We had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?
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.
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. Hebrews 12:9-11
As part of a hazing ritual in the movie Animal House, the new recruits were spanked with a paddle and had to respond “thank you sir, may I have another”. God loves us so much that He disciplines (corrects, reproves, rebukes, and exhorts) us. If He didn’t or doesn’t, we are not born-again into His family- illegitimate! Our response to the discipline of God reveals our maturity. While it may not be joyful going through these seasons, it can bring about something priceless- the peaceful fruit of righteousness. In other words, when God moves us to a place, attitude or behavior that is right in His eyes, we experience peace.
How do I respond to the discipline of God that comes into my life? Am I willing to be trained by it?
God, as this day begins… thank you for sending Jesus into the world. Its a Merry Christmas! So grateful to be with loved ones on Randy and Lisa’s Ranch. So nice for the cousins to all be together. (missing Mason and uncle David). May those in our family who have gone on to be with You, be remembered in our hearts today- grandpa Pat and grandma Mari, and dear Jessica.
