*Our vision is . . . To connect intimately with God, To connect deeply with
one another, To connect intentionally with people who need Christ. *Many of
us are great at playing “make-believe.” We go about our days with a happy
face. When people ask how we are doing our standard response is “great.” In
reality many of us are dying on the inside. We are tired, burned out, fed
up, sick of the rat race and sick of the expectations of others. We are
anything but “great.” Being “great” begins with a deep, personal
relationship with our Lord. Many believers in our time lack intimacy with
God.

Just this morning, I began with a long list of things “to do.” I was really
frustrated because I just couldn’t seem to get going! It was then that I
realized that I was working in my own strength. I was trying to live life
and accomplish God’s work in my strength. Whenever that happens I am bound
to fail . . . as are all of us.

I was privileged to come to Christ through the ministry of the Navigators.
One of the great benefits of being associated with this group was their
keen interest in discipleship. These men who led me to the Lord also taught
me about the basics of the Christian life. I am so grateful for their input
into my life.

What they helped me to learn were the spiritual disciplines that are so
essential for every believer. And what are these spiritual disciplines.
Here are the basic survival tools we need for our tool box.

First, we need a daily quiet time. This is a time when we spend time
reading God’s Word, the Bible and praying. Each of us needs to fill our
minds and hearts with the truths of God’s Word so that the Lord can shape
us and mold us after godliness. 2 Peter 2:2 tells us, “as newborn babes,
desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” Spiritual
growth, like physical growth, requires nourishment. There is nothing like
the Word of God to cause us to grow and mature in Christ! The Lord also
exhorts us to “pray without ceasing” in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. The Lord
speaks to us through His Word. He will never do anything contrary to His
Word. Prayer is the way we speak to God. We pour out our hearts to Him in
prayer. The Word + Prayer = two-way communication.

*Hearing, meditating and memorizing* the Word are three more disciplines
that help us grow in Christ. We hear the Word of God through preaching and
teaching. As we memorize the Word of God, we hide it in our hearts. When
the Word resides in our hearts we then meditate on its meaning. All of this
produces growth and maturity in Christ. This does not come by our effort,
but by the Spirit of God taking the Sword of the Spirit (the Bible) and
using it to conform us to the image of Christ.

How can we hope to accomplish in life the things that the Lord has set
before us? It all begins with a deep, personal, intimate relationship with
Him.

Several months ago, Jerry Kingman began a series in Ephesians during Sunday
School. The class was exceptional. I especially appreciated Jerry’s
emphasis of walking in the Spirit. He noted that when we try to do things
in our own strength we fail. But when we do things in the strength of the
Lord we succeed.

I cannot begin to count the times that I was strong and failed. Nor can I
count the times that I worked in His strength and saw victory. This is true
for each of us. A life lived with impact begins with an intimate connection
with the Lord. Intimacy with the Almighty begins and ends with the Word of
God and prayer.

Are you struggling in your marriage? Are you struggling with your children,
with work, with co-workers, with a neighbor or friend? Perhaps the Lord is
trying to remind you of your need of dependence on Him.

This morning I read my Bible. That’s an automatic with me . . . and it
needs to be automatic with you. But I didn’t take time to really pour out
my heart to God in prayer. As I became frustrated, I realized that I had
not prayed as I ought. So I completed the second necessity, the second
discipline . . . and boy did my day go better from that point on. The day
did not turn out as I planned. But it turned out the way He planned . . .
and I was content! Wow!

Here’s an account that shows how prayer and the ministry of the Word of God
in our lives works together.

J. A. Bengal was a German Christian who wrote many commentaries on the
Bible. He was noted for his devotional life. One of his students wanted to
see what he did for his devotions so he hid in his closet one night. He
watched Dr. Bengal as he opened his New Testament and read. Periodically,
he would look up and pray. Finally about midnight, he closed his Bible. He
prayed, “Lord, now my will is as you will. Amen.” He blew out the candle
and went to bed. He finally understood God’s will. He understood it as he
*read* God’s Word and *prayed*.

My dear friends, how is your *quiet time*? The first step in having a
satisfying life is to be intimately connected with the Almighty. Begin with
at least fifteen minutes a day in Bible reading and prayer. Soon, you will
discover that you have a deepening, growing and vibrant spiritual walk. Try
to memorize one verse a week and meditate on it. The portions of the
Scriptures that have made the greatest impact on me are the portions I have
memorized.

*”I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him,
bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” –Our Lord Jesus
Christ, John 15:3*

*”By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be
my disciples.” –John 15:8*