Hebrews 12:11
11No 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. (NIV)
My version (applied to MY LIFE):
No discipline (like exercising, getting up early, losing weight, living on a budget, getting the kids on a schedule) seems pleasant at the time. You have to work at it. Yes, it’s painful. Later on, however, it produces results. (You feel good about yourself.) Your hard work and effort really pay off. (You will lose weight, get in shape, get a ton accomplished because you are getting up earlier, have some alone time because the kids are in bed early, even have money in the bank.) You will feel good because you know you have done the right thing–made the right choices to get to where you’re at. It will train you to do even more!
1 Corinthians 10:23
23“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. (NIV)
My version (applied to MY LIFE):
Everything is permissible! You can eat chocolate (or cookies), sleep in late, watch TV, spend money, avoid housework–but not everything is beneficial or constructive. You must make choices that will help you reach your goals. Don’t overeat out of frustration or boredom or depression. That would not be good for you. Don’t sleep or shop because you are trying to avoid your “to do” list. But don’t beat yourself up either when you want an occasional indulgence. Go ahead. Treat yourself. But then get back your focus and maintain your discipline. This will help you. After everything, you will be happy and satisfied with your decisions.
Deuteronomy 30:11
11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. (NIV)
Proverbs 4:23,25-27
23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
25 Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
27 Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil. (NLT)
Galations 6:7-9
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (NIV)
7-8Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.
9-10So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. (The Message)
Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV)
2 Timothy 1:7
7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. (Amplified Bible)
