The Value of Self Discipline

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 3: 11–12 NIV®

Today’s culture is obsessed with entertainment, sports, materialism and emotional gratification.
In fact, those excessive preoccupations have become the marks of our shallow, amoral and often immoral society.
A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt essentially predicted those results
when he said that prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first,
the love of soft living, and the get-rich theory of life would eventually destroy America.

One sure antidote to such a lifestyle is the self-discipline evidenced in the genuine Christian life.
Your spiritual guidance and power come from the Lord, but you need self-discipline if He is to work effectively through you.
The Lord uses only the disciplined mind to think clearly, understand His Word and present its truth effectively to the world.
Only the disciplined mind consistently discerns truth from error,
and only the disciplined Christian is a good testimony within the Church and before the world.
Simply stated, self-discipline is obedience to God’s Word
and willingness to submit everything in life to His will for His ultimate glory.

Here are some practical ways to cultivate self-discipline:

1) Start small in your home, for example, begin the housekeeping in the main bedroom.
When that discipline is established, extend it to the rest of your home.

2) Be punctual. Make a habit to be on time.

3) Deal with difficult tasks first. If you do the hardest jobs first, you will not leave them undone.

4) Be organised. Instead of merely reacting to circumstances, plan your day and your week.

5) Be grateful for correction. Don’t shun constructive criticism; welcome it as a means for self-improvement.

6) Practice self-denial. This can begin in simple ways – substitute a healthy snack for junk food.
Discipline in the physical realm carries over to the spiritual realm.

7) Take on responsibilities. Welcoming a new opportunity forces you to be organised.

These may seem insignificant, but they can be good practice in becoming a better servant of Christ.

Truth for Today: A Daily Touch of God’s Grace by John MacArthur

God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12: 10b–11 NIV®

Let us pray:
Father God, we have been on a very long, strange, unsettling and sad journey
since March of this year due to the corona virus pandemic.
We have experienced losses in all areas of life: physically, socially, financially and economically.
We have called on you for wisdom, strength, protection and guidance;
we have had to learn to walk along new paths in order to survive;
we have had to learn to think differently; to manage our lives differently;
and literally to live one day at a time as we continue along this unknown path.
The adjustments have been extremely difficult
and for many of us it took some time to settle into some semblance of a routine.
Father, we thank you for the gift of life, we thank you for your provision and blessings.
Help us to be more aware of the importance of practising self- discipline, as well as obedience and trust in you.

Please give healing, hope and courage to those who are recovering from the virus.
Loving God, we are concerned about the uncertainty which many will face this Autumn season
with respect to jobs, housing and other commitments, we pray your provision for them.
We pray for children and young people returning to schools, colleges; and universities.
Please protect all who are studying and working in those institutions;
may everyone be conscious of the fact that ‘we are not only our keepers, we are also our brothers’ keepers’.

Churches are well prepared to reopen their doors on Sunday for public worship.
We pray that worshippers will act responsibly with respect to arrangements
which have been put in place for everyone’s safety and well-being.
Loving God, please walk with us throughout today,
and be especially close to those who will face challenges which only you by your Grace can resolve.

Lord in your mercy, please hear our prayers.

Amen

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the sea,
….

He says, ‘Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.’

The Lord Almighty is with us;
The God of Jacob is our fortress.

Excerpts from Psalm 46 (vv. 1–2 & 10–11) NIV®

Psalms 46–48 are hymns of praise.
God is our eternal refuge and He will provide strength in any circumstance, even in the face of total destruction.
It is natural that we may worry, but when we do it means that we do not trust God, we are displaying lack of Faith.
Friends, let us pray, leave our troubles with God, rest on His Promises; and ‘Fear Not’.

Glynne Gordon-Carter