thinking about making days count , the Apostle Paul surely comes to my mind. In his letter to the Philippians, Philippians 1:21, he says that for him to live is Christ. He says also that for him to die is gain. Listen also to what he says in verse 22 of chapter one in his letter to “the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi.” “If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean FRUITFUL LABOR for me.” Please read about his fruitful labor on his three Missionary Journeys. All three journeys are recorded in the Book of Acts.

THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY – Acts chapter 13-14

Barnabas and Paul are sent off from Antioch. They are on Cyprus, in Pisidian Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra and Derbe and from there they are returning to Antioch in Syria.

THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY – Acts 15:35 – Acts 18:22

The journey starts with a disagreement, continues with a vision, we are reading about a conversion and Paul and Silas are ending up in prison.

THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY – Acts 18:23 – Acts 21:14

This journey tells us about a riot and about a young man who is raised from the dead.

The Apostle Paul did not only make his days count, he made his whole life count for ETERNITY.

What about us?