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God's Discipline - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) September 16, 2022

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:


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Fu Jo
Fu Jo
Sep 16, 2022

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.

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Fu Jo
Fu Jo
Sep 16, 2022

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.…


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