Bible Texts: 2Tim.2:5, Heb.12:2, Philp.2:13, Acts 1:1, Rom.12:1-2, Eph.6:4, Deut.6:6-7, Eph.5:25-28, Jn.6:63, Gal.2:13, Ps.1:1-2, Jos.1:6-8, 2Cor.5:17, Rom.6:1-2, 2Cor.5:14
In the past two days, and by the help of the Person of the Holy Spirit, we have taken two snapshots and the pictures that came out for the portrait of the good and godly husbandman are these- a teacher and a soldier.
Today, let’s return to the studio and take the 3rd snapshot.
The 3rd photoshot of the husbandman is an athlete. An athlete is a sports person either in track and field events, football, basketball, boxing, and much more. One important characteristic of an athlete is discipline. An athlete subjects himself to exercises even if it is not convenient. There are category of foods that he eats, specific hours that he sleeps, restricted places you cannot find him, and certain conduct expected of him in and out of the field. The good athlete controls his emotions, sentiments, appetite and time. That is who you are.
And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules (2Tim.2:5). NKJV
The husbandman who wants to become good and godly must be disciplined. He must exercise restraint and control over his thoughts, appetite, desires, emotions, relationships and movement. Any husbandman who is unable to put his body under subjection is headed to disaster and destruction.
For the love of Christ constraints us (2Cor.5:14). Sometimes you are tempted to act in ways that do not conform to the character of Jesus Christ. These include sexual temptation, uncontrolled sexual urge, drug in-take, physical and emotional abuse of your wife and children, stealing, lying, cheating, revenge, murder, bitterness and hatred, unforgiveness and disloyalty. But when you remember the love of Jesus Christ that is shed abroad in your heart, you refuse to fall into the temptation.
Put a knife to your throat if thou be a man given to appetite (Pro.23:2). You must not make your belly your god. You must control your appetite for food. You must not allow your stomach to control you instead you must control your stomach. The Bible says that they have made their belly their god (Philp.3:19).
Now, there are three steps you must take if you want to be disciplined and remain so.
The first step is for you to focus on the goal and crown that God has laid for you. The Bible says of Jesus Christ, the perfect example of the good and godly husbandman. He demonstrated a level of discipline that you and I must emulate. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb.12:2). Let your action and decision be influenced by the big picture and not temporary gains.
Secondly, you must ask the Lord Jesus Christ to empower you to maintain the routine of a disciplined husbandman. It is the Lord who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philp.2:13). A lot of the times, your spirit is willing but your flesh is weak. So you need the supernatural help of God to make your spirit and body to abide by the demands of the good and godly husbandman.
The third step is found in 1st Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 33. Bad company corrupts good manners (1Cor.15:33). You must surround yourself with fellow husbandmen who are also discipline. This type of association will challenge and motivate you to be better at what you do as the man, husband and father. You must remember that you cannot be better than the company you keep. The company you keep either makes you better or worse.
You are the good athlete. Engage in the demands of the exercise. Go for the ultimate prize!
SPIRITUAL EXERCISE
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, I thank You for making me an athlete.
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower me to exercise myself to all the demands of the good and godly husbandman.
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, bring me in association to disciplined husbandmen.
FAITH CONFESSION
I am the good athlete and by the help of the Person of the Holy Spirit, I subject myself to the full demands of my calling as the good and godly husbandman in Jesus name. Amen.
The devotional IN TUNE WITH GOD© is published by The Husbandman Mission International, Headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria.
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Jesus Christ is Lord over all.
Bro. Ebenezer O. Igure
Head of Mission
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