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Discipling is an important part of doing the will of God in the most effective way possible. Disciplined Christian living is ... bringing all the areas of our lives under the control of Jesus Christ, so that all we do fits together and contributes to our one purpose — to bring glory to God.
When you became a Christian it was a decision you made to be disciplined.
Daily discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.
5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
God has already given us the spirit of self- discipline.
Exodus 16:11-21
11 The LORD said to Moses,
12 "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'"
13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.
14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor.
15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.
16 This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Each one is to gather as much as he needs. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.'"
17 The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little.
18 And when they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed.
19 Then Moses said to them, "No one is to keep any of it until morning."
20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.
21 Each morning everyone gathered as much as he needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away.
God requires us to depend on him daily. For that we need daily discipline
Proverbs 1:2-7
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young--
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--
6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Fear of God is the beginning of a disciplined life.
Daily spirituality
To live a daily Christian life the four basic things are: -
(a) Daily prayer
Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
(b) Daily Bible study.
(c) Daily evangelism
(d) Daily confession
Hebrews 3:12-13
12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
If specific time and place is set aside everyday for the above, it accounts for our daily spiritual life.
Consider yourself to be “lost” without doing the above every day. Is your part of your home, family ministry and yourself soaked in prayer everyday?
Does your daily bible study motivate you to change?
Does you close your eyes in sleep before confessing. Everyday?
Discipline starts with a decision - a decision to love it and enjoy pain.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Let the scriptures discipline you to lead a righteous life.
Everyone is accountable for their lives before God - not just their life but their lifestyle as well
1 Timothy 4:16
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
People watch your life closely - You’re non-Christian family, your friends, your neighbours, and your colleagues.
Our daily life requires discipline. The solution is simple, make a schedule and stick to it. Even women who are at home need a schedule or they will be busybodies accomplishing only a few things at the end of the day.
Is your schedule made around the kingdom schedule?
If you make one, do you keep it?
Daily schedule includes specific appointments written down about prayer, Bible study, evangelism, family times for the Marrieds, time with friends, work, rest etc..
Let your schedule be on paper.
Challenge
Make a weekly schedule and let your discipler hold you accountable. Discipling our hearts through discipling is the pulse of our entire movement.
Hebrews 12:11
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.
Daily discipline although painful, will definitely bring abundant fruits.
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