Week Three Challenge

Challenge: The Art of Discipline

Calendar sold at Walgreens

When I think of becoming disciplined, I think of learning and exercising “self-control.” Funny, how we usually think of self-control in the context of “Do not______________.” For instance: Do not buy that, do not eat that, do not say that, do not do that… But how often do we think of it in the reverse? Whenever we choose to NOT do something, we are in turn choosing TO do something. For instance, “Do not say that” also means “DO stay quiet.” Or, “Do NOT eat unhealthy foods” also means “DO eat healthy foods.”

This is the week that we are putting our basic strategy into action. If you listed more than one thing in your basic strategy (see “Week Two”) don’t get overwhelmed. You can start this week by accomplishing just one, or you can take on all of them–up to you! But remember, “self-control” is a fruit of the spirit that God promises to grow in us as we walk close to Him. Remember to keep Him in this process with you; pray over your goals, pray for self-control to DO them and to use your time to accomplish them, and pray for Him to strengthen you to succeed. With His help, choose to control your time so it does not control you.

TO MEET THIS CHALLENGE, FOLLOW THESE STEPS:
1. Tell your accountability partner your goal for this week and pick a day for them to call.
2. Plan out your week ahead of time.
Example: To finish a book, block out a time each day to read and write it in your calendar.
3. Tell us where you’re at by taking the poll below!

 

Week One Challenge

Kings Date by Joseph

WEEK ONE
Challenge: Declare War!

In Psalm 18:29 David writes:
“For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God I have leaped over a wall.”

Friends, the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever–many of us know the remarkable stories of how the Lord brought David through difficulty: With bare hands he fought and overcame a lion. As a boy he was the only one with the courage (by God’s strength) to overcome a literal giant and save his people from captivity. And, by the grace of the Lord he was lifted up from a poor shepherd boy to a mighty king. That’s just to name a few. God is a god of the IMPOSSIBLE. We say it, but do we believe it? Do we stand on it?

My question to you is, what have you been believing for that has been so long in coming that you no longer have the HOPE that it will be accomplished? When you look at your life, what are the changes that you want to see but have lost the will power to see through in prayer and perseverance? For some of you, you may be at the beginning of a season where you’ve just started to desire change. Keep that fire going and put that HOPE into action. We all need to stand together on His promises and pick up our swords and FIGHT. We need to fight in prayer, discipline, and persistence so that together we can live a life of an overcomer.

So let us DECLARE WAR on the main area(s) that we desire to see change in and come up with a battle plan–an offensive strategy to succeed in reaching our goal. With the Lord’s help we WILL leap over this wall!!

TO MEET THIS CHALLENGE, FOLLOW THESE STEPS:
1. Take 30 minutes this week to get still; somewhere quiet and peaceful, removed from distraction. Make a list of the areas in your life that you strongly desire change in and express them to the Lord. Write down how you feel right now in that area of your life.
2. After reflection and prayer, pick one or two desires for change that will be your focal point for the next twenty weeks.
3. Pick someone in your life to tell this week about your decision and ask them to partner with you by praying for you.

When you’ve met your goal of Declaring War, take the poll of victory! If you’re comfortable expressing your goal to the group, please tell us below.