Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Aerobics For The Soul” "The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight..." – Proverbs 1:1,2 (New International Version)

Key Word – Discipline: "The training of one's physical, mental, & moral powers by instruction, control & exercise."
What does discipline really do for us? Physically, through exercise and proper diet it keeps us healthy and fit. Mentally, through reading and listening and staying informed it keeps our minds sharp and focused. Morally, it keeps us from getting involved into activities that could have serious, if not deadly consequences. It is imperative that we exercise a disciplined life. The book of Proverbs provides the means and ways of how we can exercise our "spirit" and stay morally healthy and make right and good decisions. And though our physical health is indeed a matter of importance and concern, our spiritual health is the most vital for it determines the course of our eternity. In one of the cities where we lived we had some friends whose daughter ran on the high school Cross-County team with our son. Jerry, the daughter’s father, was the picture of health. 48 years of age, a pharmacist (who understood health) and he ran a couple of miles a day. Approximately a month before Christmas, without any warning signals, Jerry collapsed and died. It was discovered that he was born with a defective valve to his heart. Fortunately, Jerry was a dedicated Christian, and though his death was tragic, the discipline of his spirit gave all of us the peace to know – Jerry was just fine!
At his memorial service, the minister gave what I thought was a great analogy. He said, “What good does it do if we maintain our bodies or our minds and yet neglect the spirit?” His answer: “We have achieved nothing and will have gained nothing!”
I believe that thought is a perfect amendment to this verse. Here is my question: What spiritual disciplines are you doing to keep fit? Do you spend time in the Word and in prayer? Is fasting a part of your spiritual exercise? Are you in fellowship with other believer’s on a regular basis? 1st Peter 5:8 tells us; "Be self-controlled (disciplined) and alert. Your enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
A side note: If you have been reading these “Jewels” each of the past five days you will have noticed something…I have used the same verse of Scripture each day. That is not an oversight on my part and your eyes have not been deceiving you – it has been intentional for one very good reason – it shows just how deep and thorough the Word of God truly can be. By taking selective words, in this case, attaining, wisdom, and discipline we have been able to come up with three separate and important messages. Isn’t it amazing how much you can attain, how much wisdom you can gain if you would discipline your mind and take a closer look at what the Word is saying?
This could be what prompted Paul to write: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:1, 2 (NIV)
Pastor J. T. Carnell.