When we begin to think about how to nourish spiritual health in ourselves and our children, we are tempted to look for something novel or flashy. Just like an advertisement that promises something new and extraordinary to solve a problem, we look for something that is new or novel to provide for our spiritual health. But as far as our spiritual lives go, many of the practices that provide spiritual health are those that have literally been around forever. The Bible gives us clear direction as we seek to grow and thrive spiritually. Two practices that are particularly important for our spiritual nourishment are Prayer and Bible Engagement.
To challenge you to pray may seem like too obvious of a suggestion. But, with that said, it is surprising how many people really don’t pray that much. One of the practices we can see that Jesus made a priority was prayer. Sometimes we see him praying for extended periods, and even in the most intense moments he turns to prayer. In 1st Thessalonians 5:17, the Apostle Paul writes to “pray without ceasing.” Paul also puts down into words the result we see yielded through prayer. In Philippians 4:6, it is, “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.” This peace was the result of prayer in Jesus’s life, and our expectation when we pray should be that our hearts are impacted with that kind of effect. Put very simply, prayer is important, and we cannot expect to be spiritually nourished and thrive without it.
Another practice that contributes to our spiritual health is Bible Engagement. This means Bible reading, study, memorization, and meditation. Why so much emphasis on the Bible? Because God has given it to us to know him and how to follow him. Psalm 119:105 states: “your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:11 also states, “your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 1 calls the one that “meditates on the word day and night,” “blessed,” and, “a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season.” Jesus countered the temptation of Satan with scripture that he memorized, and in 2 Timothy 3:16, the apostle Paul writes that the word is, “profitable for teaching, reproof, correcting, and training in righteousness.” Through this wealth of information on the Word of God we see the clear impact it can make in our lives. Through these practices of Bible Engagement, we are being saturated like a sponge with the Word.
So, while we could list a lot of other things that contribute to spiritual health, we should not neglect these two vital disciplines. The beauty of it is that you don’t have to wait. You can start right now, and through regular engagement you will be nourishing your soul through your fellowship with God.
By Dr. Chris DeGeorge, Lead Pastor of Parkview Baptist Church
