"To discipline and reprimand a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child." Proverbs 29:15
I was wondering if any of you would be willing to share what the Lord has taught you about discipline.
Prayer: Lord teach and train us to become devoted followers of You. Amen
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Belt seams to work
Two people have had a profound affect on me in this subject: Richard Foster and Rick Warren. Foster writes about disciplines saying our will is incapable of bringing about necessary transformation of the inner spirit. Spiritual disciplines are the foundation on which transformation happens. Don’t be confused either- spiritual disciplines are not the transformation; they clear the path for transformation. Of course when we really buy into the thought that if we are steadfast in our discipline then we will experience transformation BY GOD, which is always for our benefit, then it becomes easier to do them. You never practice football for the sake of practice. That would be drudgery. You practice to win. You enter into spiritual disciplines to be transformed by God.
Rick Warren taught me about the will. He explained that whether you want to apply your will to a diet, a change in behavior or anything else it will only last for a short time if your mind is not also in the game. The mind is separate from the will. The will has more to do with temporary emotions than long term beliefs. You always act according to your beliefs- ALWAYS. He used an analogy that I’ve not forgotten. You are in a boat that has auto-pilot. If you steer it away from it’s heading it will allow you to, however the minute you take your hands off the wheel it is programmed to return to it’s original course. It’s not until you change the heading of the auto-pilot that you can successfully turn the boat around for good. We are the same way. Romans 12.2 say, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
We shouldn’t deceive ourselves into thinking we can be transformed without spiritual disciplines. And we cannot enter into spiritual disciplines without transforming our minds. We have to believe that spiritual disciplines can clear the way to Godliness. And we have to believe that Godliness is actually better than wasting our lives. Do you want to know what you truly believe about spiritual disciplines? Look at what you do. You do them if you believe they are worth it.
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