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By Sidharth Mohandas

Some time back Robert and I were having some discussions from the Bible. While we were talking, Robert corrected me about something I said. My initial response was to justify myself and to resist what he said. But then even as we were discussing this verse came to both of us:

Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. [Psalm 141: 5]

I realized that as Robert was correcting me he was anointing my head with oil. But to many of us, being corrected - especially by someone younger than us - is like a defeat. We tend to be “perfectionists” not wanting our faults or sins to be exposed. Many of us get offended when someone points to our faults. We don’t want to accept the fact that we can be on the wrong. And in the process we get into this self-righteous tone, justifying our acts with Scripture.

I recently heard a friend share with me something… her husband was throwing a fit and he justified his bad temper by saying, “Even Jesus got angry and he lambasted the people who were selling things in the temple”. Isn’t that amazing how we can use Scripture to justify our misconducts?

My friends, yielding to discipline and correction are means by which God can impart more of His Spirit to us. Will your head refuse it?

Now, let’s be sensible…don’t we want more of God’s anointing upon our lives? Then let’s be wise and accept correction. It doesn’t matter through whom correction comes… May be it’s through your sibling, or your child, or it could also be through your pastor. Which ever way it is, yield to it.

A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible. [Proverbs 15:5]

By Sidharth Mohandas

I remember when I started going to the gym some time back I experienced pain in parts of my body, and the instructor told me that it was because my muscle was growing and that I was to continue working on my muscles. The same goes for every area of your life. I remember how hard it was for me to wake up early in the morning. I would extend 5 minutes at a time thinking I’d wake up early the next day. But it didn’t happen that way. I had to get over the initial pain and go beyond it to master getting up early. It was hard for me the first few days, but as I was being consistent, my body had to get used to my routine. The problem is, most of us let our flesh set our routines. But Paul tells us, “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” [1 Corinthians 9:27]

There are specific areas in our life that we need to consider. How many times have we left home without making our bed? How many times have we walked over our clothes on the floor without bending down and picking it up? How many times have we left dishes to wash for the next day? Are we disciplined in eating? Do we eat food that is not good for our body? For instance junk foods like Lays and Pringles that have a lot of MSG in it. Do we keep away from them after knowing how harmful they are to our body?

The worst thing you can do is to procrastinate. Don’t ever push anything for a later time. I remember how I struggled when I had been addicted to watching pornography during high school days. I told the Lord that I’d keep away from them. But when tempted, I’d tell the Lord that I would stop watching porn after “this last” time. And as usual that last time never came until I decided to say “no” at the moment of temptation. I do agree that it is painful and you tend to be restless, but remember what the Word of God says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it”. [Hebrews 12:11]

Let this be our prayer everyday: “Search me, O Lord, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the path everlasting” [Psalm 139:23, 24]

By Nick Shelton

At church one morning (the only day Mr. Baker takes a rest from his training), I asked him why he is so dedicated. He told me that running is what he loved doing. He explained that because of his love for running, he could not imagine himself doing anything else.

I then realized that the attitude Mr. Baker has for running, is the attitude I should have with my walk with God. Being with God is what I truly love doing. And I believe God wants me to show the same self-discipline and dedication in my spiritual life.

I do not want to boast about my actions, but I want my actions to display my love and dedication to God. When others look at my life and see the measures I take toward living a righteous life, I want them to see the meaning of the word dedicated.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.