Mindful Christianity is the spiritual discipline of consciously living a crucified life in Christ. Offering a way of denying self, picking up our cross, and truly following the Savior. (Matthew 16:24)
Whatever you are seeking in the New Year - what is seemingly impossible to you that may require faithful obedience to surrender unto Heavenly Father's will? How are you able to live a mindful and crucified Christian life where your response is that of Mary and living in a manner that is according to God's word?
Analysis and structure of Matthew and Luke's Gospel is a personal resource and study guide for the New Testament.
The proverb of putting one's hand on the plow means that one is decisively willing to commit themselves over to God. Our belief, our faith, our hope, and confidence of salvation and spiritual growth and mastery is sustained in our Heavenly Father - through Jesus Christ. And since some of Christ's teachings reflected the understanding of agriculture in His lifetime - we find the application of this passage poignant and true. Andy person willing to commit their lives and will over to the care of our Heavenly Father will only taste the fruits of spiritual growth, knowledge, insight, wisdom, and mastery by concentrating on growing in Christ and keeping an eternal perspective based on Gospel truths and principles.
Our Heavenly Father has provided a way for us to acquire spiritual knowledge. He has established the conditions we are to follow in order to gain such truths. Through His divinely ordained pattern requires that we have an honest desire to know the truth and are willing to live according to that which He has revealed. Our sincere desire will lead us to seek truth through prayer and to diligently study the New Testament.
As you are invited to study the New Testament - make the effort to allow the Holy Spirit to assist in growing in understanding, establishing a firm testimony of who Jesus Christ is, and what He offers each of us individually. Through our own personal study, meditation, and reflection of how to apply the teachings of the Savior and his apostles into our own lives gives us rich experience in joy, healing, and peace.
When it comes to reading the scriptures, we are able to come to know of their worth and truthfulness. By careful study and understanding of the scriptures, we are able to come to know them. How we liken the scriptures unto ourselves is through visualization of the people, the events, and situations. What is the situation? How does it relate to my own circumstance? By likening the scriptures, we grow, learn, and receive personal insight and inspiration. We also learn the principles and truths from our Heavenly Father. Finally, we want to ponder - or meditate - upon those things that are revealed through our scripture study. By meditating, we ask questions, look for the practical applications and solutions. Are we being convicted and need to seek forgiveness? Do we need to develop more of an attitude toward charity in ministering to others? Are we struggling and need assurance that when we submit our cares and worries over to God - he is faithful and just in meeting us where we are?
Our personal scripture study is not merely a spiritual discipline that is drudgery. It is a time of reflection, seeking, understanding, and receiving personal divine revelation pertaining to who our Heavenly Father is. Understand and come to know who Jesus Christ is. And how to apply the principle truths of the Gospel of Christ in our own lives so that we live a deeper, enriching, and authentic mindful crucified life through Jesus Christ. Our personal scripture study is a discipline whereby we are able to receive spiritual direction for our life.
Mindful Christian Living 