LOVE DISCIPLINE!

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 01 August 2012

Hi all,

Most of us strongly dislike pain. The dentist’s chair is seldom a place where we feel completely comfortable. Not that he would hurt us; he dos his very best to make sure he doesn’t. Even so most of us don’t like it. My Dad used to say, “You’re afraid of the death you’ll never see”. But pain does have advantages as we see in our meditation.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 01 August 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	LOVE DISCIPLINE!
Have you ever thought that pain is a blessing from the Lord? One of the reasons why I ask this, is because of something we saw a week or so ago. We saw a baby who did not experience pain. This child bit off a piece of his own tongue and was not aware that it had happened. I also recall seeing a video of a child who had badly burned her hand. So badly, her hand looked blackened and charred. The young girl was unaware of what had happened. The danger was losing her hand. Fortunately doctors managed to save it. Pain is also an excellent trainer. We hear of people “pushing through the pain barrier” in order to achieve an objective. Olympic athletes have demonstrated this on many occasions. They “push” themselves almost beyond endurance so that they will achieve their very best. They do it for fame, the medal and their country – not necessarily in that order. The twentieth and twenty-first centuries have been times when people think they are cleverer than God. As a result, people who discipline their children by spanking are considered dangerous, unfit parents. Some Mom’s and Dad’s have been prosecuted for disciplining their children, In some instances; children have been taken away from their parents. The courts find it difficult to distinguish between discipline and brutalisation. Children should never be abused. But discipline is essential if a child is to grow up and take his or her place in a balanced, law abiding society. God’s instructions to parents are clear. Three examples from Proverbs are quoted below. 24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. Proverbs 13:24 NLT - 15 Foolishness is firmly attached to a child's heart. Spanking will remove it far from him. Proverbs 22:15 GW - 13 Don't fail to discipline your children. They won't die if you spank them. 14 Physical discipline may well save them from death. Proverbs 23:13-14 NLT The foolishness of taking away discipline from parents and society is very evident in Western culture. Children have no respect for authority. The classrooms are filled with children who are rude and abusive to teachers. The streets have become dangerous for the elderly. Other people’s property is not respected and damaged. A well-known example occurred in London recently. Children, mainly teenagers, went on the rampage, burning and looting businesses. There is little doubt that, the tragic death of students at Columbine High in USA where juvenile gunmen shot their fellow students is a classic example of what can happen when discipline is disregarded. The murder of young people in Norway and a similar incident in a Colorado movie house is typical of what happens when discipline is removed from society. My Dad was not exactly a disciplinarian. But when he or Mom spoke, there was no question in my mind whether or not to ignore them. I loved my parents and deeply regret their passing. They loved me enough to discipline me when they considered warranted. Phyllida and I have followed their example. Our children thrived within defined boundaries. God’s instructions are clear. Let’s just do what He says! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			11 We give great honour to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. James 5:11 NLT 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; Psalms 103:13 TNIV 4 He has made his miracles unforgettable. The LORD is merciful and compassionate. 5 He provides food for those who fear him. He always remembers his promise. Psalms 111:4-5 GW 3 He won't let you stumble, your Guardian God won't fall asleep. 4 Not on your life! Israel's Guardian will never doze or sleep. Psalms 121:3-4 MSG 11 Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreads its wings to catch them, and carries them on its feathers, 12 so the LORD alone led his people. No foreign god was with him. Deuteronomy 32:11-12 GW 22 the LORD'S mercy. We were not completely wiped out. His compassion is never limited. 23 It is new every morning. His faithfulness is great. Lamentations 3:22-23 GW 14 When Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd. He felt deep concern for them. He healed their sick people. Matthew 14:14 NIrV 8 For Jesus doesn't change--yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself. Hebrews 13:8 MSG 29 What is the price of two sparrows--one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 NLT	“I think that this will hurt me far more than it hurts you”. That’s what my father told me when he was going to do, Something rather painful and make my bottom sting. But just before he did so, that “platitude” he’d bring. I don’t know where he got it from. I thought it was a lie. Once when I suggested it, a tear was in his eye. He wiped it with a handkerchief; his face began to burn; That’s when I learned a lesson that everyone must learn. Always take your punishment and face it like a man. The stinging wasn’t permanent; My rear end got a “tan”. But actually I’d earned it for doing what I did; Then was very careful to do what I was bid. A generation later, my kids were on the scene. I began to treat them the way my Dad had been. The words were not identical but bottoms just as sore, As anything I’d known about, back in the days of yore. Then I began to realise that what my dad had said. It wasn’t just a “platitude” to rumble round my head. There really was no pleasure, in bringing discipline, Provided that it rectified the trouble they were in. I didn’t want to do it. Why make my children sore? But if I didn’t do it, somehow it hurt me more! It wasn’t “retribution” that I was meeting out. It was to bring correction and make their “backbone” stout. There was another factor. I didn’t mean them harm. And so I had to wait until the pair of us were calm. To do it in a temper would harm the child far more. And I was bringing discipline, not “evening the score”. I also learned a lesson. The mood that I was in, Influenced the way I looked upon my children’s “sin”. I couldn’t be consistent. Sometimes I was severe. I felt like I should “thrash them”! That’s when I shed a tear. I didn’t want to harm them, but discipline was due; And if I lost my temper! – Lord, help me be like You. Compassionate and merciful and discipline in love. Not to dish out punishment, but with a velvet glove. Enough to give a warning and not their spirit break. Sufficient to encourage them; and help them to forsake, That which brought the discipline. Lord, take control of me. A “monster” that beats children, I do not want to be. Lord I need Your faithfulness Your tenderness and care; To be the sort of Christian You can send anywhere. Who will not harm his children, but will correct their way, So when they too are adults, their children will obey. Jim Strickland Written 1st August 2012