Rewards of Discipline

Christian non-fiction, devotional, poetry, Ponderings, prayer, Revival, Sunrises – Pictures

Rewards of Discipline

Published by

Heidi Viars

April 16, 2014

Each morning, before heading out for a walk, I battle my unwilling flesh. My heart wants to seek God in His creation, yet I fight to stay comfortable in my own creations. I desire to be close to God, yet my Bible lays unopened on my coffee table. I long to meet God in prayer, yet I so often give into my wandering thoughts.

There are great rewards in discipline. This morning the blessing of the early morning overwhelmed me. Young eagles soared above my head, reminding me to surrender my desires to a great God, whose ways and thoughts are far beyond my own.

“Lord, draw my heart.
Break my prideful will and turn me into an obedient vessel,
surrendered to your ways,
which are higher than my own.”
~
“My heart and ways are earthly bound.
My mind and eyes draw from this ground.

God, draw my will to ways above.
Move me to see Your ways of love.

For all Your ways are good for me.
They’re higher than I dare to see.

Your thoughts are not like mine at all.
May Your ways be my will and call.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.“
Isaiah 55:9
~
(Pictures and words, Heidi Viars, 2014)

30 responses to “Rewards of Discipline”

Unshakable Hope

April 21, 2014

Very inspirational words and beautiful pictures, Heidi. Awesome!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  April 21, 2014
  
  Dearest Bill, you have been on my mind much these days. As we embark some difficult challenges for our family, God has used you more times than you can imagine, to bring the Unshakeable Hope to my mind. Eternity will bring an opportunity to tell you how much your blog and words mean to me! Many unshakable blessings your way, dearest brother!
  
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Nancy Ruegg

April 17, 2014

It’s encouraging to know that I’m not alone in my distaste of discipline! I hate exercising, but I do it because I like the results. The same principle of focusing on the rewards can help motivate the spiritual disciplines of Bible study and prayer, scripture memorization and worship. Great blessings await! Thank you, Heidi, for the inspiration!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  April 18, 2014
  
  Thank you for your words of encouragement, Nancy. I also struggle with memorizing the Word … I am grateful for God’s unfailing love and His patience with us 🙂 Have a wonderfully blessed Easter, dear blogging friend!
  
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Chris Ludbrook

April 17, 2014

Beautiful photos and message, thank you for sharing

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  April 18, 2014
  
  We serve a beautiful God, Chris :-). Thanks for your words of encouragement.
  
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Heights of Love

April 17, 2014

Beautiful words, thank you for these important reminders!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  April 18, 2014
  
  Thank you, Rebecca, for stopping by. Blessing to you on this Easter!
  
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pattisj

April 16, 2014

You said that very well! Nice sunrise.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  April 17, 2014
  
  Thank you for reading, dearest Patti. A few mornings in a row, God displayed these marvelous sunrises. What a faithful God we serve! Happy Easter to you and your family.
  
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  1. pattisj
    
    April 17, 2014
    
    Thanks, Heidi.. Happy Easter to you and yours.
    
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Cynthia Guenther Richardson

April 16, 2014

Good message. Lovely pictures–you are fortunate to live near water!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  April 17, 2014
  
  I do feel so incredibly blessed, Cynthia … I grew up with lots of woods and water and for the longest time “wandered in desserts” … God has given me this undeserved gift of living in this wonderful area. Thanks for letting me share. Happy Easter to you!
  
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  1. Cynthia Guenther Richardson
    
    April 17, 2014
    
    Wonderful–my preferred landscape–plus mountains which I am mad about in OR.–And I get it! I am one who strayed from the path too many times despite loving God always. Sober for 23 years. Happy Easter to you and yours, as well!
    
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Debbie

April 16, 2014

Thank you for encouraging us to be disciplined in such a beautiful way! God bless you , Heidi, and those precious times with Him!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  April 17, 2014
  
  Thank you for your always encouraging comments. We do serve a wonderful God who longs for us to know His abiding presence. What a blessing it is to share with like-minded brothers and sisters, like you, what He is teaching this stubborn heart. Thanks also for blogging again!!!!! YOU ARE A BLESSING!
  
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Starralee

April 16, 2014

Beautiful truths, Heidi! Okay, I can’t resist this: I leave my Bible open all the time, so just in case I don’t get to today’s reading–maybe, maybe the Word will mingle with the dust motes in the air and land on my head and heart. (but most days I’m disciplined)

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  April 17, 2014
  
  I love the thought of leaving the Bible open during the day … (and I could really benefit from some dust-osmosis 🙂 ) … Thanks for being such an encouragement and bringing smiles to my day!!! Blessings to you this Easter, dear friend!
  
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  1. Starralee
    
    April 17, 2014
    
    Easter Week is like pre-Christmas, but not. There’s a lot of heavy-duty reflection about the cross–which I used to dwell on way too much and get so depressed that I couldn’t enjoy Easter Sunday at all. But HE’s brought me through all that, so I can be mindful, reflective and pensive, and appreciative–and then truly Celebrate “He Lives!” Have a super Easter–set a place at the table for me, and I’ll put out a plate for you here!
    
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    1. Heidi Viars
      
      April 18, 2014
      
      I will be setting a place for you, dear friend … I think while it might be tad crazy at our place, there is always enough room for one more … after all it’s not really about the room one has in a house, but more about the room one has in the head 🙂 Blessings to you, dear friend!!!
      
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      1. Starralee
        
        April 18, 2014
        
        We should all fly down to Texas and crash my cousin’s Easter bash–talk about crazy, el huge-o crowd of people, lots of good bar-b-q and other foods!
        
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theywhoseek

April 16, 2014

Heidi, your thoughts bring to mind my own wandering ones. May the Lord give us all minds that stay focused on Him in everything, for everything . . . always! ~ Blessings to you my poet friend ~

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  April 17, 2014
  
  Thank you, Debbie, for your words of encouragement. I am grateful He is so patient with us when the world distracts our wandering thoughts. Have a wonderful Easter, friend!
  
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Susan Irene Fox

April 16, 2014

Oh, I know the feeling. And when I set my mind on Him instead of me, the beauty, wisdom and peace greet me in such amazing ways. I treasure how you capture the beauty that He sets before you. Thank you!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  April 17, 2014
  
  You are so right, HE is the One who places the beauty of His creation before us … It’s such a blessing to share some of these precious moments … Thanks for sharing them with me! Blessings to you and a wonderful Easter to you and your family, Susan.
  
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  1. Susan Irene Fox
    
    April 17, 2014
    
    You, too, Heidi. ❤
    
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Kathie at hisglorysm

April 16, 2014

Thank you Heidi, I really needed this today. I’m going to print this up to memorize your lovely words of encouragement. Happy Easter!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  April 17, 2014
  
  If anything I said blessed you, I praise the Lord. He is so good to us, Kathie! Happy Easter to you and your family, dear blogging friend!
  
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Skye

April 16, 2014

Oh, Heidi…it is so true!! The rewards of a disciplined life are incredibly wonderful!! Praise the Lord!!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  April 17, 2014
  
  Yes, Skye, praise the Lord indeed! Thank you for your continued encouragement, through your posts and comments 🙂 … much love
  
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