Self-Discipline

Introduction

Romans 7:15 ^“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” (NKJV)

Self-discipline can be defined as; applying the needed effort on your own, to do what needs to be done, to get the results that a person wants to obtain.

In a previous post on our site “Letting go of the past”, I blogged about transitioning out of 2019 into 2020 and how many people make this the time to make “New Years” resolutions.

Having a lack of Self-discipline, can hinder a person’s efforts to accomplish goals that have been set. Remaining focused on the goal that has been set will help tremendously when a person encounters distractions.

In the up coming weeks, there will be several different posts on topics that will relate to this series on Self-discipline. I am excited about how God will touch individuals that follow this series on Self-discipline, and how they will experience a positive change in their lives.

I encourage those who have been viewing the weekly blogs that are being posted this site, to follow this series and invite others to subscribe to this ministry.

“Father, you art in heaven and hallow is your name. I thank you for the nuggets that you drop into my spirit to minister to your people, and that they will always be used to your glory and to your honor. It is my prayer that this series on Self-discipline will help those who are struggling with making a change in their lives in Jesus name…Amen!”

Continuing in His service…Rev

“God Is Sovereign”

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.“(NIV)

If you look up the word “sovereign” in a dictionary, you will find other words in the description like; supreme, preeminent, power, dominion and authority. You will also find phrases like; being above others and greatest in degree, being utmost or extreme.

Being sovereign means being the ultimate source of all power, authority, and everything that exists. God alone can make those claims; therefore, it’s God’s sovereignty that makes Him superior to all other gods and makes Him, and Him alone, worthy of all praise and worship.

He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, with no limitations. He is the one and only true and living God all by Himself.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (NKJV)

Many times a person can look at what is happening in the world or their lives and ask the question, why is this happening or why is God allowing this to happen?

Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. ⁹ “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. (NKJV)

Make no mistake about it…God is still in control and He knows what He is doing! He is the one and only true and living God, all by Himself.

Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (NKJV)

Many times when we are trying to figure it out, God has already worked it out.

Isaiah 45:18 “For thus says the Lord,
Who created the heavens,
Who is God,
Who formed the earth and made it,
Who has established it,
Who did not create it in vain,
Who formed it to be inhabited:
“I am the Lord, and there is no other.” (NKJV)

There is absolutely nothing that happens that God is not in control of also there are no limitations on God. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

Because God is sovereign, He is:

• “I Am” Exodus 3:14
• King Of Kings and Lord of Lords 1^st Timothy 6:15
• A wonderful counselor Isaiah 9:6
• The bright and morning star Revelations 22:16

God is also:

• Omnipresent–being everywhere at the same time
• Omnipotent—all powerful
• Omniscient—all knowing

“Thank you God for your sovereignty, and for being in total control over everything in this world and universe. Thank you for causing all things to work together for good, in spite of what it may look like. You are truly the Alpha and Omega…in Jesus name.” Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

“Letting go of the past”

Philippians 3:12,13 and 14 “ Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also hold of me. Vs 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Vs 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

We have just transitioned out of the previous year of 2019 and into the New Year of 2020. It is also the time that many people make what we call “New Year’s resolutions.” Normally people make a resolution on New Year’s Eve to do something different and life-altering in the coming year.

Many times people don’t realize the difficulty in breaking old or bad habits, and developing new and better habits. Holding on to the past will keep a person from moving forward into their future.

The apostle Paul uses the analogy of a runner running in a race to describe the believers’ spiritual growth. Like the runner in a race, we must continue to pursue and put forth an effort to reach our goal. When a runner begins to get close to the finish line, that runner will start to lean forward in an effort to be the first to cross the finish line. If that runner is leaning backwards, there is a chance that he will lose the race.    

Paul also uses several terms in Philippians chapter 3 that describes positive actions toward “letting go of the past”

Press on; to continue attempts to reach forward with energetic action 

Lay hold; making something your own possession

But one thing I do; remaining focused in spite of distractions that happen.

Forgetting those things that are behind; and reaching forward to those things which are ahead

From time to time we will remember events that happened in the past, both good and bad. It’s acceptable to remember the past, but if a person dwells on the past, they are allowing themselves to be distracted by the past. Dwelling in the past can hinder efforts in the present to move forward.

Letting go of the past has to be done in order to move forward into the future. Believers can use their imagination to be able to see themselves accomplishing the goals that have been set.

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, “let us lay aside every weight” and the sin which so easily ensures us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

In order to accomplish goals that have been set, there are some people, places and things that you are going to have to let go of because of their weight. If we don’t remain focused on the goal, weight will ensnare us.

Isaiah 43:18,19 “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Vs 19 Behold I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

If a person continues to do what they have always been doing, they will continue to have the same results. With new ideas and new vision, a change can take place, and the impossible will become possible.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Letting go of the past will enable a person to grasp and hold on to the future.

Mark 2:22 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”

New ideas will not work if you hold on to old plans. It’s acceptable to glance back at the past, but the main focus should be on looking forward to the future.

Abba Father thank you for the many blessings that You bestowed upon your people in 2019. May the year of 2020 bring additional blessings and prosperity to your people as we “let go of the past” and look to the future…in Jesus name. Amen!

“Perfect Peace”

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Many times we can feel over whelmed with everything that is going on around us and sometimes wonder “why is this happening to me?” If we are not careful we can easily get caught up in what is going on in the world and loose our focus on what we need to do to obtain and keep “perfect peace.”

If we allow fear to be our main focus, it will be extremely difficult to obtain the victory over tribulations that come our way.

There will be individuals around us that might be experiencing the same tribulations that we are experiencing, but are allowing fear to control what they see and how they feel.

Mark 4:41 “And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

This was the response from the disciples when they were on a boat in a storm on the sea after Jesus rebuked the wind, and spoke to the sea.  

Mark 4:37 “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.”

Mark 4:39 “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

As believers, we have the authority to speak to storms, trials and tribulations and command the presence of “perfect peace” to rule in the place of fear and experience freedom from disturbances or unrest.”

Philippians 4:6,7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Vs 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

The “peace” of God surpasses all understanding. When others around you allow themselves to be overwhelmed by what is happening, and you are calm because of having “perfect peace”, this type of peace will not be understood by those around you. It is hard for them to understand why you are not acting, or behaving the way that they are, and the question might even be asked about you “what’s wrong with them, don’t they see what’s happening?”

“With peace comes strength”

Isaiah 26:3,4 “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You” vs 4 Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.”

Because of God’s grace and mercy, He will provide strength with His peace. All we have to do is keep our mind on Jesus

“With peace comes safety”

Psalms 91:1,2 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him will I trust.”

Because of God’s grace and mercy, He will provide safety with His peace. All we have to do is trust Him.

“With peace comes rest“

Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.“

Because of God’s grace and mercy, He will give us rest with His peace. All we have to do is come to Him.

Lord you said in your word that you have overcome this world that we live in. Thank you for the “perfect peace” we can have that comes from only you…in Jesus name. Amen!   

Continuing in His service…Rev