The other day I heard a message from Ecclesiastes (I know, kind of an unlikely book...) that got me thinking about discipline again. I say "again" because discipline is something that keeps popping back up in my thoughts/life. Therefore my thoughts have been going something like this:
What is my god?
Is it myself? My self-image, my self-esteem, my reputation? Is it to be perfectly disciplined in speech, thought, habit, eating, etc.? Discipline is a good thing, but has it become my god?
WHY do I want to be disciplined in this area, or that area? What is my motive?
Is it so that others will praise me? I know that my Father has something to say about that. He says in Matthew 6 that if I am doing what I do in order to be noticed by others, I have no reward from Him! Is it to boost my self-esteem? To prove something to someone, to myself?
Or, is it truly because my deepest desire is to glorify God in my body and in my spirit, which are God's? (1Corinthians 6:20)
What (who?) am I seeking?
Am I seeking to please men or God? Am I seeking success? Fulfillment? A name? Recognition? Popularity? Personal ambition? Or God? In other words, is my heart pure? "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." - Matthew 5:8
Where/in what are my expectations?
In myself? My parents? Family? Friends? Employer? Strength? Wits? Brain power? Wisdom? God?
"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him." - Psalm 62:5
What are the most important things?
Not, what do I currently think to be the most important things, but, what are the most important things? Always have been, always will be -- most important things?
"And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the Lord, and His statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?" - Deuteronomy 10:12-13
"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" - Micah 6:8
"And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." - Mark 12:29-31
For me this all boils down to, love God, and keep loving God!!!! What a joyful prospect! Though I cannot do it apart from Him (John 15:4-5), with Him it is a joyous journey! It is a wonderful thought to remember that my Father is waiting for me to ask Him for help, to come to Him quickly, humbly, knowing how much He loves me, and allow Him to work in me, through me. Stop fighting, and rest. *Ahhhh...*
He only......
"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence; I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
12 Also unto Thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for Thou renderest to every man according to his work." - Psalm 62:5-12
"Our soul waiteth for the Lord: He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.
22 Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in Thee." - Psalm 33:20-22
Thanks for the reminder Joanna! A verse that came to mind wile reading your post was: Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
ReplyDeleteGreat message for us Joanna. Thanks for taking the time to write it and share it with us.
ReplyDeleteMarv
Great message for us Joanna. Thanks for taking the time to write it and share it with us.
ReplyDeleteMarv
Thanks for your thoughts, Joanna! Grateful for the reminder to seek Jesus first!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Karen
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
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Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
...Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Thank you all for your encouragement. Let us all continue to seek to love God with all of our hearts. His love is enough!
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ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this admonishment, I know I needed it. Galations 1:10, "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."
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