Monday
Psalm 1–One way
Psalm 1:1 takes us through a process of walking, standing and sitting. Slowly but surely we immerse ourselves into habits and lifestyles that help us produce spiritual fruit or dry us out spiritually. We grow in our lives through actions and processes taken consistently over time. Think of your walk with Christ; what actions do you take to help grow deep roots? What processes or spiritual habits do you commit to consistently to grow in your walk with Christ? It is important to adopt consistent disciplines that produce fruit. Maybe adopt one or two of the disciplines listed:
- Prayer Journal: writing your prayers to God
- Read a Psalm and Proverb each day
- Come to church weekly
- Take prayer walk in your neighborhood
- Fast one day per month
- If you’re a parent, read scripture with your child before bed
Tuesday
Psalm 1—Another way
Psalm 1:1 takes us through a process of walking, standing and sitting. Slowly but surely we immerse ourselves into habits and lifestyles that help us produce fruit or dry us out spiritually. Yesterday we looked at habits to adopt, but I’m sure that there are also habits that must be removed. John 15 (I encourage you to read it) talks about God pruning branches in our lives that don’t produce fruit. It’s even more important as we talk about roots. Sadly, what we do becomes who we are over time. Our actions plant roots. If our actions lead to holiness then our roots are the ones that go into streams of fresh water. If our actions lead to sin we are setting our roots in areas that lead us to destruction. It happens slowly, but it happens. Where does God need to prune some of your roots? Yesterday we picked up habits, today decide what habits need to be dropped?
Wednesday
1 Peter 2:1-10—Growing up in your salvation
Have you tasted and seen that the Lord is good? We need to be reminded through our lives of the goodness of God, but we must also move on to deeper spiritual things. We cannot be so dependent upon the sweetness of Christ’s love that we never join him in his suffering (Philippians 3) and disciplines of the faith. But first things first, when have you “tasted and seen the Lord is good?” Take a few moments to think back about the experiences in your life that have reminded you of Christ’s love and goodness.
Thursday
1 Peter 2:1-10
You are building a spiritual house. First Corinthians talks of our bodies being the temple of God and Peter challenges that as a community and as individuals we are being built into spiritual houses. The foundation of the house is God’s love and goodness, but building the rest of the house takes sacrifice. 1 Peter 2:5 talks about offering spiritual sacrifices. On Monday and Tuesday we talked about picking up good habits and dropping bad habits, but what does it mean to really sacrifice in your life. Sacrifice goes to a deeper level. There might even be good things that I need to sacrifice so I can do great things. Are there good things you are doing that you need to say “no” to so God can produce great things with your time? Sacrifice usually causes greater things to emerge. It could be with your finances or what about the way you spend time with family? Is God asking you to sacrifice something good so you can focus on something great?
Friday
1 Peter 2:1-10
Our habits become who we are over time. Our actions add up to write our story, but 1 Peter 2:9-10 tells us our true identity. Reread these verses. Do you believe that you are a royal priesthood? God’s special possession? Are you living in marvelous light? Yes, our actions matter but God offers the invitation for these verses to be the foundation of your life no matter what our actions have been in the past. I challenge you to memorize 1 Peter 2:9-10 and when negative thoughts about yourself invade your mind remember this verse and how God views you as God’s child.