I've had to discipline my children more times than I can count. Often, it was because they did something they shouldn't have. In those moments, I've had to be tough, ensuring they come out of the experience in a way where they'd never forget it. Why? Because I wanted them to remember the consequences of their decision and never repeat it. There were times, however, where I kicked into disciplinarian mode before they did something wrong. Given my knowledge of them, I knew I had to teach them lessons and thereby preempt them from making certain choices. My aim was and remains always to prepare them for life and the challenges that will come their way.
Similarly, God disciplines us - His children. He does it for our own good and it helps us become better members of the Holy Household. Whether that discipline is post- or preemptive, there is one common factor - love. Hebrews 12:6 - because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” As weird as it seems, we should take it as a compliment to be disciplined, because God does not waste time disciplining those who aren't loved by Him. In fact, His discipline is a sign that we are His legitimate children and a means to make us holy (Hebrews 12:10). Additionally, Psalm 94:12 tells us that those who are disciplined are blessed.
And yet, for the one being disciplined, there's nothing lovey-dovey about it. Actually, it is when we're being disciplined that we think our parents or God hates us. Alas, that is not the case. Proverbs 13:24 states that a parent who loves their offspring will discipline them but a parent who hates their children will not. God is no different in His love for us.
When human parents discipline, we know there's an end in sight. They may ground us from going to two or three parties but eventually, things will get back to relative normal. With God, on the other hand, we may not know how long the disciplinary period will be. And that is the hardest part. There you are dealing with a challenge that's too much for you to bear and it's hard! It's been going on for months or years, and there may be no end in sight. Still, Paul admonishes us in Hebrews 12:7 - Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?
It is in these tough seasons that we must remind ourselves that God loves us (Isaiah 43:4). We must seek out His word in the Bible that says exactly that. We must fight the doubts and fears creeping into our minds and declare that we will wait on God to get us through. We must remember that no matter the reason for the discipline, we are being refined for His purpose (Isaiah 48:10). After all, He has promised that His plans for us are for good and not for evil (Jeremiah 29:11). This is not to say you won't cry, or feel frustration and fear. It is by doing the suggested tips above that you will overcome those negative emotions and get back on track as you wait on God to bring you to the ultimate place and plan He has for you.
May the Lord help us to remember that He disciplines us not just because we erred, but because in His love, He wants to train us to be mighty in His kingdom. Able to stand in the gap for others and wield the Lord's staff here on earth to His glory. May He remind us ever so frequently of His loving kindness and may His wonderful deeds be seen in our lives and the lives of those around us, IJMN, Amen.
Here are some helpful older P&P posts:
Trust God - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) June 30, 2020
Being Tested - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) September 29, 2020
When Things Go Wrong - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) October 13, 2020
Wait on God - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) May 18, 2021
Viable Seeds - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) June 29, 2021
He is For Me - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) August 10, 2021
Can you believe it? The 200th P&P is fast approaching! It's about to be another serious thanksgiving, guys!!!
I don't know if you remember the 100th P&P but I sure do. I had so much fun!
Well, how about we do it again? How about we have another hour of fellowship where we thank the Lord and then pray for each other?
Now is the time to look at old P&Ps and see what issues our fellow Peppers have raised as personal needs. Start getting read to cover them in prayer and drop serious blessings on them.
And, just a quick warning, let's all be flexible in case the Holy Spirit leads us in a different direction, lol! We have to submit to the Lord in all things, after all.
God bless and see you on Tuesday for P&P #190, which marks the countdown to P&P 200 on October 21, 2022.
Give God glory by sharing what He's done for you or someone in your life.
You can also share testimony in the Testimony Gala Thread - Testimony Gala | The Miracle Alley. The goal of this thread is to document what God has done for His people.
We are instructed to share our testimony as believers. In fact, doing so allows us to overcome satan according to Revelation 12:11 - They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
God bless you!
From PBS - I just want to thank God for all of you, who gather here in fellowship and love.
Thank you all for your sacrifice of time.
May God bless you all!
((HUGS)) ❤️
Have a blessed and safe weekend!
CLOSING PRAYER
Hallelujah! Father, You are great and mighty, You are our Everlasting King and we are grateful for Your mercy and kindness upon us.
As we come to the end of today's fellowship, we thank You for teaching us today and call on You to continue to teach us that we may obey Your word. Take all the glory, Lord.
Keep Your children and guide them in Your way and Your word. For those who come to participate later, may they also learn and be guided by You, IJMN, Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES In this day and age, some people will argue that Christians are stupid to believe that God disciplines out of love. They'd say we're all suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. If you are ever confronted with this attitude, be encouraged by the words of 1 John 3:1 - See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. A lot of the things God will teach you and expect from you will be contrary to the way the world does things and you have to be ready for this. Allowing God to enter your life, proclaiming Jesus as your personal savior and receiving Holy Spirit as your daily and ever present guide will change your life. It's supposed to. This is why the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! So, allow yourself to think anew. Allow yourself to be different. Allow yourself to be chastened, disciplined for the glory of God and the success of His kingdom here on earth. Be willing to endure hardship, knowing that God loves you and the troubles will surely pass. You are being transformed into something brand new and extremely useful for Him and His people. God, the narrow path is not an easy one, but I thank You for it is You who put me on it and therefore You will walk with me. As we walk together Lord, help me to endure Your training. Strengthen me, that I may rely on You, leaning on You to get through the difficult times. Help me to see You and Your purpose each day. Enable me to align with You every step of the way in wisdom. That I will stand my ground, and after having done everything, stand. And when my training is done, I will rejoice in You as You rejoice in me, IJMN, Amen.
Exodus 9:16
"But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
Lord I thank You for Your works in the lives of the members of P&P. Holy Spirit, I see that You are helping us to pray strongly. Abba Your word says that You have chosen us; we belong to You; we are Yours. Our Shepherd, we declare that the fullness of Your desires will come to pass in their lives. In Jesus' name amen!
Father, I thank You for giving Your children fire and power to accomplish Your will on earth. It is You who works in us to will and to act Your good purpose (Phil. 2:13), so we declare impotent every attempt of the enemy to quench our fire. We will persevere because through our Christ we have overcome the world (John 16:33; 1 John 5:4-5)! In Jesus' name I pray, amen!
Our Father, I pray for our fellow P&P participants and call on You to kindly meet them at their point of need. Some seek healing, others financial security. Still others seek happiness and joy.
Whatever it is they are in need of, I know You are the God of provision, Jehovah Jireh. With You, nothing is impossible. As such, I call on You, my God, to step into the lives of Your children and give them the blessings and victories they need.
My El Gibbor, I call on You, dear Lord, to overthrow everything in their lives resisting Your promise, purpose and plan in their lives. You who created them will complete what You have started in them to Your glory. Nothing and no one compares to You and Your power, so I place my prayer subjects before You, IJMN, Amen.
Father, I praise You for putting a Spirit of power, love, and a sound, healthy mind in us (2 Timothy 1:7).
Therefore I raise before You all who are being attacked by fear, especially the fear of death. Your words over them are active (2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12) so I stand in the gap for them, using Your word to proclaim their freedom.
Hebrews 2:14 "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—"
Heb 2:15 "and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."
Father the enemy that is plaguing them with these fears is under our feet (Psalm 138:7), and I crush its hold over their hearts in Jesus' name.
Thank You, Lord, I know You always answer me and will never renege on Your word -- amen!
1 Timothy 2:1-4 - I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Father, we pray for good leaders who give You glory in their positions of authority. We call on You for leaders at all levels of society who are guided by You and strive to serve You. You want us to live in societies that have good government so as to live quiet lives that are godly and holy, and so others become saved and come to know You.
Please hear and answer this petition to Your glory and by Your grace, IJN, Amen.
From PBS - Hallelujah, He is the God of the breakthrough! Lord remove every mountain—destroy and cast them out. May Your Power continue to break through and set the captives free. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life—Let the blind now see, let the deaf now hear, let the door knocks now be answered—to Your Glory.
Nothing is impossible for You, Lord Jesus! We cast every care onto You, and humble ourselves under Your mighty hand. We shall see the goodness of the Lord, on earth as it is in Heaven. We are more than conquerors through and by Christ Jesus who strengthens us.
Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers, Abba Father! Your goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives!
In Jesus Name, amen.
Matthew 7:7-8 - “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Heavenly Father, satan wants to stand in the way of Your mercies and grace. However, You are the Alpha and Omega. Above You there is no other.
As such, Lord, I call on You to help Your children all over the world. Infuse the Body of Christ with more faith. Let that faith transform thinking. According to the word in Luke 17:5 - The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Dear God, hear and answer this prayer for Your children that they be strengthened in their faith and walk with You. IJMN, Amen.
From BI - Lord, I lift up broken marriages and families into Your capable hands. I pray that You mend broken pieces and bind up wounds. I pray for Your transcending peace, healing and restoration over divided families. Turn hearts towards forgiveness and understanding. May Your mighty Spirit go to work in these families and bring them together in the love of Christ IJMN Amen.
Good God, You are the Almighty. Nobody compares to You. Father, please hear my prayer for people that they come to a knowledge of You as You promised in Jeremiah 24:7. Please give people a desire for You. Whet their appetites for more of You. Let hearts clamor for You. Pour out Your Spirit on all mankind in accordance with Your word in Joel 2:28. Be glorified, Lord our Redeemer, IJMN, Amen.
Help us Lord to have a big impact with our intercession by Your grace and to Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
Mighty God, I come before You to thank You for your throne of mercy and how You apply this grace to lives of Your children all around the world.
Hebrew 4:16 says "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."
Here I am Lord, please answer this cry for mercy just as You promised. The enemy is attacking Your servants and destroying Your sheep before they even have a chance to choose You.
Merciful Father, I trust You to answer this plea for Your intervention in the lives of all people. Deliver them and help them to conquer the enemy. This I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
PRAYERS
Hebrews 7:25 - Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Calling all intercessors! Calling all intercessors! Let's be like Jesus, the Intercessor.
Time to pray for people, communities and nations. Is there a burden on your heart to pray about an issue, say, poverty, inclement weather, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
Don't hesitate to lift up your prayers remembering that we aren't praying about our own needs right now. Lift up the needs of others below and allow the rest of us to agree with our 'Amen'. The Lord has said if two people prayerfully agree on a thing, then it is done (Matthew 18:19). This is what makes our communal intercession so powerful!
Let us pray...
My Father! Thank You for today! Mighty King, You have done well in protecting us and keeping us happy. There is always something to be grateful for and I'm grateful you didn't let our situation get any worse -- cuz it could've, but Your grace and mercy spared us
God, I want to thank You for the beauty in this world. From butterflies, to laughing children, You give us sights that warm our hearts.
The beauty in the world is a reflection of You in a very small way. Thank You for giving us reasons to smile, IJMN, Amen.
From PBS - Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
Praises to the Most High, the great I AM!
He is the ONLY God, the only Truth, the only Way, the only Life!
May you rain down your punishment on the wicked and the enemy! May those who mock and despise You and Your Ways fall on their own swords and into the pit!
The Lord God Almighty is great and deserves all reverence and fear!
He who destroyed the Tower of Babel, demolished Pharaoh’s army—He who raised Jesus up from the dead—He who is the Author of all Life!
He who knows all time and every season!
The Alpha and the Omega! Emmanuel, Bright Morning Star, Savior, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords!
Praise, glory, and honor to YOU!
Bless the Name of the Lord!
Hallelujah, in Jesus Name, Amen, Amen, Amen!!!