What We Believe
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
It is simply matching up our practice with our position
TAKING THE NEXT STEP
Spiritual growth comes through understanding and practicing the principles that are given in the Word of God. Where there is no growth, no true life exists. Spiritual growth is simply matching up our practice with our position.
DAILY QUIET TIME
Consistently devote part of each day to a quiet time so that you can spend time with the Father and can stay attached to the Vine. A quiet time is more than a mere habit. It is an appointment at the beginning
of the day with Jesus Christ, who is at the center of our lives.
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" Matthew 6:33a
"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is" Psalm 63:1 (KJV)
"You shall love the lord your god with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment." Matthew 22:37-38
You must stay in communion with God if you desire to accomplish everything God has called you to do. Daily quiet time with God at a designated time to receive instructions recognizing we can do nothing without Christ reflects the sincerity of a disciple. Show god that you hunger and thirst for more of Him.
READING AND STUDYING THE BIBLE
The Bible is our roadmap to learning all we need to know if we truly desire a relationship with God. How can you know God's plan if you do not know His word, His instructions, His love letter to you? Without continuous Bible study you will become spiritually anemic and live in a defeated life.
"It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God," Matthew 4:4
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Timothy 2:25 (KJV)
MEMORIZING AND MEDITATING ON SCRIPTURES
Joshua 1:8 says "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it dayand night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will makeyour way prosperous, and then you will have success." Memorizing puts God's Word in your head andmeditating puts it in your heart. With God's Word in our hearts it is readily available for instant use.
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 (NIV) "Oh, how I love
your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are
ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes." Psalm 119:97-
99 {NIV}
The absence of regular involvement with God's Word keeps you from being the kind of follower Christ wants you to be. When we meditate on Scripture we are filling our minds with God and keeping our thoughts focused on things above. Meditation is deeply thinking on the truths and spiritual realities revealed in Scripture for the purposes of understanding, application and prayer
PRAYER
It is God's desire that you seek Him through prayer. It is through our prayer life that we come to know
the Lord Jesus in a personal way. You are challenged from this day forward to make prayer, more than
just another thing to do, more than just another task or assignment, but rather as an indispensable part
of your life. Spend time with God in prayer for our families, our church, our leaders, our communities,
and for our nation. For when our prayer life becomes effective our relationship with Christ becomes
more intimate.
"Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you
do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
The Bible is God's main communication with us. Prayer is our way of communicating with Him. Prayer
is talking with God and is best learned by praying. The Holy Spirit helps us know how to pray (Romans
8:26). Our heart's attitude is more important than the words we use
STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship is defined as the management or care of something, particularly the kind that works. A
Christian steward manages their time, talents and treasures foundationally placing God first as
recognition that God is the Master and we live for him. The steward's life, personality, talent, time,
influence, material substance and everything else is dedicated to Christ. A true steward is willing to walk
in obedience to the commands and will of God (Romans 4:1-2). Economically speaking, God expects the
tithe (10%) and desires a cheerful giver to make offerings for the maintenance of worship, care for the
temple, and salaries of the priests. Jesus said if we're generous with others, God will be generous with
us. He is the model of generosity (Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 8:9). Giving is worship. It's a spiritual
sacrifice, and expression of gratitude, because everything we have and enjoy comes from God. It's free
expression of our love for God, whose gift to us infinitely outweighs anything we could ever give in
return. Love offerings were also accepted. The way in which you give an offering is as important as the
act itself.
Learning to give to the Lord of the things he has given you is an important part of your spiritual growth
(2 Cor. 8:7).