Discipline is one of the ‘fruits of the Spirit’, as in Galatians 5:22-23. But there it’s called ‘self-control.’ Discipline (as in self-control) is extolled as a virtue, almost without equal. If you can be self-disciplined, then you can achieve almost any goal known to man. Wars are won by armies who have the most self-disciplined soldiers, from top to bottom. Their officers not only give good orders, but their troops respond well to orders, and they always fulfill their orders. Of such are great men and great events made.
But wait! What about that line that Jesus said? If you don’t come as a little child, you won’t get into heaven.” And “let the kids come to Me, for of such as these are the kingdom of heaven.” [Heaven is filled with people who are like children]. And how do you like, “Thank you Father, that you have hidden these things [things of God?] from the wise and prudent and you have revealed them unto babes.” Babes have a lot in common with children, especially little children. Who is disciplined; the wise and the prudent, or the little children? I don’t know about you, but a lot of days I feel more akin to the babes than to the wise and prudent. Often I just can’t manage to keep my life in order like it says to, either in the world or in the Bible. And my observations over six decades plus indicate there are a lot of people out there who are a lot like me. So what are we undisciplined cotton-pickers supposed to do? Continue reading
I used to have these long spells when I’d get down and pray, and nothing was happening. Sometimes I’d go for months without praying at all till something really bad would happen and I’d start trying again. Then I discovered something. Every time I’d get really desperate, when I was so worried and so scared and so depressed about my life, and so cornered with nowhere to go, I’d really have a spell of knowing what bad shape I was in, and how bad I needed God, and how weak I am and how strong He is; and how stupid I am, and how Wise and Smart He is, and how ‘out of control’ I am, and how ‘IN CONTROL’ He is, and what a stupid jerk I am and what a MERCIFUL GOD He is, and I’d feel this blanket of peace and forgiveness and love settle over me like I never felt before. (It’s happening to me right now; Wow!) I call it ‘humbling yourself before the Lord’. I don’t know if that’s all it is; but that’s sorta the central point I think. After I had that experience a few times, I started trying it on purpose, instead of accidentally, and IT WORKED. I would actually feel the Presence of God, right there, right then! (right here, right now!) Try it; see what happens.
Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJV) 14 For this reason
Isaiah 40:31 says, “They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength . . .” I call it the “Old People’s Prayer’. A verse or two before it says, “even the young men will grow weary and fall, but those that wait on the Lord . . .” (the old people like me).
lifevolumeone 