He said, "if I sat in a room with a hundred people and asked the question,What are you grateful for today?, people would go on and on talking of the Lord's blessing and favor. His healing and provision. But it would be hours, if ever, that someone would say, 'I am thankful for the discipline of the Lord.'"
My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? Hebrews 12:5-7
Discipline: God as Father, chastening or training men as children by afflictions.
Hello. My name is Becky Crenshaw. And I am thankful for the Lord's discipline.
Why am I thankful? Because this verse tells me that God is treating me as His child. This week, there is NO DOUBT that I am accepted and loved by God.
Ted Tripp, author of Shepherding a Child's Heart, tells a story of one day being in line behind two men. These two gentlemen were talking about child-rearing. One dad said, "I hesitate to discipline my son. I don't want him thinking I don't love him." Ted Tripp wanted to scream...DISCIPLINING YOUR SON SHOWS HIM THAT YOU DO LOVE HIM!
Same goes with our Heavenly Father.
God "disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." Hebrews 12:10
The reward for my discipline is holiness? For real God? O.K., I'll take it.
What is going on with me you wonder? Well, without going all into it, which isn't necessary, I will say that I have a heart issue more than a behavior mishap.
The Word of God reveals the attitudes and intentions of my heart. His Word exposes sin. (Hebrews 4:12)
Every moment of my life, the Lord gives me choices. "What are you going to choose, Becky? Life or death? Blessing or curse? Truth or lie? Right or left? Right or wrong?"
"That... or Me?"
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life. Deuteronomy 30:19,20
Today I choose Him. Today I choose my Lord.
I choose Life.
Moment to moment. Endeavor upon endeavor. One encounter to another.
Him.
Thank you Lord for your discipline. I do not take it lightly. Thank you for loving me so much that it breaks your HEART when I walk the wrong way. Thank you that you call me your own. You love me as your child. Thank you that my good is your concern. This day I choose life. I choose You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Are you in a season of discipline? Do not grow weary. But be encouraged...
No 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
...Your later on is coming soon.
I have a heart issue right now, too. God is working in me, but I hadn't thought about what I've been going through with Him as discipline. I needed this today, Becky.
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