HEALTHY CHURCH: The Road to Spiritual Health . . . Continues

      Every journey begins with the first steps. Sometimes, those steps create fear and anxiety, while other times, they are full of joy and celebration.

      The first step is determining your priorities. How do you discern the one thing you need to focus on first?

      The second step is determining your pace. How fast can you lead and execute the change God is leading you to implement?

      The third step is ensuring your perspective aligns with God and those you are leading. Are your expectations and those you lead in agreement? Are you on the same page when you discuss God’s preferred vision for the future of your church?

      Let’s take a moment to remember that the first step really is not the first step. Rather, it must always be preceded by prayer. Prayer is the first, second, third and never-ending step to ensure God’s voice is always the loudest in this journey. The early church was known for prayer and the Word. What are you and your church known for? Today, many ministries are known for their worship music, praise team, programs and preaching. In our worship services, have we relegated prayer to helping us transition people on and off the stage? Are we no longer desperate for God to show up and move mightily in our midst?

      God sovereignly decided to limit His activity to the prayers of His people. When you decide to speak to God in prayer, you will see God in His power. What must you do to build a greater prayer culture in your life, family and church? Before you can execute God’s plan, you must first discern that plan through His Word by seeking His face and crying out to Him. The road to spiritual health is a prayer journey that begins with every individual, family and church. God already knows what you need before you ask. The primary purpose of prayer is to draw close to God and experience Him more intimately.

       How is your prayer life, and are you spiritually healthy? Your joy, sorrow and struggles impact others because no one lives to themselves, dies to themselves, sins to themselves and walks away from the Lord alone. There is always a wake of impact, whether positive or negative. When you or I make a decision that goes against God’s Word, it affects those who trust us, depend on us and look to us for a godly example. Others can become contaminated by our sinful choices. An unrealistic expectation is for us to presume that others will be spiritually healthy when we are not.

      Take the necessary time to evaluate where you are spiritually. Be completely transparent because He already knows your score. On a scale of 1-10, score yourself on the following questions:

      • I read the Bible regularly, observe and listen to what it says and try to apply it to my daily life. (Score ____)

      • I have a regular time of prayer where I talk to and listen to the Father and ask for guidance in my daily spiritual journey. (Score ____)

      • I am asking for the Holy Spirit to guide me and try to remain sensitive to His leading at all times. (Score ____)

      • I am serving in my church regularly and try to engage and encourage others in our body. (Score ____)

      • I am meeting regularly with an individual or a group who encourages, challenges and processes my spiritual journey with me. (Score ____)

      • I give back financially (tithe) to God as an act of obedience because He first gave and I am growing in understanding that all I have belongs to God and I am just a steward, not an owner, of all I possess. (Score ____)

      • I regularly serve the needs of those in my community and am trying to grow in awareness of the needs around me that I can uniquely serve. (Score ____)

      • I am praying regularly for family, friends and others to come to know Jesus and/or grow in their spiritual journey. (Score ____)

      • I am regularly sharing my story and am prepared to share God’s story with others. (Score ____)

      • I am actively being discipled on an intentional and regular schedule. (Score____)

      • I am intentionally and regularly discipling someone else. (Score ____)

      • I am growing in the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control), and others around me would agree. (Score ____)

      There are 12 questions, so the highest possible score is 120. If you score 100 or more, we need to talk about humility. The score is not the main objective but rather to see what you need to work on the most.

      This evaluation can be used not only as an individual disciple but also for your family and for your church. Evaluation and examination are encouraged in the Scriptures. The first challenge is to be willing to submit to its scrutiny. The second challenge is to utilize the analysis and then execute steps toward growing healthy in every area of your spiritual journey. If you want a copy of My Spiritual Journey Evaluation, email me (larry@bmaglobal.org) or visit our website (healthychurchsolutions.org). Our goal is to let you know you are not alone and there are resources to help you in your spiritual journey.

      Prayerfully discern what God wants you to focus on, execute His plan in taking those next steps and always remain surrendered to His direction, guidance and leading. Paul stated in Rom. 15:30-32, “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.”