Discipline is Doing

Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

This scripture speaks to me about getting full control over the influence of the flesh.
Christ agonized and travailed until he defeated the influence.
Christ never sinned, but he was influenced by the flesh he dwelt in.

What a wonderful example of Discipline. Discipline is doing what you really don’t want to do, so that you can do what you really want to do. It’s paying the price in the little things so that you can buy the bigger thing

Christ understands what we go through. If you don’t use your head or keep your mind active and regularly take on mental challenges, you will not develop the kind of disciplined thinking that will help you with whatever you endeavor to do as Jesus did. He felt for himself. He saw for himself.
He heard for himself.  As the clay cross song says, he walked a mile in our shoes and mastered his emotions. He showed us to not let our feelings prevent us from doing what drives our purpose to do things here on Earth. Why does it have to be so hard? I ask myself over and over but doing the most important things in life is often hard. God knows that and will help us!

I remember hearing about a book written by A. J. Tomlinson even though he was from the Pentecostal movement, in which he wrote of his sanctification experience. He describes running the Adamic nature (the language spoken by Adam in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 2:19), also referred to as “the Old Man”, through with a sword, and then watching him fall to the earth.

but, he finally defeated the flesh.
he had an angel strengthening him. think about that.
he cried out to the father, being the example of what we should do,
and took upon him pain, agony- he even fought the “old man” to blood.
Satan was not about to let this influence go without a fight.
you see, he thought he had Christ, when he was born, because he knew he had influence. Once Christ came under human form, under flesh.
then he thought he had him for sure when he led the charge to crucify him.
he thought he’d just send Jesus back where he came from, which would leave him to rule.

But, we know the truth; Christ fought the flesh, and defeated it.He showed himself free of its influence to the World, complete obedience to the father, no more second thoughts.

At this point, his is prepared for the cross, having only to pay the price, and become the ultimate sacrifice as well as to then arise from the dead after three days. Christ fulfilled the law and prophets. This is what the Word said he would do.

Christian: in original definition did not mean follower of Christ, but Christ like.

1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1Jn 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1Jn 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

To honestly call ourselves Christians, we must be completely obedient to His Word and His Will.
Sanctification is the second definite work of grace, following salvation. It enables us, through preparation for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, to defeat the influence of the flesh.

To be Christ like, we must defeat the influence as Christ did. Jesus has done glorious things! Let your face reflect your observation of those things. Talk with others, telling them the glorious things you see the Lord do. Sing. Laugh. Rejoice! 

God Bless You and This Ministry!

How to Handle Adversity

But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, 'If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?'"Galatians 2:14

Paul's integrity drove him to stand up to Peter, his fellow leader, in front of several Jewish and Gentile believers. He criticized Peter's hypocrisy and demanded that all Christian leaders remain consistent, regardless of the company they keep. Paul teaches us how to critique someone. 

Have you ever heard the boys with the most toys wins? Amazing how the world can contort things from God-centered fact to self-proclaiming malarkey! 
After finding out , I was no longer needed  as a coach because I did not share the same philosophy as my leadership had(what does that mean was my first thought?). I decided to reflect on  an ancient account of the suffering of Job and contextualize some of its components into today’s world! Perhaps the key word here is “Realization.”

Let’s Touch on Job’s Source (origin) of Problem: (though many times problems are self-inflicted in this case it is from without) 

We see in Job 1:6, where the “sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD” This also included Satan. 
Identification of the sons of God: 
Job 38:7: (Job 38 is specifically speaking of creation of world) “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy”? 
In Hebrews 1:14 we the angels giving accounts to happenings throughout the universe: Hebrews 1:14: “Are they [angels- vs. 13] not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation”? 

We see in Job 1:7, the Lord asked Satan, “Whence comest thou”? Satan replied “From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” Remember what Peter wrote? In 1 Peter 5:8, it tells us to: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil (the accuser), as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (dominate).”

Satan is that bully that used to walk the corridors of your school. He wants to instill fear in you! He wants to dominate you and have you revere him!
It is interesting the term Satan literally means “one who lies in wait, an adversary or an opponent to God.” Folks, Satan is still the same today! 
In Job 1:8, God asked Satan, “Hast thou considered (set thy heart upon or observed the conduct of) my servant Job”

YOU SEE: Job maintained his integrity before God. WHY, because ultimately, it is more important than:
- Possessions
- Achievements

• coaching
• money
• love
• You see:

- Job recognized God had sovereign rights (The Lord gave and can take away)
- Job praised God: Giving ADORATION after ADVERSITY. WORSHIPPING after WOE. Even thou I feel bad, I am a child of God!
- Job did not become embittered
- Job refused to blame God for wrongdoing by others

Consider his checklist: when dealing with those who are leaders but have a lack of Integrity 

• Check your motive. Your goal should be to help, not humiliate.
• Make sure the issue is worthy of criticism. Does it really matter?
• Be specific. Don't drop hints, but clearly name the problem.
• Don't undermine the person's self-confidence or identity. Make it obvious that you value the person.
• Do not postpone needed criticism. If the issue is big, act now.
• Look at yourself looking at others. Take the log out of your own eye.
• End criticism with encouragement. Finish on a positive note.

Finally my brothers and sisters KEEP THIS IN MIND Job’s Formula for life’s ADVERSITIES:
- Realize: We owe our life, substance and strength to God! 
- Realize: God loves you from eternity and has a plan for your life
---- But first He wants to save you!

FOLKS,
- You know that Jesus died on the cross for us. 
- He wants to save you. 
- He wants you to be in His family. 
- It does not matter what you have done or failed to do in the past. 
- What matters is what you do right here and right now. 
- If you will come to Him just like you are, He will save you. 

 Just trust God and refuse to charge God foolishly?

God Bless You and This Ministry!