The First 15

Friday October 8, 2021

by Jan Davis

Today is Friday, October 8 and this week we are exploring how the Bible encourages us to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Opening Prayer

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I quiet my busy mind and recenter my scattered thoughts. I breathe deeply and slowly, and focus on the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Father God, I long to be in your presence during these first fifteen minutes of my day. Speak to my heart and mind the message you have for me. Come Holy Spirit, show me how I can grow stronger and be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

Scripture Reading

Today I turn to the Lord and seek his peace with the words of Psalm 131.

My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Psalm 131:1-2

Pause and Pray

Today we go to the New Testament book of Hebrews. This was written to a group of early Christians who, because of persecution, were tempted to revert to their former beliefs. The author encourages them to persevere in their faith and find maturity through dependence on Jesus Christ. He compares the spiritually immature to babies needing spiritual milk and encourages them to be ready for more advanced teachings of solid food that will help them grow in their maturity. The readers are inspired to grow strong through the reading of God’s word, pressing on toward holiness, and partaking in solid food.

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity. Hebrews 5:11-6:1a

Reflection

If I am not moving forward in my spiritual journey and advancing in my walk with Christ, I may be standing still or even regressing. I want to grow strong and mature in the faith of Jesus. Today I consider my own spiritual diet – is it milk or solid food? During the long season of the Covid-19 pandemic, unable to attend church and fellowship with other believers, many took steps backwards in their life of faith. Have I regressed in my faith? How can I move forward? Am I content with the milk of the immature believer or am I ready for solid food? Am I seeking to understand the truths of the Christian life? Perhaps I need someone to teach me the basic truths of God’s word all over again. Where am I in the spiritual journey and am I availing myself of teaching and practices that will enable me to grow strong in faith and knowledge?

Ask: Do I want to move forward on my journey to holiness and maturity? What are the next steps I need to take to become a more mature Christian believer?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the ways I have become complacent and content with my progress in the life of faith. I confess that the journey toward holiness can sometimes be daunting. I ask you to give me new motivation and a fresh appetite for learning and growing in the faith. I pray that your Holy Spirit will inspire me to go deeper into the scriptures, long for pure spiritual milk and make me ready for the solid food of righteousness. I read the passage from Hebrews again slowly, paying attention to what you are saying to me today.

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity. Hebrews 5:11-6:1a

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

What is God saying to me through this scripture? What is the Holy Spirit speaking into my life? I reflect on my current spiritual practices and the time I spend with God and with my community of faith. What does the Lord reveal that I need? Do I need milk or solid food? In many ways I feel like an infant or small toddler in the faith with so much learning and growing still ahead of me. I think about the people I know who I consider to be “mature” in the faith. How has their constant use of scripture trained them to distinguish good from evil? How do I distinguish between good and evil? When I search my soul, am I ready to move beyond elementary teachings about Jesus and do I want to be taken forward to maturity? What would that look like in my life? What is the next step God wants me to take in my spiritual journey? Am I ready and willing to take the next step?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, you are a God of righteousness and truth. Come, Holy Spirit, guide me on a path of maturity, move me on toward holiness through sanctifying grace. Reveal my next step in the Christian journey, the step you have ordained for me to take. Give me the support and encouragement I need to move forward. Make me ready for the spiritual nourishment you have prepared for me, the solid food that will strengthen me for my journey. Amen.

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3

Closing Prayer

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I seek the next steps God has for me on my spiritual journey. Show me how I can support and encourage others to grow in their faith and find their next steps in the faith. Amen.

The First 15

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