Jerry Bridges told this story when he spoke at the Spurgeon Fellowship. The point of it is excellent. His parents gave him a wristwatch as a gift after he graduated from high school. It looked good and told the time well the first day, but when he got out of bed on the second day [...]
Archive for the ‘discipline’ Category
The Gospel is the Mainspring
Posted in Christian life, discipline, Gospel on March 11, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Satan’s Favorite Word
Posted in Christian life, discipline on August 18, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Satan’s favorite word is “tomorrow.” “I’ll start that new Bible-reading program tomorrow.” “I’ll get up early and pray tomorrow.” “We’ll have family devotions tomorrow.” “I’ll tell my neighbor about Christ tomorrow.” “I’ll read that book I know I should read tomorrow.” “I’ll start putting to death my sin tomorrow.” “I’ll start a prayer journal [...]
Mercy in the Midst of Judgment
Posted in Bible, discipline on March 25, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Deuteronomy 2 is part of Moses’ sermon to the people of Israel before they entered the promised land. In verses 1 through 23, he recounts the history of Israel’s “wandering in tears for forty years.” Why did they wander? Because they disobeyed the Lord by not going in to conquer the land God had promised them. [...]
Against Hand-Biting
Posted in Bible, discipline, sovereignty of God on January 17, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Don’t bite the hand that disciplines you, either. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises [...]
On the Making of Resolutions
Posted in Christian life, discipline on January 1, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
I do not come to bury New Year’s resolutions but rather to praise them. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to make them, Even though they’ve received a lot a bad press, especially lately. Yes, some can be silly or seem inconsequential, and, of course, we probably won’t keep them perfectly or for long, [...]
It Takes Practice
Posted in Christian life, discipleship, discipline, faithfulness, Godliness on July 31, 2008 | 1 Comment »
“How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” “Practice. Practice. Practice.” You’ve probably heard that before – it’s funny, but it’s absolutely true! If we want to make it to the stage and perform at Carnegie Hall, we’ll have to practice and practice hard. Here comes the link: what’s true for Carnegie Hall is true [...]
Hard Work
Posted in Christian life, discipline, tagged Christian life, discipline on May 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
As my wife and I do some work in the yard today, I’m reminded of a biblical truth: The Christian life is hard work. Don’t be deceived into thinking it isn’t. In 1 Timothy 4:7, the apostle Paul tells Timothy, his young colleague, to “discipline” himself “for the purpose of godliness.” Why would Paul make [...]
