This past weekend was Jemison Feastmeeting. What is Feastmeeting? It is what the name implies. You have church Friday night and then go eat. Then you have church Saturday morning and then eat. Next you have church Saturday night and then eat. Finally you have one last service Sunday morning and then guess what…….You eat; any time in between worshipping and eating is spent fellowshipping with old friends and meeting new ones. Like anything else you can never know what it is like until you experience it for yourself.
Ok…where was I? Oh yes, at Jemison there was a sermon preached on the relationship of Christ and the Church. One particular comment that was made really got the wheels turning, and I thank God for that. The preacher said (not exact quote, but the gist of the statement): “Just as a holy husband and a holy wife raise their children to be good citizens of God’s kingdom. So must Christ and the Church work together to raise its members to be good citizens of God’s kingdom.” What God has blessed me with this week is the thought: What are some Church taught-Biblical based disciplines that are a “must have” in the life of a Sanctified person?
1st) Study the Bible every day. (2 Tim 2:15) Study it in an environment that promotes concentration-with a mind and life that is eager to receive the instruction it will communicate. I cannot tell you what this simple discipline has done for me in my life, and I am sure many others who have “searched the scriptures” will testify the same. (John 5:39) The Bible is the heartbeat of our salvation, the Word of God pumps blood through our spiritual life, and without it we are cold and lifeless; without it, we have no joy. Personal Bible reading is a “must have” discipline.
2nd) Pray. Every. Day. Not just a quick head bow with some silent muttering, but taking time to get alone, and get on your knees, and get real with God. As Jesus did and instructed, segregating yourself from the crowd, finding a quit place to talk to the Father. This we must do every day. There is power in prayer, he wants us to pour out our cares to him, and furthermore, he instructs us to. "Casting all our care upon him for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7) We gain strength through prayer, we intercede for others through prayer, and without prayer the communication is lost. Prayer and reading the Bible keep your mind clear and your communication open with God. As I once heard: "To say you don't need pray is to say you don't need God." Consider this, as the solider on the front lines DAILY radios back to home-base for instruction; so must we daily check in with the command center so that we may perform all things which he desires of us. Personal prayer is a “must have” discipline.
God has called my mind to a few more “must have” disciplines; however I am rapidly approaching the condition of being long winded. Please come back next week for the conclusion. If you have any disciplines that have helped you in your walk with God or just thoughts in general-please feel free to e-mail them to pgocllins65@gmail.com
Attention: The weekend after next, which is September the 14th, 15th, and 16th, Christ Sanctified Holy Church-Leesburg, GA will be hosting their annual feastmeeting. If you would like to come, but need a place to stay, directions to the church, or any such like information-please call 919.760.3706 (my cell) or e-mail at pgcollins65@gmail.com.
