We are just twelve days from Resurrection Day! It is hard to believe that in two weeks the year will be 25% gone! In the midst of the rushing of time God’s voice keep telling me to remain slow, constant and intentional in all things.
This morning in staff meeting our lead pastor brought a devotion entitled, “Going Beyond Talent: Four Cores Of Character.”
Those four cores are: self-discipline, core values, a sense of identity, and integrity.From it the Spirit brought forth four questions for me to meditate on as I consider the fullness of this journey.
Today’s question is: What area of life if better disciplined will bring you closer to your goal(s)?
I thought about this in light of the current events concerning one of my prayer requests. I felt in January I was given a God vision regarding an area of my life. I talked it over with the others involved in the concern and we all sensed a green light to move ahead. Now when I think of the term “move ahead” I think it means to actually… you know… MOVE! I set a time line of what I thought would be forward movement to completion of the goal. God laughed apparently. Today it appears the goal is a little farther off than I first assumed and smooth sailing in this case means slow sailing.
I admit I kefetched a little in my noon time prayers but God was good in showing me that in my case self-discipline means resting in God’s plans and not rushing ahead of Him. He reminded me that accomplishing the goal should not be my concern. Walking uprightly to the goal should be upper-most in my mind.
As I was praying I heard His voice say, ” Son, many times the goal is only one important reason for the journey. Sometimes it’s not even the most important part of the journey. In fact sometimes I only set the goal as a destination because of the paths you will have to walk and the things you will have to accomplish to get there.”
For me then one area I am being called to practice self-discipline is to walk at God’s pace and not mine.
John Maxwell says, “Self- discipline is the ability to do what is right even when you don’t feel like doing it.”
So what area of your life do you have to practice more self-discipline in order to meet God’s goals?
Lillie-Put 
I need to definitely have more self-discipline in regards to my physical health and He is showing me how to achieve this. He has told me that in order to move forward with one of the goals he gave me I have to be much more healthier than I am presently. This journey is proving to be a life changing one for me. Thank you, Pastor J for sharing your journey with us. I hope your not going to move too far away.
I will be praying for your success regarding self-discipline in with your physical health Deb! As far as moving too far away was that a play on words or do you know something I don’t. 🙂
I’m so glad to hear that and no I don’t know anything you don’t, in fact, I’m sure you know a whole lot more than I do. One of the things I have to remember is that you writers do that, I mean “a play on words” that is. Thanks for your prayers.
Oh that’s good I thought maybe God had told you I was going to be moving to Timbuktu or something. 🙂
Your journey and what God is showing you sounds like book material to me. 🙂 Just so good. Thank you for sharing and helping us pray through these questions too! God bless you!
Really? I hadn’t thought about that Deb! Perhaps. Perhaps. I shall take it to my prayer closet.
A quote from Martin Luther: “I am more afraid of my own heart than I am of the pope and all his cardinals. I have within me the great pope – myself!”
And one from Walter Chantry: “Self-centred Christian is a term of impossible contradiction”
And from Wesley: “Lord, I have a problem. It is ME”
Where do I need to practice more self-discipline?
Self – self-will – the big “I” . . .
Yes indeed. I was just talking with the Lord about this this morning. I am the only one who holds me back from the King.