A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

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A Compe l l i ng Tes t imony

house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn.

C. Lessons from the Lives of the Saints

1. A disciplined life is a total life experience involving all facets of our walk with God and others (i.e., it is an expression of one’s whole life before the Lord).

2. A disciplined life is displayed in formal, daily, repeated regimens as an expression of our devotion and commitment to the Lord.

a. It expresses our love and devotion to God.

b. It opens up our ability to hear and respond to God.

3. A disciplined life involves communal practices which allow certain habits to become deeply ingrained personal habits that allow us to “keep” our routines in a way that expresses our resolve to give God his due.

4. A disciplined life fortifies the disciple in the time of trial enabling us to endure the contingencies of life and the attacks of those who do not know the Lord.

5. A disciplined life is a combination of both formal regimen and spontaneous expression : it is not “either/or” but “both/and.”

6. A disciplined life is a habit-formed existence ; (habits are acts that through continuous practice become acquired and automatic).