ENGAGE your FAITH
CULTIVATE Spiritual H.A.B.I.T.S.
To cultivate spiritual fruit, engage your faith by developing some foundational spiritual H.A.B.I.T.S. (Matthew 3:8, Galatians 5:22-23)
Why do I need to practice hang time with God?
Your relationship with God is meant to GROW. Our world is noisy and busy and time with God can be easily passed over. Make an appointment to connect with God through reading the Bible and prayer. Luke 5:16: “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
What happens when you take hang time with God?
God makes a transformational life change in the Christ follower’s heart (Psalm 51:9-10). Through the finished work of Jesus and the power of the Spirit, we experience fullness of life (John 10:10). God’s Word and prayer give us direction for daily living (Psalm 119:104-105, Psalm 86:15, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
How do I hang out with God?
Begin by asking for God’s help to grow spiritually (Psalm 119:18). Plan a consistent time and place to meet with God. Please note, YouVersion has a free Bible app with great reading plans, devotionals, and translation choices. Spend quality time reading God’s love letter (the Bible) daily (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Process your thoughts by noting any observations and questions so that you align your heart with the Truth of God’s Word. And don’t just read God’s Word, but also share your heart with God through prayer. Practice what you have heard and shared with God (James 1:22-25, Romans 12:1-2).
Tools can teach you how to P.R.A.Y. (Luke 11, Matthew 6)
- PRAISE God for His nature and character.
- REPENT of your sins.
- ASK for what is on your heart for yourself and others.
- YIELD your anxieties, worries, dreams, goals, desires, etc. to God.
BOTTOM LINE: Be a healthy Christ follower through time with God.
We all need dependable spiritual partners to grow spiritually. Romans 12:5: “Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” To grow spiritually, be accountable relationally. We all need a network of trusted spiritual partners that we allow inside our interior worlds to know what we’re really going through and hold us accountable to grow spiritually (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Growing spiritually doesn’t happen just when we KNOW what Jesus says, but when we APPLY what He says. Application happens best within the context of accountable community. Having spiritual partners helps shoulder the heavy burdens we carry (Galatians 6:2). Accountability adds insight to your decisions and truth to your perception (Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 27:6). Be accountable for hope when you hurt and need strength for your journey (James 5:16, Proverbs 27:17). Practice accountabilityProcess our Sunday messages within our Family Groups following the message. Connect in our midweek groups like THE FORGE (men’s small group), She Proves Faithful (women’s small group), and Youth Group to help each other in the faith journey from HERE to THERE! FREE Remind Texts from Us
BOTTOM LINE: Form accountability relationships to grow your faith and encourage others to do the same. Great lives are not lived in isolation. |
Why memorize scripture?
Psalm 119:11: “I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Anything that we have “stored up” in our hearts will always be expressed in our actions (Luke 6:45).
What happens when I memorize scripture?
Memorizing Scripture helps align my heart with God’s and live His way (Psalm 119:11). Through His living word, He feeds me spiritually (Matthew 4:4, Jeremiah 15:16). Plus, I am equipped to answer questions about my faith (Colossians 3:16, 1 Peter 3:15) and replace my old (sinful) habits (Ephesians 4:22-23). Scripture also fortifies my mind against worldly pressures (Luke 4:1-13).
How do I memorize scripture?
Begin by researching Bible passages that are important to commit to memory. Then develop a system for repeating the scripture verse(s) daily. As a note, Fighter Verse App is a highly recommended resources tool! Also, learn to be accountable with someone to learn verses.
BOTTOM LINE: Memorizing Scripture leads to making better decisions (wisdom).
Investing in Gospel Ministry (1 Corinthians 16:1-2) fuels our local church body for carrying out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39)! Your generous giving helps us plan and dream responsibly! Giving through the church is an act of worship (Hebrews 13:15-16, Romans 12:1-2) that takes care of everyday expenses and special ministry projects! Grateful for our auto draft partners and timely special gifts! Together we are making an eternal impact! WHY invest generously in God’s Kingdom through the church?Investing in God’s Kingdom is an intentional demonstration of putting God first (Deuteronomy 4:23, Matthew 6:24, Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:10-12). When I give, I am more like God (John 3:16). Trusting that God is the Source of all my needs and seeing myself as a manager of resources, frees me to invest generously in God’s Kingdom through the local church (Proverbs 11:24; Luke 6:38; James 1:17; 1 Corinthians 16:2, Ephesians 3:10). WHAT should I know about investing generously through the church?When it comes to investing in God’s Kingdom, motive is more important than amount (Mark 12:41-44, 2 Corinthians 8:12). Cheerful giving is a sign of spiritual growth and maturity (Matthew 6:21, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 13). And, our generosity on earth will be rewarded in heaven (1 Timothy 6:18-19, Luke 6:38). HOW can I invest generously through the church?The easiest way to give to Northshore Family Church is through our online safe and secure giving portal! The GIVE tab at the top will guide you in making a one time gift or setting up recurring gifts. GIVE NOW!
BOTTOM LINE: Proverbs 11:25 : “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes other will himself be refreshed.” |
Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Corinthians 12 make it clear that each Christian is given spiritual gifts according to the Lord’s choice. WHY train spiritual gifts?Spiritual gifts are given for the edification of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7, 14:12). As we seek to serve God out of love for the purpose of building up others for His glory, He will bring glory to His name, grow His church, and reward us (1 Corinthians 3:5-8, 12:31–14:1). **Only those who believe in God’s gracious free gift of salvation purchased by His death, burial, and resurrection on the cross, through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-10), receive spiritual gifts! WHAT is the value of training spiritual gifts?The Holy Spirit empowers believers for Christian witness and service! Spiritual gifts communicate God’s Word, educate God’s people, demonstrate God’s love, and celebrate His presence! HOW do I discover my S.H.A.P.E.?
BOTTOM LINE: Join GOD’s good plans and purposes for this world! |
Why is sharing the Gospel story important?
Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
What responsibility do I have to share the Gospel story?
God commands every Christian to share the Gospel (Mark 16:15). Because, if you don’t tell someone, they may never hear (Romans 10:13-14). A radical relationship with God makes sharing your faith more natural (Luke 6:45). And your personal involvement will allow you to share the blessings (1 Corinthians 9:23).
How do I share the Gospel story?
Start by praying for opportunities to share with your friends about your faith (1 Peter 3:15). Make a list of two or three people that you want to commitment to pray and share your faith journey. Also consider committing important verses to memory like the Romans Road to Salvation and others key salvation verses: Romans 3:3, Romans 1:18, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 10:13, Ephesians 2:8-10. It is important to rehearse your personal spiritual faith story of salvation and current faith journey so that you can share it as a clear presentation of the Gospel story.
BOTTOM LINE: “And how can they believe Him if they have not heard … And how can they hear … Unless someone tells them?” Romans 10:14.
ACTIVATE Talents within the FAMILY
A spiritual gift is a God-given ability for service. God equips His faith followers unique gifts specifically designed for the advancement of His plans and purposes. We can know that God values diversity because He gives us different gifts. (1 Corinthians 12)
When people engage in service, it leads to life change! Matthew 9:37-38 reminds us to actively pray and seek “owners” to fill some important needs in the body. Our collective spiritual gifts have a purpose in the body. And these gifts will have maximum impact when exercised together within our strategy.
Do you notice a need? It probably is an invitation to help!
There are numerous service opportunities within the body of the church! And, there is a place for everyone to serve as part of the body of Christ!
SERVE as AMBASSADORS from the FAMILY
God uses relationships to change each of us for the better, and the reality is that we don’t experience relationships when we’re sitting in rows. Learning together is an important first step, but it’s not the only step. When you’re fully involved in the life of a church, God uses other people to help you grow, and He uses you to help grow other people.
Jesus doesn’t want the church to be an exclusive club. He wants everyone to know Him and follow Him.
As we become fully engaged in church, we will invest in the unchurched people in our lives.
That doesn’t mean that we treat people as projects. We genuinely care about entering into people’s story and desire to know what’s happening in their lives! When the time is right, we are ready to invite them to take an appropriate next step toward Jesus.
Nehemiah 2:17-20 is a message that inspires me to echo the call to “RISE and BUILD!”
His confidence in God inspired courage to give a voice to his faith in God. Then God ignited a spark of faith in others to unite together for seeking God’s redemptive hand on their story!
Just as FAITH without WORKS does not WORK, living faith will be evidenced in my words and actions. (James 2:17)
To respond to the call of God’s wisdom in our day to “RISE and BUILD”, we must A.C.T.!
- Acknowledge God’s glory and God’s heart!
- Commit to having a healthy faith!
- Take ownership of rebuilding broken walls! (culture, faith)
REMIND CODE 2:20 is based on the words of Nehemiah 2:20, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build.” This ministry connection was designed as a way to immediately match needs with workers for responding to critical service needs within the community. Text: 81010 Message: @code2-20