QUESTION: I seem to have a lot of ups and downs in my spiritual life. How can I get off this roller coaster and lead a consistently strong Christian life that glorifies God and is a witness to others?

ANSWER: The secret of a consistent Christian life and testimony is found by spending time daily in secret with the Lord Jesus. "One thing is needful"—to sit at Jesus' feet. See Luke 10:38-42. This truth is also found in John 15:4—"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." To abide in Christ, we must live in such a way that we draw our strength from Him moment by moment. We can only learn to do this by taking time to be alone with Him, allowing Him to speak to us through His Word. This will restore, cleanse, transform and strengthen us. See Psalm 119:9,11; Romans 12:2; Acts 20:32. In the following article there are some suggestions to help you to establish daily quiet time.

—John D. McNeil