DISCIPLINED LIFE

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“When does “it” get easier?”

I can almost read folk’s minds when they ask that question. It is as if they have said to themselves and GOD, “OK GOD, I am “doing” recovery, I am “doing” the right things, saying the right stuff, going to the right meetings, drinking the soda water sans the vodka, avoiding the old people places and things so when is the ‘light yoke, and easier burden' Jesus keeps talking about going to kick in?”

I often answer with this…

Proverbs 10:17 (ERV)
The road TO life is a DISCIPLINED life…

And just look at the definition of DISCIPLINE…

…activity, exercise or regimen that develops or improves…

ACTIVITY, EXERCISE, REGIMEN.

To me, that says recovery, this walk, is exactly that; exercise.

It takes a little sweat equity on our part in order to improve.

Paul said so…

1 Timothy 4:7 (MSG)

…Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.

That means we must EXERCISE some GODLY decision making and that takes discipline! 

It is a must.

For Paul also reminds…

…That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time…into GOD’s way of doing things. Romans 6:12 (MSG)

A WHOLEHEARTED and FULL-TIME commitment to CHRIST prompts us make good and GODLY choices, to shed sinful tendencies and to think in the way GOD would want us to think. And believe me, I know that can be a challenge sometimes, it can feel like exercise. No cutting corners or cheating allowed!

Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention. Matthew 7:13 (MSG)

And VIGOROUS is certainly not a passive word it is ACTIVE! 

That means a little sweat for sure!  

But it is a GOOD sweat!

For truly we shouldn’t be surprised that GOD would want us to EXERCISE some good decision-making and some daily discipline. And anything worth pursuing requires some effort, some work, some commitment, some passion, and some investment. 

And we would all agree, this NEW LIFE is worth it, AMEN?

…Mark a life of discipline and live wisely; don't squander your precious life. Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me… Proverbs 8:32 (MSG)

I love you all.

Have a blessed and disciplined weekend.

Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)