If you only read one blog entry today....

Read this one twice.

 

As some of you are aware, I am currently leading my small group in a study of the book "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges.  This past week, we discussed the role that discipline plays in a holy life.  And we discussed a few things that I believe is worth passing on to you, the blog-reading public.

 

First and foremost, the devil does not want us anywhere near the Word.  Whether it's Sunday church, or Bible study, or devos, he doesn't want us to have anything to do with that.  And he will do everything in his power to keep space between you and the Word.  He's very crafty and will use things that you don't expect.  Like busyness.  If you're familiar with the excuse "I have too much going on," then you know what I'm talking about.  Or maybe you're too tired, or maybe the kids aren't cooperating or you don't feel well.  All things that the enemy can use to keep you out of the Word.  And they're very benign.  But they work.

 

And that's where discipline really comes into play.  Discipline will help you to be able to forge through the obstacles that the devil tries to throw down in front of you.  Discipline means that you're never too busy to make time for the Word or for prayer.  The kids may not be cooperating, but you have a plan to work around their behavior.  You don't feel well, but you have the perseverence to push through.

 

I gave five keys to discipline and I don't recall all of them at the moment, but one of them was resolve.  If you're disciplined, you have to have firm resolve.  You will stumble.  But you've got to be able to jump right back up and keep on pursuing.  Lots of people stumble and don't have the stick-to-it-ivness to try again.  They call it a failure and call it a day.  But we can't be like that.  We also need to be willing to ask for help.  Whether it's from the Holy Spirit, or from friends, we have to be humble enough to realize that we can't do it on our own.

 

How do you practice discipline?