How Does God Define Discipline?

The LORD would speak to Moses face to face,

as a man speaks with his friend. Exodus 33:11

His [Moses] face was radiant because he

had spoken with the LORD. Exodus 34:29

Some of you know that my focus for this year is the word Discipline.

These two verses caught my attention as the key to and result of being disciplined.

When I think of discipline, I think of commitment: committed to God's call to write, committed to a schedule. Committed to a minimum number of words per day. 

That's my definition.

But I wonder:

What's God's definition?

Exodus 33:11 answers that question.

Face to face - God wants us to be disciplined to spend time with Him, face to face.

Not literally, like Moses did, but focused on Him.
Talking to Him.
Listening to Him.
Learning of Him through His Word.

Friend - Spend time with Him as we would a friend.
Share our needs and wants with Him.
Share our dreams.
Share our emotions.
Happiness
               Anger
                       Excitement
                                        Sorrow


When we spend time with Him, what happens?
Exodus 34:29 describes the result.

Radiant - Without even realizing it, we radiate God's love.

We glow with peace and joy.

Others see faith shining on our faces during hard times.
They see a peaceful glow in times of sorrow.
They see love when they expect anger.

If we define discipline the way God does, we'll spend time with Him.
We'll share our lives with Him.
We'll learn from Him.

We'll find the strength to obey.


That, after all, is the true definition of discipline: the surrender to obedience.



If we work on that discipline, everything else will fall into place.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:13 
What is your definition of discipline?
What do you expect from yourself?

What does God desire for you?

Is It Broke Yet?

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions?

Where do you fit?

• You totally dismiss the idea.
• You make one but, based on past behavior, know you won’t keep it. 
• You make one with excitement and you're disappointed when you fail.
• You make a one and keep it.- Congratulations!

I waver between the second and third one, but I cling to the hope that each year will be better.

There are the old stand-bys:

1. I’m going to lose weight.
I remember the year I resolved to lose 20 pounds and I had the chainsaw in the garage to prove it! Well, I didn't lose 20 pounds and I chickened out on the whole chainsaw thing.

2. I’m going to exercise.
I bought an expensive gym membership. Surely if I paid for it, I’d go.
Turns out, money’s not that great a motivator.

3. I’m going to eat better.
That worked - until I saw that carton of Rocky Road ice cream in the store.

4. I’m going to finish ----. Fill in the blank.
Unfortunately, I had about twenty things to put in that blank. I threw my hands up in defeat.

Anyone else out there with these problems?

Ah Ha!!!
Then I found the secret.
Our resolutions fail because they start in the wrong place:
With our desires, rooted in our strength.

The heart of every resolution must be rooted in God.

That tweaked my conscience.
Do I make resolutions without spending time with God?
Yep.

So, I tried to stop saying, “I’m going to…” and started asking God, “What do I need to change?”

Then it happened: I started hearing things about discipline; my devotionals focused on discipline; my time in Scripture directed me to stories about people who weren't disciplined.

I’m pretty dense so it took a while to dawn on me: Discipline!

Without the discipline to obey God, without His strength, I can do nothing.

Jesus says, “Apart from me you can do 

nothing.” John 15:5

My Year’s resolution is to pray for more discipline.

Of course, at 12:02 AM on New Year’s Day, I stumbled.

Did I break my resolution?
NO! I probably dented it, but I didn't break it. God always catches me before I fall. He stands me up, dusts me off, and promises,

"His compassions never fail. 

They are new every morning; 

great is Your faithfulness." 

Lamentations 3:22b-23

How do we find success with our resolutions?

Begin with God!!

My resolution for 2014: Discipline
Do you have a resolution?