Following God Takes Discipline

https://youtu.be/_rz-87t4qyE

(1 Corinthians 9:25) “Everyone who enters an athletic contest practices self-control in everything. They do it to win a wreath (‘ree-th’) that withers away, but we run to win a prize that never fades.”

(Hebrews 12:1-2) “Therefore, having so vast a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, and throwing off everything that hinders us and especially the sin that so easily entangles us, let us keep running with endurance the race set before us, fixing our attention on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of the faith, who, in view of the joy set before him, endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Discipline is the key to fulfilling any dream, goal, or ambition in life. It has to be practiced on a daily basis and you need to be addicted to completing your task. It takes more discipline not to do what you desire than to actually do things you should be doing. For example, think how hard is it to completely avoid fatty foods, sugar, or watching TV programs that don’t edify your walk with Christ compared to taking your daily medication. It’s not as hard as waking up early to pray or going for a jog. It is those things that have us bound in chains that require discipline if we want to be set free from them.

God will destroy every addiction or stronghold in your life, but it is up to you to continue to enjoy that freedom and keep those doors close to the enemy that wants to, once again, dominate you. God set us free from all the power of sin, all curses, and all condemnation through the death of Jesus on the Cross. However, it is up to us to daily claim that freedom, to daily walk in that new identity, and to stay away from the demons that controlled us in the past.

You have to be patient, take one step at a time, and believe that you are being transformed first in your mind, eventually affecting all other areas of your life. The Christian life is not a sprint, but a marathon that takes endurance and stamina in order to make it. The speed at which you grow is not as important as how much you grow. It takes having wisdom regarding our choices in life and not just being driven by feelings. The Holy Spirit has to be the one who ordains all things in your life, as He is the one who will empower you to be disciplined.

Discipline is controlling when or what you eat, when you sleep, what activities you take part in, your time of prayer and reading of the Word…etc. Recently, a sister told me that her little daughter knows that she will not get her breakfast until she first reads the Bible and has a time of prayer with them. This is a simple but effective formula that if we would apply to our lives right now, it would make our life a powerful testimony for Jesus.

 

Jesus promises in the Bible…”Seek ye first the kingdom of God (in other words, eat His Word first thing in the morning, and make the things of God a priority), and all these things shall be added onto you.” I chose to do this as I need a change in my life…. How about you?

Prayers

• Heavenly Father, You are He who preserves the way of His saints. He who guards the feet of His saints. God who is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints.
• Thank You Father that you expect excellence from us and equip us to achieve it.
• Thank You that we run the race with a purpose and expecting a great reward.
• Forgive us for not having the discipline to seek You first on a daily basis.
• Forgive us for returning to our old ways after You have set us free.
• Give us today the discipline needed to do what is right in Your eyes.
• Discipline us to reject all those things that weigh us down in this spiritual race.
• We declare that we will finish the race with Excellency.
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• We ask in Jesus’ Mighty Name. Amen