READ:
JOSHUA 1:1-9
You cannot
lead a solid Christian life if you are not disciplined. Let me ask you a
crucial question today: Are you disciplined? You must examine your ways to give
the right answer. To examine your ways means several things. For example, are
you prayerful? In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we are commanded to pray without
ceasing. Many of us pray only when we have problems. This means that we have
turned God into an electric fan. When the heat comes on, you switch on the fan,
and when there is no more heat you switch it off. God expects you to pray
always. Pray when all is well. Pray when all is not well. This is to prove to
Him that you depend on Him. Many of us do not pray when we are tired. This is
understandable. However, God expects us to pray when we are tired. You are to
pray without ceasing, whether it is convenient or not. Do you give enough
thanks to God? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says: “In everything give thanks; for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” A lot of people are battling with
problems today because they don’t generously thank God for what He does for
them. All that we do is grumble over what he has not done for us. Do you
manifest spiritual discipline? Have you been winning souls? If you have, have
you done anything to ensure that they remain won? In John 15:16, the Bible
says: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you
should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you
ask the Father in My name He may give you.” Soul winning is a
prerequisite to answered payers. How much time do you spend watching
television? Verse 8 of our text specifically states: “This Book of the Law shall not
depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you
may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will
make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” How are
you going to meditate on the word of God if you do not read it? How much time
do you spend in a day reading the word of God? Compare the time you spend
watching television. I am not asking you not to watch television. All I am
saying is that you should spend less time watching television and more time
reading the Bible. God cannot talk to you while you are watching television. If
you fail to maintain spiritual discipline the boat of your life may hit the
rocks.
MEMORIZE:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 –In
everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
