Showing posts with label discipline. Show all posts
Showing posts with label discipline. Show all posts

Monday, August 28, 2017

Friend Or Foe?

James wrote, “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord!”
God’s power to heal has an important place in Scripture. In fact, of the 1,257 narrative verses in the four Gospels, 484 are related specifically to healing. We believe in God’s healing power and know He can heal. David also believed in God’s healing power and believed that God could heal him. But where did David begin in his plea for God’s help?
David was hanging on to life by a thread. He felt total rejection by God because of a major sin he had committed. It had become a burden that was too heavy to bear, too big to overlook and too obvious to ignore. In fact he said that God “pierced him and His hand came down hard upon him.” He knew he was being punished by God for sinning against God.
After thoroughly describing his mental, physical and spiritual sicknesses he cried out, “I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.” In his wisdom and from his former relationship with God, he realized that God would not bring about physical and mental healing unless David first confessed his need for spiritual healing.
There can be little doubt that sin and physical and mental illnesses are intimately connected. Yet, many only want God’s physical and mental healing. With God, all healing begins with confession and repentance – spiritual healing.
Prayer: When we need healing, Lord, may we repent; ask for forgiveness and grace and then healing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture for Today: Psalm 38:1 LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

Friend Or Foe?

James wrote, “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord!”
God’s power to heal has an important place in Scripture. In fact, of the 1,257 narrative verses in the four Gospels, 484 are related specifically to healing. We believe in God’s healing power and know He can heal. David also believed in God’s healing power and believed that God could heal him. But where did David begin in his plea for God’s help?
David was hanging on to life by a thread. He felt total rejection by God because of a major sin he had committed. It had become a burden that was too heavy to bear, too big to overlook and too obvious to ignore. In fact he said that God “pierced him and His hand came down hard upon him.” He knew he was being punished by God for sinning against God.
After thoroughly describing his mental, physical and spiritual sicknesses he cried out, “I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.” In his wisdom and from his former relationship with God, he realized that God would not bring about physical and mental healing unless David first confessed his need for spiritual healing.
There can be little doubt that sin and physical and mental illnesses are intimately connected. Yet, many only want God’s physical and mental healing. With God, all healing begins with confession and repentance – spiritual healing.
Prayer: When we need healing, Lord, may we repent; ask for forgiveness and grace and then healing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture for Today: Psalm 38:1 LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

Monday, December 12, 2016

I'd Give My Right Arm

Haven’t you heard the expression, “I’d give my right arm for that?” A thief did. He broke the window of a store to steal a television. As he reached his arm through the broken glass, a falling section of glass severed it above the elbow.
If we had the chance to ask that thief if he would chose to give up his arm for a television, there is little doubt that he would not agree to do so. Yet, each day we trade what is eternally valuable for temporary treasures and pleasures.
We work hard and invest ourselves – our time, talents and treasures – for “things” that are temporal and soon become worthless. “Things” that once had significance and meaning become worthless and outdated. We make sacrifices for what we deem important at that moment. Ask yourself this question: What sacrifices am I making for Christ? He has called us to take up our cross and follow Him. What are you willing to give up in order to be a follower of Christ? He wants us to give up everything for Him.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see my life the way that You see it. I am sure that there are some things I need to be doing that I am not doing and some things that I need to stop doing. Give me insight and courage to make the necessary corrections for Your sake. In Your Name. Amen.
Scripture: Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Guidance For Life

General Robert E. Lee is remembered for his greatness as a military leader. His heroic life is well documented and his accomplishments are still studied by military leaders today.
Toward the end of his life he was asked to attend the christening of a child. The mother, pleased at his presence, wanted it to be remembered by all that were there. “General Lee,” she began, “you have achieved a great place in history. Give us a word that will guide our son through life.”
After thinking for a moment, General Lee cleared his throat and said to those gathered around him, “I have had one creed all of my life that has guided me through many struggles and much suffering. Teach him,” he advised the parents, “to deny himself.” Nothing new here.
Years ago Jesus said, “If any of you want to be my followers, you must put aside your selfish ambitions, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you keep your life for yourself, you will lose it.”
His followers understood that, too. Following Him meant making a commitment that could lead to death on a cross – but ultimately, life everlasting.
Prayer: Father, we all want lives of comfort and convenience and not the cross. Empower us to deny ourselves and serve You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Scripture for Today: Matthew 16:24-28 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Warm Words And A Sincere Smile

Years ago at a missionary conference in London, a gracious man with an inviting smile noticed a young boy standing alone looking puzzled. Softly he asked, “Would you like to be a missionary?”
“Oh yes,” he answered, “yes, I would!”
And he did. He became one of the world’s most famous missionaries as well as an explorer in Africa. Years later, David Livingstone said, “It was that smile, gentle question and expression of kindness that led me to become a missionary.”
It is easy to overlook those who appear to be unimportant or seem to have no significance. We often consider them the “least in the Kingdom of God” – assuming that they have little worth in serving the Lord.
Jesus picked men to be His disciples who were considered “ordinary men.” But those “ordinary men” preached sermons, wrote books, established the Church, grew the Kingdom and reached the world because some One said, “Follow me!”
Prayer: Father, open our eyes to those around us who we may invite to work with us to reach the lost. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture for Today: Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Monday, March 9, 2015

Discipline Or Death?

Solomon was widely recognized for his insightful proverbs. There were many who did not worship his God but respected and followed the advice that was embedded in his wisdom. Many of his proverbs were written for his sons. But they were not intended to be limited to “sons.” They were written to provide guidance for all fathers and mothers of all times and in all cultures.

A recurring theme throughout Proverbs is the importance of discipline. Sometimes we are reminded that self-discipline is a life-long, never-ending necessity. But on one occasion he reminds fathers, which is also intended to include mothers, that there are some children who require life-long discipline which hopefully and eventually may accomplish its purpose. But parents are to persevere!

“Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death,” is a rather stark warning. There may be times when parents think that education or guidance or advice or opportunity or wealth may bring hope for their children’s future. But what value are all those things without discipline? The underlying rule to what he is saying is this: “The undisciplined life is not worth living because it will certainly end in death!”

What a vivid warning: If we who are parents do not make discipline the most important priority in the life of our children, we willingly - and now knowingly - contribute to their death! This is breathtaking and frightening. And notice that there is no age limit to discipling a child. Whenever a child needs discipline, parents are to step in and intervene! A child is never beyond the need for discipline if it is necessary or required and will honor God.

Discipline may not be accepted and parents must never give up hope. And there is one simple, Biblical rule we are to apply: the “if/then” rule - If you want our help, then you must honor Him.

Prayer:  It’s not easy, Father, to be a parent. But You are our example. If we want You to bless us, we must apply Your rules. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

Friday, January 30, 2015

There Is A Difference

We often apply words without understanding the importance of their exact meaning. The word “ignorant” is a good example. To be sure, I am “ignorant” about many things. I know nothing about “quantum physics” but that does not mean I am “dumb.” I cannot fly an airplane, but that does not mean I am “stupid.” Rather, I am “ignorant” about quantum physics and how to fly an airplane.

Being ignorant differs from “ignoring” something. It means that I lack knowledge or information about a particular subject. It may or may not impact on my life in a harmful way. But if I “ignore” something important or significant that can affect my well-being that is different.

Discipline is something not to be ignored because it has serious consequences. “He who ignores discipline despises himself; but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.” It is a conscious rejection or refusal to accept discipline or even the willingness to consider it as an important aspect in life. Solomon says that a person who ignores discipline “despises himself” or is “unwilling to be corrected.” This often refers to “personal pride” or an unwillingness to see myself as I am. It is though I say to myself, “It does not matter what the truth is about me, I refuse to admit it.”

If we look at this from another perspective, it is the same as a sinner saying to God, “I don't need You. I can make it by myself. I need nothing - including You.”

However, if we accept “God’s correction” we not only gain understanding, we receive all He has to offer us.

Prayer:  Thank You, Father, for all we have because of Your love. May we gladly accept Your correction and life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 15:32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

"If You Really Love Me..."

Corporal punishment of children is not considered to be an enlightened way of disciplining children. Actually, it is in direct opposition to the majority of the theories of psychology and changing behavior. But God does in fact include it as part of His program of parenting skills that can lead a child to maturity. Parents who choose not to use this form of discipline do not demonstrate that they possess a “higher degree” of parenting skills or that they love their children more than other parents. In essence, according to God’s program of child rearing they do not love their children as much as those who “use a rod.”

The words “hate” and “love” in this verse are not to be seen as comparing love and hate in an emotional sense. In other words, to withhold a spanking is not a sign that “I love my child more than you do yours,” it could be a sign that “I am willing to sacrifice my child’s future well-being because I want him to like me,” or “I would rather have the approval of society than God,” or “I know of other children who were spanked and they did not end up so good.” We must always be cautious about whose approval we are seeking: our child’s, man’s or God’s.

Disciplining children is painful - especially corporal discipline which is clear from this passage of Scripture. But if the discipline is associated with breaking the teachings of God’s laws - lying, stealing, being disrespectful of others - then it is appropriate. Children must be informed that “If you lie to me, then you will be spanked” is in keeping with God’s laws. Discipline is to bring conformity to God’s ways.

Prayer:  Father, help us to discipline our children when they disregard Your laws and willingly choose evil. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

A Goal For... 2016?

What? A goal for 2016 before completing the first day of 2015?

Why not?

Most of our “Resolutions for 2015” are, in fact, goals of one sort or another. Some resolutions will challenge us to “aim high” while others are “recycled” because they were “trashed” due to “lack of interest or difficulty.” Some will bring laughter because they are so ridiculous while others will encourage us to stretch and grow and develop the gifts, skills and talents that God has given us.

Perhaps the best part of a resolution is the fact that it forces us to focus on the future - whether we want to or not. Tomorrow will soon become today and 2015 will be 2016 leaving us with some memories that we did not plan, want or feel we deserved. We have no power over time or some events - nor the ability to stop, start or delay them.

But we all have “attitudes” about things that we can alter or even change completely. If we willingly seek God’s knowledge, we can change any attitude that could keep us from accomplishing the plan He has for our lives.

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge - but - he who hates correction is stupid.” Being willing to allow God to discipline or correct us proves to Him that we love Him and want Him to guide us even though it may be painful or uncomfortable. He knows what we need!

Otherwise, Solomon would classify us as “stupid” or not having “rational thoughts.” When God disciplines us it is for our good and His glory because He loves us!

Prayer:  We are blest, Father, to know that You want Your very best for each of us. Guide and guard us always! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Knowledge And Discipline

It was obvious to Solomon.

People who want wisdom are willing to pay the price to get it - because they “love” it. There is even a willingness to be disciplined, if necessary, to obtain wisdom.

People who “hate correction” or discipline, on the other hand, are considered “stupid.”

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid,” wrote Solomon. There is a price to be paid for everything: even knowledge. In this verse, the author uses two interesting words to describe the attitude of one who wants “knowledge” or one who is content to be “stupid” - love and hate.
Here, however, they are not connected to an emotional state. They focus on the priorities of an individual. If a person wants knowledge, it must be a libeling priority. If a person wants to be stupid, the only requirement is to refuse to learn or be corrected.

Knowledge and wisdom have very similar meanings in the Bible. In fact, they are almost synonymous, are life-giving, life-sustaining, life-enhancing and require one thing in common: the person who wants them, must at all costs, embrace “discipline.” To “get” one, wisdom, we must endure the other, discipline.

Interestingly, the word stupid is found five times in the Old Testament. It is used to portray a dense, dumb animal as well as a man who is unkind and runs roughshod over people.

To refuse discipline, then, lowers the status of a person. To accept it opens the door to successful living.

Prayer:  How blest we are, Father, for the opportunities You give us to achieve great things. Help us to persevere. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

"Oh, Oh, Here Comes My Dad!"

It was a beautiful fall evening in Lorain, Ohio. My friends and I were sitting on the steps of The Garfield Elementary School when I looked up the street and saw the outline of a man against the setting sun. There was no doubt it was my Dad. He had a very distinct limp that set him apart from others.

So, when I saw the limp, I went limp. With great fear I uttered, “Oh, Oh. Here comes my Dad.” Not that I expected him to join the “group” and enjoy the evening with us. I feared his arrival because I was disobedient.
 
“Be home before dark, or else.” He never finished the “or else.” The “else” was always consistent with what I had done or not done. And, it was always something that would serve my best interests. The one I most remember was having to read or practice the piano before going to be with my friends after school. On occasion, it took several hours of practice. And, on occasion, there was the “rod.”

But he was never unfair. Never inconsiderate. Never a disciplinarian without a reason for his “chastisement.” What he did was done for my sake: to protect me from harming myself or others. How Fatherly like! His goal? My best!

So it is with God. Whenever we put our wants ahead of His needs, hopefully, He will intervene and place us on the correct path.  As His children, we can expect Him to use various means to correct us: financial loss because of greed or even suffering to draw us back to His side to make us plead for His mercy and grace and healing.

Prayer:  Give us a willing spirit, Father, to accept Your discipline when we walk in paths that would harm us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 3:11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Attention!

There are very few pictures of “attention” that can rival a US Marine standing tall after hearing that word. As soon as that “word” is shouted by the appropriate person, heels come together, muscles tighten and faces freeze as though they were carved in granite. Persons who have served in the military know the significance of that word: that external rigidity that is so visible to the onlooker represents an internal attitude of concentration that is waiting for a command to be obeyed and followed with no hesitation.

Throughout His Word, God uses many different ways to get the “attention” of His children. There are times when He speaks directly to a person. There are times when He speaks through a person. But when God wants the attention of His children, He has many options.

We read in Job that one of His options to get our attention is through suffering: “For He wounds, but He also binds up; He injures, but His hand also heals.”

Proverbs 1:2 has a word that can be translated instruction, discipline, training and chastened. But, in this instance, there is no doubt that it means “to teach by discipline” or “punishment.”

We often hear stories about people who “have to hit bottom” before they are willing to do something about the problem that is destroying them. God uses suffering to get our attention by “raising the bottom” because He loves us.

“...the Lord disciplines those He loves.” God uses discipline to get our “attention” when we abandon Him.

Prayer: Lord, we know You love us. Do whatever is necessary to keep us in Your will - even if we must suffer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 1:2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Make Me Good, Daddy

Recently a new diagnosis was introduced to explain the out-of-control behavior of a high school student. While under the influence of alcohol, he killed four people with his automobile. Rather than charging him with vehicular manslaughter and sentencing him to spend time in a correctional facility, he was given probation for “affluenza,” an entirely new mental disorder.

Many were curious about the cause of this “disease” until a psychiatrist explained its source: it came from parents who gave their child everything he wanted, held him accountable for nothing and as a result he never learned right from wrong.

However, this is not the way our Heavenly Father “educates” us. One of His “children” provided us with an insightful detail into His method of child-rearing: “The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death.”

The word “chasten” means to “punish, restrain or moderate” someone’s behavior. So, when God “chastens” us, He is in fact confronting our un-Christ-like behavior and urging us to repent. We are instructed in God’s Word to “let God train you, for He is doing what any loving father does for his children. For whoever heard of a son who was never corrected.”

One day a father found it necessary to chastise his son. After the punishment he looked at his Dad and said, “I understand, Dad. I did wrong and you were trying to make me good. I know you love me, Dad, and I love you.”

Prayer: Father, keep us focused on living as Your Son, our Savior lived and correct us swiftly when we go astray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 118:18 The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Pain Management

“This is going to hurt me more than it does you,” said the father to his young son as he took him from the family room for interrupting our conversation. I’d heard that statement many times and always wondered what the parent wanted the child to understand when it was used. If it was used to redirect a child’s behavior and teach him or her an important lesson about life, why not say so. That’s what the author of Psalm 94 meant when he wrote, “If God disciplines you, consider yourself blessed” or “full of blessings!”

To discipline means “to teach.” Discipline is not punishment as we understand it - though it may involve suffering and loss, disappointment and feelings of rejection. When God disciplines us, it is His method to bring us back to live within His commandments and laws and the teachings of Jesus. It is about “getting our attention” when we are overcome by temptation and fall into sin. It’s about being confronted by God when He corrects us for allowing the “things or the people or the attractions of this world” to take His place. It is about worshiping those things rather than the Creator of those “things.”

One of the blessings of discipline is that it has long term benefits for the Christian. If in His mercy He brings loss or suffering to teach us a lesson today, and if we are willing to learn from the loss or suffering when it happens, we will be spared from greater losses or more suffering in the future - and bring more honor to Him.

Prayer:  May we understand, Father, that when You discipline us it is a sign of Your love and care for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 94:12a Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord,

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Rules And Records

Greg was having a difficult time doing his homework knowing that his favorite sports program was on TV. “Mom,” he asked, “can I just this once watch TV before I do my homework?”

“You know the rules,” came her quick reply. “No TV until your homework is finished!”

“But, Mom,” he protested, “rules are made to be broken.”

“No,” she said, “records are made to be broken!”

“OK, Mom,” he said, “then what’s the record for the most rules ever broken?”

Paul spoke of a rule he honored to achieve a record he wanted to set for God. “I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be.” After his conversion he lived his life for one purpose: to use all of his energies, all of his gifts and all of his time becoming who God wanted him to be and fulfilling the purpose that God had planned for Him!

As Christ’s disciples, we must never allow anything or anyone to cause us to take our eyes off of the goal that God has for each of us: being all that He has saved us for. Paul lived his life as though he were in training to compete in and win an athletic contest. He allowed nothing to interfere with his “training.” If something was harmful or distracting in his life, he would turn from it and not allow it to distract him from his calling.

Prayer: Father, empower us with Your Holy Spirit to live to achieve the goal You have set for each of us with dedication and determination to be who You want us to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

How A Child Spells Love

Children have a special way of spelling love. And it only includes one letter from the word, love. Children spell love: T-I-M-E! They hunger for our companionship more than any other gift we can give them. No amount of toys, pets, gifts or devices can take the place of Sunday school teacher or youth leaders. Time shared with a child is an opportunity to make a difference in eternity - if the time is God-honoring.

Not long ago, while visiting with an executive, we were talking about the importance of helping children become who God would have them to be. Suddenly, he interrupted our conversation and called his secretary on the intercom and said, “I’ve decided to spend more time with my children. See how you can fit them into my schedule.”

The writer of Proverbs saw it quite differently. He very clearly stated that we are to, “Train up a child in the way he should go,” and in keeping with his individual gifts “and he will not depart from them.” God has given each child a particular set of skills or gifts or abilities that are in keeping with the plan He has for their life.

Parents and Christian leaders are responsible to God to recognize the potential and future that He has “locked-up” within that child. Parents and Christian leaders are obligated to God to “train” children to fulfill the plans He has for them. We are obligated to Him to follow His directions.

Prayer: We often cringe, Father, from what we see in the lives of children who do not know You - yet do little to help them. Burden us to work with You to save them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Friday, September 14, 2012

"Born To Run"

 On the wall behind the desk of a horse breeder is a picture of a new born colt. It appears to be only a few days old and seems as though it is having a difficult time struggling to stand up. It looks weak and wobbly even though the mother is nearby watching carefully. But underneath the picture are three words engraved on a bronze plate, “Born To Run.”

Bred into the genes of the colt are qualities of strength and success, endurance and energy. And even though the colt is unsure and unsteady as it struggles to stand tall, the potential for greatness is inside.

So it is with the Christian. When we are born again, God implants within us His strength and stamina, His power and the potential for a life of victory over sin. He gives us a purpose in life, goals to achieve and a message to proclaim.

With all of its potential the colt is not ready to run. It must endure hours of training and miles of running and learn obedience to its master.

So it is with the Christian. God has given us all that we need to achieve greatness in serving Him. But the greatness will not come unless we discipline ourselves to “study and meditate on the Book of the Law continually – day and night – so that we may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then,” Joshua says, “will we succeed!”

Prayer: Lord, we are so blessed to be called Your children and to be called to serve You. Help us to be strong, courageous and unafraid to run the race before us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Joshua 1:6-9 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. (Read more…)

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Higher! Faster!

A drill sergeant, wanting to get his recruits in shape, was pushing them harder and harder. Yelling at them loudly he said, “Fall on your backs. Now get your legs in the air. Now, make them go in circles like you’re riding a bicycle. Higher! Faster!” he shouted. But one recruit was lying quietly with his legs in a “V” position.

Walking over to where he was lying, he glared at him and demanded, “What are you doing? You are supposed to be riding a bicycle!”

“I am, Sir,” said the recruit. “But right now I’m coasting downhill!”

Paul once said, “I am focusing my energies on one thing…and…I am straining to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.” He was totally consumed with becoming who God wanted him to be so he could do what God called him to do. This took all of his energies. With the single-mindedness of an athlete in training he set aside everything that would distract him or destroy him from being an effective witness for Christ. There was no place in his training program for “coasting downhill” even if the wind was at his back.

As “saints in training” we, like Paul, must stay focused, be diligent, work earnestly, live obediently and strive constantly to receive the “prize” God has for us.

Prayer: Father, we call upon You to make us alert and aware of temptations that would limit our effectiveness. May we live disciplined, determined lives always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.