River City Christian Podcast

Below are some ideas for practicing the spiritual discipline of celebration. ·      Keep a “celebration” journal for one month. Before going to bed, read Philippians 4:8 and write down three things that happened during the day which are a cause for celebration.·      Plan a Jubilee Dinner. Invite friends and family to gather together asking each one to be prepared to give a testimony of a way they have experienced God’s grace in their lives in the past year. Make it a party and ask everyone to bring their favorite party food. Buy some paper party hats and hang some streamers to make it extra festive.·      Plan a Matthew Meal (see Matthew 9:9-12) and invite people into your home that are very different from you, people you have never shared a meal with before, and just ask them to share their story. Close by celebrating each story and asking if anyone has something they would like you to pray for.·      Send an Un-Birthday card to someone you really care about. Celebrate who they are and what they mean to you

1. Practicing Sabbath: -Schedule it -Include time in scripture and prayer -Do things that bring life and delight -Stop from the regular demands of life -Turn off your devices for a period of time 2. Practicing Silence and Solitude: -Have a quiet place -Leave your phone out of reach and on silent -Start small -Go for a walk -Sit in moments of silence

Here are some ideas for practicing the spiritual disciplines of submission, service, and confession: ·      To focus on the spiritual virtue of humility, print James 4:10 and Luke 14:11 on a card and place it where you will see it daily for a week. Each time you see it, prayerfully read the verses and ask the Lord to help you grow in humility and in the corresponding spiritual disciplines.·      If you want to practice the spiritual discipline of submission, set aside some time to pray and journal, answering the following questions: o   In the last month, when have I demanded my own way or been frustrated when I have not gotten my own way? o   Am I fearful of submitting to others because of any abusive situations in my past? If so, have I sought appropriate support or professional counseling? Do I truly believe there is such a thing as healthy submission? o   How could I be a better spouse, parent, child, employee, friend, or ministry partner if I learned to lovingly submit and put others ahead of myself?·   

Practices to Engage Scripture1. Set a realistic goal2. Create a plana. Time and placeb. Bible reading planc. Have an approach to the Bible-SOAP-Scripture; Observation; Application; Prayer-Repetition; Concentration; Comprehension; Reflection3. Listen to Scripture4. “Through the Word” App

Here are some ideas for practicing the spiritual discipline of worship: ·     Set aside some time at home this week to play some favorite worship music and sing along.·     Take a walk and thank God for what nature reveals about His character.·     As a family or as an individual, pick a psalm to read out loud. Maybe read it in a couple of different translations. Some suggested passages are Psalm 8, 23, 27, 46, 100, 103, 121, 145, and 150.·     After reading a couple of the psalms, write your own psalm, thanking God for specific things He has done for you and worshipping Him for some of His specific attributes.·     Try a different posture in worship such as kneeling, lifting of hands, or holding hands palms up. In that position, tell Jesus why you love Him.·     Make a list of at least a dozen reasons why God is worthy of praise.·     Draw a picture symbolizing some of the Lord’s qualities for which you want to praise Him.