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The Practical Disciple » Entries tagged with "disciplines"

Ghost Dose #4, The Spirit of Love

Verse: “For God did not give you a spirit of timidity but of power, love and self discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 Mediation: Jesus told us “love your neighbor as yourself.” I know what he means. He means that he wants us to love others the way we would want to be loved. Did you ever stop to think though that you probably are loving your neighbor as yourself right now but not in a good way? Here’s what I mean by that. It’s is difficult if not impossible to love others more than we love ourselves. If you are unrelentingly judgmental of yourself, you will have a difficult time being anything but judgmental of others. If you only care for yourself when you accomplish great … Read entire article »

Filed under: prayer

Ghost Dose #3, A Spirit of Power

Verse: For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity , but of power and love and discipline. 1 Timothy 1:6-7 Meditation:      There are multiple truths offered to us in today’s verse, but our focus will be upon one truth.  The gift of the Spirit is a gift of power.  The Greek word used here for power is “dunemaos”, from which we get the word “dynamite”.  I once witnessed dynamite exploding.  I was at a 4th of July celebration and sticks of dynamite were laid out on the surface of a dam and ignited.  We were in a canoe easily a couple of hundred yards away.  I … Read entire article »

Filed under: prayer

A Protestant Novena, A Dose of the Ghost

A Protestant Novena, A Dose of the Ghost

“Protestant novena” may be an oxymoron, because as far as I  know a novena is a totally catholic thing.  I wonder how many people reading this have even heard of a novena.  I never had until this morning.  Or, at least I don’t recall knowing about it.  I was researching the church holiday  ”Ascension of the Lord” this morning and came across the term.  A novena is a nine day prayer commitment focused upon a … Read entire article »

Filed under: Uncategorized, prayer

Kingdom Value, The Key to making life count

Do you ever stop and wonder about the value of what you are doing?  If not, then you might ought to.  This weekend I visited with my brother and he was talking about his pastor labeling things in his home with the words “kingdom value” and whatever didn’t have it, he needed get rid of.  The idea of sorting my life by what has “kingdom value” has really grabbed my attention.  I can’t seem to let go of the thought or perhaps it won’t let go of me. The pastor was talking about physical things in his life, but my mind instantly gravitates more toward the activities of my life.  What will I do today that has kingdom value?  What will I do today that adds to the over all value … Read entire article »

Filed under: Uncategorized

Bible Reading Guide, the easiest one ever

Bible Reading Guide, the easiest one ever

Yesterday, I completed reading the Bible again using the simplest plan ever.  Please Note—This is the simplest plan not necessarily the best or most effective plan.  I simply made a check mark every day next to whatever chapters I read and resisted reading anything that was already checked.  That was it.  It’s nothing fancy or complex.  I just checked off chapters and when I completed a book I went and put a check next to … Read entire article »

Filed under: Bible Study

Self discipline exercises

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)   Last night I was watching a video with my son Matthew that was part of an online course we are taking together. It is a course in developing online products. The instructor actually gives away a number of products to participants in the course. They are completely free to reproduce them and put them online. In the video the instructor was addressing the concern that if he gives the products away won’t the market then be flooded to the point that his students can’t realistically compete. The short answer was no. Mainly because he explained that the sad reality is that 99% of the people who … Read entire article »

Filed under: focus, mindset, spiritual growth patterns, time