Last week we looked briefly at reasons to be healthy, reasons to look after our health in an holistic way.
We also touched briefly on emotional health (boundaries) and we will discuss this more fully next week.
Today we will look at spiritual health.
What does it take to remain spiritually healthy?
And how do we nuture our spirit?
1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT
All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
Spiritual health is related to the state of our relationship with God
The first step towards true spiritual health is a renewed spirit.
In John 3 Nicodemus comes to Jesus asking him about his miracles.
John 3:3 Jesus answered
Unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
John 1:11-14
These words are powerful. They teach us that Jesus is The Word made flesh
John 1:10-14 NLT
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. [11] He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. [12] But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. [13] They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. [14] So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.
Jesus wants to come into our lives.
Romans 8:9-17 NLT
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) [10] And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. [11] The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. [12] Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. [13] For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. [14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. [15] So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." [16] For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. [17] And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
In Romans 8:11
The Spirit gives life to our mortal bodies
Romans 8:14-17.
The Spirit of God brings life to our spirit, assures us of our place in God's family and speaks to God interceding for us when we don't know what to pray
We are to nuture our spirit by allowing God's Spirit to bring life. John says that Jesus is the Word, that Jesus lives in us by the Spirit
How do we nuture our spirits? What are we doing to build our spiritual health and our relationship with God ?
What is the state of our relationship with God?
Colossians 2:7-10 NLT
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. [8] Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. [9] For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. [10] So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
There are two key ways we build our spiritual relationship
The first is continuing to gather for worship, coming together to find God together and for spiritual encouragement that builds us up. In worship we are drawing close to God, dwelling in his presence.
Jesus said that where two or three are gathered he is there in the midst. To build that relationship there are 3 key areas.
Prayer, presence and the Word.
Let's start with the Word
1. The Word
Immersing ourselves in God's word
In Joshua God instructs him to be strong and courageous
Joshua 1:6-9
Strong and courageous meditating on it day and night.
Joshua 1:6-9 NLT
"Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. [7] Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. [8] Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. [9] This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Strength and courage for life comes from living in the word of God.
To prosper in life, we are to meditate on the word of God because the word of God brings life and direction.
Proverbs 4:20-23 NLT
My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. [21] Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, [22] for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. [23] Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Just in case you thought this an Old Testament thing. Paul encourages his readers to let the message about the Messiah dwell richly in their lives.
Colossians 3:15-16 NLT
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. [16] Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT
There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don't seem to listen. [12] You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. [13] For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. [14] Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
Prayer and time in God's presence are essential to relationship and to spiritual health. There is no getting away from the fact that time spent in God's presence is the single most important factor in Spiritual health.
2. Presence
In his presence we hear his heart for us, for his people and for the world. Time in his presence build us up and brings strength and renewal.
Isaiah 40:30
Those who wait on the Lord ...
Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. [29] He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. [30] Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. [31] But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Psalm 91
He who dwells in the presence of the most high will find rest...
Psalm 91:1-2 NLT
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [2] This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
Take time to be in God's presence. Spend time with him, not talking, but just in his presence, maybe praying in the Spirit or maybe in silence.
The psalms are filled with prayers of people worshipping God, glorifying God, seeking God.
But God also speaks to them and simply says
'Be Still and know that I am God.'
Stillness in God's presence may not be physically still, but it is a posture before God, stilling our hearts before him.
Brother Lawrence - practising the presence of God. It takes time and practice to stay connected into God's presence
3. Prayer
Prayer and presence are clearly related
Prayer brings us into God's presence
Isaiah 55
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near
Isaiah 55:1-3, 6 NLT
"Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink- even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk- it's all free! [2] Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. [3] "Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.
[6] Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
The call is to come into God's presence, to seek him in prayer and to listen for his voice.
When we take time to listen we hear the voice of God.
In Kings we read of Elijah. He's hiding away, totally exhausted and God comes to him. God seeks him out. He speaks to him and is not the great loud voice but the still small voice that whispers to our hearts through the tumult of life around us.
The Bible talks of the earthquake, the whirlwind and fire. God's voice comes to us through these things, not in these things, but when we are in the midst of the these things, if we will take time to spend with him, regardless of the tumult of our own lives, he will speak with us.
God seeks you out too, he wants you to ask him in and he comes to you.
Rev 3:20
Behold I stand at the door and knock.
Revelation 3:15-22 NLT
"I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! [16] But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! [17] You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. [18] So I advise you to buy gold from me-gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. [19] I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. [20] "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. [21] Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. [22] "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches."
This was written to Christians. Context - they thought they had it, but they were luke warm, not committed to God's word but living a compromised life. Jesus says open every part of your heart to me. In prayer we can open our hearts to God and let him come in.
Some practical tips.
SOAP for reading the Word
S - Scripture - write down the reference
O - Observation - what are the key points- who is it written to - what is the context and what is God saying in these verses - what did it mean to the people of the time.
A - application - how does this apply to me - what is God saying to me through these verses
P - Prayer - ask God to help you to put it into practice in your life
Finding God's presence - finding a place to get away with God, and joining together to find encouragement from one another and God's presence corporately.
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