Spiritual Discipline-Part I

...exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 1Timothy 4:7-8 (NKJV)

Q:    Is there something that you are doing over and over in your life that does not reflect what a follower of Christ should be doing?

Q:    Do you find yourself making commitments to God - only to find yourself breaking them?

If you can honestly answer yes to one of both of these questions, then I want to invite you to discover a way to break this cycle within your life.

One of the major points of attack on our Christian walk is Satan's constant barrage of temptation - temptation that results in our compromising. When we compromise, we are freely choosing to in do those things that we know to be "Wrong," as defined by God's Word.  

Q:    How do we stop compromising?  
A:    We must develop, "Spiritual disciplines."

Without discipline we will be doomed to continue that "Crazy cycle" of continuing in the same sin, over and over again - the pattern will repeat itself until we lose hope, and extensive damage is done to our lives, both "Spiritually," as well as "Physically." Proverbs speaks about such a person who lacks control.

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.Proverbs 25:28 (NKJV)

Although there are several foundational disciplines we can implement, I have chosen to focus on 5-Spiritual disciplines that will help us tremendously if implemented.  These 5-Spiritual disciplines are:

1.    Prayer
2.    Spending Time in The Word of God
3.    Stewardship
4.    Fellowship
5.    Fasting

Before we get into the first "Spiritual Discipline," I would like to look at what "Discipline" is.  Although "Discipline" is often associated with a corrective measure administered from a parent or authority for wrong actions, this, in fact, is not the type of "Discipline" that we are speaking of.

A "Discipline" is the systematic instruction given to a disciple (follower of Jesus).  It is God's instruction for the believer to follow His rule of "Order." And for us to be better followers of God's Word in obedience, we must learn to be "Self-disciplined."  

Wikipedia Encyclopedia defines, Self-discipline as "the training that one gives one's self to accomplish a certain task or to adopt a particular pattern of behavior, even though one would really rather be doing something else."  For the Christian believer, it is the ability to assert our "Free will" to do what is right verses pursuing our fleshly desires.  This is the Discipline that we will be focusing on throughout this devotional series.

I would like to further emphasize that we cannot do these disciplines consistently without the leading, guidance, and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  It is by God's power that we are able to do His will.  Therefore, we must seek to be filled with His Spirit each and every day.

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)

In Part II of this devotional series, we will begin to look at the first of 5-Spiritual disciplines, which is "Prayer."

I want to encourage you today, to go before the Lord, and ask Him if there are some areas in your life that He would like to remove.  Ask Him if there is any obstacle, attitude or activity within your life that is keeping Him from using you to the degree with which He has a desire to.  

STUDY QUESTION:  According to 1Timothy 4:7-8, what is the advantage of godliness in our life?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you disciplining your life to do the things of God, or are you consumed by your desires to satisfy the flesh (Old nature)?

APPLICATION: Seek the Lord today and ask Him to show you every area in your life that is not in His will.