I guess I'm thinking of prayer, studying the Word, fasting (though I know some think the need for this has past), singing songs to God. I know this can also be split up into subgroups --- praise, petition, listening prayer, group Bible studies, individual devotions, etc --- it could go on basically forever. And I know I'm not mentioning everything possible here, not even scratching the surface. But basically I'm asking what do you feel fills you with the most joy and peace? And what do you find the hardest to wade through?
Thanks! :)
2007-10-26 12:16:08 · 21 answers · asked by KL 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm always so blessed by reading your questions, and the sincere answers to them.
What really charges my batteries is prophecying or teaching. Mostly teaching, the whole prophetic role is fairly new to me, and I sometimes end up wearing myself out. (in a good way) I love opening scriptures and teaching, exhorting, answering questions, Mostly my own. I mean really digging. Finding stuff that doesn't make sense and just digging and digging for the answer. I love when people come on here and ask sincere questions about what seem like Biblical contradictions.Okay, you get my point. It's my favorite part of being a pastor. Bible study.
Least favorite-I gotta admit it. It's fasting. My flesh dies HARD. But the rewards are ALWAYS well worth it. I prefer fasting as a church or group, for the obvious accountability, but whenever I fast in secret, by myself, I'm so glad I did, and do. I know there are many who don't fast, but in my opinion, I don't know how it's possible to walk the walk today without the strength that comes from fasting.
2007-10-26 19:51:57 · answer #1 · answered by Adan 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The most enjoyable for me is reading the Bible. No matter how much you read, there is always something in it that will give you direction and renewment. And it's good to just hear the straight story of God's plan for us, without any other person's opinion on what that might be! Not that I'm knocking group Bible study or sermons, but it's good just to read it and find the meaning for yourself!
My least favorite thing and something I really struggle with is communion (sadly.) When I was 17, a retired pastor in my church molested me, and when he died 3 months later my father (also a pastor) gave him his last communion. 10 years later, when I see the communion service, that's still what's in my head. I feel like God is working with me though to help get past that anger, especially in the past few months. Next time you have communion, please pray that I can get back to the real meaning and beauty of the communion.
2007-10-27 04:52:22 · answer #2 · answered by Lamborama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, I would recommend to you Richard J. Foster's book, "Celebration of Discipline - The Path to Spiritual Growth." Honestly, one of the best books I have ever read. It breaks down disciplines into three categories, The Inward Disciplines (Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, Study), The Outward Disciplines (Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, Service), and the Corporate Disciplines (Confession, Worship, Guidance, and Celebration).
Of these, one of the easiest for me is one of the hardest for most: confession. I have no problem confessing my sin, and it is often very liberating to do so. Knowing that others know my sin and still love me helps me to feel God's love, and helps me to love myself and forgive myself. I also find meditation to be fairly easy.
The ones I really struggle with are Simplicity and Study. Honestly, it is difficult for me to read the same verses over and over again, and unless I am studying to "see what the Bible says about ________," it is very difficult for me to just read or study the Bible. Simplicity is basically contentment. It is being okay with a simple car, a simple home, etc. I want a nice home, a nice car (if not several), etc., and I really struggle with understanding what is wrong with wanting more. It's not that I am not happy with what I have, or that I am not grateful with what I have, it is just that I want to be able to get more someday. Honestly, I really struggle with even understanding when desires like this become covetousness, when they become a lack of contentment, and where sin begins, and I think understanding that is all the more difficult in America.
Again, if you do not have a copy of Foster's book, I highly recommend picking one up. Best book I have ever read for my spiritual life, apart from the Bible, of course.
2007-10-27 01:27:26 · answer #3 · answered by Serving Jesus 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For me, acknowledging and praising in the presence of God and following Him is the answer to both your questions for me. On the one hand "practicing the presence of God" makes peace, joy, love, faith possible, and on the other hand that discipline is also hardest, since His ways are not my ways and often go against what I think is logical.
2007-10-27 04:08:25 · answer #4 · answered by Today's Bible 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I enjoy them all, If there was a personal favorite, i would have to say singing praises, the Hardest to wade thru is waiting to hear from God.
2007-10-26 14:35:04 · answer #5 · answered by Princess Peabody 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No offense, yet it relatively is a ludicrous question. in basic terms reason somebody "sins" does no longer recommend that they do no longer seem to be a christian. isn't that the component of WHY Jesus died in the 1st place, so as that whether you're a sinner which you're gonna be stored in case you suspect in him? So sure! you will possibly properly be a christian AND a police officer. BTW! i'm no longer even a christian, and that i knew the respond to this! :p Sorry! do no longer recommend to tease you. :)
2016-10-14 03:38:29 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love to pray, read the Bible, sing Christian songs (usually in my own home because i'm a terrible singer), watch Christian documentaries, etc. I love doing a lot of these things. There isn't really anything about Christianity that I don't enjoy.
2007-10-26 12:19:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Worshiping in song is the most enjoyable to me. It brings up very intense emotions for me to praise and worship and is a very healing experience for me.
I find it most difficult to understand the scriptures, especially the prophetic books. There are so many interpretations of the prophesies, it can get confusing!
2007-10-26 12:27:24 · answer #8 · answered by Lydia 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Mostly I enjoy being in the house of God amongst the saints. But other things I do regularly are listen to preching / teaching tapes and meditating on the things I learn through those. I sing (loudly) sometimes when I am cleaning the house. I turn on some good music (usually Darlene Zschech) and sing sing sing :)
2007-10-26 12:24:47 · answer #9 · answered by Indya M 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Reading the Bible is the most pleasant.
Catch and release, if you will, is the least pleasant.
(Explanation) Someone you have been talking to about Christ, decides to jump out front and say they would not could not believe in any God. Its heart breaking.
But one must let them go. It does not actually happen that way but you, get the point.
2007-10-26 16:41:22 · answer #10 · answered by bobalo9 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋