Category: Ministry

Self-Discipline

Part two

“Habits”

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)

A habit is a routine of a person’s behavior that is repeated on a regular basis. Habits occur subconsciously, and are done without having to give thought to or think about.

There are basically two kinds of habits; good habits and bad habits. Because habits can become second nature and compulsory, a person may feel uncomfortable when they don’t do it.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” (NKJV)

Habits can be taught. Parents teach their children to look both ways before crossing the street or washing their hands regularly, especially before eating. Once the habit has been taught, the child will do it without thinking.

Adults can teach other adults habits also. Personal trainers try to teach good eating and exercise habits to encourage a healthy life style, along with managing their weight.

The apostle Paul wrote “for what I am doing I don’t understand”. A large percentage of our daily behaviors are done out of habit. Old habits can be hard to change or break, and new habits can be hard to form because of behavioral patterns that are repeated without thinking.

A person’s habits will play an important part in someone’s life when they have the desire for good self-discipline.

In last week’s post on self-discipline, the topic was “Your thoughts and way of thinking”. If a habit is going to be stopped or changed, that person is going to have to change their way of thinking.

One may ask the question “What would I have to do to change my way of thinking so that it will help me with stopping a bad habit, and starting a good habit?”

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NKJV)

When a person realizes that the behavior they want to change is a habit, makes the connection with Jesus for the strength that will be given, that person will be able to use self-discipline to control their habits.

Lord Jesus, give us the strength to apply the needed self-discipline to stop bad habits and start good habits, in Jesus name…Amen!

Next weeks post

Part three of the series Self-discipline

Temptation

Continuing in His service…Rev

Self-Discipline

Part one

Your thoughts and way of thinking

Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (NKJV)

One of the first organs to develop before birth is the brain, and it is the brain that controls the body’s functions.

A person’s behavior is reflective of their thinking or the thoughts they are having. When a person is thinking positive, and is having positive thoughts, that person will display a positive behavior. A person that is thinking negative, or having negative thoughts will display a negative behavior.  

As I began my research on this topic of self-discipline in the Webster’s Universal College Dictionary, I noticed that right under the definition of “self-discipline” was the definition of “self-doubt”.

Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks in his heart so is he” (NKJV) 

If a person is going to have positive self-discipline, then that person is going to have to continue thinking positive.

James 1:7,8 “For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. Vs. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (KJV)    

Having “toggling thoughts” (going back and forth with positive or negative thoughts) can delay a person’s progress in obtaining positive self discipline. Doubting yourself can cause thoughts like “can I really do this?”

A person might ask how do I cope with going from having positive thoughts, to having negative thoughts in my thinking.

Fear or doubt may be the source of having negative thoughts when a person is trying to focus on having positive thoughts.

2nd Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (NKJV)

An excuse can be why it didn’t happen…A reason can be why it did happen. Fear can be a cause of doubt and doubt can be a cause of fear. Many times when a person is putting forth an effort to have good self-discipline, fear or doubt can appear in their thinking.

Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” (NKJV)

Setting unreasonable goals, can contribute to someone not reaching the goal that has been set. A person has to be careful not to allow pride or haughtiness to influence one’s self-discipline.

Lord Jesus, I look to You for strength to help with my way of thinking and my thoughts, in Jesus name… Amen!

Next week’s post

Part two of the series Self-discipline

“Habits”

Continuing in His service…Rev

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