3 D’s for ‘23

Years ago, when I was struggling with my business, and the use of my time, I was challenged with the idea of “Daily Diligence.”

The importance of persistence, to ‘keep on keeping on,’ has become important to me, and as I look back over the past 40 years, I see it as a key to success.

The past 20 years I have been focused on Discipline, and have learned the value of losing weight by learning to eat right, keeping in physical shape by exercising every day, and growing in Christ by reading my Bible every day.

Sharing those concepts with a Timothy, we realized the process starts with Determination.  I have to decide on something, and commit to it, before I develop the Discipline to do it.

Determination 

               Colossians 3:2 -Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

               Romans 8:5 - For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Setting our mind is a decisive action, a determination or commitment to doing something.  That can be good or bad, so it is important to consider God’s guidance in our goal setting and commitment process.

Discipline 

Joshua 1:8 - “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Establishing habits that enable us to do the things we have committed to is a key to performance.  Breaking the habit is the first step to failure.

Diligence 

               Rom 12:9 - Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

Col 3:23 - Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

Unless we follow through with our commitments, all is for naught!  Setting goals is one thing, and planning for achieving them is another, but actually doing the basics, according to the plan, is the only way to achieve what we set out to do.