Dr. Randy Carlson
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. – 2 Peter 3:17-18 (ESV)
If you want to grow spiritually—and all believers should want that—you have to do the things that will help you grow. I’ve come up with ten habits or actions that will give your spiritual life a boost and help you stay intentional about your faith. I’m not suggesting you have to do all ten of these to grow spiritually, but if you do them on a regular basis out of love for what Christ has done for you, you will grow. And you will start to experience more and more freedom in your faith.
1. Pray. It’s a powerful opportunity to commune with the living God. Take time to get on your face before Him and bring to Him the things you’re wrestling and struggling with. Prayer is a beautiful invitation to draw close to Christ.
2. Meditate. Think of meditation as focusing on a scriptural passage that you’ve read. In the quietness, away from family and television and other distractions, consider that scripture. Or you can meditate on a truth that you heard at a recent church service. As you think on that truth, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to you.
3. Memorize Scripture. There are moments in your life when you’ll be faced with a challenge or decision and you need to be equipped with the Word of God. Find a scripture. Put it on your iPad or your phone or a three-by-five card. Put it wherever you’ll see it. Then read it over and over until you’ve memorized it.
4. Serve others. Find opportunities in your community today. You might have a neighbor or coworker who is going through a difficult time. Take them something to eat or a book or a word of encouragement. Or go and wash their car or clean their yard.
5. Share. Share with others what God has done in your life. You glorify God simply by sharing the reality of what God has done.
6. Worship. This is not only a Sunday morning activity. You can worship God when you’re driving down the street listening to a song or repeating scripture. You can worship as you clean your house or run errands. Worship comes when you raise your heart to Him. And you can do that any time and any place.
7. Tithe. This is really an act of worship. It’s an act of obedience. Giving God ten percent of your income shows your trust Him to provide for all of your needs.
8. Read. There are many great biographies and autobiographies of Christians who have gone before like D.L. Moody, the Wesleys, and many others. These men and women lived through trials and difficulties, and their stories have been recorded for us as examples of growing faith.
9. Listen to Christian radio. Allow the music and the programming to become a soundtrack for your home. Turn off the negative influences of the outside world, and tune in to the hope coming through the songs and scriptures on Christian radio. Let your heart be filled with what’s going to build you up.
10. Be active in your church. The Bible says, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some.” (Heb. 10:24-25 ESV) Find a church where the Bible is taught. There are no perfect people, no perfect churches, no perfect pastors, but get involved in a church.
