January 27th, 2018

      Those who have left the greatest impact on our world usually had one thing in common: 
                                                                          personal discipline!

          People of impact are willing to do things that most people are unwilling to do.                                                                  They have become people of great self discipline!

1. Impact people train their temperaments.  
They live by their Bible based conviction not their emotions. They live by faith not feelings. People who do the right thing even when they don’t feel like it accomplish most of what gets done in the world!

 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28

2. Impact people tame their tongues.
They put their minds in gear before opening their mouths. They understand the tongue is a mighty power for both good and evil. They understand the Lord gave them two ears and one tongue not two tongues and one ear. Wise people listen more than they speak.

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life. Proverbs 13:3

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. James 3:2

3. Impact people tend their  touchiness.
How fast can you be offended?  How soon do you lose your temper? Unfortunately, a lot of potential influence can be cut short by having a short fuse.

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:165

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32

4. Impact people track their time.
If you don’t determine how you will spend your time, you can be sure that others will decide for you. The key to eternal success is to only be answerable to ONE MASTER calendar- JESUS. You’ll have to become a great steward of time to be successful in life.

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Colossians 4:5

5. Impact people trace their treasure.
They learn to live on less than what they make, and they invest the difference into savings, investments and give to causes that matter to God. Causes like the Lord’s church, missions, gospel sharing ministries, sharing with others in need. The value of a budget is that it tells your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went!

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. Proverbs 10:4

Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10

6. Impact people transform their temple.
They understand clearly that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. They develop habits in their eating,exercise and rest that supplies energy to their physical life. They also seek the mind of Christ which brings mental health.  That way they can accomplish more and enjoy their achievements.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:1-2
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.   1st Corinthians 6:19-20


Where do you need to develop self-control?
The disciplines we establish today will determine our Impact tomorrow.
But it takes more than just willpower to produce lasting self-control. It takes a power greater than our own. It takes the power of God.
The more we accept God’s control over your life, the more self-control he gives to us. The more self control- the more eternal impact on our family, communities, churches the world.