Marking Time: Forming Spirituality through the Christian Year

Append i x

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Fleshing Out the Universal Priesthood, continued

continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

C. For our spiritual fitness

1. We train ourselves for godliness through discipline, 1 Tim. 4.7-9 – 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. [9] The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 2. Increased insight and power of discernment into the teachings of God, Heb. 5.13-14 – for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. [14] But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. 3. Personal growth and discipline of others, 1 Tim. 4.15-16 – Practice these things, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. [16] Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. I. Do it faithfully. Don’t be discouraged if it takes you some time to develop a morning and evening sacrifice habit or discipline. Begin where you are, concentrate on doing it each day and evening, and trust that you will get more regular and strong as time goes on. Ps. 55.17 – Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice . II. Make it brief. Do not try to start out too ambitiously; pace yourself by starting small and gradually increase your time as God allows, incrementally and gradually. No need exists for you to prove anything, and you get no “Brownie points” for being General Principles of “How” to Conduct a Morning and Evening Sacrifice