Embrace Discipline
I am a learner. I love digging in and studying Scripture. I also love teaching. Teaching is actually the way I learn best. So thank you in advance for allowing me to share.
Recently I have been feeling the Lord's correction. I can quickly become legalistic and do things through my own strength. So before diving into the areas God prompted me to work on, I really wanted to learn more about His discipline. So here goes...
Recently I have been feeling the Lord's correction. I can quickly become legalistic and do things through my own strength. So before diving into the areas God prompted me to work on, I really wanted to learn more about His discipline. So here goes...
GOD DISCIPLINES BECAUSE HE LOVES US
Hebrews 12:6 says:
My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline,
but don’t be crushed by it either.
It’s the child he loves that he disciplines;
the child he embraces, he also corrects.
The Bible says over and over that God disciplines those he loves, just as a father disciplines
the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:12
As a parent, I want the very best for
my children. It is my job to train, equip, and prepare them for life. Part of
that training is discipline. The same is true of our relationship with God. He
wants the very best for us. And his best requires training, equipping,
preparation, and yes discipline.
OUR PART: don't shrug off His
discipline, embrace it.
* Remember discipline is for our
good, because He loves us.
DISCIPLINE IN A LONG-DISTANCE RACE
I love the AMP version of Hebrews 12:1-2:
...let us run with endurance and
active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that
will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter
of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith
to maturity]
We are to actively look away
from our sin and distractions. Distractions are unnecessary weight and they can
easily entangle us. We are to practice right living. This is a lifelong race, one that will be won, little
by little, every day.
The areas in which God has been disciplining me aren't inherently bad, but they do distract me. So it's time to get rid of the distractions!
The areas in which God has been disciplining me aren't inherently bad, but they do distract me. So it's time to get rid of the distractions!
OUR PART: Answer these
questions: What distracts you?
In what areas do you feel the Lord
correcting you?
* Remember little by little, day by
day.
THE WHY
At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always
feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off
handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their
relationship with God. Hebrews 12:11, MSG
I think we can all agree, discipline is not fun. So
why do it? Why invest time and energy into something that is flat out hard and
not fun? Here's why...
We are blessed, joyful, happy when we observe God's
rules, and wholeheartedly search for him. We can truly live when embrace
his training. We discover our purpose through obedience. We will become mature
in our relationship with God. It brings glory to God.
Psalm 119:2, Hebrews 12:9-10, Romans 6:19, Hebrews
12:11, John 15:8
I want all of those things listed above!
I want all of those things listed above!
OUR PART: Write down the benefits of your obedience, then place it somewhere you will see it every day.
* Remember obedience pays off handsomely
HOW
• Lets not try to do this on our own. I think my favorite prayer is "God help me." Remember He is our Advocate, which means He is in our corner cheering for and supporting us!
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5
• We need to help each other!
So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging
your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and
fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out.
And run for it! Hebrews 12:12-13, MSG
• Make the decision to obey.
It is just that simple.
And that hard.
We have to make up our minds to just DO what God has said.
It is just that simple.
And that hard.
We have to make up our minds to just DO what God has said.
Do not merely listen to the word, and
so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22
My "plan" to walk in obedience is pretty simple:
Embrace His discipline.
Seek God daily and ask for His help.
Remember all of the benefits this will bring.
I hope this encourages you to embrace His discipline and know that He only wants what is best for you.
Embrace His discipline.
Seek God daily and ask for His help.
Remember all of the benefits this will bring.
I hope this encourages you to embrace His discipline and know that He only wants what is best for you.
Comments
Post a Comment