Five Simple Ways to Boost Your Spiritual Life

Growth as a Christian is a lot different than growing a potted plant on your doorstep.  The potted plant just sits there, soaking up sun and rain, and it grows. But to be a growing Christian you need to be much more proactive.  Its the "working out your salvation" that Paul talks about.  

As we enter the summer months, let's think about 5 simple ways to kickstart your walk with Christ and develop greater reverence for God.

1. The "Five Page" Rule -  Reading good Christian literature is paramount to a robust faith. What people don't often realize is that just five pages a day can supercharge your spiritual life.  Not only will you get a good dose of biblical teaching, you can burn through a book like this one in just a month's time.

2.  Double up by Downloading -  Multitasking is a great way to beef up your soul.  Tapping into that grand reservoir of Christian audio on the internet can make that morning commute or "treadmill time" more spiritually productive. Next time you do the dishes, tune your phone into a sermon by Tim Keller or download a podcast from Nacey Leigh Demoss. 

3.  Sabbath like a Jew - The Lord designed Sundays to be the "market day of the soul" for the Christian.  It's a day to say "no" to the busy-ness of life and concentrate on more God.  If we "keep the sabbath day holy" through corporate worship, private reflection/meditation, extended times of personal prayer, or Christian fellowship, we'll see immense changes in our spiritual demeanor. 

4.  Prayer Challenge - Stonewall Jackson was a great military general, but he was also a great man of prayer.  He trained himself to say a prayer every time he took a sip of water or mailed a letter.  While you might not pray for every gulp you take, you can add prayer to more of your daily tasks.  When you pick up their toys, ask God to bless your kids.  When you punch in at work, as God to clock in grace for the day too.  

5.  Improve Your Baptism - Your baptism wasn't just something that happened long ago and far away.  It's a God given tool in your spiritual arsenal.  Reflecting on it's meaning and reality can be of great benefit in fighting temptation, dissuading doubt, and confirming you in grace.  Martin Luther encouraged his congregation to simply repeat, "I've been baptized!  I've been baptized!" from time to time as a way of reminding them of the saving promises of the gospel.