Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Discipline For Disciples

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Col. 3:1-2).

Someone who has the edge is disciplined in both spiritual and physical matters. We think the only thing that matters is that we pray as much as we can and read our Bible every day. I'm not saying we should be robots in that we stick to a bunch of rules and regulations. But we're to be disciplined in seeking real life.

Being disciplined is putting God first in your life - in everything you do and say. Being disciplined is reading the Bible because you know it is your source of faith and strength. Being disciplined is praying because you know that daily communion with the living God is the highlight of your day. Being disciplined is spending time praising and worshipping the Lord because you know praise stills the enemy.

Being undisciplined is self-centeredness - you read the Bible and pray when you feel like it. Your world revolves around you and no one else. Every decision you make is based on how it will benefit you. You don't have a heart of love and compassion for others. You may love people, but it's a conditional love - you'll love them as long as you're getting something from them. Being undisciplined is not seeing others how God sees them. This may come as a deep revelation to some, but Jesus died on the cross for everyone!

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" (Col. 3:12-14).

It's hard to believe that someone is really spiritually disciplined if they're not physically disciplined. Do you lead a disciplined lifestyle? That covers everything from the food you eat to what you do with your spare time.

I believe Christians should be examples of excellence. If you are an athlete, are you working as hard as you can to be the best you can? If you have a job, do you give your employer the best of your abilities? Do you show up for work on time and stay until it's time to leave? In school, do you take your education seriously? Do you strive to make the best grades possible or are you satisfied with just sliding by?

You may think, What does all this have to do with anything? How you answer these questions indicates whether or not you lead a disciplined lifestyle.

Digg this

Friday, May 22, 2009

Start Where You Are

Job 8:7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

Start with what you have, not with what you don't have. Opportunity is always where you are, never where you were. To get anywhere you must launch out for somewhere or you will get nowhere.

Hamilton Mabie said, "The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had the means, time, influence and education advantages, but what he will do with the things he has."

God will always give us an ability to create what we need from something that is already there.

Each person tends to underrate or overrate that which they do not possess. Ed Howe said, "People are always neglecting something they can do and trying to do something they can't do."

I agree with Teddy Roosevelt when he said, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." The only way to learn anything thoroughly is by starting at the bottom (except when learning how to swim). To be successful, do what you can.

Ken Keys, Jr. said, "To be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have." The truth is that many are successful because they didn't have the advantages others had. People with enterprise accomplish more than others because they go ahead and do it before they are ready.

Epicurus said, "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things only hoped for." Henri Amiel observed, "Almost everything comes from almost nothing."

No improvement is so certain as that which proceeds from the right and timely use of what you already have.

Mike Murdock said, "Whatever God has already given to you will create anything else He has promised to you." Everyone who has arrived had to begin where they were.

The truth is, you can't know what you can do until you try. The most important thing about reaching your dream is starting right where you are.

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Digg this
Free Blogspot Templates