Date: 07-14-2020

Title: Discipline

(S) cripture:
    Hebrews 12:10-11 (NASB) For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

(O) bservation:
    The writer is comparing the discipline of our earthly and Heavenly fathers. Our parents do what seems right to them but God disciplines with a purpose. God disciplines us to make us holy. Now that is quite a thought.

(A) pplication:
    Parents do what they think is right but don’t always get it right. Some discipline out of frustration and anger with very little love involved. Others may have the best interest of the child in mind. I am reminded of the discipline I received after running into the street. That discipline taught me that the pain of the discipline was not worth running into the street for. That discipline was used to teach me and to keep me safe. I was not able to reason it through and so my parents used what I understood, discipline. God always has my best in mind. He never disciplines to get even or to alienate but always with the purpose of holiness. The discipline is not always pleasant but when received with a faithful heart it will lead to holy living. Today I do not want to run away from God’s discipline; I want to embrace it and learn from it and to let it lead me to holy living that brings peace and righteousness to my life.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, make me into the person you created me to be. Chip off the rough spots and make form me into your design for me. Work in my life today. Amen