PERSONAL DISCIPLINE IS REQUIRED IN CHRISTIAN LIFE AND MINISTRY

HOLINESS REVIVAL MOVEMENT WORLDWIDE

DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY: PASTOR PAUL RIKA
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR of Holiness Revival Movement Worldwide

TOPIC:
PERSONAL DISCIPLINE IS REQUIRED IN CHRISTIAN LIFE AND MINISTRY

Date:
Tuesday, December 8

Text:
1 Corinthians 9:24-27

"24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."

Key verse:
"1 Corinthians 6:12
"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."

If you fail to meditate on the word of God sins will creep into your life. You need to profit from the ministry of true men of God. Listen to messages that will edify you. Participate diligently in HOREMOW assignments that the Lord has given us in daily prayers, Bible reading with commentaries, listening to HOREMOW messages and reading the prescribed books.

Jesus said, “Sanctify them by the word, thy word is truth.” Ask it shall be given, seek and ye shall find. When you ask your Father for righteousness, He will give it to you. Bring every sin (lust, anger, greed etc.) that is disturbing you to God. Take time to pray to God to purify you. Pray for those that often provoke you. Prayer will save and strengthen you. God says, “Call upon me in the days of trouble: I will deliver thee and thou shall glorify Me.” You will deliver yourself through your personal prayer.

Do not get to the point of preaching without examining righteousness of your life. Paul checked himself so that after preaching to others he will not be a cast away. Add patience and knowledge to your life. Subject your life to control. Do not do anything in excess even in your dressing. Practice kindness. Divine discipline is required in your life.

Hebrews 12:5:
“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, my son despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him”.

God allowed the children of Israel to take the long way because He wanted to prove them. All that God allowed into your life as challenges are to prove you. Strive to pass the test. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. If you fear any person; whether it is your General Overseer or husband or wife or boss etc., holiness will be impossible. Holiness is only possible when you take God and His word above every man’s voice.

The Bible shows that serving God in righteousness and holiness is possible to them that surrender to Him and live for Him. These are the ones that develop faith in God and serve Him in spirit and in truth, thereby fulfilling the desire of God. If you are faithful and do it right, nobody will complain about you. Where people say contrary things and it is proved before man and God to be persecution, God will comfort and reward you.

Thought for the day:
An undisciplined Christian cannot go far with God.

Song for the day:
I am a soldier in the army (3x) I am a soldier in the army of the Lord

Bible reading for the day:
​Daniel 11-12; 3 John