TOPIC: Discipline Yourself Today
MEMORISE: Now no chastening for the present seem to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Hebrews 12:11
READ: Genesis 25:29-34
And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
MESSAGE
When I was in secondary school, my teacher once told us that every human being came into the world with a ‘pillow of suffering’ which they must use before they leave the earth. You can choose to use your ‘pillow of suffering’ when you are young so that you can have peace and enjoy your life when you are old. You can also decide to enjoy your life now by engaging in frivolities and use your ‘pillow of suffering’ when you are old.
If you decide to use your ‘pillow of suffering’ when you are young, it means that you will put yourself through strict discipline. You will study while others are playing, build a good character while others are engaging in vices, and save while others spend all their pocket money.
Today’s memory verse says that periods of discipline may not seem pleasant, but they bring peace of mind in the future. Those who do not put themselves through discipline early in their lives will surely have their ‘pillows of suffering’ waiting for them in the future. The choice is yours; will you rather go through the suffering of discipline now or face the consequences of indiscipline later?
KEY POINT
It is better to deny yourself of pleasures today and enjoy a peaceful future.
HYMN 61: Take The Name Of Jesus With You
1 Take the name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe.
It will joy and comfort give you,
Take it then where’er you go.
Chorus:
Precious name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heaven;
Precious name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heaven.
2 Take the name of Jesus ever
As a shield from evr’y snare;
If temptations ’round you gather,
Breathe that holy name in prayer.
3 Oh, the precious name of Jesus,
How it thrills our souls with joy,
When His loving arms receive us,
And His songs our tongues employ!
4 At the name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet
King of kings, in heaven we’ll crown Him
When our journey is complete.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20, Luke 9:28-50
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye