You and Discipline

Discipline is a major attribute and component of character. It is what I describe as self-control, willingness to take orders. This affects all aspects of your life as a youth and single person.
      Aspects such as time management, accountability, punctuality, the kind of company you keep, your composure, how you talk, manner of approach and many more are all areas that reflect how disciplined you are.
      This is a very important time and phase of your life and how disciplined you are goes a long way to determine how successful you will be in life. As a child of God you are expected to be disciplined.
        Discipline is derived from the root word ‘disciple’. A disciple is a follower, and because he is a follower, the life style of the master must reflect in him. In some or every way, there has to be a reflection of the master in his follower, through the way he does things, thinks, talks and his general approach to issues of life.
      Consider Elijah and Elisha for example, in 2kings 2:15And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him. The master Elijah had just been taken up to heaven, and Elisha his servant took over from him. A company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.”  This speaks volumes beyond words. It implies that Elisha was acting like his master who was not there at that point in time.
      It takes discipline for you to be a true representative of Christ in all areas of your life; how much of God is replicated in you as a youth in this generation?
     It takes discipline for you to acknowledge the fact that all things are lawful, but not all are expedient. Discipline tells you what you should or shouldn’t do per time, when you are being watched and when you are not. It tells you to manage your time properly, so as to be punctual at meetings; discipline reminds you that light and darkness have nothing in common(Gen 1:4), and that you cannot be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2Corinthians6:14).    
      1Corinthians 6:12-13 says:All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
       Discipline reminds you that you are a soldier in the battlefield and no man in the battlefield entangles himself with the things of this world (2Timothy 2:4). Even your spending and allocation of resources are not left out; it takes discipline for you to be a prudent spender.
       After the 5000 were fed, Jesus asked that the remaining be collected and 12 baskets full of the remnant were obtained, He would not allow wastage (Luke 9:17).
       Everything about the Master is expected to reflect in you as a youth or a single person. Maybe, you work in a place where so much is entrusted in your hands, or you live in a  house where valuables are left without being monitored, how disciplined are you not to defraud or change figures? It takes discipline to be a true disciple. Receive the grace to be disciplined and to be a true and practical representative of God, today, in Jesus’ Mighty name! Amen.
      Joseph, for instance had all the opportunity to take over his master’s wife without writing any application for it. But, he was too disciplined to misbehave. God’s Word says in Genesis 39:11: And it came to pass about this time that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.   
      None of the household servants was there, yet Joseph would not sin against God and against his master for a temporal pleasure. It took discipline for him to obey the law of his God despite the threat of prison.
      Beloved, do not forget that God is not a wicked Judge; there is no shadow of turning in Him, nor wickedness in Him. Never is He going to allow a temptation beyond your triumph; you are more than a conqueror. You are not about to win, you won over 2000 years ago when Jesus exclaimed it is finished on the cross of Calvary, so no matter the challenge you may be going through you are an over comer. Just look deep down and see, inside of you there is the ability to stay disciplined despite all odds: Go and succeed, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!  You cannot enjoy these benefits without identifying with the Author of life.
        You need Jesus in your life; you must be born again to live that excellent kind of life. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and other things will be added unto you (Rom 6:33). Say this prayer in faith with me as I lead you to Jesus. He loves you and wants you safe in His arms: Lord Jesus, I come to You today, forgive me my sins, wash me in Your precious blood, come and dwell in my heart and be my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank You for saving me for I know that I am now born again.