Discipline YourselfHebrews 13:8-9

Discipline Yourself

Hebrews 13:8-9 (NIV) 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them.

Discipline Yourself

Everyone makes adjustments in life. As certain experiences come our way we either embrace them, if they are positive or flee, fight or ignore them if they are negative. The will of man within us has the capacity to adjust to ever changing situations. Although this is a gift given unto us by God it can also be the catalyst that leads us down a path that is contrary to our God. In today’s message we will look at the value of remaining disciplined in the areas of decisions, devotions, doubts, desires and duties as a way to embrace the life we experience each day.

Discipline Yourself

Discipline the practice or methods of teaching and enforcing

acceptable patterns of behavior the ability to behave in a controlled and calm way even

in a difficult or stressful situation

Psalm 30:5 (NKJV) For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure

for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

Discipline YourselfNothing has changed…

God – Malachi 3:6 (NIV) “I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.

Jesus – Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

The Word – John 5:39 (NKJV) You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

Holy Spirit – John 15:26-27 (NIV) 26“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 27And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

Discipline Yourself1. Discipline Your Decisions

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV) 19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Discipline Yourself2. Discipline Your Devotions

Psalm 119:11 (NIV) I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Exodus 34:1-3 (NIV) 1The LORD said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. 3No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.

Discipline Yourself3. Discipline Your Doubts

Matthew 21:21 (NIV) Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.

Philippians 4:13 (NIV) I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Mark 9:23 (NIV) “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.

Discipline Yourself4. Discipline Your Desires

Colossians 3:2 (NIV) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Matthew 6:24 (NIV) “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

James 4:7-8 (NIV) 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Discipline Yourself5. Discipline Your Duties

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45

Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Discipline Yourself1. Discipline Your Decisions

Choose to live

2. Discipline Your DevotionsConverse with Christ

3. Discipline Your DoubtsConsider the possibilities

4. Discipline Your DesiresCultivate Christlike cares

5. Discipline Your DutiesThe Church is a place where the loving, living, and loosing

Christ’s example is demonstrated