During Sunday's study through Ephesians chapter 3, we noticed Paul praying for the Ephesians believers, that they would "…be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man…" (verse 16).
This idea of being strengthened in our very spirit,"the inner man", is one of the keys to living a victorious and effective Christian life.
I shared that while growing up in Cape Town, South Africa I attended a small Christian school for a few years. The school’s matriarchal principal, Annette, would often deal with discipline issues by sharing the simple story of a missionary in a remote jungle village. One day, this missionary was approached by a one of the local men and the man described his spiritual state to the missionary this way…
“There are 2 dogs fighting inside of me…. a black dog and a white dog… a good dog and an evil dog. Which one will win?”
The missionary responded, “Whichever one you feed.”
So too it is with our own spiritual life. We either feed the flesh or we feed the spirit. Fortunately, God has provided us with the means to feed our spirits and, in doing so, "…be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man…".
These are not practices that save us or make us more deserving of God's love. They are practices that lead to life, and spiritual health and strength.
1) Daily Time in God’s Word
If this is new to you, start your day with 15 minutes in God’s Word (we recommend the Gospel of John as a starting point). Before you read, ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through the text.
2) Daily Time in Prayer
Keep a prayer journal - a small notebook or even a note on your phone, of the things you’re praying for. Make sure it includes things like your spouse, your children, your friends, the non-believers you’re praying for, the miracles you’re believing for… And look at your journal at least once a day. Your faith will grow as you find yourself able to cross things off the list as God works on your behalf. Pray throughout the day with short little prayers. Pray before every interaction you have with somebody and pray for them afterwards. Pray when you get in your car. Talk to God throughout the day.
3) Daily Time in Worship
Listen to worship music instead of the radio. Listen to the lyrics, agree with them, pray along with them, and you’ll be worshipping!
4) Regular Fellowship with other PassionateBelievers
You need to be encouraged in your walk with Christby being around other people who love Jesus. If you don’t have any type of fellowship with other believers in the middle of your week, let me encourage you to make being in a Growth Group a priority. This is where you can share prayer requests and engage in community with other believers who can encourage you.
5) Regular Reflection on the Cross through Communion
When we allow our sin to separate us from God, we need to repent so that the relationship can be fully restored. Communion causes us to talk to God about it and then be reminded, in a very real way, that Jesus has forgiven us. We are reminded that Jesus understands pain, He understands loneliness, He understands fear and doubt, and he sympathizes with us. But there is also hope because on the Cross He overcame all of those things and His strength is now available to us.
6) Church
It makes an enormous difference over time, when every week you receive teaching from God’s Word, you experience God’s presence in worship with other believers, and you receive a reminder of the Cross through Communion. Make Church a priority. Jesus said, repeatedly, that He wants us meeting together around Him as the Church.
So how are you doing? If you feel distant and disconnected from God, don't stay that way! Don't stay in that place! Start feeding yourself, spiritually, and you will see God strengthen your "inner man".Life will flow to every area of your life. Don't wait!
