Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Enthusiasm”
Our Bible verse for today: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Discipline builds character and strengthens enthusiasm”
Unfortunately the word “discipline” often has a negative connotation for many people. We tend to associate it with punishment as in “We had to discipline him.” And while that is one meaning of the word, it’s actually not the primary meaning. The dictionary defines discipline as, “1. Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior. 2. Controlled behavior resulting from such training. 3. A state of order based on submission to rules and authority.” Discipline as punishment is only fourth on the list.
Likewise, in Rodale’s Synonym Finder there are thirty synonyms for discipline listed that have to do with character and growth before any mention is made of discipline as a form of punishment. My point is that discipline, as a form of voluntary structure that we choose and then implement for ourselves, is a good thing. Such discipline is needed if we’re going to grow into the men and women God wants us to be.
That’s what Solomon was referring to in Proverbs 1:7. The “fear” of the Lord – a healthy sense of awe, reverence, respect, and love for Him, is the beginning of knowledge. That’s the starting place for spiritual growth. But a fool despises such wisdom and doesn’t implement the voluntary disciplines necessary to grow in their knowledge and understanding of God.
Discipline in the spiritual life is essential. One of the greatest and most helpful books ever written on this subject is Richard Foster’s classic work, “Celebration of Discipline”. In it Foster describes the thirteen basic disciplines of living the Christian life. He does so in a clear, straight-forward, and uncomplicated way, and all throughout the book he offers simple and practical steps for incorporating those disciplines into our lives.
The concluding chapter – the concluding spiritual discipline, is “Celebration” (Yes, “celebration” is actually a spiritual discipline). This is what all the other disciplines lead us to. What we discover as we read this chapter is that a disciplined life is a happy, joyful, productive, and very enthusiastic life – and that will include lots of celebration.
Spiritual discipline is a good thing. We need it. I encourage you to read Richard Foster’s book to learn more about how the structure of spiritual discipline will greatly enhance your relationship with God.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 