Spiritual Cutlery: Keeping a Sharp Mind October 12, 2016
Spiritual growth is matching my practice with my position. My position in Christ is perfect. I need to progress in my practical life in a way that is commensurate with my position. – John MacArthur
Tonight, we will talk about practical ways to keep our minds sharp as we grow in Christ. Bible study is great, but face it, it’s not enough. You need something to get you by when Wednesday and Sunday are too far away. So let’s look at 5 things we can/should do in the meantime for our own sharp growth.
Input = Output
1) Pray – No time to pray makes you easy prey.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray always. This is communication with your Creator, no priest necessary! Take advantage of it!
Luke 5:16 – If Jesus had to withdraw to pray, don’t we need to?
Luke 22:43 – In prayer strength is received.
Prayer needs to be the first thing you do every day. You got to pray! (Thank you, MC Hammer)
2) Quiet Time – Sit down, shut up, and listen.
Psalm 46:10
Rick Warren – (1) Be quiet before the Lord, (2) Pray briefly, (3) Read scripture slowly, (4) Meditate on it, (5) Write down what you discover, and (6) Pray again
Adrian Rogers- (1) Proper period, (2) proper preparation, (3) proper place, (4) proper provision (materials), and (5) proper procedure
As the saying goes, you have two ears and one mouth for a reason.
3) Read – “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”
Benefits: Better memory. Better focus. Slows down the progress of Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Reading is fundamental.
These benefits are for reading in general, not even referencing biblical reading.
Benefits for Spiritual Reading: It is a subject matter for prayer; Used to attack evil thoughts;
Lift thoughts to divine matters.
Joshua 1:8; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105; 1 Timothy 4:13
Most importantly, it is a gift to read God’s Word.
Side note: People died for our rights to literacy. Don’t let it be in vain.