Tag: christianity

Living from the Inside Out

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As we step into a new year, many people are drawing up long lists of resolutions they hope to keep.

According to ChatGPT, the three most common New Year’s resolutions are:

1. Improve physical health : This often means exercising more, eating healthier, losing weight, or being more active overall.

2. Improve finances : Common goals include saving more money, paying off debt, sticking to a budget, or spending less.

3. Improve mental well-being: These are usually resolutions to get better sleep, reduce stress, or improve work–life balance.

Many of us can relate to one or two of these goals. And while they are all worthwhile, there is one area we must not neglect: our spiritual health.

Human beings are made up of spirit, soul, and body.

While we often attend to the needs of the soul and body, we sometimes forget that our spirit also has needs—and these needs should be prioritised.

“The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?”

— Proverbs 18:14 (NKJV)

Our spirit man actually carries the rest of our being. It is the support system for both our soul and our body. When the spirit is strengthened, it sustains everything else.

We live a richer and more fulfilling life when we live from the inside out, prioritising our spiritual needs.

Jesus Himself emphasised this truth:

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

— Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)

Here, He highlights that while physical food is necessary, it is not sufficient. True life and sustenance come from the words that proceed from the mouth of God.

So where do we find these words?

In the place of personal fellowship with God and in the gathering of fellow believers.

So before you sign up for that annual gym membership or that healthy eating workshop, pause and ask yourself:

How can I tend to my spirit man?

How can I practically position myself to consistently receive the words that proceed from God’s mouth this year—and in the years to come?

In other words:

How do I spend even more time with God this year, both personally and corporately?

Why host Him?

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“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.”

— Luke 10:38 (NKJV)

The story of Martha and Mary is one of my favourite Bible stories because there is so much to learn from it.

In the story, Jesus visits the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha is busy with the work of hospitality—preparing and serving—and becomes frustrated that Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to His teaching instead of helping out. Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her.

Jesus gently responds that Martha about being worried and distracted by many things, while Mary has chosen a better option which is listening to Him and that this choice will not be taken away from her.

Have you ever wondered why Martha actually invited Jesus into her house?

The answer may not be as obvious as it seems.

We can however infer from her actions in the passage that it wasn’t primarily to listen to the teaching of the word of God from Jesus. Perhaps she liked the prestige of having a mighty Man of God in her home. Perhaps her name would have been on the lips of the people of Bethany. Everyone would have praised her for “hosting the great Rabbi, Jesus” in her beautiful home.

Why do I say this? Because she placed more priority on serving rather than on fellowship with Jesus.

It’s so easy to fall into the same trap as Martha.

When last did you do a heart check?

Ask yourself, “Why do I actually go to church?”

The answer may seem obvious—until you look deeply into your heart.

If we are not careful, we can seek to be around Jesus, but not truly with Him. Martha was around Jesus, but Mary was with Him.

Many Christians like the “Christian” label and even benefit from it, yet have no real interest in Christ Himself.

Our priority should be in our fellowship with Christ and learning at His feet.

When we come to God—whether in our personal time with Him or in the place of corporate fellowship—our focus should be on Jesus Christ, while all other activities take second place.