At Redeemer Community Church we’ve identified seven practices of a disciple of Jesus that we hope to be true of each one of us in increasing measure. These are not practices we pursue for God’s love (we cannot earn nor deserve the love of God), but rather from God’s love poured out on us through the gospel of Jesus.

First practice: Seek God.

King David records one of the most striking invitations extended by God to a sinful man, “Seek My face.” David resolutely responds, “Your face, O LORD, I shall seek.” (Ps 27:8) Elsewhere, “O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly.” (Ps 63:1) Seek to know, adore, and worship God in Christ for who He is and what He’s done for you. A. W. Tozer called this “the glorious pursuit, the heart’s happy exploration of the infinite riches of the Godhead.”

• Read and meditate on God’s Word each day, listening to His voice. While one chapter each day is a worthy path, consider also reading large portions of the Bible at a time, sometimes even entire books (17 of the 27 NT books are six chapters or less).  “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Ps 119:105)
• Pray to God each day. Cultivate devoted times to prayer (maybe times in the morning and evening), but also a relationship with God that turns to Him throughout the day. Study Nehemiah’s prayer life: devoted prayers day and night in 1:4-11, as well as on-the-spot prayers in 2:4-5. Read about and use Paul Miller’s Prayer Cards (A Praying Life) “I love the LORD because He hears my voice… Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.” (Ps 116:1-2)
• Memorize Scripture. Commit to memory your favorites verses, passages pertinent to your life, powerful chapters of Scripture, or maybe an entire book of the Bible. There are great apps, ebooks, and more tools available to help you.
• To these twin pillars of the Christian life—the Word and Prayer—engage other spiritual disciplines (or Habits of Grace as Mathis calls them) like fellowship with God’s people, fasting, worship, and more.
• Go hard after God at your church’s Worship Service. Be an active participant, not a passive spectator. Passionately sing His praise. Eagerly listen and submit to His Word. Joyfully celebrate His work in your church’s midst. Seek your God. Read How to Walk Into Church.
• Trust and obey God as a sure way to know and experience Him. Jesus said He would disclose Himself to those who follow His ways. (Jn 14:21)

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Ps 34:8)