I’ve considered myself a well-disciplined individual (in the eyes of man) and I’ve tried to help others with this for themselves. Setting up healthy habits is always good. I know the discipline it takes to do this but the long-term payoff is worth it. Keeping this in mind, this morning’s message in scripture and devotionals hit me squarely. 

Yesterday I wrote about loving self and taking good care of self so that one is able to care equally so for his neighbor. This message stayed with me through most of the day and the day went very well with the counseling and a couple other events in it. As I began this morning and I journaled I asked Jesus the same question I do each day. His response asked me why I expect the clients I counsel to listen carefully to what I share with them when I sort through what I hear from Him? The discipline of obedience to Christ doesn’t allow for choosing what I want from what I don’t want. Yes, His Grace does forgive, but my growth in Him is stymied when I become selfish.

The book of James is little, but it powerfully hits home in addressing the struggle of living fully committed to Jesus. Jesus asks me to listen well to Him through His Word and then respond fully to His Spirit’s leading each and every day. My flesh sometimes wants its way, but my heart’s desire is to daily live out the discipline of obedience.