Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Monday, July 25, 2011

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God."¹

A Daily Encounter reader writes, "We are doing a Bible study on spiritual gifts. Do you have any ideas on how Christians can become more spiritual in their everyday living, and what constitutes a spiritual person?

First, to be genuinely spiritual we need to have a strong desire for this and be fully committed to it, because authentic spirituality doesn't come naturally to most of us. The half-hearted never make it.

Second, ask God to give you the desire to be all that he has planned for you to be and the desire to do what he wants you to do.

Third, it is very helpful to pray every day, committing our life and way to God, including a prayer such as that of Jabez:

    "Oh that you would bless me wonderfully,
    Please be with me in everything I do
    Greatly expand my [Christian] borders, and
    Keep me from all evil, harm and disaster."²

Fourth, also pray every day telling God that you are available and ask him to use you to be "as Jesus" in some way to every life you touch.

Fifth, know what God's Word, the Bible, teaches so you know what to believe and how to live. Strive with God's help to always live in harmony with God's will as taught in his Word. To do this you need to read and study God's word regularly, if not daily.

Sixth, maintain strong connections with fellow Christians to help support and encourage each other in your Christian walk.

Seventh, be faithful in worship in your church and in service to others, using the spiritual gift/s that God has given to you. Remember, too, that while using spiritual gifts is very important, having these gifts is not the measure of spirituality. The real test is the test of love. As the Apostle Paul wrote:  "If I speak in the tongues [languages] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal….  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."³

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be an authentic Christian and be genuinely spiritual in a quiet, down to earth, and humble way. Help me to know what my spiritual gifts are, and find a way to use them where you can best use meâ€"and always serve and act in a genuine spirit of love. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT).
2. See 1 Chronicles 4:10.
3. Corinthians 13:1, 13 (NIV).

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