“The more things change the more they stay the same.”
Sometimes “leveling up” isn’t about doing new things. Often it is doing the same things only better.
Your prayer life, Bible study, and generosity are the building blocks to a great faith. However, they are foundation blocks. We don’t stop using them to grow. You build upon them. You may even drive their footings deeper that your faith becomes strong.
If you think about it much of your life is doing the same things you always do but better. Golf swings improve by repetition not learning the “Happy Gilmore”. (As cool as that would be.) Relationships are built on the same things that just get deeper and deeper. Conversation, quality time, and intimacy are the same things but they get better as you work on them. The notes are the same on every piano. But, there are those who spend more time with the piano and are able to accomplish more. They get more from the same notes that are available to everyone.
So, the same things, but better.
Change Up Your Prayer Life
I don’t know of anything more important than your prayer life. I can think of things equal to it but not more important than it.
We talked about stillness, note-taking, and your imagination in our last post. How can we level up something as simple as prayer? Simple.
Find a prayer partner.
In fact, if you are married you should have two and the first one is your spouse.
Praying by yourself is great, but it’s often hard to stay focused. Praying with a fellow believer will add rocket fuel to your prayer life. Especially if that believer actually believes.
When you pray with someone, it builds a synergy. You call on God for things dear to you.
They talk to God about the deep places in their heart. Both of you are elevated in your prayer “game”.
Psalms 42:7 (ESV) Deep calls to deep…
Romans 8:26 (NLT) And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
When we pray, we are “in the spirit”. We are moving into a much deeper and more significant place. By praying with someone else, we exponentially increase the depth of our connection. Maybe this is why Jesus said,
Matthew 18:19-20 (NLT) “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
So, a couple of things to consider.
Pray regularly with your spouse. This conversation with God and in the Spirit will allow you a much greater connection. It will be much more significant than you realize. And, Your marriage will flourish. Just don’t try to fix each other during prayer.
Pray with a friend. You will pray for more. You will connect with God more fully. You are going to grow mightily in prayer by doing this.
Wake Up Your Quiet Time
I bet your time in the Bible is going better since our last post. You now know that your Bible leads you to Jesus. It’s no longer a dusty duty. It’s now a place of communion and connection to Christ. So, how do we level up our quiet time? (Would you like to phone a friend for the answer?)
It’s Simple.
Phone a friend. Or, find a Bible Study Partner.
It’s great to receive “fresh bread” from Jesus in your Bible discovery times. If you would like the bread to be even sweeter, share it with someone else.
It’s like the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus gave the disciples food to share. When they shared they ended up with an overabundance. The same will be true for you. The more you share your discoveries the more you will get from them. You will notice more about them as you find words to communicate them.
Sharing your discoveries from the Bible will level you up faster than you can imagine. If there is a secret to spiritual growth it’s sharing what Jesus has given.
So, who do you have in your life that has faith? Who do you know that also desires greater faith and connection with God’s Spirit? Well, it’s “coffee date” time.
Maybe you guys can pray together as well, wouldn’t that be awesome. Then all you have to do is ask, “What is God telling you?”
If you are both meeting with Jesus regularly in the Bible, that will be enough. That question will launch an incredibly encouraging and fruitful conversation.
Shake Up Your Generosity
We talked about giving to those closest to you in our last post. So, if you are thinking you already know the answer to the question of how to level up your generosity, you do.
It’s Simple. Phone a friend! Move outside your family and into the circle of your friends. How could you bless someone you know?
Sharing your blessings in life is key to enjoying those blessings much more. Enjoying and even multiplying your financial, emotional, or spiritual gifts comes by sharing.
So, who could you give a call or text to today? Who could you surprise with a simple gift or an act of service? Could you give a prayer from your much-improved prayer time? How about sharing a scripture from your leveled-up Bible discovery time?
Luke 6:38 (NLT) Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
Instead of lacking the things you so desperately need, learn to give them away. Then you will have more than you could imagine.
Isn’t God’s Work In You and For You Amazing?
Micheal