In different areas of our lives, we are all required to meet certain conditions. For instance, there are conditions you must meet to improve your health, to work at a company or to get into a college. Interestingly, many of life’s conditions begin with the “biggest” little word in the English language — if. If can do many things. It is able to change your perspective, your direction or an outcome. For example, “If I had known then what I know now, I never would have done that.” Or, “If you continue down this path, the consequences will be awful.”

To receive the promises of God, however, the same principle applies — you must meet His conditions. In fact, the Bible says, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NLT). Unfortunately, so many say they love God, but don’t do what He says—they don’t honor His Word. But Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15 NASB).

If you want to receive all that God has for you, it’s all about your willingness to meet His conditions — if you love Him, you obey Him. Think about the ifs in your life and evaluate whether or not you need to change the way you are living, working, talking and treating others so that you may live in the blessings and promises of God’s Word. If is a little word that can make a big difference, but you must be willing to meet the conditions.

Just a thought,

PSS

Have you ever done something that you later regretted? Maybe you missed an opportunity or said something you wish you hadn’t. Whatever the case may be, regret is usually a result of a lack of focus and self-discipline. It is wishing you had done something differently in your past: a feeling often accompanied by sadness, shame, and guilt.

We must discipline ourselves so that we won’t have to live with the shame and guilt of our past mistakes. Nathan Whitley once said, “The pain of regret is much greater than the pain of self-discipline.” If you don’t learn to deal with it properly, regret will cause you to beat yourself up for making a bad decision, messing up or blowing an opportunity.

Although it is one of the toughest things to do, we must learn to forgive ourselves and keep moving forward in order to get out from under the pain of regret. As you live for Christ, purpose not to repeat the same mistakes, and you will learn to make better choices — choices you won’t regret later on. As I often say, “A life lived for Christ is a life with no regrets.”

Just a thought,

PSS

Grenville Kleiser said, “By constant self-discipline and self-control you can develop greatness of character.” But first, we need to learn to control our emotions. In fact, self-discipline is the ability to control one’s feelings and overcome one’s weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it. It is also the ability to make yourself do things that should be done.

Most think that serving God and living within boundaries is restraining, but in reality, it is liberating. Lacking self-discipline and self-control, however, is the real issue; you tend to make more mistakes and miss so many opportunities. In fact, we limit our own lives because we lack self-discipline, whether it’s not studying enough, losing our temper, procrastinating or giving in to temptation.

Harry Truman once observed, “In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves … self-discipline with all of them came first.” We need to realize that boundaries are healthy; they keep us safe and actually open the door for more opportunities. Ultimately, it’s when we practice self-discipline and self-control that we are truly able to accomplish great things.

Just a thought,

PSS

Another year has passed, and we have entered into 2016 — a brand-new year. In reality, it is just another day with a different date. For many, however, it is a time to reflect and decide what changes they want to make for their future. Maybe it is to shed some unwanted weight, break a habit, or take a new job. For some, it might be to work on a relationship. No matter what it is, it will take self-discipline to make lasting change.

Harry Truman once said, “In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves... self-discipline with all of them came first.” In order to make changes in our lives and to achieve the desired result, we need to exercise self-discipline. Most people have the desire, but lack the will: the ability to be self-disciplined enough to make the change and to keep it. Consequently, most don’t persevere long enough to make the needed changes in their lives.

As we go into 2016, let’s decide to work on self-discipline in order to make the changes that will last a lifetime. One decision I hope we would all make a priority is regarding church attendance — to attend a Sunday and a midweek service each week in order to grow in the things of God. Another decision is to begin to serve and make a commitment to tithe. At the end of the year, you will see that your life is better and your finances stronger. In the words of Theodore Roosevelt, “With self-discipline most anything is possible.”

Happy New Year!

Just a thought,

PSS

What is your greatest need? Maybe you are thinking: more money, better health, or nicer stuff. Although these may be legitimate needs, they are not our greatest need. In fact, while hanging on the cross, Jesus said it best as He pleaded, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” He didn’t pray for our prosperity or health; He prayed for our greatest need — forgiveness.

Forgiveness is: the act of pardoning somebody for a mistake or wrongdoing, liberating completely, canceling a debt. The great news about forgiveness is that it’s exactly what Jesus does for all who call on His name and follow Him. No matter what you’ve done, if you ask Him, He’ll forgive you. And as we receive His forgiveness, it is vital that we forgive others as well.

As the New Year approaches, let’s move forward knowing that our greatest need has already been met — God gave his only Son so that we can be forgiven — His greatest gift in exchange for our greatest need. 

Just a thought,

PSS