Discipline of Perseverance

'Rooted confidence in the Lord.'

I think we all know that suffering through hard times is how we acquire most of our perseverance. But why suffering? I think maybe it spreads the Gospel more efficiently than we realize.

I don't know about you guys but I would never be where I am today without the countless things we have gone through. And you know what? I could not be more grateful.

I feel it even now. When things are just always difficult, or I have to do something I don't want to. Those are the times when I look to Christ for protection, and for courage!

Do you find it hard to go up to someone and just start talking about Jesus? Is it difficult to speak up? Well...before you go forcing yourself to do something you don't even really desire to do, try this. Persevere. Show those around you that you rely on God. Be a light for Him! Then when the time comes we WILL be strong enough.

My mom has been in contact with a family from Australia. Here is a clip of an e-mail sent to her.

"Thank you for the reminder of Gods control in our lives. At times i forget, and try to do things all on my own!!! When will i learn it never works? I really had to rely on Him to get me through the last 6 months, as i couldn’t had survived each day without Him. The medical professionals were constantly telling me the baby wouldn’t survive, or would be quite brain damaged due to the constant bleeding i was experiencing, but he is fine and beautiful. It is often in most difficult times we turn to Him, but look to ourselves when things are going well again."

How amazing! When God gives us blessings it is wonderful to be able to give Him thanks.

However, that is not always the case. Today I found out that a couple had been trying to have kids. There first had complications. Their second was premature. Their third almost didn't make it. Eight months ago or so they found out that a new baby was coming! Friends and family prepared and the excitement grew. Miraculously the baby was completely normal! thirty three weeks into her pregnancy the child died. I'm not sure how the family is doing but I can tell you that without perseverance they might as well give up. There must be such devastation! They finally see a sign of healthy birth and it is taken away.

Years from now their response to others going through worse troubles will be a treasure sent from Jesus. It will be the Gospel shining from them. I only wish I could do something like that.


XoXo

Faith Mae

Discipline of Propriety

Okay...wow. "Propriety-behaving in ways appropriate." Y.E.A.H right. I wish I was proper. Unfortunately I never was ambitious to be a 'lady.' Well now it has caught up with me in more ways than one. The first thing mentioned in the book was dealing with the heart. Why am I the way I am? Not such a dumb question after all. I think if we search deeper we will find out that rebellion against God is the issue here. Immodesty, gossip and harsh words are signs of a callus girl. I don't want to be her! I want others to think well of me, and even in that danger resides.

Barbara reminds us how truly blessed we are to be woman! She tell us to 'celebrate the difference!'

I'm so excited about this! Remember when we were little? Everything was pink or purple. Everything was Pooh Bear, princesses or whatever character was most popular at the time. I realize that we can't be exactly like that anymore but we can try to acquire a certain innocence. In our speech and dress especially.

Another good point I read was being bold but not intimidating. Modest but not baggy and boyish. Proper speech....but be 'real' also.

'The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." Romans 13:12

"Allowing the Word of God to assess the thought and attitudes of our hearts is difficult indeed. It is painful, Some of you may be realizing that your heart is sick and that you never found that magic potion to heal it. No matter how hard you try, you cannot do the things you ought to do or even what you want to do. This heart condition is called sin. Many good church woman try to 'be good' without ever truly being converted; they never get a new heart that is inclined to do good. You can develop a refined external civility, but it is impossible to change the source of the problem------your heart. Only God in Christ can do that, and, praise God, He is willing."

XoXo


Faith Mae

Discipline of Contentment

Many times in life I have found myself in a puddle of sin. When I traced back in my mind it usually ended up starting with discontentment. Desiring more than one has is dangerous territory, or so I found out.

About a year ago I wanted a puppy more than anything. I prepared and saved and planned. God, however had different ideas. I didn't get a dog. Fortunately I was spared from complete disappointment. I found that after all the work I had put into buying a new dog I had lost a precious thing. Contentment. I was so busy fiddling with desire that I destroyed the real point. Which was to enjoy what I had.

Even the surroundings around me tend to be distracting in my relationship with God. Focusing on what happens around us can anger, excite, and certainly depress. I find that if I envelope myself in the Word I become less likely to be in the world.

Becoming a woman is serious business. (= Staying one is ten times harder.

XoXo

Faith Mae

Discipline of Mind

This chapter convicted me in an amazing way.

My day is full of interesting things. School, family, reading, cooking, and all sorts of different activities. It is so easy to accept the world.

This book made a fantastic suggestion. Make what your looking for a habit. In this case a pure mind. Television I have found is a dangerous habit. So is the computer. I learn a wealth of information from both however. The truth is that I never really thought about my discipline of mind. besides shielding myself from things I know are sinful. What about the compromise? I realize now that spending uncontrolled time in this media world leads to ungodly compromise!

There is such a thing as 'Christian mental programming.' And I for one definitely do not work on this enough. It is sad how often I go through my day without thinking about what I am exposed to.

When something is important to us, we think about it. What are our minds filled with? Money, internet, friends, self image? It may be our instinct to assume that our 'obsessions' are all wrong. Barbara points out that if we intentionally point our thoughts to God they fall from obsessions to ponderings on Him.

It is difficult to write how important reading and studying the Bible is. The longer I go without it the more untrained my thoughts become. I think once I learn to refuse what I desire I will be able to embrace what God wants in my life. All balanced out.

XoXo

Faith Mae

Discipline of Worship

My memories of worship are precious. So many times I have seen God's plan clearly right then and there as I praised Him. And the other times I have gotten a overwhelming sense of peace and contentment with not knowing what He wants for me. I repeatedly recognize my own sin, gaps in my life, and especially my great love for Jesus Christ! It is so easy to go through the week not worshiping God! I have found that even a devotional time in the morning can be fleeting if I don't make a daily commitment to worship God. I don't necessarily mean turning on the music and dancing around (although that is a wonderful experience) what I am saying is to worship in your actions. In your speech, and even thinking about the indescribable God we serve! It is indeed eye opening when I stop just reading the Bible. When I stop just going to church. When I do it because I am fascinated with this HUGE God who cares so much for us!

It is SO much more than something that comes along with the package Sunday brings!

It takes true discipline to remember what we are doing on Sunday!

"Every woman who calls herself a Christian must understand that worship is the ultimate priority of her life. Worship is what God wants from you and from me----every day."

Are we praising Him everyday? Even when terrible things happen to us? When something really important to us suddenly diminishes are we willing to sit down and praise Him?

Faith Mae

Discipline of Prayer

One thing really wonderful about this book is that not only can I apply these things to my life but the next chapter adds to it beautifully! Example being prayer leads to submission with God. It bends our will to His every time we talk to Him!

E. Stanley Jones said-

"If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God."

Barbara reminds us of five interactions we should aim to have with God.

Meditation-

This is not only reading and re-reading the bible it is a verbal commitment to His word. It is taking the scriptures saying them aloud and committing to memory.

Confession-

Although this can take place anytime it is very important to keep it first in devotional time. I find that my pride keeps me from asking forgiveness. However there is NO excuse for un-confessed sin! Hidden sin may come into the light as you study or as you interact with other people. Either way it is vital to include.

Adoration-

Telling God what we treasure about Him is such a precious time! And yet out of all things it is the one I forget the most. "Reverence for God makes us aware of our own humble state."
It is an act of worship and cannot wait till Sunday! Can we adore him enough?

Submission-

Our prayer should result in yielding of every part of ourselves. Our dreams, our worries, our desires, even our sin. Remember that prayer IS worship and prayer IS submission!

Petition-

The four parts above are key in preparing us for this last one. I think the most important thing about petition is continual prayer. If we must ask for something. Then we MUST continue to talk to God. If I need something from a friend I would certainly choose one I had invested in! Not just an acquaintance.

I hope this new year will bring not only a fresh start but especailly a closer more loving realationship with you and your God!!

XOXO

Faith Mae