The Beginning of Discipline

We got a new member of our family...a puppie!! We are so excited because we lost out two beloved dogs several weeks ago. Anyway thought I would share the news.... : )

The sun is finally coming out this morning..yeah!!!! A pretty cool breeze however, letting us know winter is at the door. The leaves are changing ..so beautiful!

Today's entries are very good..as usual... so please take the time to study them...


Reading: Leviticus 25:3

THE BEGINNING OF DISCIPLINE

God must channel our strength. He does this through pruning off that which is wild and untamed. As you follow the progression of growth, there is the seed that must be planted in the ground. It must be nurtured or overseen by those who have been entrusted with it. Once the seed takes root and grows, eventually the plant or vine must be pruned.
Pruning means to cut away branches that are wild and to cut back the branches that are good. This is the only way to ensure healthy fruit. Otherwise, you may end up with fruit, but it will lack the quality that is beneficial to God and others.
It is important to point out that all fruit reveals something about the seed, the ground, and the one who is overseeing it. Pruning is a vital discipline that keeps the wild aspect of the plant at bay to ensure the quality of fruit.
The Lord was telling the people to plant their fields. For Christians, this means we must fulfill our commission to preach the Gospel. It is our way of planting the field. But, we also must oversee the establishment and growth of the seed. This involves discipling believers. Without fulfilling the second part of our commission, people define the Christian walk according to their old way of thinking, instead of according to the Word of God.
The result is that there are many wild bushes growing in God’s kingdom, and sadly the fruit is not the reproduction of Christ’s life. When people partake of it, it proves to be of an inferior quality that has a mixture in it. The key is discipleship. We cannot properly disciple others if we have not been discipled.

Prayer: Lord, I need to be discipled by Your Spirit in accordance to Your word. Bring forth the proper spiritual discipline in my life. Amen.

Reading: Luke 14:26-27

Reading: Isaiah 5:5-7

I WILL TAKE AWAY THE HEDGE

The vineyard that ends up producing wild grapes after it has been prepared to produce acceptable fruits will have to face the judgment of God. Of course, we are talking about our personal lives. As Christians, we are the fields or the vineyards of God. We have had the necessary investment. After all, the vineyard of our life was bought and paid for by Jesus. The Word has ploughed up the fallow ground of our hearts. The Holy Spirit has brought the necessary nutrients to our lives to ensure fruit. Therefore, there is no reason why God’s vineyard should not produce fruit. There are no reasons but one, and that is unbelief.
The biggest problem among God’s people is that they do not believe. This is why there is such a mixture. If people do not believe Him, they will become thorny towards truth, and lack justice in all matters. They will oppress others, rather than maintain and uphold righteousness. Consider what God is going to do with such a vineyard.
Take away the hedge: A hedge serves as a boundary of protection. God will simply remove His protection and grace from those who refuse to become a fruitful vineyard to Him.
Be broken up: Others will eat what is left of the vineyard after the hedge is taken away. Since there will be no further investment such as pruning in the vineyard, it will be broken up as it is trampled under and allowed to go to waste through neglect.
Hold back the rain: Without rain, there is no hope for recovery of such a vineyard. It will be left to utter desolation. This is the harsh reality of the life of those who do not regard God as their ruler. Wisely take heed to such warnings.

Prayer: Lord, we must have wisdom in all matters. We need to heed Your warnings to avoid utter desolation in our lives. Amen.

DISCIPLESHIP

The Lord Jesus is calling us to a disciplined life. This is what discipleship is all about. Without it, the untamed side of who we are will never be brought into proper order in God’s kingdom.
Discipleship is taken from the concept of living a disciplined life according to the example and teaching of the master. In the case of the Christian, Jesus is the master and Lord of the Christian life. It is the Apostle John who instructs us to walk as Jesus walked if we are going to abide in Him.
Discipleship is what connects us to the very life of Jesus. Granted, we must become identified with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. But, we must connect to the very life of Christ if we are going to be connected to Him as our Vine.
Today, discipleship is greatly missing. People are being made converts to a certain way of thinking, while they are being made followers of other teachers or schools of thought. As a result, Christianity has ceased to be a way of living. Such a life can only come out of love for the master, devotion to His ways, obedience to His instruction, and wisdom in applying His examples to our walk.
Clearly, Christianity is a disciplined walk where the Spirit is in agreement with God, the soul is lining up to the ways of righteousness, and the body is occupying according to the direction of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to His Word.
What is Christianity to You?

Prayer: Lord, we forget Christianity is not a matter of religion, but it is a way of living and walking through this present world. Give me Your wisdom to walk in Your ways. Amen.
©2008 Rayola Kelley, Gentle Shepherd Ministries. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
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