Posts Tagged ‘Discipline’
Battling Distractions
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). God created us for specific purposes. Have you ever considered what life would be like in your home, church, or community if you had not been born? Our lives are precious for many reasons but one of them is that they are so temporal. So…
Read MoreDiscipline: What If Scripture Isn’t Politically Correct?
There lurks within every human heart an intractable rebel, bent on refusing the rightful lordship of Jesus Christ. There is, of course, no answer to this defect other than the grace of God. The gospel changes the terms of the battle; the Spirit strengthens us; Scripture directs us in the fight. But even for believers…
Read MoreBodily and Spiritual Exercise
Scripture says in 1 Timothy 4:7-8, “Refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise that which now is, and of that which is to come.” During this time when we “sheltering in place,” it is vital…
Read MoreThe Believer’s Certainty that the Scriptures Are the Final Authority for Belief and Behavior (Part 3)
The Scriptures Correct by Exposing Aberrant Behavior “Correction” (ἐπανόρθωσιν, 2 Tim 3:16c) is used in the sense of “setting something right,” most likely with reference to conduct as it was sometimes used in extra biblical literature.1 God’s Word has the authority to regulate personal and public conduct. Attitudes and behavior among “Christian” young people toward…
Read MoreWhere Two or Three are Gathered
Sometimes we use phrases in ways that differ from their original meaning. For instance, you’ve heard the phrase, “Blood is thicker than water.” You probably think it means something like, “Family relationships are stronger than other relationships.” Indeed, that is how people commonly use the phrase today. You might be surprised to know that this…
Read MorePhysical Exercise and Godliness
Is physical exercise a good thing? Over some coffee at Connecticut Muffin last week, some pastor friends and I discussed the subject of physical exercise. Is it good? Is it important? We can answer this question by giving attention to 1 Timothy 4:7-8, which says: Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little,…
Read MoreChristians Should Be Readers
Taigen Joos Many Christians will begin this New Year with some kind of Bible reading schedule. For our church, we promote this as well, and many take up the challenge to read through their Bibles in a year’s time. It is a good exercise and a great way to get to know your Bible better.…
Read MoreChoices for the New Year
George Stiekes And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, CHOOSE you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house,…
Read MoreThe Three Dimensions of Discipline — Part 3
Jerry Sivnksty In the last two articles I’ve presented the areas of discipline that are crucial in our lives. First, the discipline of the mind by memorizing and meditating on the Scriptures. Second, the discipline of the body by eating properly and exercising regularly. Now I’m going to discuss the third area of discipline, which…
Read MoreThe Three Dimensions of Discipline — Part 2
Jerry Sivnksty The second area of personal discipline that is needed in our lives deals with the discipline of the body. This is a very difficult area, and many of the Lord’s people struggle in combating the appetites of the flesh. Many have a desire to see improvement but feel defeated in the constant “battle…
Read More