March 24, 2014 (Joshua 18-20; 1 Corinthians 9)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT
Observation: Paul let the Corinthians know how easy it was to follow Christ. He told them all they had to do was believe in Christ and nothing more. He let them know nothing was expected from them and they could just repeat a prayer after him and relax. NOT, quite the opposite in fact! Paul told the Corinthian believers that they needed to train like an athlete trying to win a race. Self-discipline was not merely a suggestion; it was an absolute requirement if one really wanted to win. He instructed them to run with a purpose and to train with a personal intention to win. Even though this is a spiritual race, Paul said he disciplined his body like an athlete training it to do what it should. Paul knew that his physical body needed to produce the proper fruit, revealing that his spirit was being properly trained.
Application: Many books and speakers try to guide wandering souls to self-fulfillment, self-satisfaction, and self-awareness, but few tackle the subject of self-discipline. Self-discipline requires an honest look at your strengths and weaknesses, with an emphasis on the weaknesses part. Self-discipline trains and equips a person to say no when a powerful appetite from within screams yes! Self-discipline is a long steady course in learning attitudes that do not come naturally. Self-discipline causes us to conquer our natural appetites and submit to God’s will completely. The absence of self-discipline has led many people down roads of sin they never intended to travel. Those that are successful have paid the price of self-discipline and understand the great benefits it produces.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me! I desire to be self-disciplined, but fail often. Quicken my spirit and strengthen my soul to discipline myself for Your glory. Help me understand how to train. Show me how to begin today! Thank You for Your mercy, grace, and patience that provides, protects, and sustains me every day, in Jesus name, Amen!