As I am talking to Jesus about this next year, I know that I know that whatever He asks me to do will require discipline.
Not the time-out chair kind of discipline, but the self-control kind.
Exercise. Staying in the Word. A deeper prayerlife. Eating less. Drinking more water. Living green. A tighter budget. Whatever the resolutions...they will require discipline.
THE LACK OF DISCIPLINE: Arguably our number one downfall as human beings. Even Adam's fall in the garden was the "fruit" of the lack of self-discipline.
Laziness is so much easier. Isn't it?
Whatever you are praying through for your New Year's resolution, I guarantee it requires discipline on your part.
Well, I have a word for you today.
Grab your pen. God is so good.
Paul writes to Timothy, "I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:6,7
The gift Paul refers to here is the Greek word charisma meaning grace or gift denoting extraordinary powers...the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit.
You, my friend, have divine power operating in your soul. Chew on that a minute. Wow.
For God did not give [you] a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Discipline is a spirit. I can honestly say I have never thought of it that way.
But Paul wants Timothy to fan it into flame - to stir it up as some translations say.
How cool is that? I don't have to ask God to give me discipline or self-control in the New Year, I just need to exercise what He has already given me.
He made a deposit in me upon my conversion. The Holy Spirit. And the fruit of this deposit is love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22,23)
The flesh is very persuasive. The flesh wants to oversleep and eat more. The flesh will defile us.
Discipline: v) to train or develop by instruction and exercise especially in self-control.
But those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with it passions and desires. Galations 5:24
Crucify your flesh.
God is better than sleep.
God is better than food.
God is better than sex, for goodness sake.
Yes, I just said that.
But He is.
He created every good thing. He is as good as anything gets.
The Most High of all highs!
And however He wants to grow me...whatever discipline I need to stir up, I'll do it.
Because I want more of Him.
Let us not allow our flesh to make us miss out on what God has for us.
"Sometimes you just have to slap your lazy flesh around and tell it what to do." - D. Barnes.
One of my all-time favorite quotes.
Be encouraged this New Year as you are making your resolutions.
This year, after the ball drops, we will not drop the ball.
We can do all things - Because of the divine power working in us.
I need a little slapping around! My discipline has gone off the deep end as our schedules have been chaotic and pretty much nonexistent during the past week and a half. I'm glad to know it's still in there somewhere. I've got to get to fanning!
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