June 25, 2023
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2. (NASB)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1. (NLT)
Have you ever traveled miles in the wrong direction or had no idea how to find your way to your desired destination? Moving to Michigan years ago was a challenge in many ways. One of the most irritating challenges was getting lost after getting verbal directions. Of course, at that time there were no phone Apps with Google Maps or GPS installed on cars to get immediate directions. I learned quickly to purchase some maps and yes rely only on the printed directions.
WOW, that brief trip down memory lane brought me to our current lives with GPS and Google routing via phones at our fingertips. 
Thank God for the advance in technology from highlighting or drawing lines on maps to handheld and voice command for directions! Thanks, God, for One Star!
Over the years, I have taken several classes in Christian spiritual formation/disciplines with a focus on spiritual direction/alignment and was introduced to some awesome authors. One that comes to mind is Dallas Willard an American philosopher known for his writings on Christian spiritual formation, however, most of his work/writings are in the area of spiritual disciplines. I became familiar with ‘nirvana’ and certain types of meditation as well as some of the often-subtle ways the enemy has of slipping in error with the Truth of God’s Word. As Believers in Christ understanding biblical and non-biblical terminology such as Christian spiritual formation/direction/alignment/disciplines is crucial in Christendom to help us to stay on track and spiritually travel in the right direction!
What is The Foundation of Your Christian Spiritual GPS (Global Positioning System)? Are You Going in The Right Direction? How Would You Defend Your Current Position Biblically?
It has become popular in modern society to be “spiritual, but not religious.” “Being spiritual” usually means that a person is in touch with his or her own spirit, the spirits of others, and some (personal or impersonal) Higher Power or Spirit that inhabits (and possibly empowers) the universe. To do this, one does not need to be part of an organized religion or believe in any specific doctrines about God, sin, salvation, heaven, hell, or Jesus. In fact, the doctrine will probably only limit one’s spirituality since God, the Creator of the universe is undoubtedly bigger than any religious category.
As Believers in Christ, we must be clear that we are always moving in the right direction. The spiritual formation movement is very popular. However, it is in many ways a move away from the truth of God’s Word to a mystical form of Christianity, and it has infiltrated, to some degree, nearly all evangelical denominations. This idea of spiritual formation is based on the premise that if we do certain practices, we can be more like Jesus. Promoters of spiritual formation erroneously teach that anyone can practice these mystical rituals and find God within themselves.
Let’s be clear, Christian spiritual formation is the process of being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ for the glory of God and for the sake of others as referenced in 2 Corinthians 3:17-18. Christian spiritual formation focuses on the Holy Spirit, who guides the ongoing journey toward union with the true God. Romans 12:2, says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Any deviation from this biblical fact and practice is heresy!
Christian spiritual formation refers to the lifelong process of being shaped and transformed into the likeness of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. It involves the intentional cultivation of a deep and intimate relationship with God, the development of spiritual disciplines, and the formation of Christian virtues and character.
At its core, Christian spiritual formation recognizes that becoming a follower of Christ is not simply about acquiring knowledge or adhering to certain beliefs but rather about being transformed from the inside out. It encompasses the entire person: mind, heart, and will, and seeks to align every aspect of one’s life with the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.
A relationship with God is the key component of Christian spiritual formation. Cultivating a vibrant and personal relationship with God is pivotal to your spiritual formation. It involves seeking communion with God through prayer, worship, and study of Scripture.
The foundation of Christian spiritual formation is rooted in God’s love, grace, and the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. It aims to cultivate virtues and character traits that reflect the character of Christ. These virtues include love, compassion, humility, patience, forgiveness, gratitude, and integrity. The process involves intentionally nurturing these virtues and allowing them to guide our thoughts, words, and actions.
Remember Christian spiritual formation is a lifelong journey. It is a process that requires intentionality, perseverance, and openness to the work of the Holy Spirit. It is not about achieving perfection but about continually growing and deepening in our relationship with God. As believers engage in spiritual formation, and invited to surrender to God’s transformative work, allowing Him to shape and mold them into vessels of His love, grace, and truth.
On the other hand, Spiritual Disciplines are also important making us fit for the Christian journey. They are practices and habits that nurture and deepen one’s spiritual life. These disciplines include prayer, meditation, fasting, solitude, silence, Scripture study, worship, and service. Engaging in these disciplines helps create space for God to work in our lives, transforming and shaping us according to His purposes.
Are you in shape both spiritually? How are your spiritual muscles? To be “spiritually fit,” we must develop our faith by using our God-given abilities in the service of the kingdom. Just as it is important to be physically fit, we must be spiritually fit/healthy is even more important. Our physical health is susceptible to disease and injury, but faith can sustain us through these difficulties and tragedies of life.
1 Corinthians 9:24. ”Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (NLT). Spiritual Disciplines Help us to effectively run the race. Winning a race requires purpose and discipline. Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. The Apostle Paul uses this illustration to explain that the Christian life takes hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation. As Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward. The essential disciplines of prayer, Bible study, and worship equip us to run with vigor and stamina. Don’t merely observe from the grandstand; don’t just turn out to jog a couple of laps each morning. Train diligently-your spiritual progress depends upon it.
A TRAINED 
HEART: 1 Timothy 4:7-10. Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.” (NLT)
Christian Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Disciplines Focuses On Our Spiritual Goals. There are times we must even give up something good in order to do what God wants. Each person’s special duties determine the discipline and self-denial that he or she must accept. Without a goal, discipline is nothing but self-punishment. With the goal of pleasing God, your sacrifices seem like nothing compared to the eternal, imperishable reward that will be yours.
FATHER GOD: Thank You for Your Word that gives us clear instructions on how to live and represent You well. Help us to memorize and meditate upon Your word, to first be informed so we can be more and more conformed to the pattern of You Father as we were originally designed, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!