While this rings true in most areas of our lives, eventually there will arise unforeseen circumstances which we have not prepared for. Eventually the weather man will be wrong, and we will be caught in the rain without an umbrella. Eventually the wise saying your mother instilled in you will let you down. Eventually Old Murphy will sneak some variables into your life which will upset your plans and preferences. In these times, are we to simply do the first thing that presents itself as a reasonable option? If it doesn’t work out, we can sheepishly shrug it off as “it seemed like a good idea at the time.” Are we to simply go with the flow? Elect a new president? Go watch a movie? Ask your Facebook friends if they have any ideas? Perhaps there is a better way of handling the unanticipated. Isaiah 46:10 states that God declares the end from the beginning. God is never caught off guard. God is prepared and aware of every circumstance and trial which His people will face—and He already has the solution.

Deuteronomy is a covenant treaty between the King, God, and His subjects, Israel. Israel was called out of slavery (Exodus) to serve God in a far off land. He was the only King they needed, speaking and directing the under-shepherds Moses and Joshua. Helping Moses and Joshua was a system of elders who oversaw various divisions of the people. Yet God, in His perfect foreknowledge, knew Israel would desire a human king to rule over them (Duet 17:14). Although God was actually rejected by this action (I Sam 8:7) He was yet merciful to provide a set of instructions for this future king including humility, a dedication to the law of God, and a refusal to compromise the good of the people for his own gain. This highlights two encouraging points 1) God is so loving that even in rejection, He provides the best for his children. 2) God is prepared for every problem we may face, no matter how devastating. Be reminded, Israel was God’s people. The modern equivalent is Christianity rejecting God in pursuit of a man. But even if this did happen, God would raise up a David, a prophet Nathan, or a Josiah.

Today we face many obstacles which our generation has never faced before. In America, homosexuality, abortion, crime, Islamic activists, economic crisis, political incompetence, even the emerging church present complications and difficulties which I haven’t a clue how to overcome. Personally, I have more academic, work related, financial, and church responsibilities than have I ever had. If something tragic happened in my life, I have no idea how I would handle it. But I do know that for every wilderness there is manna. For every fire, there is a fourth man. For every captive there is liberty in the Spirit. And for every lost soul there is a Savior named Jesus. Do not worry about the circumstances you cannot control; instead ask Him to direct your path, for He has a plan already in place.

I came across that quote the other day, and it rings so true. I have done a little boxing in my life, but because of my lack of training I find myself panting heavily only halfway through the first round.

I’ve discovered that it’s not nearly as easy to dance around avoiding right hooks, left jabs and random bull charges (courtesy of my older cousin) as it looks when Sugar Ray Robinson, Ali, Mayweather, or any other boxing great steps into the ring.  What’s the reason for this?  Well, it seems pretty simple: training, training, training.  Every day, going to the gym and working hard.  Since I hadn’t been doing that I tired quickly.  The same is true in the spiritual realm.  As one of the speakers put it at Northeast Youth Explosion this year, “the things you do at home are the things that will come out in great moments.” That’s where daily prayer and Bible reading come in.

The most important part of my day is when I first wake up and commit my day to serving Christ. I crucify my fleshly desires, human lusts, and anything that would hinder God from using me or leading me. Then I put on the whole armor of God according to Ephesians 6:13. Here’s the thing: I want to live my life for God. All of it. Not just Sunday morning, midweek meetings, and youth group.  Not just when people are watching, but all day, every day. I don’t want to tire out before the end of the fight, like Paul talks about in I Corinthians 9. It’s not always easy, but as Ali also said, “we have one life; it soon will be past; what we do for God is all that will last.”

Do you want to finish strong? How do you train yourself in Godly discipline? Tell us in the comments.