Discipline? The last thing that we really want to talk about is discipline. It requires hard work, patience, determination, focus, and concentration. It is difficult to maintain and frustrating if you fail. Regardless of the effort required, it can really produce some things for you that are worth talking about.
When I fail, it absolutely amazes me that the first thought to enter my mind always seems to be, "No matter how hard you try, you'll never be good enough." This poses the question, "When we become a fully devoted follower of Jesus, why do we expect ourselves to be perfect?" In other words, "why do we expect ourselves to be Jesus?" All of us have to admit, sooner or later we are going to mess up our situation. We aren't perfect. We're not Jesus. We don't know everything, and the bottom line is we feel like we can earn God's approval by living perfectly. Obviously, this is a lie.
Can we ever earn God's approval? Do we ever deserve it? The word "earn" is derived from an Old English word meaning laborer. A simple way to understand the word "earn" is in thinking about our payroll checks. We work and labor, and our employer rewards us with what we deserve. The Oxford American dictionary defines "earn" as something we "gain or incur deservedly in return for one's behavior or achievements." If we can earn God's approval based on our behavior, then why do we need Jesus?
Do you remember this, "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives" (Proverbs 3:11, 12 and Hebrews 12:5b, 6). This can be an intimidating verse, but it doesn't have to be. Imagine God, powerful yet tender, as a Father being patient with you when you stumble and fail. You're not too far gone. You're not too deep in your pit for him to pull you out. Imagine him giving you a hug, encouraging you to get back up, and disciplining you so you can become wiser, stronger, and better in the future. This is discipline from the OUTSIDE. God's discipline.
If you look closely in Hebrews 12:12,13, we also are responsible to discipline ourselves. "Therefore, strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed." Self-discipline can be defined, by Oxford American dictionary, as "the ability to control one's feelings and overcome one's weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite the temptations to abandon it." Remember that failure is an event and not a person. Regardless of how much discipline you had yesterday, or even earlier today, you can still work hard to hone it and develop it. This is the discipline from the INSIDE. Self-discipline.
So, in the title I said I know how to transform your life, and I do. But the secret is not discipline as you probably thought. Discipline, inside and out, can dramatically improve your life, but what will transform your life is simple. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Go to him. Let him transform your life, and then start your journey by yielding to God's discipline and developing discipline inside of yourself.
When I fail, it absolutely amazes me that the first thought to enter my mind always seems to be, "No matter how hard you try, you'll never be good enough." This poses the question, "When we become a fully devoted follower of Jesus, why do we expect ourselves to be perfect?" In other words, "why do we expect ourselves to be Jesus?" All of us have to admit, sooner or later we are going to mess up our situation. We aren't perfect. We're not Jesus. We don't know everything, and the bottom line is we feel like we can earn God's approval by living perfectly. Obviously, this is a lie.
Can we ever earn God's approval? Do we ever deserve it? The word "earn" is derived from an Old English word meaning laborer. A simple way to understand the word "earn" is in thinking about our payroll checks. We work and labor, and our employer rewards us with what we deserve. The Oxford American dictionary defines "earn" as something we "gain or incur deservedly in return for one's behavior or achievements." If we can earn God's approval based on our behavior, then why do we need Jesus?
Do you remember this, "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives" (Proverbs 3:11, 12 and Hebrews 12:5b, 6). This can be an intimidating verse, but it doesn't have to be. Imagine God, powerful yet tender, as a Father being patient with you when you stumble and fail. You're not too far gone. You're not too deep in your pit for him to pull you out. Imagine him giving you a hug, encouraging you to get back up, and disciplining you so you can become wiser, stronger, and better in the future. This is discipline from the OUTSIDE. God's discipline.
If you look closely in Hebrews 12:12,13, we also are responsible to discipline ourselves. "Therefore, strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed." Self-discipline can be defined, by Oxford American dictionary, as "the ability to control one's feelings and overcome one's weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite the temptations to abandon it." Remember that failure is an event and not a person. Regardless of how much discipline you had yesterday, or even earlier today, you can still work hard to hone it and develop it. This is the discipline from the INSIDE. Self-discipline.
So, in the title I said I know how to transform your life, and I do. But the secret is not discipline as you probably thought. Discipline, inside and out, can dramatically improve your life, but what will transform your life is simple. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Go to him. Let him transform your life, and then start your journey by yielding to God's discipline and developing discipline inside of yourself.
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