Depth requires discipline

Depth requires discipline. The deeper you go in the Lord the more will be required of you. "Launch out into the deep", Jesus tells Peter (Luke 5: 4).

Why do we not move instantly to the call of God to go deeper? This is the first thing after the first thing. God gets into our stuff as he got into Peter's boat then inevitably God asks us to go deeper.

Are we reluctant like Peter was initially. Do we argue with God? Do we try to justify and validate ourselves? Peter started that way but he didn't stop there. "Lord, I've toiled all night and caught nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5)

If we want to go deep, as deep as God wants for us, we will discipline ourselves to the word of Jesus. "When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fishes so their nets were breaking" (Luke 5:6) Depth will break our ways of looking at things. Depth will require deeper attention to prayer and fasting. Depth will expand what we thought was possible.

Discipline yourself to live every moment, face every situation at the word of Jesus. This way we will avoid the other way we can go deeper which I will write about tomorrow.

Love you, Norman

Please pray for our family. Most all of us has been sick (Hannah, Karen, and now Robert) and some of us do not feel as fit and strong as we want or need (that would be the rest of us.) Pray for revival in South Hill UMC. Holy Spirit come down and be welcomed to do your work.