Build Disciples

DISCIPLINE MY BODY

Reading a Devotional Praying without Ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17–19 LEB

pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.

That seems impractical, how can I pray all the time?

Sports, School, Friends, Family.

Can you imagine missing a catch in football and the ball hits your face, sorry coach I had my eyes closed because I was praying…

We had to figure out what this meant.

Praying without ceasing is an attitude.

It is a practice to make Jesus apart of our lives everyday. Not Sitting with eyes closed all day long.

Scripture urges us to pray because God wants to have a relationship with us.

No prayer is too big or too small for God; He simply wants to be involved in our lives. We invite Him to be involved when we talk to Him.

Luke 18:1-8

a. I am not going to tell you spiritual discipline is easy because it wasn’t.

Going to bed at night thinking about Jesus was the first time I was even thinking about Him the whole day.

No big deal I’ll get better tomorrow. Then the Cycle Continues day after day.

No matter how hard I tried to build the discipline, I couldn’t seem to get into a pattern of praying without ceasing.

b. I can ask Jesus to help me make Him a part of my everyday life.

Setting phone reminders to pray. Then beating the reminders. (Writing things down that concerned me)

It began to become a habit. I was growing in spiritual discipline.

Even if you are determined to build a specific discipline in your life like I was, it doesn’t mean it will come naturally without some sort of effort on your part.

Takes intentionality, it takes diligence, and it takes time.

b. APOSTLE PAUL is an example:

Killing Christians to recruiting Christians.

BAD HABITS CHANGED INTO GOOD HABITS.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27

Run With Purpose

We are created on purpose, for a purpose.

Cars were created to travel. Basketballs were create to bounce. Birds were created to fly. Human-beings were created for Fellowship with God.

A. God knows everything about us.

Our passion, thoughts, and struggles.

“You will never know what you were created to do until you get with the One who created you.” - Adam Lykins

But it takes sacrifice.

The spiritual disciplines we need to sustain us in life don’t come naturally.

Sacrifices are worth making

To build habits and disciplines that will move you forward into your purpose and calling.

This is what makes or breaks athletes. If they don’t have discipline they will fail.

It takes time, effort, hours, months and years to practice. BUT THIS IS NOT JUST A SPORT THING. THIS IS A SPIRITUAL THING.

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.

B. Everything you do in your life is either effecting your future or infecting your future.

So what behaviors, actions, and practices are you repeating?

Everything you do will either lead to good or bad, life-giving or draining, effective or ineffective habits.

It may be hard to see the long term effects from every decision and action you make that will impact your future.

EXAMPLES: (TRANSITION)

Choosing not to cheat on a test can train your brain not to steal.

Learning to navigate a fight with a friend/ brother or sister to find peace instead of giving up will teach you how to address conflict in your marriage.

Deciding to spend time with God, prayer, and reading Gods Word instead of Playing video games can teach you how to value how your time is spent with your family.

The point is the choices we make may seem small, but they have lasting effects over time.

As believers we have to be very purposeful with the habits and routines we make.

Habits are built over time, which means we get to decide in what we build.

God is calling you to Ministry.

This is what God created you for.

It’s the purpose He had in mind before you were born.

a. You are a part of His Ultimate Plan to cover the earth with His Love

Your calling is bigger that you are.

That might sound scary, but the Bible promises we don’t do it alone.

‘If God is for us who can be against us?”

“God will lift you up as you trust in Him and His ability.”

Ask God to help you with these good things.

“With God, Nothing is impossible.”

b. Fires die when they’re not being fed, so what will you do to keep the fire going?

Pursuing your calling is a lifelong process.

At times you wont feel excited or inspired to pursue through life to God, but thats normal.

IT TAKES DISCIPLE