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Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Again, since we had a guest speaker in Sunday School on Sunday due to me spending four services in Big Church, we're quoting from Charles R. Swindoll's book So, You Want To Be Like Christ?
"So, how are intimacy and discipline connected? Let me repeat, if intimacy is the goal, discipline is the means to that end. Remember, intimacy is never natural,automatic, quick or easy. Show me someone who is intimate with God and I'll show you someone who can be compared to a beautiful garden without weeds. Because all gardens grow weeds, you can bet that someone has taken time to cultivate the good plants while rooting out the bad ones. People who are close to God cultivate a personal intimacy withHim like a good gardener cultivates beautiful flowers.
So intimacy is both a discipline and a goal--much like humility and prayer and sacrifice, and any of the other disciplines. Our great tendency in this age is to increase our speed, to run faster, even in the Christian life. In the process our walk with God stays shallow, and our tank runs low on fumes. Intimacy offers a full tank of fuel that can only be found by pulling up closer to God, which requires taking necessary time and going to the effort to make that happen."
For today, what are the "excuses" we often give for not being disciplined? What practical steps can we take to create room in our lives for the disciplines needed for a worthy walk?
Brent 5:12 AM
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