Walking in the Word

 

"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." 1 Thessalonians 2:13 One of the most important things Christians in our day need is an appreciation for the power and purpose of the Word of God. The Bible is not just a book. It is not a collection of ancient moral tales, nor is it the product of men acting on their own. The Bible is nothing less than the words that God has given to us to learn and follow. The way we look at the Bible determines to a large extent the course of our lives. Christians who are casual about the Word will not grow and develop in their faith. The Psalmist wrote, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9). Charles Spurgeon wrote, “It is blessed to eat into the very soul of the Bible until, at last, you come to talk in Scriptural language, and your spirit is flavoured with the words of the Lord, so that your blood is the very essence of the Bible flows from you.” The only way to have the Word of God flow through us so that it guides and controls our steps is to first make sure that it is filling our hearts and minds. Filling the gas tank on your car is not a one-time event. It is something that must be repeated over and over again. In the same way we need regular “fill ups” with the Bible. Reading, studying, and memorizing Scripture is not just for the young—it must be a lifelong commitment if we are to walk in God’s way. Growth Point:  Every day of your life should be characterized by a careful attention to the precepts of the Word of God.

The Blessing of Right Delight

 

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Psalm 1:1-3 Very few people will admit that they want to be miserable—people say that they want to be happy. Yet if you know very many people at all, you realize that a lot of people are not happy. Part of the reason for that is that so many people seek their delight in the wrong places. When we delight in things that are temporary, even good things, we at best have fleeting happiness. When we delight in things that are eternal, we can enjoy happiness regardless of our circumstances. We see a clear illustration of this during the ministry of Jesus. Luke 10 records that He sent seventy of His followers out two by two to preach and minister. Before He sent them out, He gave them power to perform miracles of healing and to deliver people from demons. When they returned, these disciples were thrilled and rejoicing at what they had experienced. But Jesus said, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). The principle for us is that we need to walk each day with our hearts fixed on that which is eternal. When our delight is in the Word of God, His gift of salvation and our future in Heaven we can keep a spirit of rejoicing no matter what happens because our delight is in the right things. Growth Point:  If you want to experience God’s blessings, learn to delight in the things He delights in.

How to Build Spiritual Habits that Last

Whether you’re just beginning on a goal you have set to develop a spiritual habit or need a fresh restart, here are four simple ways that will help you grow consistently and deeply in your walk with God.

1. Start Where You Are

Spiritual growth doesn’t begin with grand declarations; it begins with honest assessment and simple steps. If you’ve struggled to stay consistent in your Bible reading or prayer life, don’t be discouraged. Just start where you are.

You don’t need to commit to memorizing the book of Revelation or reading half the Bible in a week. If you’ve been inconsistent, try reading one chapter a day. If you’ve already established a rhythm, consider reading four chapters a day to complete the Bible in a year. The goal is not to impress God with spiritual ambition; it’s to walk with Him faithfully and consistently.

Jesus said, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). Growth begins with faithfulness in the small things. Start simply, and let steady, daily steps shape habits that last.

2. Schedule It

Spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident. If it doesn’t get scheduled, it likely won’t get done.

We schedule what matters—vacations, hobbies, appointments, projects. Our walk with God deserves the same intentionality. 

Set a specific time to read your Bible. Choose a consistent time to pray. Plan to be in church. When spiritual priorities take a place on your calendar, they begin to take root in your life.

Ephesians 5:16 reminds us, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Time is limited and easily lost. That’s why we must use it purposefully—especially when it comes to the things that matter most.

For devotional and prayer habits, I suggest that you make it a point to meet with God before you meet with the world. For many people, mornings work best. The psalmist said, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord” (Psalm 5:3). If your clearest thinking and quietest moments happen in the morning, give that time to God. Schedule it—and guard it.

3. Use Helpful Tools

Whether it’s books, websites, or your own pen and paper, tools can help strengthen your daily walk with the Lord. Here are a few suggestions:

• Bible reading plan: Whether you use a printed schedule / mobile-friendly schedule. A plan provides structure and keeps you moving forward, even on the busy days.
• Journal: Writing down what God is teaching you can help solidify truth in your heart. Whether you record answered prayers, meaningful verses, or spiritual questions, a journal helps you slow down, reflect, and trace God’s hand at work in your life over time.
• Scripture memory cards: Choose verses that speak to your current needs—spiritual warfare, witnessing, encouragement—and write them out. Keep them on your desk, in your pocket, or by your bedside. Repetition builds retention, and memorized Scripture becomes a powerful weapon in spiritual battles.
• Devotional resources: A Christ-centered devotional can offer added encouragement and insight alongside your Bible reading.

Proverbs 21:5 says, “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness.” In other words, intentional effort leads to spiritual abundance. Thoughtful planning is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay consistent in your walk with God.

4. Stay Accountable

We all need encouragement—and one of the best ways to stay spiritually strong is to stay connected. God never intended for us to grow in isolation.

Share your spiritual goals with a Christian friend, your Sunday School teacher, or your spouse. Ask them to check in with you and pray for you along the way. Ecclesiastes 4:9 reminds us, “Two are better than one… For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow.”

Accountability isn’t about pressure; it’s about support. It’s about walking together in grace and truth, helping one another stay faithful and focused. When someone else knows your intentions, they can encourage you, celebrate progress with you, and gently remind you when you lose momentum.

Spiritual growth doesn’t require a perfect plan or flawless execution. It simply requires a willing heart and daily faithfulness. Start small, stay consistent, use the tools God has given you, and walk with others who will encourage you along the way. You’ll be amazed at how God works in your life when you commit to growing with Him, one step at a time.

Growth Point Principle

 Faithfulness will often require perseverance, but it is through our steadfastness that we honor God and demonstrate our love for Him.

Walking with a Renewed Mind

"If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

Ephesians 4:21-24

One of the earliest known teachers of painting in Italy was Cennino d'Andrea Cennini. Sometime in the late 1300s or early 1400s he wrote a book called Il libro dell'arte: The Craftsman's Handbook. It was an early “how to” book that covered everything from brushes and paints to detailed instruction on different painting techniques. Cennini recommended a course of study that lasted thirteen years, beginning with long sessions of copying the works of master artists, to prepare the painter. He believed that by learning what greatly skilled artists had done, a young painter would develop proper habits and techniques.

There is a reason that Paul instructs us, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). When we view things as Christ does and think as He thinks, we will act as He acted. Proper behavior on the outside begins with proper thinking on the inside. Because of the fallen nature of man, our normal thought process is corrupted and cannot be trusted.

Instead, we must learn through the pages of Scripture and the illumination of the Holy Spirit to think with the mind of Christ. The disciples learned this lesson during their time with Jesus, and after He returned to Heaven, their conduct demonstrated their commitment to His way of thinking: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

Growth Point: 

Christ-like conduct in daily life begins when our minds are renewed to Christ-like thinking.

Our Walk and the Word

 

"And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live." - Deuteronomy 8:3 When Satan tempted Jesus after He had been fasting and praying for forty days in the wilderness, he used the same techniques he has been using on men and women with great success for centuries. Yet against Jesus, they did not work at all. While Jesus was fully God, He was fully man as well, and He felt the full weight of the temptations. In His response, Jesus gave us a pattern we can follow: He used the Word of God in answer to every offer from the devil. It is impossible to live a victorious and productive Christian life apart from regular, consistent, habitual reading and meditating on the Scriptures. Just as food is the source of our physical strength, God’s Word is the source of our spiritual strength. It is instructive that the story of the manna God provided for the children of Israel is used to highlight the importance of the Bible. The food that God sent from Heaven in response to the Israelites’ need was unlike anything they had seen before. It was only available early in the morning. If the people waited too long to gather it, it would melt away in the sun. And it could not be stored up against the future. Except on the day before the Sabbath, the manna had to be gathered each day. If it was kept overnight, worms turned manna into an inedible mess. The principle is the same—we need to gather strength from the Word daily to walk in victory. Growth Point:  Keep the Word of God central to your thoughts and decisions on a daily basis, and you will see victory over temptation.