Read: 2 Timothy 2:3-5
Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
When I left for Air Force basic training in March of 1973 I was a skinny 17-year-old child with a lot to learn about life. After 6 weeks of marching (yes, we did march in the Air Force), PT, endless classes on UCMJ and military protocol, enduring the obstacle course, and 2 days of weapons training (I don’t want to hear it from the Army and Marines who lived with their rifles) I graduated as an Airman in the United States Air Force!
I still had a long way to go, but I was a new man. Basic training prepared me for life in the Air Force but it also taught me a lot about living the Christian life. We need discipline, endurance, and respect for authority all have parallels in the Christian life.
Many Christians live undisciplined lives physically, mentally, emotionally, and especially spiritually. We need to learn the discipline of reading our Bible, prayer, going to church, witnessing, etc. I Timothy 4:6-8 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
It is good for us as Christians to practice discipline in our physical lives through proper diet and exercise. We need to learn how to cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. ( I Corinthians 10:5) and control our emotions rather than let them control us.
Meditation for the Day: What areas of your life do you need to get back to basics and practice self-discipline?
Assignment: Make a list of exercises in all areas of your life that you can start this week. Set specific exercises, time, and goals.
For Fun: Combine two areas of discipline, i.e. – walking and memorizing verses or lifting weights and praying.