Activating Faith: Practical Steps To Spiritual Exercise

Faith is a gift from God, and it is up to us to exercise it and make it grow. We can exercise our faith by believing and obeying God's word, acting on it, and incorporating it into our daily lives and choices. We can also develop patterns of obedience, practice what we preach, share our faith stories, and make intimacy with God the foundation of our faith. Additionally, we can make faith a lifestyle, stay the course even when it's challenging, and pay it forward by inviting others to join us on our faith journey.

Believe God's Word as truth and incorporate it into your daily life

To believe God's Word as truth and incorporate it into your daily life, you must first understand that God's word says what is true. It is important to trust in the word, knowing that it is altogether true. Unlike human sources of information, which can be manipulated or deceptive, the word of God is entirely true and always true. As stated in Psalm 119: "Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth" (John 17:17).

To incorporate God's word into your daily life, consider the following:

• Recall Through Scripture: As you read the scriptures, you will begin to recall and interpret things differently. You will discover deeper meanings and how they relate to your own experiences.
• Allow Scripture To Uncover: Scripture can often speak to us in ways we don't immediately realize. It can allow us to reflect on our past, present, and future selves and make sense of our experiences.
• Pray Over Your Reading: Praying while reading scripture helps you connect with the divine and discuss your thoughts and learnings. It also helps you hold on to scriptural truths and build a relationship with God.
• Align With the Truth: Recognizing and accepting the truth in scripture is essential. It will find its way into your life in a unique and personal manner.
• Engage With the Spirit: Living out the precepts of God's Word is crucial. If you believe in its spiritual significance, you must strive to live by its teachings. Attending church services and engaging with religious texts can help deepen your understanding.
• Reflect and Meditate: Taking time to reflect on and meditate upon God's Word is vital. It allows you to internalize and apply its teachings to your life.

By following these steps, you can incorporate God's Word into your daily life and strengthen your faith.

Trust in God's goodness

Trusting in God's goodness is an essential aspect of exercising one's faith. Here are some ways to cultivate and strengthen this trust:

Surrender and Depend on God

Trusting God means surrendering your understanding and plans, and instead, leaning on His wisdom and guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This can be challenging, as it requires setting aside our desires, expectations, and self-sufficiency. However, by consciously choosing to depend on God and acknowledging His sovereignty, we can find rest and peace in His promises.

Remember God's Faithfulness

Recalling God's past faithfulness is a powerful way to strengthen your trust in His goodness. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Reflecting on God's unwavering character and His past provision can give us confidence that He will continue to be faithful and fulfill His promises. Remembering His steadfast love, mercies, and faithfulness can help us trust Him even when circumstances are uncertain.

Meditate on God's Word

God's Word, the Bible, is a source of truth and wisdom that can deepen our trust in Him. By reading and meditating on Scripture, we can better understand God's character, promises, and faithfulness. As we internalize His Word, our faith can grow, and we can find comfort and guidance in challenging times. Additionally, obeying God's Word is an important aspect of our trust in Him.

Recognize God's Goodness

God's goodness is evident in His character and actions. He is infinitely loving, merciful, just, and wise. He is the source of all blessings and has good plans for His people. Recognizing and meditating on God's goodness can help us trust that He is working for our ultimate good, even when we don't understand the circumstances.

Pray and Seek Intimacy with God

Prayer is a vital way to cultivate trust in God. Through prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and seek His guidance and provision. We can pour out our hearts to God, knowing that He hears us and cares for us. Drawing near to God in prayer can deepen our intimacy with Him and strengthen our trust in His goodness.

Meditate on the promises and miracles of God's Word

To exercise faith, one must meditate on the promises and miracles of God's Word. This means filling your mind with the truth of Scripture and taking the time to reflect on and absorb God's Word, rather than simply skimming through it. By meditating on Scripture, you can transform your faith and your relationship with God.

• Find a quiet space and pick a short passage of Scripture or a truth about God, such as a Bible verse about God's goodness or His presence with us.
• Repeat the truth to yourself and think about what it means for your life and your specific situation.
• Allow yourself to move from thinking to feeling and experiencing God's presence.
• Express your gratitude to God.
• Make it a regular practice to meditate on Scripture so that the words will sink deep into your mind and heart. This will provide strength and courage when facing challenges.
• Memorize Scriptures that speak of God's promises and meditate on them throughout the day.
• Pray and ask God to help you understand and apply His promises to your life.

By meditating on the promises and miracles of God's Word, you will be able to increase your faith and experience the power and presence of God in your life.

Combat doubt with faith

Faith is a gift from God, and it is up to us to exercise it and make it grow. It is like a muscle that needs to be used or it will atrophy. We need to trust in God's word and obey His commandments. We should not treat God like a genie in a bottle, but instead, have faith in His promises and live according to the principles and lessons in the Bible.

When doubtful thoughts arise, we can take immediate action by changing our negative thoughts to statements of faith. We can declare that God, our Creator, is in control and protecting us from our enemies. This is an important way to combat doubt with faith.

Another way to combat doubt is to remember that God is faithful, even when we are not. We can trust in His promises and rely on His goodness. We can pray to God and meditate on His Word to strengthen our faith. As we read the Bible, we can find many verses that speak of God's faithfulness, such as:

> "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

> "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:51)

Obedience to God's Word is crucial. We cannot ignore or overlook what the Bible says about our lives. When we live by faith, we must incorporate that faith into our choices and actions.

Additionally, we can combat doubt by surrendering our minds to God daily. This strengthens our faith and helps us build a closer relationship with Him. We can also share our faith stories with others and be intentional about passing on our faith to the next generation.

By taking these steps, we can combat doubt with faith and grow stronger in our relationship with God.

Surrender your mind to God

Surrendering your mind to God is a crucial aspect of exercising your faith. It involves actively choosing to place your trust in Him, believing in His Word, and incorporating your faith into your daily life. Here are some ways to surrender your mind to God:

Be Honest with God

Surrendering to God starts with honesty and vulnerability. God is not surprised or shocked by your doubts, struggles, or circumstances. He welcomes you to come to Him just as you are, with openness and authenticity. Share your true feelings, fears, and desires with Him, knowing that He is a safe place and will not shame you.

Meditate on God's Promises

Meditate on the promises found in God's Word, such as His faithfulness, goodness, and power. Saturate your mind with Scripture, allowing it to shape your thoughts and beliefs. This will strengthen your faith and help you rest in His sovereignty during challenging times.

Pray and Seek Guidance

Through prayer, ask God for strength to overcome your desires, attachments, and beliefs that hinder your surrender. Pray for guidance to understand His plan for your life and to align your goals with His will. God desires to guide you and lead you in the way you should go.

Trust and Obey

Surrendering to God often requires stepping out in faith and obedience, even when you cannot see the full picture. Trust that He has your best interests at heart and follow His leading. As you obey, your faith will grow, and you will experience the freedom and peace that comes from surrendering to Him.

Let Go of Control

Letting go of the need to control your life and circumstances is essential in surrendering to God. Recognize that He is in control, and you can trust Him with every detail of your life. This will bring a sense of freedom and relief as you release your worries and anxieties to Him.

Spend Time in Nature

Connect with God by spending time in nature, His creation. Find moments to walk, sit quietly, or watch the sunrise or sunset. Nature has a calming effect and can help you feel God's presence and peace. It is a place where you can hear His voice and experience His beauty and power.

Surrendering your mind to God is a daily choice and a continuous journey. As you practice these steps, you will find yourself drawing closer to Him, experiencing His guidance, and increasing your faith. Remember, He is faithful, and He will never leave you as you surrender your mind and heart to Him.

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