IT'S TAKES DISCIPLINE
I am able to do all things
through Him who strengthens me.
~
Philippians 4:13
FOCUS FOR TODAY
Discipline matters.
It takes discipline to strengthen your faith;
It takes discipline to improve your fitness.
Physical fitness requires discipline: the discipline to exercise regularly and the discipline to eat sensibly - it's as simple as that. But there's a catch: understanding the need for discipline is easy, but leading a disciplined life can be hard for most of us. Why? Because it's usually more fun to eat a second piece of cake that it is to jog a second lap around the track. But, as we survey the second helpings that all too often find their way onto our plates, we should consider this: as Christians, we are instructed to lead disciplined lives, and when we behave in undisciplined ways, we are living outside of God's will.
God's Word reminds us again and again that our Creator expects us to be disciplined in our thoughts and disciplined in our actions. God doesn't reward laziness, misbehavior, apathy, or shortsightedness. To the contrary, He expects believers to behave with dignity and self-control.
We live in a world in which leisure is glorified and consumption is commercialized. But God has other plans. He did not create us for lives of gluttony or slothfulness; He created us for far greater things.
Life's greatest rewards seldom fall into our laps; to the contrary, our greatest accomplishments usually require lots of work, which is perfectly fine with God. After all, He knows that we're up to the task, and He has big plans for us; may we, as disciplined believers, always be worthy of those plans.
Work is doing it.
Discipline is doing it every day.
Diligence is doing it well
every day.
-
Dave Ramsey
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
DISCIPLINE IS NOT A FOUR-LETTER WORD
Exercising discipline should never be viewed as an imposition or as a form of punishment; far from it. Discipline is the means by which you can take control of your life (which, by the way, is far better than letting your life control you.)
MORE FROM GOD'S WORD
Hebrews 12:11
New International Version (NIV)
11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Proverbs 10:17
New International Version (NIV)
17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
2 Peter 1:5-6
New International Version (NIV)
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
1 Corinthians 9:27
New International Version (NIV)
27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Matthew 7:20
New International Version (NIV)
20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT DISCIPLINE
If one examines the secret behind a championship football team, a magnificent orchestra, or a successful business, the principal ingredient is invariably discipline. - James Dobson
Discipline is training that develops and corrects. - Charles Stanley
God cannot build character without our cooperation. If we resist Him, then He chastens us into submission. But, if we submit to Him, then He can accomplish His work. He is not satisfied with a halfway job. God wants a perfect work; He wants a finished product that is mature and complete. -Warren Wiersbe
The Bible calls for discipline. - Billy Graham
THE SOURCE OF STRENGTH
Where do you go to find strength? The gym? The health food store? The espresso bar? There is a better source of strength, of course, and that source is God. He is a never-ending source of strength and courage if you call upon Him.
Are you an energized Christian? You should be. But if you're not, you must seek strength and renewal from the source that will never fail: that source, or course, is your Heavenly Father. And rest assured - when you sincerely petition Him, He will give you all the strength you need to live victoriously Him.
Are you a woman who has "tapped in" to the power of God? Have you turned your life and your heart over to Him, or are you muddling along under your own power? The answer to this question will determine the quality of your life here on earth and the destiny of your life throughout all eternity. So start tapping in-and remember that when it comes to strength, God is the Ultimate Source.
God cannot build character with out
our cooperation. If we resist Him,
then He chastens us into submission.
But, if we submit to Him, then He can
accomplish His work. He is nor satisfied
with a halfway job. God wants a perfect work;
He wants a finished product
that is mature and complete.
~
Warren Wiersbe
American pastor, Bible teacher, conference speaker
and a prolific writer of Christian literature and theological works.
WORKING IT OUT
START NOW
If you are genuinely planning on becoming a disciplined person "some day" in the distant future, you are deluding yourself. The best day to begin exercising self-discipline is this one!
SMALL STEPS
If you want to become more physically fit,you do not have to make one giant leap. You can start with many small steps, and you should. When it comes to any new exercise regimen, start off slowly and improving gradually is the smart way to do it.
So if you are determined to improve the state of your health, remember that consistency is the key. Start slowly, avoid injury, be consistent, and expect gradual improvement, not instant success.
STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH
THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
HAS MUCH TO TEACH
If you are looking for words of wisdom that extol the virtues of a disciplined lifestyle, the Book of Proverbs is a wonderful place to start. It has 31 chapters, one for each day of the month. If you read Proverbs regularly, and if you take it's teachings to heart, you'll become a more disciplined person. And God will smile.
MORE FROM GOD'S WORD ABOUT
GOD'S STRENGTH
1 Chronicles 19:13
New King James Version (NKJV)
Isaiah 40:28-31
New King James Version (NKJV)
28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Exodus 15:2
New King James Version (NKJV)
2 The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
Joel 3:16
New King James Version (NKJV)
And utter His voice from Jerusalem;
The heavens and earth will shake;
But the LORD will be a shelter for His people,
And the strength of the children of Israel.
He said unto me,
My grace is sufficient for thee:
for my strength is made perfect
in weakness.
~
2 Corinthians 12:9
NOTES TO YOURSELF
Make notes about small, but important, steps you can take to improve your health.
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