Spiritual Discipline and Sleep

" But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."Luke 5:16

If there is one thing I have never been good at it's self discipline.  I don't know if you share this trait with me, but I am way too easy on myself. I would much prefer to stay warm and cozy in my bed rather than get up into a cold house. I make excuses like...

" Really Lord, I could just lay here with my eyes closed in this bed and have some quiet time with you"

When I give in to this temptation it always results in more sleep... not prayer or bible reading. Then I berate myself for not having done what I know is so important to do. The flesh wins, the enemy wins, and I have not started my day submitted to the Lord.

Richard Foster in his book Celebration of Discipline says "Superficiality is the curse of our age. The discipline of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem."

Boy is that ever evident! I am all too satisfied with a quick lesson, a quick prayer, and to claim grace over my inability to stay in prayer and explore the deep things of God. And yet, I have a deep Love for those deep things of God. Don't you? I hear the spirit within me call to them, beckon me to come and explore even deeper. There are days when "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" is the testimony of my life. But I will not be mastered by my flesh. I will not allow it to steal my joy, or my effectiveness for Christ.

So This week I have finally given in to the prompting of the spirit and have chosen to go to bed early and rise early so I can spend time alone in a quiet, dark, cold, house with my Lord. I am saying to my flesh and all it's desires for ease and comfort. "I am your master, you will not master me"..... I am on day two. Pray with me that I make it to day three!

What Spiritual discipline do you desire to master?

Blessings!

Warning Signs and Hope

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken." Luke 21:26-27

 I am so impacted by what is happening in our world. My heart breaks for the people of Japan. For all of those who have lost their lives, loved ones, and belongings.


I am struck by all the different earthquakes, tsunamis, Nuclear explosions, and wars that are around the world. I believe we are living what has been written in the bible right now.

"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. " Mark 13:10

Everyday we seem to see a new horror in the news.

Whether it is a devastating earthquake...

 

Tsunami..

Or War...

The world is shaken, the waters rise to destroy, and the people of the world fight everyday. 

But there is hope in the ONE who is NOT moved.  The one who can not be shaken. He is our rock and our salvation. He is Faithful and True. And He is coming again soon.

"Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28

Life has been put back in perspective. I don't know about you, but I want to be about my Father's business until that day.


In His Peace,

Action Steps and Seeking the Lord

I was reading Psalm 37 the other day and I realized that vs 1-8 showed me an action plan for seeking the Lord in any situation. 

Now I LOVE action plans. You know there is just something in me that wants a 5-step plan for everything I do. I guess it helps me to stay on track. I'm just so happy to see that the Lord is gracious to provide one here for me! 

Seeking the Lord based on Psalm 37 vs. 1-8

Vs.1 Do Not Fret... Because the Wrongs will soon die away.

Vs. 2 Trust in the Lord... Because you will always be safe in Him.

Vs. 3. Delight in the Lord... Because he will give you your hearts desire.

Vs. 4. Commit your way to the Lord... Because He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn and the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Vs. 5 Be still and wait.... Because The righteous will never be forsaken (vs. 25)

Vs. 6. Refrain from anger.... Because the evil men will be cut off and those who hope in the Lord will inherit the Land

I don't know about you. But this gives me hope! So many times I want to fret and trust in myself instead of the Lord. It's easier to delight myself in other things in life (children, work, relationships) instead of delighting myself in him first. 

If we were honest with ourselves how often are we more committed  to OUR own cause rather than his? I don't know about you but I can get impatient and angry when things don't go my way. 

Today, I want to bind myself to His promises and decide to not be moved. I want to cling to them like my life depends on it. Today let's remember the promises he has made, and find our joy in seeking him, rather than just seeking a solution to our immediate need. 

Be blessed today friends!