How's Your Faith Life? (pt. 1)

Rev. John Wesley spoke of God's "Means of Grace". He was referring to some of the "Holy Habits" that help God open our hearts up to a stronger, healthier and more vital life in the Hols Spirit.

Hebrews 4:16:

"Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness,

so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

It's so amazing that the throne of God is GRACE and not some imposing structure that dominates creation!

And that God wants us to be filled with mercy and grace even in the midst of the "time of need".

Below are the ways that God's Grace grows in our hearts and lives that was Shared on Sunday Worship @ 10 am on May 12 by Pastor Terry.

These are the ways to have "the Mind of Christ" grow and thrive in us.

What CHANGE in your "Holy Habits" will you work on today?, this week?
...this month?

Imitating Christ’s Humility (Philippians 2:1-5)

"If, then, there is any comfort in Christ,

any consolation from love,

any partnership in the Spirit,

any tender affection and sympathy,

make my joy complete:

be of the same mind,

having the same love,

being in full accord and of one mind.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit,

but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.

Let each of you look not to your own interests

but to the interests of others.

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,..."

LIVE with the Unconditional

& Unmerited Love of God,

and GROW in as many of these

as you can in your life.

• Patience

It's more than just stopping and taking a breath.

It's letting God slow your actions down and be fully present.

It's letting God's "time" move at it's pace and not your own.

Patience is giving other the space they need to express and grow.

• Gentleness (Gracefulness)

Is treating everyone you and everything you do with a grace that comes from God.

It's allowing a "holy rhythm to guide your thoughts and actions.

It's withhold a harsh word and instead finding the healing way of speaking with others.

• Humility (Meekness)

Don't confuse humility ("meekness" in some versions of the Bible) with timidness or surrender. Humility takes a great deal of strength.

It's putting others first. Thinking of their good and acting on it rather than simply assuming that your thoughts and actions are the most important.

• Fidelity/Loyalty (Commitment)

Is all about commitment. Commitment to stand with others in their pain as well as their triumphs.

Being loyal is not about blind unquestioning. It is about encouraging, gentle feedback that helps to build up and support others.

• Temperance (Self-restraint)

Temperance is mostly thought of in the context of Alcohol, but it's really about the boundaries that we all need in our lives.

People and situations can impose themselves on us, overwhelming our values, understandings and wisdom we gain from God.

We can also let our own passions and desires convince us that they are the most important parts of who we are.

Self-restrain holds our human impulses in check and accountable to God.

Practice the Works of "PIETY" (inward spiritual growth) with these activities:

Begin with the 3 pillars of our Faith:

Prayer

Scripture & Scripture Reflection

Sacraments

(Worship brings all three of these together.)

And add to them as many of these as you can:

• Fasting

Fasting is more than simply "giving up" something.

While you fast, and you experience the hunger pangs or desire to eat, have them be a reminder of Christ's presence in your life.

Think of the struggle Christ went through with his 40 days of fasting. The pain he endured throughout Holy Week before and during his execution.

Fasting is a time to physically limit the demands of your body and fill it instead with prayer, reflections and the presence of God.

• Devotional Reading/Listening/Watching

Find an inspiring Book, Author or Magazine (On or off line)

Read it for "soul nourishment", pausing to contemplate and consider how it may touch your soul, give you insight, heal or build your faith life up. Set aside a regular time for such reading, listening, watching.

• Healthy Living

All that you know about living with a healthy body comes into play as a gift from God. Make each step to change your living habits a step to being filled with more "Christ-mindedness".

• Talking “Faith Issues” with Family/Friends

Find opportunities to speak with family and friends about the spiritual insights you are recognizing. And be sure to speak in a humble, graceful way. Ask questions about their spiritual life.

Questions like: "What do you think about Heaven?"

"What gifts do you think God has given you?"

"What's you most inspiring experience or realization?"

• Christian Conferencing

Identify some "Christian Friends" that you can trust to speak lovingly, gracefully and humbly with you about the deepest subjects.

Speak with them often about biblical insights, moral struggles and issues and how to discern God's will in situations.

Let these two or three Christian Friends know your deepest struggles and joys.

• Small Group Bible Study

Be part of a regular group of faithful followers of Christ who study God's word together.

Find the time each week to sit together with laughter, questioning and joy. Bring your doubts and wonderings while searching the scripture together for insights and growth.

Invite others to join the small group, and when the groups get to be 11 to 13, multiply the group by forming two groups where there was once only one.

Be prepared to grow and deepen your faith with each other.

See part 2 - available in Church on May 19 @ 10 am and afterward,

for a discussion of the Works of MERCY - Outward Growth.

This is where Mission and Ministry, Justice and Compassion happens!