Is discipline a do-it-yourself project?
Not spiritual disciplines.
Spiritual disciplines let God shape us into the image of Christ.
Isaiah 64:8 (ESV)
But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
Day 23 – Let God work.
All too often, Lord, I’m a runaway pot, trying to spin myself into what I want to be. Teach me to wait on You.
Spiritual discipline.
Spiritual exercise.
Spiritual habits.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (MSG)
I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition.
Disciplined. Alert. No sloppy living–body, soul and spirit.
Day 22 – I’m not there yet. I still hold some bad habits. And lack some good ones.
Exodus 20:8-10a (CEV)
Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. You have six days when you can do your work, but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God.
I’ve got six days to get my work done. When I save it up for Sunday, I’m trespassing on God’s space.
Day 22 – God’s day. Not mine.
Proverbs 3:9 (NIV)
Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops.
All too often, I offer God my leftovers.
Day 21 – my first and best, not my last and least.
Hebrews 10:24-25a (VOICE)
Let us consider how to inspire each other
to greater love and to righteous deeds,
not forgetting to gather as a community.
God doesn’t plan for faith to be a solo journey. Yes, there’s a spiritual discipline of solitude. But there’s also one of fellowship. There’s a time for me to be alone with God, and there’s a time to for me to connect with God in the company of others.
Beware: social isolation works against fellowship.
Day 20 – make time for together-time.
“I have talents; help me to extol thee by spending them for thee; I have time; Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve thee . . . thou hast put me in this world for something; Lord, show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose.”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, (1834-1892)
Morning and Evening, “Morning, Feb.15”
During his 40 years of pastoral ministry, Charles Spurgeon put his time and talents to use for God. Sometimes called “the prince of preachers,” he preached more than 3,500 sermons to millions of listeners.
Day 19 – more time and talent devoted to my God-given life-purpose.
Ephesians 6:18a (VOICE)
Pray always. Pray in the Spirit.
Pray about everything
in every way you know how!
There’s no such thing as too much prayer.
Day 18 – Pray. Then pray some more.
More what?
Bible study.
2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP)
Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.
Sometimes more content. Other times, more detail. Always, more careful attention.
Day 17 – Listen more carefully to the Spirit.
More discipline in worship.
This isn’t about whispering during prayer time or daydreaming during the sermon.
It’s about truth.
John 4:23b (CEV)
Even now the true worshipers are being led by the Spirit to worship the Father according to the truth.
Take note: worship is a spiritual discipline.
Day 16 — Yes, indeed! More God, less me.
Last week I focused on disciplines of less.
This week will be about more:
John the Baptist got it right.
John 3:30 (NIV)
He must become greater;
I must become less.
Day 15 – More Jesus, less me.
