Ever get the accountability question, ‘Soooo, how’s your walk with the Lord recently?’
I’m always challenged to answer that question…
- Are they asking how my quiet times are going?
- Are they wondering if I’ve been regularly attending church or small group?
- Are they asking if I’ve been committing those habitual sins I tend toward?
I’m not sure what it’s like in your neck of the woods. But, I’ve commonly replied and found others answering this question by describing the current state of Bible reading and reflection with the Lord.
- ‘I’ve had some really rich times with the Lord recently and have enjoyed learning more about Hezekiah.’
- ‘I haven’t been getting up like I used to and so I really haven’t had any time lately to journal or read my Bible.’
I know we need to read God’s Word. It’s critical and important to our journey of faith. I blogged about this for an entire week a month or so ago. But, it’s funny that our time in God’s Word has become the main way to take our spiritual temperature. This doesn’t seem to line up with the marks God provides in Scripture.
So, I want to have a few more ways to answer, both myself and others, when the question of my current spiritual health comes up. Here are a few areas that I would do well to give myself a check up:
1How much do I think about Christ and enjoy Him throughout my days?
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9
2How much do I take steps to joyfully and humbly serve my family, friends and neighbors throughout the week?
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:35-37
3How much love and respect do I have for individuals in my church? How hard am I working to be unified with fellow Christians that God has placed near me?
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
4How generous am I with my time, money and possessions? Do I find it more blessed to give than to receive?
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:24
5How much contentment, gratefulness, and joy do I have when days are long and challenging?
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13
This list could go far beyond 5, but let’s be honest. It’s Monday morning and even this short list of questions reveals how far I have to go. But this is a start and gets me thinking beyond just reading my Bible and reminds me that what I read should impact what I do.
What about you? What questions do you ask yourself when you’re taking your spiritual temperature? I hope you’ll send me a few.
Related posts:
- 5 Ways to Celebrate Easter I can’t believe it, but we are less than one...
- 5 Ways to Get Rich Quick Today, I’m super excited to be a guest at SimpleMom-a...
- 5 Ways to say, ‘Won’t You be My Neighbor?’ We all know we should love our neighbors as ourselves. ...
- 5 Ways to Hope Against Hope Yesterday, I read in Romans 4 about Abraham and his...
- 5 Ways to Make Sunday a Sabbath I’m happy to say that this post was co-written by...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I am new to your blog and I LOVE IT!!!
thanks for the reminder on our spiritual health! I tend to ask myself if I can be accountable for my actions… this is a biggy for me! I will be putting this on my shout outs!! Have a blessed week!
Chele’s last blog post..So I am a slacker!
Very good point. Yes, there is no doubt we must regularly read God’s Word–for many reasons. But there are also times we must put the bible down and get up and actually LIVE OUT what we say we believe. That is much harder than bible study!
I have found that one way I can check my own spiritual temperature is to see how much time passes between a sin I commit and my genuine confession and repentance. Obviously, if I am growing in intimacy with the Lord, that span of time should get shorter each time!
Thanks for this post, Nicole. Have a great week.
Amy’s last blog post..The Grace of an American Idol
Love this one! My mind always goes straight to the amount of time I am reading my Bible when I am faced with this question as well. But I love what you have pointed out. Thank you!
This is a GREAT blog. I’m here from Chele’s Shout Outs and I’m so glad I stopped by. What a great way to look at it and it is SO true! I do the same thing. I think other than the study part, I’m looking at whether I’m worrying or speaking negatively. Am I’m being short tempered or do I still feel joy and peace? If I’m worrying, I’m not trusting God to handle it, not a good sign. Thanks again!!
Erika’s last blog post..All in the Name of Peace
We live in a country where foreigners can be deported for witnessing. One of our favorite questions was taken from Ephesians 6:19-20: Am I speaking the gospel boldly?