Discipline

A Life of Discipline

December 10, 2003

Living a life that is pleasing to God is his desire when he calls us to his invitation of salvation. We all can remember when we realized God was calling our name. Many people are offered the invitation and receive Jesus Christ into their life. From there these continue to grow deeper in their relationship with the Lord. But there are some who receive the Lord and from there they struggle through life because of not being disciplined in His righteousness.

I know someone when he was 16 years old that was not shown the way in which he should grow. In the church we attended the invitation was offered to this young teenager and he open heartedly received the gift of the Holy Spirit. As time went by he returned to the place he was born and was not nurtured in the scripture or encouraged to go to church. His precious life was met with many trials and hurts and his spirit was sadly broken.

It was later in his life when he was in his 40’s that the Lord drew him closer through all the circumstances he had endured. This young man found a fresh experience with Jesus Christ. I have heard this young man say, “all that I have been given God has given me and I pray every night.” My heart is blessed each time he speaks forth about how God has been a part of his life through the years.

What must we do so we can grow deeper in our Lord Jesus Christ?
1. We must yield to His Lordship in our lives.
2. We must be in His Word daily.
3. We must live a life of prayer.
4. We need to seek a church body that will encourage us, exhort us and disciple us.
5. We must seek the gift God has empowered us with so we can be used in the Body of Christ.
6. We must learn to share our experience in Christ Jesus with others.

Righteous living is the key when all these disciplines become part of our life.

“And having on the breastplate of righteousness;” Ephesians 6:14b The breastplate of our spiritual armour reveals our relationship with Jesus Christ. That is why we must grow deep in the Lord as His new creation. The more we grow in Him the more we become living witnesses.

Discipline is not pleasant but what it reaps is righteous living and righteous acts. So let’s pray that God would discipline us for His glory. Through this we will be known as His disciples.

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Praise be to God for calling us into His Kingdom….

15 more days till we celebrate Jesus birth..