Recently some of you have either received Yeshua as your Messiah and Savior for the first time (praise God!) or have declared a desire to recommit yourself to a life on fire for God and His Word (praise God!). When we've allowed the flames of our love for the Lord to smolder it's important to have those times of conviction and recommitment. However, the reality is often that the flames will soon die away again and give way to parched ground. How do we have lives instead of just moments in which we feel a zealous love for following the ways of the Lord? What is the secret to men and women who have become spiritual giants instead of those with a passing notion of the presence of God on occasion?
In explaining the parable of the farmer who sowed seed, most of which bore no fruit but some of which did, Yeshua states the following:
"Hear, then, the parable of the farmer. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most assuredly bears fruit, and brings forth, some one hundred times, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13:18-23 HNWEB).
What causes some to not to have a life of devoted love to God over the long haul? Lack of understanding, inability to withstand persecution, and distractions from the world. How do we grow in our understanding? How can we have a root within us strong enough to withstand persecution? How do we keep from being distracted by the world? I have seen many, many people become absolutely ignited by the fire of the Spirit of God but I have seen few maintain it over the years. I am convinced that what too many of us lack is a disciplined life. The Spirit poured out upon those who refuse to be disciplined in their spiritual lives is like pouring an expensive drink out on the ground. Discipline is the cup that allows the Spirit to fill us and grow in our lives instead of just seeing spiritual moments come and go. We must have discipline to stand or kneel before the Lord daily and ask for His guidance, His correction, and more of His Spirit. We must have the discipline to study the Word and seek the Lord's wisdom within it. We must have discipline to attend Bible studies and worship services regularly. We must have discipline to regularly engage our families about the things of God.
I encourage each one of you…put aside that which is distracting you. Maybe it's a thought, a drive for food or entertainment, a worry…put it aside and come seek the Lord. Live your spiritual life! Don't know where to start? Psalm 103 has always been wonderfully meaningful to me. Maybe start there. Pour out your heart to God. Your discipline makes space for the Spirit of God to move in your life and the Spirit of God pours out like water on the time you set aside so that "discipline" is no longer a dry word but one filled with the possibilities of the Spirit of God realized in your life.