Fallen Condition Focus –
school holidays are coming, how are we going to discipline ourselves and our time?
11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)
There were some disturbing articles in the Straights Times lately. Last month there was a report that a teenager shot his mother dead and father in the US. In Singapore, an NTU student stabbed his professor and committed suicide; a SAF doctor was missing and found dead in Melbourne and police are still investigating the cause of the death. There was also a 17 year old boy who may be jailed for having sex with an underage girl. His case is pending. There is something in common in all these cases. All the person mentioned spend many hours in computer games or gaming websites. (In fact, the SAF doctor was a Singapore Champion and top ten in the world in the game WoW – World of Witchcraft).
Some experts were interview (Last Sunday Times) for their views on the relationship between gaming and these violent death. The general agreement was computer/online gaming are ok but prolong exposure to violent games does effect negative behaviour. One sign of it is that you feel easily angered.
I believe there are nothing wrong playing computer games. But it is what kind of games and how long you play that determines if our habits have become addictive and harmful. The key to keeping it under control is to discipline ourselves.
The passage I read to you tells us that discipline pays dividends.
God knows that discipline is not something in our nature. It is unpleasant. It can be painful. The passage says, “11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.” But God word promises that when we work with Him to discipline ourselves today, we will reap the benefits in the future. The passage says “Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
We have something to rejoice as a Nation. Our table tennis Olympics team won the silver medal at the recent Olympics. But we all know that behind silver medals are many years of sweat and hard training. Discipline is important if we want achieve our goal or prevent ourselves from developing unhealthy habits.
The one week term break is approaching. This is a time to exercise discipline. Determine how you are you going to spend your time daily. Ask, “much time will I allocate on the computer and internet.” Discipline yourself on what kind of games you will and not play. And I want to encourage you come out with a simple schedule that tells how much time you will put in for play, studies and family.
Discipline yourself now so that you can reap the benefits later!
11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)
There were some disturbing articles in the Straights Times lately. Last month there was a report that a teenager shot his mother dead and father in the US. In Singapore, an NTU student stabbed his professor and committed suicide; a SAF doctor was missing and found dead in Melbourne and police are still investigating the cause of the death. There was also a 17 year old boy who may be jailed for having sex with an underage girl. His case is pending. There is something in common in all these cases. All the person mentioned spend many hours in computer games or gaming websites. (In fact, the SAF doctor was a Singapore Champion and top ten in the world in the game WoW – World of Witchcraft).
Some experts were interview (Last Sunday Times) for their views on the relationship between gaming and these violent death. The general agreement was computer/online gaming are ok but prolong exposure to violent games does effect negative behaviour. One sign of it is that you feel easily angered.
I believe there are nothing wrong playing computer games. But it is what kind of games and how long you play that determines if our habits have become addictive and harmful. The key to keeping it under control is to discipline ourselves.
The passage I read to you tells us that discipline pays dividends.
God knows that discipline is not something in our nature. It is unpleasant. It can be painful. The passage says, “11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.” But God word promises that when we work with Him to discipline ourselves today, we will reap the benefits in the future. The passage says “Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
We have something to rejoice as a Nation. Our table tennis Olympics team won the silver medal at the recent Olympics. But we all know that behind silver medals are many years of sweat and hard training. Discipline is important if we want achieve our goal or prevent ourselves from developing unhealthy habits.
The one week term break is approaching. This is a time to exercise discipline. Determine how you are you going to spend your time daily. Ask, “much time will I allocate on the computer and internet.” Discipline yourself on what kind of games you will and not play. And I want to encourage you come out with a simple schedule that tells how much time you will put in for play, studies and family.
Discipline yourself now so that you can reap the benefits later!
A note of thanks to Pastor Srimal who has generously contributed the devotional materials that was shared with the pupils of Presbyterian High School on 12 March 2009.
The posting of this devotional is specially dedicated to the Christian parents who can now share with their child based on the school's weekly devotionals and their walk with Christ!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
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