But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Cor 9:27 NKJV

A Marine Corps officer addressed the Bible College I was attending and said, “The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war.” His words would prove to be prophetic in the years after my graduation.

A disciple is a ‘disciplined student of a master teacher.’ My first purpose here is not to lay out a list of ‘do’s and don’ts’ but rather to get you to buy in to the value of discipline, then show you some of my favorite personal disciplines that help me grow up in Him. Paul himself showed us the value of discipline in the negative sense, in that it enables us to avoid being disqualified from the service of the King. If your marriage is in shambles, you are disqualified, according to 1 Timothy 3, even if you lead a large ministry now. Some people are so overweight that they are disqualified from strenuous ministry service. Or they are in debt, or ‘this’, or ‘that’…disqualified!

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 NKJV

Righteous self discipline is doing what is right, what must be done, how it must be done, and when it must be done, regardless of any other circumstances, feelings or desires. The value of righteous self discipline is inherently evident. The disciplined one watches and waits to perceive what God is doing, then seeks to cooperate with Him. The disciplined one can be trusted to a great degree because that virtue is honed over a long period of time and won’t be forsaken for transient circumstances. Discipline to the things of God is a great virtue, and the disciplined one proves himself trustworthy and faithful.

For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required…Luke 12:48 NKJV

Righteous self discipline prepares us for divine responsibility. Promotion in the things of God can only come from the Lord. Some try to build lives without their foundation being strong. I’ve told some pastors that they need to join a church and just be a faithful guy instead of trying to lead a church. Their personal righteous discipline just had not been rooted yet. Righteous self discipline is the innate virtue that allows you to build a life, a family, a business, a ministry that will stand with the favor and blessing of God.

Favor is like rain. It falls where God wills it. But you can position yourself under the rain cloud! Righteous self discipline, doing what is right and adjusting as you perceive His will, will enable you to stay under the rain cloud of God’s favor. No boots or umbrellas needed!

Here are some of my favorite spiritual disciplines:

REJOICING IN THE SUCCESS OR BLESSING OF OTHERS!

I love to give compliments. I draw such great satisfaction when I see others do well. When others get blessed, I rejoice with them. This discipline has freed me from the spirit of jealousy, a thief that would have stolen my life if I had given it a home. Rejoicing in the success of others crushes the spirit of jealousy. Understand this – it also POSITIONS YOU FOR PERSONAL FAVOR! Yes, as you rejoice wholeheartedly over others success, God is preparing you for your own.

FASTING…

I humbled myself with fasting…Ps 35:13 NKJV

Monday is the day. From Sunday night to Tuesday morning its just half diluted orange juice and maybe a little bit of coffee, and I love it. Fasting crushes the stronghold of pride, thereby positioning you for greater favor. Through humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life. Its not so much the putting down of sensual desires as it is the ascension of the Lord to the throne of your life. It should not be austere but rather joyous…the taking of time to celebrate the Lord Jesus and who He is in you!

Miracles happen when I am fasting through a celebration of Him!

…AND PRAYER!

I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all…1 Cor 14:18 NKJV

Regular readers of LIVING WATERS know that I preach on speaking in tongues about every chance I get! But it is so crucial, so important as a spiritual discipline that it must be practiced every day. A few days ago I was led by the Spirit of God to the most horrific car crash I had ever seen. The first responders had not even arrived yet, and I knew I had to get to work! I ministered healing to all four victims in both cars with miraculous impact, one before she had been extracted from the vehicle using the ‘jaws of life.’ I WAS READY TO DO THIS BECAUSE I HAD JUST BEEN PRAYING IN TONGUES FOR OVER AN HOUR. Open your eyes, dear ones. You are surrounded daily by those who desperately need to hear a word from God. When you are built up, when you are edified, then you can be a builder up, an edifier.

Spiritual disciplines focus on taking down the strongholds in your life.

TITHING

And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land, says the Lord of hosts. Mal 3:12 NKJV

The younger minister said he had no money for his ministry. I said, “Do you tithe from the money you do have?” No, he said. I responded, “No tithing, no money, no tithing, no money! Do we see a pattern here?” When Lightbearers began to sow 10% or more of our income away as we were led our finances turned around, and favor flowed to us. Once again, a positioning. It honors God when we are blessed because we represent His Kingdom as His ambassadors…

NAMELESS AND FACELESS

To God be the glory, great things He has done…old hymn

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor 10:31 NKJV

In her great book, TRANSPORTED BY THE LION OF JUDAH, Anne Elmer talks about seeing servants of God with their faces obscured, and she asked the Lion about them. The Lion said that they were servants who sought only to glorify their Lord and no recognition for themselves. The Lion loved them. I’ve always preached that at Lightbearers we seek to be nameless and faceless servants of Jesus Christ. We don’t promote our miracles (at least, not very much!). I’m sure the four at the crash site do not know my name. I’m not in this for the money, the fame or the glory. Someone else can have all that! All I want is the satisfaction of “A job well done” from Him.

So the evening and the morning were the first day. Gen 1:3 NKJV

Some would say, “I don’t have time for these spiritual disciplines, especially speaking in tongues for hours!” Time spent is all about what you value. We all have the same amount of time. What do you value? That is how you will spend your time. Remember that some day you must give an account of your life to the King, and time is ticking…love you!

Remember dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…