Discipline is Not a Bad Word

My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:11-12 NLT

God disciplines because He IS love and wants the very best for us. His desire is for us to fulfill our God-given purpose. Discipline is necessary. Proverbs 13:24 tells us, Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.  God's plan is that parents discipline with love, but sadly, not everyone's parents are/were like that. 

My sister and I talked about it a little bit today - the discipline we received as children would be a chargeable offense today. My siblings and I choose to make humor a way of dealing with hurt. My way to define it is simply to say, "I'm not fat. I'm permanently swollen from being beaten as a child." Through God's forgiveness, I can laugh about it now. I can't change what happened. I can only change how I feel about it. Choosing forgiveness allows us to laugh about it, releases hurt and bitterness, and allows us to get on with this beautiful gift known as life. 

The Truth is that discipline is not fun either way. Hebrews 12:11 NLT tells us, No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Selah...

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for loving us and caring enough about our lives to discipline us, as needed. We are thankful for Your love to keep guiding us in the right way to grow and live. We want to be God-pleasers, doing Your will from our hearts, in service to You. Help us, Father, to fulfill Your will and purpose for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Through the Bible in a Year
Reading for January 13th
Genesis 28:1-29:35

Matthew 9:18-38

Psalm 11:1-7

Proverbs 3:11-12

Not Accidental

Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:12 NLT

Commitment is not haphazard. It is intentional. Wisdom is not gained by accident. It is obtained by diligently seeking for it, by gaining knowledge of God's Word, and then actively, appropriately applying it to our lives. Do a search for Scriptures about learning, knowledge, instruction. You will quickly see how important - and necessary - it is to your life.

Proverbs 9:8b-9 tells us plainly, Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. Throughout Scripture, we are advised to remain teachable, to walk in humility, and to be able to receive instruction. Proverbs 19:20 tells us, Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. We cannot grow in Christ if we harden our hearts to Godly correction and instruction. 

Prayer:

Father, 

           We pray Your Word - We will do our best to present ourselves to You as those approved, workers who have no need to be ashamed, rightly handling Your Word of Truth. We want Your wisdom, Lord.  Teach us to do Your will, for You are our God! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen