I wrote this for the bulletin last week so you may have already read this but I felt that it should be shared with a broader audience. So, here you go…

Over the last several years I have tried to eat healthy. I am by no means perfect but I try to think about what I put into my body. I know how good I feel when I do and I know how I feel when I’ve eaten like a trash panda. Eating right for me means taking in high protein, low carbs, little to no sugar, eating vegetables, drinking plenty of water and taking my vitamins. When I do all of those things I know I will feel my best. 

Now on to the spiritual. I am by no means perfect but I try to think about what I can put into my spiritual life. I know how good I feel when I do and I know how rotten I feel when I let it go by the wayside. A healthy spiritual diet nourishes my soul and I am sure it would your’s as well. Let me give you a fairly good regimen for your spiritual health. 

  1. Take in God’s Word daily. In fighting against the temptations presented by the devil, Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Regular reading of the Word builds understanding, develops wisdom, and heightens discernment. If you want your spiritual life to grow eat your daily bread.
  2. Take the time to pray. Our lives need to be centered around constant prayer. Paul encourages the Thessalonians with these few words, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Instead of praying only when you feel you need it let it be part of your life in a natural way as much as each breath you inhale and exhale. Prayer connects you with the Father, brings peace and gets your will in line with His. If you want your spiritual life to grow rely on prayer as a good source of strength. 
  3. Take all the time you can to worship and praise. There are numerous opportunities for you to be with other brothers and sisters in worship. Don’t let these opportunities pass you by. David writes, “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker” (Psalm 95:6). The invitation is open. Let’s go to worship! Let’s allow worship to renew our perspective, lift our spirit, and draw us closer to God as we grow closer together. If you want your spiritual life to grow commit yourself to getting on your knees in worship to God. 
  4. Take in the precious moments of fellowship with your church family. Here at NHCOC fellowship is precious to us. But I think it’s interesting that usually only half of us are taking advantage of our time together. When we have fellowship meals, stay. When we get together for games, come play. When someone invites you over to their home, go! That’s what the early church did. Acts 2:42 tells us that the early church was continually devoting themselves to fellowship (among other things). As the passage continues it says they “were together and had all things in common”. They spent “day by day” with each other in worship and “from house to house” enjoyed “gladness and sincerity of heart”. The result was “the Lord was adding to their number”. If you want your spiritual life to grow be disciplined to enjoy fellowship with other Christians. 

I want to eat healthy but more than anything I firmly believe these four actions can help you live a spiritually healthy Christian life. 

~ Alexander Mills