Studies

Discipline

How many ambitions have you had that have not been realized? How many goals which you have never reached? How many aspirations which you haven't fulfilled? More often than not these failures are because you did not have the strength of character or self discipline to consistently apply yourself to the task at hand. Only the disciplined person will rise to his highest powers. He is able to lead because he has conquered himself. Certainly it is true that the lazy and disorganized never rise to true leadership.

"The young person of leadership caliber will work while others waste time, study while others sleep, pray while others play. There will be no place for loose or slovenly habits in word or thought deed or dress. He will observe a soldierly discipline in diet and deportment so that he might wage a good warfare. He will without reluctance undertake the unpleasant task that others avoid or the hidden duty that others evade because it evokes no applause or wins no appreciation. A spirit filled leader will not shrink back from facing up to difficult situations or persons."
- Amy Wilson Carmichael

• Prov 10:4-5 Spiritual and physical wealth comes from HARD WORK.
  If you SLEEP during the harvest time you are a disgraceful son.
• Prov 12:24 DILIGENT hands will rule.
• Prov 14:23 All hard work brings a profit, MERE TALK leads only to poverty.
• Prov 18:9 SLACKNESS is very destructive!
• Prov 25:28 A lack of SELF CONTROL leaves you defenseless against the attacks of the devil.
• 1Cor 9:24-27 We need to run the Christian race with the mind-set of an athlete intent on winning not just finishing.
  - If strict training is needed for an athlete HOW MUCH MORE SO for a Christian who is running to get a crown that lasts forever !
  - If you are undisciplined you will be running aimlessly.
• Romans 5:3 Suffering through periods of difficulty or self imposed hardships produces perseverance which builds character in us.

Practical Challenges:

• Have a regular time of retiring to bed and of waking.
• Keep everything tidy (Bedroom, kitchen, car, work desk etc.)
• Be on time for everything.
• Repent of moodiness.
• Control your eating habits.
• Make priorities in your life and stick to them.
• Have focused, un-distracted prayers.
• Stop rebellious thoughts and tendencies in your life.
• Never leave half-finished jobs.
• Grow through hardship (Soft living makes us spineless).
  - Self imposed hardships like fasting or rigorous sporting
  activities are definitely beneficial.