Worship 101: Laziness, Idleness & Discipline

MONDAY

Discipline is something we all have to learn. Letting your heart be molded by God and training in righteousness are attitudes that need to be built into our Christian lives. Then the world will know that we are His! Carefully take in the message in 1 Tim. 4:7-11. What should you train yourself to be? Some of us know the discipline it requires to maintain physical fitness, and the importance of that. How much more important and more valuable is becoming and staying spiritually fit! Verse 10 holds the key attitude in those who labor and strive for spiritual fitness. What and who did Paul put his hope in? What do you put your hope in? It will be shown by what you do! Write 2 Tim. 2:15 on an index card, learn it, and see to it that you discipline yourself to this end. Get together with a brother/sister and pray for diligence in your ministry.

TUESDAY

We all know that it requires work to maintain physical fitness. Because of this, it is possible to become tired and not have the desire to continue on with your training. The same happens in our spiritual fitness plan. Sometimes you have become weary, and have fallen asleep (in the spiritual sense). Read Hebrews 6:11-12. What should you do to the very end? What for? What should you not become? How do you not become this? As you can see, discipleship is key in our spiritual fitness plan. Read Proverbs 24:30-34. What will happen to you if you continue to be lazy? Write Prov.24:33-34 on an index card and meditate on it. Remember it whenever you grow weary, putting your hope in Heaven. If you are not a punctual person, make an effort to be early.

If you take the time to read Hebrews from 5:11 through 6:12, you will notice that this whole section deals with some Christians who had become lazy about their spiritual fitness. They were being encouraged to wake up and adopt an attitude of diligence, especially in training in righteousness.

WEDNESDAY

Your discipline, or lack thereof, is evident in how you lead your life in this world. There are many people in the world who are disciplined, and that without Christ. How much more so do we need to be disciplined, that we may lift up Jesus in our lives! Worldly discipline will bring you many good things. Spiritual discipline enables you to be a servant of God. Study 1 Thess.4:11-12. How will you win the respect of outsiders? Have you been a provider or a taker? "Make it your ambition (KJV: aspire) to lead a quiet life" is an unusual expression in Greek. "Aspire" is a translation of philotimeomai (Gk.), literally "to love honor." Consequently, the combined word evolved to a meaning of "to be industrious." "Quiet" is a translation of hesuchia (Gk.), which implies a restful or quiet life. Hence, the intent of the statement is that a believer should exhibit industry in living a quiet life, one free from contention with others and one ready to act in the sharing of life's essentials among believers. This results in an impeccable testimony to God's sufficiency. (Believer’s Study Bible) Write 1 Peter 2:12 on an index card and memorize it. Keep a timetable or a schedule book for the best use of your time.

THURSDAY

Being disciplined also helps us from falling into the devil’s trap. As the saying goes: “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop...”, so does the Bible teaches us to keep away from idleness. Carefully read 2 Thess.3:6-15. What is idleness associated with in this verse? What command did Paul give us from the Lord? Write 1 Cor.15:58 on an index card and commit to it in your renewed heart. If you have been idle and burdening someone, get together with them and pray together to commit to a plan of action that will result in dependence on the Lord and interdependence between each other. Make sure that you are the initiator of this if indeed you find yourself in this position.

FRIDAY

Speaking from experience, discipline is not the most pleasant thing I can think about. However, it is very necessary for you to receive it and incorporate it into your heart and mind ! Here’s why: Read Hebrews 12:11-15. What does discipline produce? Look at verse 14. In it lies the attitude that will lead you to discipline, then peace. The motivation is to be holy. If we see to holiness, first in us, then in each other, we will glorify the Lord in everything we do! God commands you to strengthen yourself and to walk in the Spirit (vs 12, 13). The call is to WAKE UP! Don’t fall asleep and be carried away by your heart. Write Proverbs 12:1 on an index card and memorize it. Spend time with a brother/sister that is disciplined and follow their example.

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