DEVELOP DISCIPLINE

Spiritual growth is a biblical assumption for the normal Christian life. As people respond to the redemptive message of Jesus Christ the challenge becomes to mature in their faith in the Lord. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a curse in our generation.  It remains as a huge spiritual problem that we face today.   It has been said that Christianity would be incredibly influential if Christians consistently lived out their faith. {George Barna}

To become a spiritually mature individual it will require for us to develop disciplines in our life that are present every day. These disciplines will result in a lifestyle that will constantly recognize and consistently respond to God's presence in our lives. 

TO DEVELOP DISCIPLINE

Number 1: Develop the discipline of solitude and silence

–       Reflect on Psalm 46:10

these disciplines could be described as 2 different disciplines, but for our purposes we will look at them together.  Most of us live in a culture that is permeated with noise and distractions.  Someone once wisely said that we suffer from noise pollution as much as we suffer from air pollution.  The invention of the cell phone and continued sophisticated technologies such as the iPad, and other tablets it is harder and harder to follow the wisdom of the psalmist: “be still, and know that I'm God…” 

There is something about silence that enables us to hear with our soul. To be perfectly honest, this is a discipline I deeply struggle with, and it is a discipline that I deeply need.  I recognize this wisdom, but it is so difficult to implement.    When we learn to enjoy the silence we are able to understand that God is presence in our life and wants to deeply impress us with thoughts and awareness of his creation unknown to us in the busyness of all the noise.  It is in such silent moments that there is an opportunity for the act of prayer to be completed.  More times than not are praying is a time of telling God what we want to tell him, but not allowing time for him to reply to our spirits.  We often rush off to other responsibilities or engagements, but silence invite God's response.  We live in a culture that doesn't like silence, many Americans find silence unnatural. 

To me silence and solitude go together Jesus made solitude a regular retreat.  We should learn from our master and understand those moments alone often allow our mind and heart to refocus. Of Jesus found it necessary to be alone such as in Mark 1:35 and how can we not do the same? The writer of Ecclesiastes {chapter 3 verse 7} spoke of silence as having an appropriate place at times in our lives.

Number 2: Develop the discipline of simplicity

–       Reflect on Matthew 6:25-33

In our culture simplicity has all but been lost.  To live life more simply we must choose to live life with fewer material possessions, and your schedule demands on our lives. We must constantly choose to practice a life of simplicity. We must make lifestyle choices that go against the cultural natural flow. One of the dangers that Christian must avoid is not to become too spiritually proud of what we've eliminated in our lives. For almost 4 years now I've had an iPhone I'm making plans to change phones at least for a while just to try and get away from some of the technology I become dependent upon.  The goal at least to my heart is to have a simpler life. 

As our lifestyles become more simply structured other things need to take prominence.  For instance, the observance of the Lord today should become a top priority.  Learning to recognize the greater “yes” in life is also very important.  To say “yes” sometimes we have to say “no”.    Many times we are undisciplined and so we are not careful to discern and select the ministry activities where our gifts and abilities can be best utilized. Rather we choose many times to do things that we are not best equipped to do and it leaves us physically and emotionally drained. Simplicity calls for life quality not quantity of activities that we see very frequent in our schedules. Simplicity is marked by pace of life that is non-hectic and allows time for Gods divine surprises to be enjoyed.

Number 3: Develop the discipline of Scripture memory

–       Reflect on Psalm 119:11

Memorizing Scripture is very important and it must be intentional process in our lives. Intentionally memorizing Scripture is for the purpose of practicing God's presence in our lives. Whenever we memorize Scripture we put God's word at work in our hearts, minds and lives.  Memorizing Scripture will help us conformed to the likeness of Christ, {consider 2 Corinthians 3:18} memorizing Scripture helps us daily triumph over sin by placing ammunition in our mind against the enemy.  {Consider Romans 8:13}.  Memorizing Scripture helps us comforts and counsel those whom God places in our path.  Sometimes we counsel those that we love and sometimes we communicate the gospel to unbelievers. Memorizing Scripture helps us do both more effectively. 

Once any discipline has been developed it is easy to imagine we are spiritual now that we have done this. Essential in the purpose of spiritual disciplines is the understanding that God is always working in our lives.  It is grace at work in our lives that has been given by God, so the discipline can develop. Our responsibility is to lifestyle changes that enable grace to be operative in our lives.