To really achieve goals and dreams you would think it would take money, power, connections, or even fame. But what we really need is self discipline. Don't get me wrong, all those things I listed above are great but self discipline is one of the essential keys to accomplishments. Here are a few things I want to point out.
#1. Self discipline is an absolute pursuit towards a goal and it will abandon all temptations and distractions. It does not compromise the tasks in front of us.
#2. Self discipline makes order by organizing the priorities in our lives. A person with no order will live a life with no direction that has no destination in life. Sadly to say a lot of people in this generation does not know what order means or know how to live with order.
#3. Self discipline is not a GIFT it is a fruit that must be labored and worked for. We have to yield to self discipline because it will not yield to us. People will always make excuses why they do not have discipline. The number one excuse is time and I have to say, this excuse is baloney. Everyone has time, they just don't want to sacrifice their habits such as TV, video games, sports, movies, computer... Are these things bad? NOT AT ALL but they are not meant to pull you away from what needs to be done in order to accomplish what needs to be done)
#4. Self discipline requires accountability to another person. You can not just define discipline on your own. The Bible says "Every man thinks he pure in his own sight" Proverbs 30:12. Pray for someone who lives a disciplined life and has fruit to show for it and yield to that person to help you and correct you.
#5. Self discipline makes the most of your time. You can always tell who is wasting time and who is making their time productive. Being busy isn't the same as productive. Being busy is just being occupied with something, being productive is creating or harvesting something. Stop being busy and start living productively.
Some final thoughts...
Jesus' prayer life was centered on self discipline, it was a lifestyle he chose. Jesus' ministry was an absolute mission that was fulfilled. In fact, Jesus died empty which means he did everything he was supposed to do. He didn't hang on the cross and thought to himself "Shoot I should have ________" Nope, there wasn't a "Should have" or a "Would have" or even a "Could have". Why? Because he was disciplined and FOCUSED on what needed to be done.
Sure you can ask God to give you strength for discipline but at the end of the day, it up to you do live it and that's what I called FREE WILL. You have the ability to choose what you want to spend your time on. Either you'll waste time or make the most of your time by disciplining yourself with priorities that have a future.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
What are the odds?
It was after my fourth or fifth surgery and I was 8 or 9 years old and I had already lost track of all these surgeries. I remember waking up and having these bandages wrapped around my head and having to wear them for a month or even more. I wasn't allowed to take them off and that was the worst part.
Every time after surgery, the moment I woke up I would spend the next hour throwing up. It was a miserable time. Why me? Why do I have to be born with "Microtia"? (Deformed ears with no canals). I would feel so much guilt as a child being a burden to my family and even to the hospital. Sometimes I would say under my breath to my parents, "Sorry"..... It was those moments when i didn't realize how much God was present in my life.
It took two pieces of my ribs and a lot of my own skins graphs and a total of 9 surgeries to complete this task in my life. Growing up mostly in the hospital, it really affected my social skills. Why me?I had all these questions like what am I going to do when I when grow up? Who's going to want marry me looking like this? I'm never going to be popular in school or play sports. I hate my life. Who am I but a nobody?
When I thought all odds were keeping me from discovering life and actually living it instead of complaining about it, my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Pergrin my told me something that I actually believed. "Aaron, everything we do in life is a choice and we can do anything that is possible but leave the impossible to Jesus, you understand me Aaron Ortega?" and that moment a seed was placed inside of me that grew in faith.
It was time to face the odds, here's how I dealt with my conditions in life;
Accept yourself - This isn't easy because sometimes it means having to accept something you don't like but it's necessary to become whole with yourself. A lot of times people who are angry with themselves or uncomfortable with themselves begin to project on people around them.
Change the way you think about your flaws - Start believing flaws can change for better. When you see flaws, always have in mind the word "Improvement" because it's possible for weaknesses to improve to become stronger.
For every new accomplishment learn a new song- Songs are the best way to learn to express your excitement. I know this might sound like a waste of time, but worship has became more personal to me because in my greatest moment I sang to God and not to myself. For whatever reason the awards in life can blind us from true glory and that is to God..... If you want to learn how to give glory...... sing.
Lastly, what I really learned was, Change the way you talk - If you constantly talk negative you're going to be negative. If you are tearing down dreams, hopes and changes remember that these dreams, hopes and plans, are not the problem, YOU ARE. Stop talking like the villain and start talking like Christ. Also, stop hanging with negative speakers and get around the people who will lift you up and believe with you.
Of course there are a lot more but these were the essentials in my life. But here's the funny thing, God chose to assign the odds against me and the obvious question here is why would God place trials in our lives? Because the Father in heaven looks down on his kids and keeps whispering, "I believe in you I wouldn't have made you if I didn't."
And for some reason I believe it.
Every time after surgery, the moment I woke up I would spend the next hour throwing up. It was a miserable time. Why me? Why do I have to be born with "Microtia"? (Deformed ears with no canals). I would feel so much guilt as a child being a burden to my family and even to the hospital. Sometimes I would say under my breath to my parents, "Sorry"..... It was those moments when i didn't realize how much God was present in my life.
It took two pieces of my ribs and a lot of my own skins graphs and a total of 9 surgeries to complete this task in my life. Growing up mostly in the hospital, it really affected my social skills. Why me?I had all these questions like what am I going to do when I when grow up? Who's going to want marry me looking like this? I'm never going to be popular in school or play sports. I hate my life. Who am I but a nobody?
When I thought all odds were keeping me from discovering life and actually living it instead of complaining about it, my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Pergrin my told me something that I actually believed. "Aaron, everything we do in life is a choice and we can do anything that is possible but leave the impossible to Jesus, you understand me Aaron Ortega?" and that moment a seed was placed inside of me that grew in faith.
It was time to face the odds, here's how I dealt with my conditions in life;
Accept yourself - This isn't easy because sometimes it means having to accept something you don't like but it's necessary to become whole with yourself. A lot of times people who are angry with themselves or uncomfortable with themselves begin to project on people around them.
Change the way you think about your flaws - Start believing flaws can change for better. When you see flaws, always have in mind the word "Improvement" because it's possible for weaknesses to improve to become stronger.
For every new accomplishment learn a new song- Songs are the best way to learn to express your excitement. I know this might sound like a waste of time, but worship has became more personal to me because in my greatest moment I sang to God and not to myself. For whatever reason the awards in life can blind us from true glory and that is to God..... If you want to learn how to give glory...... sing.
Lastly, what I really learned was, Change the way you talk - If you constantly talk negative you're going to be negative. If you are tearing down dreams, hopes and changes remember that these dreams, hopes and plans, are not the problem, YOU ARE. Stop talking like the villain and start talking like Christ. Also, stop hanging with negative speakers and get around the people who will lift you up and believe with you.
Of course there are a lot more but these were the essentials in my life. But here's the funny thing, God chose to assign the odds against me and the obvious question here is why would God place trials in our lives? Because the Father in heaven looks down on his kids and keeps whispering, "I believe in you I wouldn't have made you if I didn't."
And for some reason I believe it.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Fasting
Often times I get people asking me about fasting and what it is.
Fasting is one of the greatest disciplines I am learning. It can be difficult and yet rewarding.
According to the Bible, fasting is one of the most sacred acts toward God. Here are a few things to know about fasting.
Fasting must be secret.
A secret is not something you make known to just anyone. When you fast don't announce it to the world and let everyone know. In Matthew, Jesus says that if you do things just so others can see them you have received your reward in full. Fasting in the secret is personal between you and God only.
Fasting is sacrificing distractions.
It is a time to sacrifice what we do daily and we stop and abstain for a time to concentrate on God and be mentally and spiritually focused on God. It is possible to fast and not be focusing on what God is telling you or having a quality time with God. The fact that Jesus says "Go into your room and close the door behind you" is really saying 'go to a place with no distractions.' Fasting lets us be fully present with God.
Fasting isn't a genie bottle method.
You don't fast to get what you want but to discover God's will. It is a time to seek direction, peace and transformation and to become more Christ like and not more world like. God's will never increases the flesh but increases the Spirit. Flesh is the flaw of man and the Spirit is the flawlessness of God. (Galatians 5:19-24)
I met discipline and he told me to tell you hello!
If we are serious about bringing ourselves into submission with God then we have to train ourselves to be consistent. Stop thinking that discipline comes in a package somewhere at a mall because it doesn't. It starts with commitment and not with excuses.
Fasting is one of the greatest disciplines I am learning. It can be difficult and yet rewarding.
According to the Bible, fasting is one of the most sacred acts toward God. Here are a few things to know about fasting.
Fasting must be secret.
A secret is not something you make known to just anyone. When you fast don't announce it to the world and let everyone know. In Matthew, Jesus says that if you do things just so others can see them you have received your reward in full. Fasting in the secret is personal between you and God only.
Fasting is sacrificing distractions.
It is a time to sacrifice what we do daily and we stop and abstain for a time to concentrate on God and be mentally and spiritually focused on God. It is possible to fast and not be focusing on what God is telling you or having a quality time with God. The fact that Jesus says "Go into your room and close the door behind you" is really saying 'go to a place with no distractions.' Fasting lets us be fully present with God.
Fasting isn't a genie bottle method.
You don't fast to get what you want but to discover God's will. It is a time to seek direction, peace and transformation and to become more Christ like and not more world like. God's will never increases the flesh but increases the Spirit. Flesh is the flaw of man and the Spirit is the flawlessness of God. (Galatians 5:19-24)
I met discipline and he told me to tell you hello!
If we are serious about bringing ourselves into submission with God then we have to train ourselves to be consistent. Stop thinking that discipline comes in a package somewhere at a mall because it doesn't. It starts with commitment and not with excuses.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Adventures
Growing up, I've always desired to live beyond my imagination. There were a lot of times I thought it was just day dreaming but my heart knew that what I dreamed of could be done. So to every person I met in all my travels doing missionary work, I am pleased to say this blog is for those who believed and helped and more importantly loved me.
I've always told my story in summary but never spoke about the doubts, victories, pains, hurts, fearful moments, or the greatest moments I've experiences. Donald Miller once said "Your story is worth telling". And I believed it for whatever reason. So this blog is my story.
A few lessons I've learned in this adventure of life:
1- The friends you start with might not make it with you to the end for good or bad reasons. But there is always more people you'll meet as you move forward. The new friends might not be the same old friends but you learn to love differently as you do life with them.
2- There are times you are going to face a lot of people who will look at your life and doubt that you'll become anything in this lifetime. But we're called to live in a manner of living with all our minds, heart, strength, not the mind, heart and strength of other people. People will fail us no matter who it is but keep focused on what is ahead (Christ)
3- The biggest threat and doubter is going to be yourself in this adventure of life. It is not you that changes the world but a great God changes the world.
4- The moment you settle is the moment you believe you are at the end of your journey. DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS!
5- People will talk about you and live off on your failures. Jesus says; Take off anything that entangles you and run the race and fix your eyes on Jesus not on your failures or mistakes and start running forward.
6- Always remember to think like a rich man and live like the poor man but never ever accept a poverty mindset in your life.
A rich man thinks he "able to do so" on whatever it is and the poor man is focused on living with the simplest lifestyle, but the poverty mindset doesn't believe in quality.
7- Lastly, Always remember when you are doing what God tells you. You have to remember that your destination is going to be a priceless moment that money can't buy or all the pleasures in the world isn't worth the trade because it God's will is like an adventure that you find an original mystery that no one could possibly understand unless they've been with you. That when I say you've found a piece of yourself.
I've always told my story in summary but never spoke about the doubts, victories, pains, hurts, fearful moments, or the greatest moments I've experiences. Donald Miller once said "Your story is worth telling". And I believed it for whatever reason. So this blog is my story.
A few lessons I've learned in this adventure of life:
1- The friends you start with might not make it with you to the end for good or bad reasons. But there is always more people you'll meet as you move forward. The new friends might not be the same old friends but you learn to love differently as you do life with them.
2- There are times you are going to face a lot of people who will look at your life and doubt that you'll become anything in this lifetime. But we're called to live in a manner of living with all our minds, heart, strength, not the mind, heart and strength of other people. People will fail us no matter who it is but keep focused on what is ahead (Christ)
3- The biggest threat and doubter is going to be yourself in this adventure of life. It is not you that changes the world but a great God changes the world.
4- The moment you settle is the moment you believe you are at the end of your journey. DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS!
5- People will talk about you and live off on your failures. Jesus says; Take off anything that entangles you and run the race and fix your eyes on Jesus not on your failures or mistakes and start running forward.
6- Always remember to think like a rich man and live like the poor man but never ever accept a poverty mindset in your life.
A rich man thinks he "able to do so" on whatever it is and the poor man is focused on living with the simplest lifestyle, but the poverty mindset doesn't believe in quality.
7- Lastly, Always remember when you are doing what God tells you. You have to remember that your destination is going to be a priceless moment that money can't buy or all the pleasures in the world isn't worth the trade because it God's will is like an adventure that you find an original mystery that no one could possibly understand unless they've been with you. That when I say you've found a piece of yourself.
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