DARE TO DISCIPLINE

Time with Jesus - Monday, 20 August 2012

Hi all,

Discipline is not exactly a favourite topic, particularly for children. But it’s an essential part of growing up. It’s a bit like a garden. Left to itself it goes wild. Children are just the same. They need discipline. The Bible tells us that if you spare the rod you hate your child. Strong language! That’s our topic for our meditation today.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 20 August 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	DARE TO DISCIPLINE
Today’s meditation is fictional, but is invariably true. Bad things happen. Kids get killed walking across the motor-way. They take chances. Sometimes the cost to you is your life. I’m reminded of an old poem. Not one of mine, But it went; Here lies the body of Jonathan Grey. He died defending his right of way; He was right, dead right as he drove along. But he’s just as dead as if he were wrong! I heard that little poem when I was in primary school. Sadly, it’s still true. The accident statistics in South Africa for the “Christmas holidays” are shocking. Lunatic drivers, taxi drivers and drunk drivers create carnage on our roads each and every year. Mostly, it’s the perpetrators that get killed. But in many cases the victim is an ordinary driver; sober, alert and not over tired. But they get killed by those who should not be driving. Frankly, I believe that drunk drivers, who cause the death of others, should be tried for murder. Furthermore, those who are convicted of drunken driving offences should have their cars confiscated and face a very stiff penalty. Sometimes accidents happen as a result of poor road maintenance. In this case, the local authority should be responsible for all costs associated with the accident. Perhaps I’m a bit paranoid about this? But we as a nation must bring down accident figures. It should not be optional. Our first Scripture takes an imaginary look at a scenario all too familiar to most of us. When the law and/or God’s Word is ignored, it could bring death around our ears. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12 ESV There is another situation that needs to be raised at this point. I’m referring to the disciplining of children. God’s Word makes it very clear: 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 Obviously, discipline should never be child abuse. That can never be the case. But children need discipline to grow into responsible well balanced adults. Unfortunately, in most countries of the Western World, the law has been adjusted such that if you attempt to discipline a child – spank his/her bottom, it is seen as illegal. Many parent risk the wrath of the law by spanking their children anyway. They refuse to be intimidated by a law that restricts their ability to bring up children God’s way. The danger comes when little Tommy or Mary complain to the authorities that their father and/or mother have spanked them. So their children grow up to have no regard for the law or the “rights” of other people. There is little doubt in my mind that society is now “reaping what was sown”. A society where children and young people run amuck and cannot be controlled. The recent incidents in Norway and USA are good examples of what can happen when children are left to their own devices. Perhaps I’m not a good example, but the fact is my Dad was not shy about loving and the need to discipline. I got a hiding when I deserved it. Most of my school fellows received the same type of discipline from their parents. We all grew into manhood (it was an all boy’s school) and have become responsible citizens. Discipline is good! Jim & Phyllida Strickland.			12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12 ESV 26 Anyone who trusts in himself is foolish. But a person who lives wisely is kept safe. Proverbs 28:26 NIrV Nun. 1 Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way. It is like a light that guides me. Psalms 119:105 NIrV 4 Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded. Psalms 17:4 TNIV 1 "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, 'Let us go after other gods,' which you have not known, 'and let us serve them,' 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 13:1-4 ESV 8 The LORD says, "I will instruct you. I will teach you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you. Psalms 32:8 GW	Go to the next corner. Turn left and then turn right. You should be on the proper road, to get you home tonight. The route is full of potholes and some of them are deep. But if you pay attention and do not fall asleep, You’ll be as safe as houses and get there in good time. If you decide to drive top speed, your life’s not worth a dime. So easy on the gasoline; sit back; enjoy the drive. But if you doze and fall asleep, you won’t get there alive. These words were in the manual and it was good advice. Provided that you follow it, your journey will be nice. But if you play the macho and try to beat the clock, You’ll do yourself an injury and smash into a rock. But Tommy wouldn’t listen; He knew just what to do. He thought “I’m indestructible; my car is still brand new. I’m sure that it can reach the ton if I increase the speed. A big rush of adrenaline is just the thing I need.” And so he put his foot down. His car was very quick. He thought that he was floating and felt a wee bit sick. “Tanked up” drinking alcohol; far higher than a kite. To make things worse, he couldn’t see while driving late at night! Oblivious of danger he watched his “speedo” climb. One hundred; then one twenty. He heard alarm bells chime. But in his drunken stupor, they didn’t reach his brain. And long before he knew it, he’d smashed into a train. He’d written off the motor car. His body crushed and bent. They put him in an ambulance. To hospital they went. The doctors had a look at him, but he was D.O.A Although his family prayed for him, there wasn’t any way, To snatch him from the jaws of death. It had too strong a grip. And he had paid the penalty. This was his final trip. His friends all gathered round him and eulogised his life. But that could not restore him to family and wife. God gave him ample warning in the manual that day. It was his own stupidity that took his life away. The moral of this story is, keep yourself alert. Let the Father lead you; and keep you from such hurt. Listen to Him carefully. He will not let you down. And you will not be D.O.A. when you arrive in town. Never mind the voices you hear inside your head. Mostly it’s the devil and he desires you dead. Take all your decisions and ask God please to show, The way you should be living and what you need to know! Jim Strickland Written 20th August 2012