Strengthen

Have you ever had really delicious, specially-made, dark chocolate? And then, have you ever taken a bite out of a cheap dark chocolate bar or had a dark chocolate kiss? Well, I can tell you from experience that the cheap chocolate just doesn't compare to the more expensive, special chocolate. In our walk with the Lord, if we cultivate a hunger for the deep richness Him (like special, dark chocolate), the one who is perfectly pure, right, and true, we won't desire other, lesser things (like cheap dark chocolate) so much. We can cultivate this hunger and fresh desire for God by building things into our lives that strengthen and refresh our walk with Him rather than weaken it and make it dull to us and others.

Scripture

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

~ Hebrews 4:12

God's Word is one of the greatest tools that will increase our hunger for Him and help us see Him in a fresh way. As we spend time in His Word, we get to see, know, and love Him more. Keep Scripture fresh by reading it every day, meditating on passages, doing reading plans, reading from various books, memorizing verses, etc. God stays fresh, new, and alive to us as He reveals Himself to us through His Word.

Prayer

"But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, 

in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness."

~ Psalm 69:13

Spending time just talking with the Lord through prayer strengthens our relationship and walk with Him. As we commune with the Lord and talk to Him like we'd talk to someone in the room, we share our hearts and build closeness with Him. There is such freshness in coming to God each day with something new to tell Him, ask Him, confess to Him, or praise Him about. For me, it's hard to stay focused on praying, so I like to write my prayers in a journal or pray out loud (quietly, though!). Be creative, but just pray. Spend time talking to the Lord and knowing Him more each day as you draw near to Him.

Music

"Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!

Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day."

~ Psalm 96:1-2

God has given us the gift of worshipful music to point us to Him and refresh our relationship and walk with Him. There have been so many times when a song has ministered to my heart and reminded me of all that Christ is and has done for me. Just yesterday while I was cleaning at work, the song "Before the Throne of God Above" played on my radio. It was full of truths of which I needed to be reminded. Listen to Christ-exalting music and let it refresh your heart, remind you of all He is, point you to Him, and draw you nearer to Him. (I like to listen to music during my devotion time. It helps keep my focus on God!)

Books/Sermons/Devotionals/Etc.

"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." 

~ Ephesians 4:11-13

There are so many different books and sermons that have been written or preached about God and Christianity. Some are good, some aren't. Find those good books, sermons, and devotionals that strengthen your faith. Look for books that make you want to spend time with the Lord after you read them and encourage and build you up in your walk with the Lord. (Christian biographies are great for this, too!) Listen to sermons that build up your faith and encourage you to love and serve God more. Study devotionals that teach you and renew your heart and mind. As we seek to know God, we can use the tools of those who have gone before us and studied the Word in order to encourage us and press us nearer to God.

Strong Christians

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

When I'm around strong Christians, I feel stronger. As I spend time with people who really love and serve Jesus, I want to pursue Him and serve Him more. Through spending time with believers who are faithful to the Lord and seeking after Him, we can be encouraged and learn from each other. We shouldn't be afraid to talk about things of God and pray together. That's one of the greatest joys of walking this path together! We can encourage each other in new ways to love the Lord more, hunger for Him, and see Him more freshly each day.

Service

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. 

You are serving the Lord Christ."

~ Colossians 3:23-24

Taking the time to serve the Lord strengthens our faith. When we are looking ways to serve God by seeking to serve and love the people in our lives, fulfill needs, help, and come alongside them, there is a fresh joy that comes from the Lord. If we are stagnant, like the Red Sea, only taking in God's love and truth and never sharing it with anyone, our faith will grow dull, boring, and mediocere. But when we are sharing the truth and love of Christ with the people around us, there is a flowing joy and beauty that comes from within our hearts. We are sharing Christ and as we share Him, we grow stronger and we are refreshed in our walk with Him.

Life

"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

~ John 10:10b

Christianity isn't just a "closet" thing. It's a life thing! We live out our faith each day in our words, actions, relationships, etc. By walking with the Lord through life and experiencing life with and in Him, our faith will be strengthened and refreshed. As we are pursuing Christ in everything, by His grace, and desiring to walk each moment with Him, there is such sweetness and beauty and renewal as we live life in our precious Lord.


There are so many things that can strengthen our walk with God and keep Him fresh before our eyes. Let's limit the “weakeners” and fill our lives to the brim with the things that point us to God and refresh our hearts. There is so much joy and beauty when we have a strong, vibrant walk with Jesus! Join me and let's seek together to be stronger in God and to know Him more each day!

Blessings,
Christina

Soli Deo Gloria ~ To God Alone Be the Glory!