Discipline - "40 Days"
A few weeks ago (Sun. the 23rd of Oct.) we began to introduce a new series and along with that introduction I challenged myself and our church community to seriously step into 6 weeks (about 40 days) of daily spiritual disciplines (if you missed the message it is found here on the Uptown website under ‘messages’). Disciplines, practiced over a period of time, become habits or lifestyles- habits and lifestyles, repeated over a period of time, become character- and character over time shapes a life! So, it follows that if you want to change a life- start by establishing an appropriate discipline which will lead to a habit/ lifestyle which will develop new character which will change how life is lived.
To develop renewed ‘spiritual’, Godly life, certainly ‘spiritual disciplines’ will need to be practiced and pursued into ‘spiritual habits’ then, subsequently into ‘spiritual character’ and ‘lifestyle’ and finally, into an ever renewed ‘spiritual life’. I think you are getting the idea.
So, the daily disciplines I have appealed for are:
1. Prayer- pray every day for six weeks (40ish days)
A PRAYER TO PRAY
Thank you Lord for a beautiful day;
For the Sun,
For the freshness,
the brightness, the newness of the day.
Thank you for life.
Lord, I ask that you would fill me today;
Fill me with every good thing that comes from you,
Fill me with you.
Move through my mortal being and fill me with your divine presence.
Touch and awaken my temporal flesh with your Divine Spirit.
Restore my soul again and again throughout this day.
Deeper and richer, greater and farther, higher and broader, fuller and larger Lord-
Increase both my capacity and my quantity for and of you.
To live Lord, to live, I pray that I might truly live today-
To a level of life that you have intended and prepared me for,
To a level of life that you have won and redeemed me for.
To purposes you have created me for; To live Lord-
Help me, enable me, empower me today, to live.
Amen.
2. Focus on at least one verse of Scripture every day for six weeks (even if it is just one verse a day)
If you want to start with one verse a day (for 40 days straight even that will be more of a challeng than you might think) then I suggest you start in PROVERBS 10 and read one proverb a day (one verse each). I am going to do that along with some other passages that I have been working through when I get the chance.
3. Read something devotional every day for six weeks
I will be reading and recommend Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Driven Life” which is conveniently divided up into 40 days of readings.
4. Worship God some every day
Sing to God, listen to worship music, go for a walk and pray and thank God, meditate specifically on the goodness and greatness and love of God, get lost in a powerful piece of art that reveals God and his glory, etc.
5. Meet with some other people from the church weekly and talk about your experiences and what you are learning or struggling with as you go through these six weeks of disciplines.
If you would like to meet with someone but don't know who- call me and we will work out a group for you to meet in- Roger: 604 649-6871.