6 ways to grow in your faith this year

As followers of Christ, it should be our goal to strengthen our convictions, know God's character deeper and grow in our faith in the Lord. In the bible, Jesus often likens us to a tree. I could think of a couple of reasons why, but one of the reasons I think is because anything that the Lord gives life to, grows. Therefore, one of the evidences of a healthy relationship with Jesus is a growing faith. Today I want to share to you 6 ways on how you can grow in your faith as you walk with God this year.

1. Do your quiet time early in the morning

I'm going to share to you my trick. From the moment you wake up, don't pick up your phone. Don't even brush your teeth yet, just get up from bed, go to the nearest table, get your bible and your journal then start reading your devotion and write down what speaks to you. The psalmist prays..

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.- Psalm 3:5

There's a pretty good reason why the psalmist prays in the morning. I think it's because we hear God better in the morning. When you do it in the morning, your heart is still unedited and not yet affected by the noise of the day. I remember that time when for days, I couldn't hear from God then at 3am I just picked up my bible and started reading, when I did, revelations here and there. I realized one reason is there's no noise in my environment, and second there's no noise yet in my heart because it's still early and I haven't experienced anything unpleasant yet. Do your "quiet time" the moment your wake up. Not after you facebook or instagram. Feed yourself with God's truth and light first before eating garbage from social media. It's discipline and it's literally putting God first in your day.

2. Meditate on God's word day and night.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.- Joshua 1:9

In the dictionary, meditating means think deeply or carefully about (something). Meditating is different from reading. I guess to me meditating means rehearsing God's word in my mind well enough that it goes down to the level of my heart and resides in there.

I once had a conversation with a friend, she asked how many chapters in the bible I read in a day. I told her it depends, at times I would read 2 or more chapters sometimes just one verse and it would be enough for the whole day for as long as I meditate on it. Meaning, even if I read just one verse , the message becomes powerful if I give a careful thought on what the Lord is speaking and telling me regarding that verse. In my opinion, even if you read the whole bible in a day, and you were not corrected, encouraged, or strengthened, it is useless.

Another thing is, rest assured we will be facing a lot in our walk. We will have our battles and we will not be able to fight well if God's word ( which is our spiritual weapon) is not embedded deep in our hearts. You have to get yourself familiar with God's word, rehearse it well enough until you believe what it says at a core level.

3. Surround yourself with people who loves God.

Not religious people, nor people who love the world, but people who love God.

I've seen a lot of Christians who were walking right with God, until they stopped their fellowship with other believers. Their fire died down eventually. There's a reason why Jesus modeled the importance of fellowship. First, we need encouragement from them, second we need other warriors in the Kingdom to fight with us in our life battles and third, they will help safe guard our walk with Jesus, because none of us can do Christianity perfectly. In our sinful self, we will surely fail.

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." - 1 corinthians 15:33

When I was new in my faith, I carefully selected the people I surround myself with. Because just as what it says in the bible, bad company corrupts good character. Let me be clear. It doesn't mean that as Christians we don't reach out to the hurting and lost but it means that even if we are in the world, we should be careful not to be OF the world. Establish core relationships from church. Surround yourself with people who will add value to your spiritual life. Faith is contagious. Fuel your fire by surrounding yourself with people who are actively pursuing Jesus. Until the faith displayed by those people around you becomes your personal faith.

4. Encourage someone

A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. - Proverbs 11:25

Often times when I minister to someone, the words that I speak to that person speaks to me personally too. Just as the bible says that the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

One of the reasons why I blog is because I love teaching God's word. And when I see that others are encouraged, it refreshes my soul too. After all, we are taught in the bible to encourage one another. When I share the life that God's word offers, it breathes life to me too. The best way to grow in faith is to help other people grow in theirs.

5. Be grateful in the small things

In Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, he wrote..

"in everything give thanks. for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." -1 Thessalonians 5:18

He said in everything. It means in our trials, loneliness, pain, disappointments, sickness, and lack, we should give thanks. A grateful heart is a fruit of understanding God's generosity and goodness. About two years ago, I practiced writing everyday the things I am grateful about. I write just about anything that comes to mind. Even as trivial as breathing or being able to walk or being able to see. When I kept on doing that, to be honest I got tired in writing because there's just too many things to write. I realized my blessings are far greater than my worries and trials, I just don't highlight them well enough in my day-to-day life. If you want to grow in faith, practice gratefulness.

6. Be gracious to yourself

Truth is, no one can do Christianity perfectly let alone do this life perfectly. If we can, then God wouldn't have to give us grace. I once had a conversation with the Lord during my quiet time. I was constantly beating myself up because of a mistake that I did. But in my moment of weakness God picked me up and blessed me. I said "Why bless me Lord? I'm so undeserving of your love." but the Holy Spirit just softly spoke to me "That's why there's grace. It's for the undeserving yet loved"

The Lord indeed is gracious to us His beloved children. But most of the time, it is us who couldn't show grace, mercy and forgiveness to ourselves. This year I hope you'll be more gracious to you. Let yourself do mistakes, let yourself fail, let yourself be unsure and be rest assured that even if you do, the Lord can pick you up and give you new beginnings because The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. -Lamentations 3:22-23

I hope this post will help you grow in your faith this year. I am excited for you dear reader, on the mountains and valleys that the Lord will take you. It is my prayer that you will pursue Jesus even greater in the days to come! God bless you!