DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT: FORCEFUL PEOPLE #2

What we do upon some great occasion will probably depend on what we already are. What we are will be the result of previous years of self-discipline. -- Henry Parry Liddon
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Matt 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

WE MUST HAVE DISCIPLINE IF WE ARE TO BE FORCEFUL PEOPLE
Yesterday we focused on the proposition that before John the Baptist, the Kingdom of Heaven could only be seen in the light of prophecy, but now it is PREACHED and DEMONSTRATED, by people who are pressing into it, with a zeal and eagerness resembling VIOLENCE or DESPERATION, to get rid of SIN and all satanic powers that are trying to destroy God’s people. We need to stand true against anything that opposes the Kingdom of Heaven and its coming!

Today we will look at implementing the first of four principles, which I believe will help us to achieve this.

DISCIPLINE: Is training that produces obedience and self-discipline… "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." -- 2 Tim 1:7

It appears that somewhere along the way, Timothy had lost the dynamism of his ministry. Otherwise Paul would not have said to him… For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. -- 2 Tim 1:6. Paul was instructing him to fan the flames of the FIRE that he used to have for God, the zeal and eagerness of ministry resembling VIOLENCE or DESPERATION!

Timothy had lost this fire because he had allowed the gifts of God that was within him, to slowly die in the embers of timidity and he was no longer a forceful man. I won’t speculate on what caused this, suffice to say, that he was obviously lacking in love, power and self-discipline and his ministry had become weakened. In my experience it usually happens when we are not disciplined in our walk with Jesus, in our study of the Bible, in our prayers and in our relationships.


Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability. Roy L. Smith

Discipline is the first principle to be coming a forceful person!

Loving Father, I thank you for your word that tells me that I can have a spirit of love, power and self-disciple. I want my life in Jesus to be disciplined and one that will glorify you. Make me a forceful person that I may lay hold of the kingdom of heaven. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.