Let's read the following two verses that appear after today's title verse. "As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn't discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and not really His children at all." Hebrews 12:7-8 NLT.
How many times have you heard a child of God say when they were going through some tough times, I am really under attack from the enemy? Or have you ever wondered why God wasn't answering your prayers, at least not the way you wanted Him to? Ever opened the Word of God and nothing spoke to you, you couldn't even remember what you just read? Or you prayed and you felt like your prayers didn't get beyond the ceiling or maybe not even that high? We have all experienced these things!
Could we be experiencing the discipline of the Lord? Yes! What brings on the discipline of the Lord? As with everything else we find those answers in the Word of God. Read the following and perhaps in one or more of the examples you will be convicted by the Holy Spirit within you.
There is never an acceptable reason for refusing to do what the Lord is telling us to do in Scripture. And as in the laws of our land, ignorance of the Law of God is no excuse! God gave us an incredible gift, His Word, Spirit breathed and useful for everything pertaining to our lives, Jesus Christ is on every page and He will reveal Himself to those who seek Him in its pages and to those who do what He commands.
What are some of His commands that many refuse to acknowledge let alone obey? Tithing, fasting, forgiveness, love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul, and love your neighbor as yourself, be good to those who mistreat you, and do not seek revenge, for vengeance is Mine, says the Lord. Seek first the kingdom of God, do not have any idols, do not serve money or you will be a slave to it.
Attitudes of the heart can bring much needed discipline from God; pride, rebellion, liars, lovers of the world, judgmental attitudes, and hardened hearts to name a few.
Almighty God did not give us the Bible to be ignored or treated as though it was a cafeteria, where we can grab a tray and pick out what pleases us and ignore what we don't want to do, or that our church says is for another dispensation! Only to load up on the desserts, those promises and blessings of God! And then we wonder why God feels so far away, seriously?
Lord may 2012 be the year of daily feeding on the "whole council" of the Word of God not picking or choosing what we feel like doing but rather doing what Your Word tells us to do, knowing that You are a Good God and everything You tell us to do is for our good. True wisdom is found hidden in Christ Jesus and blessed, joyful, peaceful and fulfilled is the child that plumbs the depths of Jesus love!
Thank You Father for Your divine discipline, help me to recognize when I am being disciplined so I can repent of my sin and be cleansed from all unrighteousness.
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