Growing in your Faith
The peace and contentment that comes from growing in your faith is the biggest gift you can give yourself. To have your own personal relationship with God and be able to depend on him for guidance on the big and little decisions in your life is a gift. This dependency can only come from growing in your faith.
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"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Jeremiah 33:3
Prayers
Prayers are the foundation to your relationship with God for yourself and those around you. There are many different ways to pray to God and there is no right or wrong way to pray. Below are some references to praying in Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
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"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."
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"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
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"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."
Colossians 4:2
Philippians 4:6-7
2 Chronicles 7:14
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Many people use an acronym for praying to make sure they cover all their desired topics in their prayers. This article below touches on 10 different acronyms you can use to help you pray.
Prayer Books
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I Heard God Laugh by Matthew Kelly - A friend highly recommends this book for anyone interested in praying but not sure where to start. Her quote about the book: "It changed my life and brought me so much closer to the Lord. My relationship started to grow immensely after I read that and implemented the 'Prayer Process' into my daily life." RM
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Bible Studies
Below is a list of Bible studies that I have done or have been highly recommended to me:
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Seamless - Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story - Angie Smith
- God of Word Bible Study Series- D.A. Hammond​
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​Kay Arthur - Many different Bible Studies and spiritual books
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Lysa Terkeurst - Many different Bible Studies and spiritual books
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Jen Wilkins - Many different Bible Studies and spiritual books
Devotionals
Devotionals are a great way to understand Gods word and help nurture your spiritual, emotional and mental well-being. Devotionals come in 365 day books, apps and websites (emails). Below are some I use or have come highly recommended to me.
Online Devotionals
365 Book Devotionals
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New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp
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Jesus Calling by Sarah Young - many different versions to choose from.
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A Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eaeckson Tada
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Unshakeable by Christine Caine
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Scripture memory
Whatever life challenge you are facing there is a verse in the Bible to give you strength and support. The importance of memorizing scripture is it makes an imprint on your heart, helps us to resist temptation, builds faith and hope, helps guide us with decision making and gives us words to use when supporting others. This is an area I am hoping to grow in the coming year. Below are five scripture verses from the Bible to support the importance of Gods word on your heart.
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Psalms 119:11
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
Deuteronomy 8:3
​"To teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."
Romans 12:2
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Psalms 119:105
"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light to my path."
Romans 10:17
"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ."
Use Open Bible Info website to find Scriptures that help with any challenge you are facing.
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The Bible Memory App is a new app I am trying use to memorize scripture and so far I am really enjoying it. Give it a try, you can use the app for free with up to 50 memory verses included.
Music
Music has the ability to spark memories, stir up emotions and change the energy inside of our bodies. There is no doubt of the power of music in our lives. Before becoming a Christian I did not appreciate or even think about the words I was saying as I sang along to songs on the radio. In my heart I knew I didn’t agree with the morals and ethics that these songs represent but yet I was unconsciously allowing the words to invade my body. It didn’t really hit home until I heard my daughter singing along with these songs as they talk about less than wholesome dating practices and discussing sacred body parts.
Christian music artists do their best to intentionally praise God and to look to God for strength and guidance. Listening to Christian music is worshipping the Lord and deepening your bond with Christ. If you are new to Christian music these sites can help you find music you may like in your desired genre or if you are a seasoned Christian music lover you can keep you up to date with the newest releases.
CCM Magazine - Discusses the newest releases and other news in the Christian World
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Jesus Freak Hideout - Great resource for looking up artists or styles of Christian music. I don't care for the name but the site has lots of information.
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Worship Together - This is typically geared toward worship leaders but anyone can use this.
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