A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls (Proverbs 25:28)
Growing up as a child the idea of self-discipline was a rather foreign concept. Don't get me wrong I had several people in my life hounding the importance of self-discipline, but you never really get it until it becomes just that "SELF"-discipline.
In highschool I learned to implement certain principles into my life such as a quiet time with the Lord, managing temper, not watching too much television, etc. I had discipline in the areas of working out and being healthy due to being in athletics, I wouldn't call that self-discipline because it was mandatory not optional.
When I went off to college many things became inconsistent. I can honestly say I was NOT self-disciplined. My sleeping patters were sporatic, my eating habits were incredibly unhealthy, my workout routine became limited at best almost non-existent, quiet times were often done in a sleepy haze or rushed because of class, many strongholds from the enemy were allowed to run my thought processes without confrontation... etc. I could go on, but we'll stop.
As college rolled on I began to make more and more things disciplined in my life starting with my times with the Lord, sleeping patterns, and reclaiming areas of my life that had been taken over by, well let's be honest, laziness and immaturity.
When I followed the leading of the Lord back to Liberty I had many mixed emotions about teaching, coaching, and returning to my hometown, but I saw opportunity here. Opportuntiy for redemption in many areas of my life including self-discipline. Liberty is where many people reside that are true examples of self-discipline and have a huge influence on my life including my Dad, Coach Stroud, my pastor and Mrs. Laurie, and several others.
Among these influences I found encouragement to really discipline my life. I began waking up every morning between 4-5a to spend intimate time with the Lord, I committed to and completed reading the Bible in 90 days, I began running everyday and completed a half-marathon, I worked on cleanliness in my house and office, I worked on taking back ground mentally against the enemy etc. Once again these aren't all the areas that need/needed work, but these were my starting places.
I think that I began to view self-discipline as an achievement rather than a journey. After all I had "achieved" discipline in major areas in my life (please note sarcasm). Then there was this one day...
On this particular day I overslept until 6:15 am, when I arose late I didn't feel like reading the Word, so I didn't, I was too late for my morning workout (I run in the morning and do a workout afterschool) I came to work and I was overly hungry (I did avoid this temptation), a student lied to me which really challenged me to lose my temper, and so the day went on minute by minute my self-discipline being attacked. This is when I realized we don't achieve self-discipline... we journey.
Self-discipline is a daily choice to put our flesh into submission. Self-discipline covers a large and broad area that range from spiritual, physical, and mental things in our life that need to be run by the Spirit. Telling your body how it is going to live rather than it telling you.
I encourage you to spend some time thinking about the areas of your life that need to be put into submission. We don't achieve a point where discipline will not be tempted, but we do come to a point where being disciplined comes more naturally. I don't still battle whether or not I will workout today, I will, I don't have to wonder if I'll read the Bible or spend time in prayer, I will, I don't have to wonder if I'll eat until I"m so full I want to vomit, I won't, and the list could go on... As we begin to discipline our body it gets easier and easier with time.
It's time to let our flesh know that our Spirit runs things in this body.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
The problem of Comparison
I remember once hearing a quote that "comparison is a thief of joy".
What an interesting perspective that I must say I agree with. I wouldn't say that this blog is one of those let me tell you about a new lesson I've learned, it's more about letting Jessika voice her thoughts on an issue.
This past week in my class I have been doing the state mandated "Fitness Gram". It's a fitness test that requires us to do various tests to basically assess body composition and fitness of the students in the school. I tested every girl in our school and I saw this quote before my eyes. "Comparison is a thief of joy"
As I saw girls with various levels of fitness have reactions (mostly negative) to their bodies compared to others I thought about, us, Christians, people in general, society.
Almost everyday we are in situations where we have the opportunity to compare ourselves to someone else and I'd say for the majority of people we take that opportunity which results in a loss of happiness.
Here is where I see a problem. Comparing ourselves to another human simply causes more problems than good and is altogether unbiblical.
Take for instance Galatians 6:4
But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
In other words just as Paul says in Corinthians... examine yourself...
2 Cor. 13:4-5
He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God…we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. EXAMINE YOURSELVES to see whether you are in the faith; TEST yourselves. Don’t you know, your own selves, how it is that Christ is in you [dwelling & living], unless of course, you fail the test?”
So we know that we should be examining... we should be comparing... but here is where we miss it...
We MUST COMPARE OURSELVES TO THE WORD OF GOD, and to THE WORD OF GOD ONLY!
If I compare myself to any other person I will get a distorted view of who I am and who I am supposed to be.
Let me just get real for one second.
If I compare myself to a particular person I know who is not saved and not living righteously then I will come out of that comparison thinking... "Well, I am doing pretty good here, I go to church, I read my Bible, I pray, pat on the back for Jessika I am one step ahead and doing real well."
Now if I compare myself to the likes of Mother Theresa, Corrie Ten Boom, or let's be realistic how about just this girl I heard a story about the other day. She is 23 (MY AGE!) who gave up everything to go to Africa and start an orphanage, she now mothers over 20 orphaned kids and spreads the love of Jesus to an entire village... well let's not think about how that makes me feel. Ok we can go there.
"Jessika you're lazy, you're content, you're in a comfort zone, you must have missed God because you're still in Liberty" or perhaps "why did God pick her to do that, why don't I have the gifting to do that" etc.
I could go on and on with comparisons we make that sound all pretty much the same basically... why am I not like him/her?
The Bible is clear on this. We are not to compare ourselves to others, we are to compare ourselves to the Scriptures only to see if we are in faith. We are to study scripture to show ourselves approved.
It's about being who God created you to be and not who He created someone else to be. It doesn't do us a lot of good when the body of Christ spends a lot of time wishing they were another member of the body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12)
That being said it is also productive to often examine our own hearts and actually COMPARE YOURSELF TO THE WORD OF GOD. This challenges us.
Many times I will hear stories of someone doing a great work for the Kingdom of God and it challenges me to step up. Testimonies are indeed meant to inspire and encourage us, but the truth of the matter is that the Word of God should be doing the same thing in our lives. READ ACTS! Read the Acts that were done, if that doesn't inspire you about what we should be doing here on earth, I'm not sure what will?!?
I rant because I see a problem. I see members of the body of Christ not playing their role because they're too busy comparing themselves to someone else. God created you with the giftings and talents that He wanted placed inside of you. Are we all who we want to be yet? NO, but this is life, there is a process of sanctification. Seek God, compare yourself to the Word, and play your part. We have too much work on earth to do to be moping about the role we play in it.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
What an interesting perspective that I must say I agree with. I wouldn't say that this blog is one of those let me tell you about a new lesson I've learned, it's more about letting Jessika voice her thoughts on an issue.
This past week in my class I have been doing the state mandated "Fitness Gram". It's a fitness test that requires us to do various tests to basically assess body composition and fitness of the students in the school. I tested every girl in our school and I saw this quote before my eyes. "Comparison is a thief of joy"
As I saw girls with various levels of fitness have reactions (mostly negative) to their bodies compared to others I thought about, us, Christians, people in general, society.
Almost everyday we are in situations where we have the opportunity to compare ourselves to someone else and I'd say for the majority of people we take that opportunity which results in a loss of happiness.
Here is where I see a problem. Comparing ourselves to another human simply causes more problems than good and is altogether unbiblical.
Take for instance Galatians 6:4
But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
In other words just as Paul says in Corinthians... examine yourself...
2 Cor. 13:4-5
He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God…we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. EXAMINE YOURSELVES to see whether you are in the faith; TEST yourselves. Don’t you know, your own selves, how it is that Christ is in you [dwelling & living], unless of course, you fail the test?”
So we know that we should be examining... we should be comparing... but here is where we miss it...
We MUST COMPARE OURSELVES TO THE WORD OF GOD, and to THE WORD OF GOD ONLY!
If I compare myself to any other person I will get a distorted view of who I am and who I am supposed to be.
Let me just get real for one second.
If I compare myself to a particular person I know who is not saved and not living righteously then I will come out of that comparison thinking... "Well, I am doing pretty good here, I go to church, I read my Bible, I pray, pat on the back for Jessika I am one step ahead and doing real well."
Now if I compare myself to the likes of Mother Theresa, Corrie Ten Boom, or let's be realistic how about just this girl I heard a story about the other day. She is 23 (MY AGE!) who gave up everything to go to Africa and start an orphanage, she now mothers over 20 orphaned kids and spreads the love of Jesus to an entire village... well let's not think about how that makes me feel. Ok we can go there.
"Jessika you're lazy, you're content, you're in a comfort zone, you must have missed God because you're still in Liberty" or perhaps "why did God pick her to do that, why don't I have the gifting to do that" etc.
I could go on and on with comparisons we make that sound all pretty much the same basically... why am I not like him/her?
The Bible is clear on this. We are not to compare ourselves to others, we are to compare ourselves to the Scriptures only to see if we are in faith. We are to study scripture to show ourselves approved.
It's about being who God created you to be and not who He created someone else to be. It doesn't do us a lot of good when the body of Christ spends a lot of time wishing they were another member of the body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12)
That being said it is also productive to often examine our own hearts and actually COMPARE YOURSELF TO THE WORD OF GOD. This challenges us.
Many times I will hear stories of someone doing a great work for the Kingdom of God and it challenges me to step up. Testimonies are indeed meant to inspire and encourage us, but the truth of the matter is that the Word of God should be doing the same thing in our lives. READ ACTS! Read the Acts that were done, if that doesn't inspire you about what we should be doing here on earth, I'm not sure what will?!?
I rant because I see a problem. I see members of the body of Christ not playing their role because they're too busy comparing themselves to someone else. God created you with the giftings and talents that He wanted placed inside of you. Are we all who we want to be yet? NO, but this is life, there is a process of sanctification. Seek God, compare yourself to the Word, and play your part. We have too much work on earth to do to be moping about the role we play in it.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Friday, April 1, 2011
"Jessika Arise"- It's harvest time, get ready Liberty
Let me tell you a story that has my heart full of joy.
This story is about some events that have taken place over the last 4 days. Let's start on Tuesday.
On Tuesday i began rereading "A Heart Ablaze" by John Bevere. If you have never read this book, read it. As I was reading it, the introduction convicted me! I prayed that afternoon for God to create opportunities for me to be a better witness to my students.
Also, on Tuesday night was our district track meet. That night at the track meet a situation happened that had about 10 girls looking at me to see how I would react to it. I knew this was the opportunity I'd prayed for. I can say that I carefully watched my demeanor and the words I said to make the most of this opportunity.
After the track meet one of the athletes that had been with those girls came up to me and said coach I need to talk to you tomorrow morning can we meet in your office before school. Let's move to Wednesday.
Wednesday morning she came into my office and began to share some things that were going on in her life as she wrapped up she said I think I need the Jesus you always talk about. PRAISE GOD!
Wednesday night at church our worship team played a song that always gets me. "I Give Myself Away" (If I remember I'll attach at the bottom of the blog) Often when they play this song I cry and pray with feelings that go something like this...
God I'm so sorry I'm not giving myself completely away, help me to be more selfless or in the other direction like this...
God I'm doing all I can why am I not seeing more results!...
Either way it's about me. On this particular Wednesday night as I heard the words "I give myself away so you can use me" I got facedown before the Lord and I broke. I wept. This time the prayers were this...
God help this young girl. God help me to be led by Your Spirit so your will is accomplished.
My heart broke for the young girls I work with daily! Let's go to Thursday.
On thursday a student in my class came running up to me so excited, screaming actually. She told me about how she had been at a youth group the night before and God had touched her, He moved, and how she would never be the same.
As we talked other students began to crowd around and when she was finished the questions started.
"Coach what does it mean to be saved?" "What does it mean God touched you" "I don't understand why you say you have a relationship with Jesus"
For nearly 25 minutes I got to share the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ with my students. Then the next class came in!
This class had heard about the conversation and wanted to know more, so I got to talk to them about it too! Then the next class came in!
During that class for some reason a song I hardly ever listen to was playing on my playlist as they walked in. The song was "Souled Out" by Lecrae. The students exclaimed "Coach Tate I thought you didn't listen to bad music?" I told them girls this is Christian music. They didn't believe me so I printed off the lyrics for them.
As they read the lyrics they began to ask questions about Jesus!! I once again got to talk about my wonderful Savior!
Now it's Friday. I woke up this morning and the Holy Spirit said "Jessika Arise". I said okay Lord and I got up and went to go take my shower as usual. As I was in the shower I heard the Holy Spirit say "Jessika Arise". I said "Lord I'm up I'm in the shower". I went to the living room to do my quiet time as I was reading the Bible the Holy Spirit said "Jessika Arise"! Finally I said "Lord I'm up, I'm spending time with You, what are you talking about Arise?" Then He spoke.
"Jessika I'm not talking about your physical nature, I'm talking about the spiritual, I'm talking about seeing a harvest"
PRAISE GOD! ARISE, I WANT TO SEE A HARVEST.
Hope you're as encouraged as I am!
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
This story is about some events that have taken place over the last 4 days. Let's start on Tuesday.
On Tuesday i began rereading "A Heart Ablaze" by John Bevere. If you have never read this book, read it. As I was reading it, the introduction convicted me! I prayed that afternoon for God to create opportunities for me to be a better witness to my students.
Also, on Tuesday night was our district track meet. That night at the track meet a situation happened that had about 10 girls looking at me to see how I would react to it. I knew this was the opportunity I'd prayed for. I can say that I carefully watched my demeanor and the words I said to make the most of this opportunity.
After the track meet one of the athletes that had been with those girls came up to me and said coach I need to talk to you tomorrow morning can we meet in your office before school. Let's move to Wednesday.
Wednesday morning she came into my office and began to share some things that were going on in her life as she wrapped up she said I think I need the Jesus you always talk about. PRAISE GOD!
Wednesday night at church our worship team played a song that always gets me. "I Give Myself Away" (If I remember I'll attach at the bottom of the blog) Often when they play this song I cry and pray with feelings that go something like this...
God I'm so sorry I'm not giving myself completely away, help me to be more selfless or in the other direction like this...
God I'm doing all I can why am I not seeing more results!...
Either way it's about me. On this particular Wednesday night as I heard the words "I give myself away so you can use me" I got facedown before the Lord and I broke. I wept. This time the prayers were this...
God help this young girl. God help me to be led by Your Spirit so your will is accomplished.
My heart broke for the young girls I work with daily! Let's go to Thursday.
On thursday a student in my class came running up to me so excited, screaming actually. She told me about how she had been at a youth group the night before and God had touched her, He moved, and how she would never be the same.
As we talked other students began to crowd around and when she was finished the questions started.
"Coach what does it mean to be saved?" "What does it mean God touched you" "I don't understand why you say you have a relationship with Jesus"
For nearly 25 minutes I got to share the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ with my students. Then the next class came in!
This class had heard about the conversation and wanted to know more, so I got to talk to them about it too! Then the next class came in!
During that class for some reason a song I hardly ever listen to was playing on my playlist as they walked in. The song was "Souled Out" by Lecrae. The students exclaimed "Coach Tate I thought you didn't listen to bad music?" I told them girls this is Christian music. They didn't believe me so I printed off the lyrics for them.
As they read the lyrics they began to ask questions about Jesus!! I once again got to talk about my wonderful Savior!
Now it's Friday. I woke up this morning and the Holy Spirit said "Jessika Arise". I said okay Lord and I got up and went to go take my shower as usual. As I was in the shower I heard the Holy Spirit say "Jessika Arise". I said "Lord I'm up I'm in the shower". I went to the living room to do my quiet time as I was reading the Bible the Holy Spirit said "Jessika Arise"! Finally I said "Lord I'm up, I'm spending time with You, what are you talking about Arise?" Then He spoke.
"Jessika I'm not talking about your physical nature, I'm talking about the spiritual, I'm talking about seeing a harvest"
PRAISE GOD! ARISE, I WANT TO SEE A HARVEST.
Hope you're as encouraged as I am!
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
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