Spiritual Diet
Minister Joaquin
1 Timothy 4:6-8
6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Train yourself for godliness
Romans 8:28-30
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Thirsting for God by Gary Thomas
If we could witness the incarnate Jesus for just one day and then compare ourselves to Him instead of someone else, we would see how full of sin we really are. We would notice more of our attitudinal sins, such as pride, selfishness, and a sense of entitlement. We would be more aware of missed opportunities to love. In Jesus, we’d see a man fully alive to God, and that would help us see how little of God we actually express. This kind of deep character transformation—in which Jesus Himself is the standard—is anything but quick and easy. It is a joyous pursuit, but it is often painful and agonizingly slow. Overcoming years of slothfulness, selfish ambition, greed, pride, and other attitudes and sins requires a life of training.
What are your New Year’s resolutions mostly about?
How much do we even stick to them? Did you know the second Friday of the new year is called Quitter’s Day? That’s when most people abandon their New Year’s resolutions.
I will most definitely thrive if I deprive myself of tofu in 2025
Fasting for character growth
How come we don’t start the year with a diet from junk that feeds us poorly inside and not just food
Push yourself to develop/ increase your spiritual weight
People say if you pray for something then you will immediately be exposed to it. If you pray for patience, then you will face situations that will test your patience.
Growing as children of God
Romans 8:14-17
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Children trust their parents to protect them
Children can be themselves around their parents
Children don’t doubt the love of their parents
Children want to be like their parents
Children like the things their parents like
Children can bring any problem to their parents
Children feel safe around their parents
Children want to inherit what their parents have
Children want to spend all their time with their parents
Not being immature but enjoying a purer relationship and carefree life
Benefits of being like Christ
Hear God more
Know His thoughts
See the big picture
Have an unshakable bond
Feel God’s love more
Live without fear
Applications
1. Physically-mentally-spiritually < spiritually-mentally-physically
2. My formula: Read about Jesus, Read the books on how to live, Read the stories of the people that lived it out, rinse myself clean with the blood of Jesus and repeat
Questions
What is the best part of being a part of your family?
Why do we focus more on doing for God rather than enjoying being part of his family?
What is a spiritual goal that you will set for this year to help you enjoy more of God’s presence in your life?
The essence of the Christian life is a love relationship with God. Our standing in the Christian life rests with Christ. When acquiring virtues and avoiding sin become the primary focus of our walk, we have elevated the (admittedly important) secondary over the primary. Another way of putting it is that we have made an idol out of our own piety.
True holiness results from a tranquil reliance on God for the care of our souls. It depends on grace, not self-effort, and it cooperates with God instead of trying to replace God. True holiness recognizes that apart from God, we can’t help but sin, and it is willing to live with this truth, for true holiness is humble holiness.
Ways to get closer to God
Always share encouraging words & build people up
Listen to people’s problems
Go on a hike to be alone with God
Journal and record all God has done
Set time for worship and to open your heart to God
Read about strong Christians
Watch movies about faith
Explore new places to see the beauty of God’s creation
Mission trip
Read your Bible
Attend church
Serve at church
Lead at church
Share the gospel
Pray for people
Feed the hungry
Study Gods Word
Learn new languages
Host people to show Gods love
Help kids that are struggling with a subject
Commit to growing more like God
1 - John 1-10
2 - John 11-21
3 - Romans 1-8
4 - Romans 9-16
5 - Daniel 1-6
6 - Genesis 37-50
7 - Psalms 112, 42, 51,136, 118
8 - Matthew 1-9
9 - Matthew 10-20
10 - 1 Peter
11 - Ephesians
12 - Esther
13 - Genesis 12-26
14 - Psalms 34, 23, 115, 143, 1
15 - Luke 4-12
16 - Luke 13-21
17 - Philippians
18 - James
19 - 1 Samuel 8-20
20 - 1 Samuel 21-31
21 - Psalms 139, 116, 141, 50, 25
22 - Luke 22-24; Acts 1-2
23 - Acts 3-11
24 - Acts 12-19
25 - Acts 20-28
26 - Ruth 1-4
27 - Nehemiah 1-13
28 - Psalm 119
29 - Mark 1-8
30 - Mark 9-16
31 - Galatians
32 - 1 Timothy
33 - Jeremiah 1-12
34 - Jeremiah 15-29
35 - Psalms 8, 16, 19, 127, 142
36 - Matthew 21-28
37 - 1 Corinthians 1-8
38 - 1 Corinthians 9-16
39 - 1 John
40 - 1&2 Thessalonians
41 - Revelations 1-4
42 - Psalms 18, 62, 138, 144
43 - Hebrews 1-7
44 - Hebrews 8-13
45 - Joshua 1-8;23-24