Sept 15 Devotion: Discipline

Discipline is something that we tend to automatically associate with punishment. However, one of the meanings of discipline is activity or experience that leads to physical or mental training. My oldest daughter recently gave up drinking soft drinks and has been over a month without one. We’ve made the comment that “I wish I could be disciplined enough to do that.” Well why can’t we? We can do anything we put our minds to and that we ask God for help in. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Do we then put things into practice that lead us to being disciplined when it comes to things of God? One of those things being studying His Word. The Bible tells us to study:

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Why should we? 2 Timothy 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

We make excuse about why we don’t study, but what if we asked God to help us. Maybe we should put into our prayer each day some scripture that can help us in our studying. •First ask God to help me remain faithful.

Psalm 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. •Second, pray for an understanding of what I am reading.

Psalm 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Psalm 25:4-5 [4] Shew me thy ways, O Lord ; teach me thy paths. [5] Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. •Third, show me something new about him from the Scripture that I can apply to my life that day. Job 34:32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. If we would put forth some true effort in our studying then not only would it help us to discipline ourselves to do it each day but it is something that we will look forward to spending that time with Him each day. Bro. Josh Richardson